PAPEETE – AS Manu Ura have taken the lead in Tahiti’s Division Federale after a 2-0 win over struggling AS Aorai at the weekend. The defending champions returned
to the top of the pile but their stay may be temporary with in form AS Tefana possessing a game in hand on their championship rivals.
AS Manu Ura continued its recovery from OFC O-League duties with a comfortable 2-0 win over AS Aorai. Manu Ura’s early season form was patchy at best but the defending
champions have since levelled out its performances and they sit atop Division Federale deservedly.
AS Aorai’s run of bad form continues after enduring a sixth loss in eight Division Federale outings, a run that will concern everyone connected with the club.
Aorai’s reputation for playing open and attractive football is well-known in Tahiti but with the team unable to translate that flair into points on the board it looks almost
certain the Taunoa-based club will be facing a Division Federale play-down slot rather than a place in the top five.
Manu Ura’s loss to AS Pirae last week acted as perfect motivation for the French-Polynesian champions and Hiashi Kake wasted no time when he latched onto a perfect pass from
Auguste Washetine to make it 1-0 to Manu Ura.
Aorai barely had time to recover from the shock of going a goal down before Billy Mataitai was awarded a penalty after taking a soft tumble in the Aorai penalty area. Tahitian
international Mataitai gladly accepted the decision and made it 2-0 from the spot with a comfortable finish.
Manu ura’s victory puts the defending champions on top of the table temporarily as AS Tefana – recently knocked out of the French Cup – has one game in hand, as do Tamarii
Fa’aa.
In Division Federale’s other fixture from a rain-affected weekend of action JT secured a 2-1 win over Central Sport in water-logged conditions at Stade Pater last weekend. JT
took the lead early in the first half when Jerome Tetavahi capitalised on a goalkeeping error.
JT doubled their lead after another Central Sport defensive blunder at a corner allowed Stanley Atani to pounce to make it 2-0.
JT’s domination of the match continued unabated for the rest of the match and but for some wayward finishing could have racked up an even bigger margin of
victory.
However, Central Sport enjoyed a generous refereeing decision just before halftime when a penalty was awarded for the struggling Central side and Stephan Colombani slotted home
to throw his team a much needed lifeline.
With the quality of the playing surface compromised by the heavy rain the quality of the second half suffered with neither side able to affect the score line.
The victory for JT ended a four match losing streak and keeps them in contention for a play-off spot. Despite the defeat Central Sport also stay within close range of the
leaders but will be concerned about their performance in the first-half.
Federation Tahitienne de Football
Division Federale
Standings 18.12.07
|
|
|
PL.
|
W.
|
D.
|
L.
|
GF.
|
GA.
|
PTS.
|
GD.
|
|
1
|
AS Manu ura
|
7
|
4
|
2
|
1
|
14
|
4
|
17
|
+10
|
|
2
|
AS Dragon
|
7
|
3
|
3
|
1
|
12
|
7
|
16
|
+ 5
|
|
3
|
AS Tefana
|
6
|
3
|
3
|
0
|
16
|
5
|
15
|
+11
|
|
4
|
JT
|
7
|
2
|
4
|
1
|
10
|
11
|
15
|
– 1
|
|
5
|
Tamarii Faaa
|
6
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
12
|
8
|
14
|
+ 4
|
|
6
|
AS Pirae
|
7
|
3
|
1
|
3
|
14
|
10
|
14
|
+ 4
|
|
7
|
AS Temanava
|
7
|
2
|
3
|
2
|
5
|
8
|
14
|
– 3
|
|
8
|
Central Sport
|
8
|
3
|
0
|
5
|
10
|
19
|
14
|
– 9
|
|
9
|
Aorai
|
8
|
1
|
1
|
6
|
8
|
18
|
11
|
– 10
|
|
10
|
TAC
|
7
|
1
|
1
|
5
|
11
|
22
|
10
|
– 11
|
Win = 3pts
Draw = 2pts
Loss = 1pt
Results: AS Manu Ura 2, AS Aorai 0; JT 2, Central Sports 1.