Football: Airtel Cup-Ten-man St Michel edge La Passe |30 May 2005

St Michel missed the combative Garry Robert in midfield and defender Harry Libanotis as they struggled to contain La Passe.

Malagasy Bruno Saindini was a thorn in St Michel’s defence and in the 14th minute his screaming free-kick across the face of goal was narrowly missed by Ugandan Jimmy Kidega.

St Michel’s response four minutes later fell to Don Anacoura who stole the ball from La Passe’s Verna Rose but wasted the opportunity.

La Passe though were the more adventurous side and in the 27th minute Saindini’s free-kick was fumbled by goalie Nelson Sopha but Geal Gesinghaus hooked the loose ball over the cross-bar.

Saindini combined with Tanzanian Salum Kinje from a short corner in the 37th minute but shot in the side-netting as St Michel hung on.

In the 39th minute, Julius Adrienne galloped down the right flank to release Kinje who looked odds on to score before a last-ditch tackle by Danny César saved the day for St Michel.

Kinje again threatened in the 42nd minute as he let fly a shot from a tight angle which forced goalie Sopha to tip over.

St Michel came back for the second half with more determination and they got their reward in the 47th minute.

Malagasy Leonni Nastinan played a low corner which was blocked at the near post and the unmarked Marcel Labiche back-healed the loose ball into the net to open the score.

In the 57th minute, Brian Gill rifled a 40-metre shot which La Passe’s goalie Vincent Euphrasie saved.

La Passe upped the tempo to try and redress the balance. In the 62nd minute, Kinje and Saindini played a neat one-two and the latter’s cross was missed by both Kidega and Adriennne with the goal begging.

St Michel, who were under intense pressure, had to re-adjust themselves midway in the second half as both Labiche and Lorenzo Mathiot limped off.
La Passe’s also replaced the injured Kidega with speedy Malagasy Eric Rajaoberry.
St Michel’s Kenny Rath’s first touch in the 67th minute almost resulted in a goal as he shot narrowly wide.

La Passe though still kept the pressure on St Michel and tireless Saindini’s fierce strike was blocked at the near post in the 76th minute.

St Michel worked hard to maintain the score and in the dying minutes tempers flared as La Passe’s Henry Ladouce was booked following an off-the-ball incident with substitute Dereck Agathine.

Then St Michel’s Henny Dufresne was sent off by referee Jourdan Benstrong in what seemed to be an elbowing incident with Rajaoberry who was knocked to the ground.

St Michel’s coach Brian Uranie admitted that his team did not play well but was grateful that they had won.

As for La Passe’s Rwandan coach Nsonsa Kitala, he said the match was quite interesting and promised that La Passe will be a better team.

R. J-L.