NOUMEA: AS Poum’s season is on the line when they clash with top of the table side AS Magenta in a crucial must-win match during the final round of the regular season this weekend. Poum can draw with the reigning New Caledonian club champion to clinch the third and final playoff spot ahead of the season finale championship series.
But on current form Magenta should be near unbeatable. They have only lost two matches all season which came in the early rounds and have remained undefeated since.
With only a one point margin ahead of fourth placed JS Baco, who is expected to beat 8th placed ASLN Kouaoua in their final round match, a draw is not likely to be enough for Poum. JS Baco can clinch the third qualifying spot with a draw or win if Poum loses. Only an upset loss would give Poum any realistic chance of retaining its third place.
But any thought of over confidence on JS Baco’s part would be wiped after their lackluster loss to Gaitcha in a round 14 catch up match last weekend. A win could have put them ahead of Poum after their easy 4-1 win over Poum a day earlier.
In other catch up results, ASC Poya and AS Auteuil drew 1-1 while bottom placed Olympique recorded only their second win of the season, a sterling 3-1 effort over Kouaoua.
Needless to say round 18 will see all teams looking for their best form to finish their seasons in the best possible way.
The top three after round 18 will compete in the post-season championship series with the fourth team to be allocated to the territory leagues champion. The loyalty island division side Qanono is currently the top candidate to secure the fourth qualifying spot. The championship series will be played on a round robin home and away basis.
Catch up results
Round 7 catch up match
AS Auteuil – ACB Poya 1-1
Round 13 catch up match
JS Baco – AS Poum 4-1
Round 14 catch up match
Gaïtcha FCN – JS Baco 3-2
Round 17 catch up match
Kouaoua – Olympique 1-3
Points Ladder (ahead of final round)
Teams Pts P W D L F A diff
1. AS Magenta 60 17 14 1 2 60 23 +37
2. Mont-Dore 55 17 12 2 3 30 12 +18
3. AS Poum 52 17 11 2 4 39 28 +11
4. JS Baco 51 17 11 1 5 41 27 +14
5. Gaitcha FCN 44 17 8 3 6 31 34 -3
6. AS Auteuil 36 17 5 4 8 36 42 -6
7. USC 30 17 3 4 10 24 32 -8
8. Kouaoua 31 17 4 2 11 24 49 -25
9. ACB Poya 31 17 4 2 11 31 35 -4
10. Olympique 24 17 2 1 14 23 57 -34
Draw for Round 18 this weekend
JS Baco – ASLN Kouaoua
AS Poum – Magenta
Mont-Dore – Auteuil
Gaïtcha – ACB Poya
Olympique – USC