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Football: President’s Cup - St Michel edge St Louis Suns to retain cup

Reigning Barclays league division one champions St Michel edged Land Marine Cup winners St Louis Suns 3-2 to retain the President’s cup at Stad Linite on Saturday.

Quite a large crowd had made it to the stadium including President James Michel – the football patron – Designated Minister Vincent Meriton, Seychelles Football Federation (SFF) vice-president Roch Henriette and other officials.

St Michel had shuffled the team who defeated Swazi team Young Buffaloes in the African Champions League preliminary round return match last weekend and it was Francis Nourrice who had a decent chance in the seventh minute as he broke clear but instead of going for glory, he cut the ball back and the danger was cleared.

Eleven minutes later, former St Louis Suns Malagasy defender Jimmy Radafison tested goalie Elvis Leopold with a long range effort which he tipped over.

St Louis Suns had a half-chance in the 27th minute as St Michel’s captain Nigel Freminot gave the ball away to Mervin Mathiot who fired straight at goalie Nelson Sopha.

A minute later, St Louis Suns were denied a clear penalty as Mathiot played a neat one-two with Yannick Charlette and captain Freminot bundled Mathiot over. Surprisingly referee Jean-Claude Labrosse decided otherwise, much to the anger of the St Louis Suns players and supporters.

St Louis Suns though took the lead in the 33rd minute as Mathiot released Charlette who battled for possession with Radafison. The loose ball broke to captain Trevor Poiret who rifled a superb volley which sailed over Sopha and crashed into the net for a 1-0 score.

The goal spurred St Louis Suns as St Michel struggled to find a rhythm to their game. However, new St Michel coach Vivian Bothe brought on Wilnes Brutus in the second half to bolster their attack and it paid off as they levelled matters in the 46th minute.

It started from Malagasy Fulgence Rajaoniary who had been anonymous in the first half. He found space to centre to Carl Hall who headed past Leopold to make it 1-1.

St Michel were on a roll and they went ahead in the 54th minute as St Louis Suns defence went to sleep allowing Nourrice to pounce on a loose ball and shoot at Leopold who did well to block the shot. However, St Louis Suns defence failed to react, giving Nourrice a second bite of the cherry and he duly complied to put St Michel 2-1 up.

The second half was a more exciting affair and on the hour mark, Nourrice’s instinctive cross was met by Brutus’ glancing header which flew agonisingly wide of the post.

St Louis Suns though fought back through footballer of the year Poiret who linked up with substitute Ryan Antat who got the better of Allen Larue. Poiret shot across goal despite Larue’s challenge and the ball rolled under Sopha to make it 2-2.

St Louis Suns had to replace Leopold who was injured and their number one goalie Joel Lesperance was brought on in the 74th minute.

In the 80th minute, Nourrice’s free kick came off St Louis Suns’ wall and fell to Henny Dufresne who let fly with a fierce drive which flew past Lesperance for a 3-2 scoreline.

The St Michel players were ecstatic as they celebrated, but Dufresne got into trouble as he pulled off his jersey and was booked. As it was his second yellow of the match, he received his marching orders.

St Michel still held on to give coach Bothe his first piece of silverware as the 2011 season kicked off on an interesting note.

The cups and medals were presented to the two teams by President Michel and SFF officials.

R. J-L.