La Passe win inner islands ‘Make a Child Smile’ tournament |06 July 2017

La Passe took home the Inner Island ‘Make a Child Smile’ tournament cup after they won against Revengers in the final played last weekend at the Stad Amitié.

La Digue-based La Passe won the cup on a penalty shootout (4-3) as the score remained locked at 1-1 after normal time.

It was Revenger’s Ludovic who scored first in the 15th minute but Perry Monnaie levelled the score for La Passe 15 minutes later with a well-taken goal following a swift move by his teammates. The first half ended on a 1-1 score.

In the second period, La Passe scored a goal but it was correctly ruled out for offside. In an evenly contested second half, Revengers almost regained the lead but La Passe were saved by the post. Things got worse for Revengers when Evariste got his marching order after receiving his second yellow card. But La Passe failed to capitalise on the numerical advantage with the match ending 1-1.  

The game went straight to a penalty shootout instead of extra-time as was agreed at the start of the tournament. It was La Passe who proved superior in the penalty shootout, winning 4-3 to scoop the cup.

Baie Ste Anne and Grand Anse Praslin members of the National Assembly Churchill Gill and Wavel Woodcock; Clifford Mondon, founder of the ‘Make a Child Smile’ Foundation; and representatives of the Jj Spirit Foundation presented the cups to winners La Passe, runners-up Revengers, third place LightStars, fourth place Côte d’Or and fifth place Anse Reunion.

The top scorer of the tournament was Ludovic of Revengers who scored six goals and the best player was Rino from La Passe.

There were also prizes for the team who attracted the most supporters throughout the tournament and that went to Côte d’Or and the best supporter was Channel Laurencine.

“Our performance was good and we are satisfied with how the team played. We took this tournament as a preparation for the upcoming season and also as a way to bring our support to this good cause,” said La Passe manager Frederick Ladouceur.

On his part, Revengers coach Basil Houareau said: “We are satisfied with the team and the supporters as well. There has been a great improvement from our last matches and this is due to our players learning to coordinate better together and this leaves us confident that we can do better in the next round and the upcoming Airtel Cup. We are also happy to have been able to participate in this tournament and give a hand towards the children in need.”

Text: Nadia Bédier

Photos: Romano Laurence