NOUMEA – The start of the Federation Caledonienne de Football (FTF) Super Ligue Nestle competition has been delayed to help AS Magenta and AS Mont Dore in their pursuit of overseas honours. National daily newspaper Les Nouvelles Caledoniennes reports that the FCF Super Ligue will commence on October 11.
Last year’s title winners and Coupe de Nouvelles Caledonienne winners – AS Magenta and AS Mont Dore – will play in the Coupe de France and Coupe de DOM-TOM. Rather than disadvantage those clubs by making them field sides filled with youth players or dilute the standard of talent, the FCF has decided to postpone the start of the league season.
AS Temala, JS Baco and AS Mouli Sport will face a more structured competition fixture list rather than risk building up a backlog of matches.
Meanwhile, the Super Ligue Challenge pre-season tournament format has been announced with AS Mouli Sport facing champions AS Magenta at Stade Numa Daly. AS Lossi face AS Mont Dore in the other match.
Newly promoted AS Hienghene meet last season’s Super Ligue runners-up JS Baco. Thio Sport will play familier foes AS Temala.
Story and photograph courtesy www.fedcalfoot.com
FCF Super Ligue Challenge*
AS Mouli Sport vs. AS Magenta
AS Lossi vs. AS Mont Dore
AS Hienghene vs. JS Baco
Thio Sport vs. AS Temala
*The draw sees two pool – North and South – with each team playing the other once. The winner of the North pool plays the winner of the South pool in the final scheduled for October 4th, 2008.