CHONG HUE HAT-TRICK GIVES TAHITI U-20 PERFECT START

TAHITI – Tahiti U-20’s Championnat D1 and Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) U-20 rivals will sit up and pay attention after a Steeve Chong Hue hat-trick helped guide his team to a comprehensive 5-2 over hapless Tamarii Faaa last night. 

It is the first time a national age-group selection has been included in the elite tier of Tahitian football under the guidance of Federation Tahitienne de Football (FTF) Technical Director and U-20 Lionel Charbonnier. 

Charbonnier told a press conference at the France ’98 Christian Karembeu Jubilee match that he believed Tahiti U-20 could bridge the gap between itself and New Zealand come December 2008 and last night’s win over senior club opponents suggested that in 12 weeks time he could be right.

In Championnat D1’s other match JT were held to a 1-1 draw by newly promoted AS Excelsior in a match marred by a flurry of yellow and red cards. Excelsior has been absent from Tahiti’s top flight for seven years, will be encouraged by its efforts with just ten men for the bulk of the second half.

JT – who recorded the most draws in Division Federale last season – will be disappointed with the result given its numerical advantage.

STEEVE CHONG HUE HAT-TRICK GIVES TAHITI U-20 PERFECT START

Tahiti U-20 5 (Chong Hue 3, Tehau, Warren)

Hat-trick hero Steeve Chong Hue gave Tahiti U-20 the perfect springboard to their Championnat D1 and OFC U-20 Championship preparation last night as Lionel Charbonnier’s team defeated Tamarii Faaa 5-2.

Chong Hue blasted Tahiti U-20 into a two goal lead with strikes in the 5th and 8th minutes against a senior club side left reeling in his wake. The first effort, Chong Hue slipped past the stunned Tamarii Faaa keeper, the second a tidy finish from a Stanley Atani cross.

Alvin Tehau made it 3-0 after 20 minutes when the Tamarii Faaa goalkeeper spilled what seemed a regulation catch into the path of Tehau. Tahiti U-20’s start to the match must have pleased their coach Lionel Charbonnier with Tamarii Faaa simply unable to cope with Tahiti U-20’s pace and aggressive defence.

That electric start to the match waned on 30 minutes with the youngsters happy to sit on their 3-0 lead. Tamarii Faaa seized the chance to bounce back five minutes before the break when Rocky Teriihapuare scored for the “greens” to make it 3-1.

The goal appeared to kick-start Tahiti U-20 into action almost immediately and Jay Warren made it 4-1 when his long range shot hit the post and deflected into the net.

After the break Tamarii Faaa adopted a more physical approach which gave them the upper-hand for the next 15 minutes of the second-half without creating any clear cut chances.

Tamarii Faaa’s fortunes changed after 60 minutes when a Terangi Temorere corner flew straight into the back of the net.

Once more, the shock of losing a goal sparked a strong response and on 65 minutes Stanley Atani turned provider for Steeve Chong Hue to complete his hat-trick and a dream start to 2008 for the Fenua youngsters.

AS Excelsior 1 (Chan)

Another match, another explosive start – at least that’s how the coaches of JT and AS Excelsior will remember their season bow after some controversial officiating in last night’s Championnat D1 match.

Referee Michel Digirolamo and his team of assistant referees left Excelsior players fuming after allowing what appeared to be a regulation offside decision gone awry.

It was to be the first of many highly contentious moments in this match.

JT’s Stanley Taata took maximum advantage of the ensuing confusion putting a cross onto the head of grateful team-mate Kehea Teamo to score with consummate ease after just 4 minutes of play.

Excelsior defenders stood rooted to the ground as Teamo and Taata celebrated with coach Bruno Tehaaheana left remonstrating with officials.

Tehaaheana’s men responded positively in the second half but JT goalkeeper Gilles Guth was left untroubled by Excelsior’s willing but blunt attacks.

JT appeared content to play Excelsior on the counter-attack, happy with a 1-0 lead – always a dangerous approach for any team.

Excelsior’s labours were made heavier in the 73rd minute when Stanley Taata earned a dubious second yellow card, and then red, leaving his team reduced to ten players.

Excelsior coach Alain Neuffer can be proud of his team’s response.

JT – with a numerical advantage – refused to attack and were made to pay for this when Excelsior’s Stanley Tepako found Leon Chan who managed to steer the ball into the net to make it 1-1.

In an intense physical battle largely dominated by the referee, Excelsior were happy to take two points but both teams will feel aggrieved at the 9 yellow cards and 1 red card brandished by Michel Digirolamo.

Championnat D1

Standings – 16.09.08

Championnat D1

Results

AS Dragon vs. TAC                         4-0

AS Tefana vs. AS Vaiete                4-0

AS Manu Ura vs. AS Pirae             1-2

JT vs. AS Excelsior                          1-1

Tamarii Faaa vs. Tahiti U-20          2-5