NOUMEA: New Caledonia league champion Magenta pulled off the double ending its 2003-04 season on a high with a narrow 2-1 victory over arch-rivals Mont Dore in the Coupe de Caledonie final last weekend.
Magenta now progresses to the 7th round of the French Cup in November either in France or in Noumea depending on the outcome of other matches.
Played at the Numa Daly Stadium, Magenta sought to erase the disappointment of losing its French Overseas Territories crown to Tahiti’s Manu Ura the week before. And they made sure with the first goal of the match early in the second half after a tight scoreless draw. Stevens Longue capitalised on a defensive error inside the penalty area to give Magenta the lead.
Mont Dore hit back five minutes later through Jose Euriboa but victory was sealed with Magenta’s international striker Andre Sinedo’s opportunist goal with twenty minutes remaining.