Football: Division one playoff Revengers dash Glacis’ promotion challenge |02 December 2017
First division side Revengers dashed second division league runners-up Glacis’ promotion challenge with a narrow 3-2 victory at Stad Linite on Thursday afternoon in the playoff match.
Revengers made a good start in this playoff match as they fought for their survival in the top flight and they opened the scoring on the half hour mark from Malagasy Evariste’s cross which was met by captain Cliff Cesar’s glancing header which found refuge in the net for a 1-0 score.
Four minutes later, the Praslin side extended their advantage after Malagasy Ludovigue twisted and turned his defender to slip a pass to Ivan Cedras who slotted the ball past goalkeeper Kitson Cecile to make it 2-0.
Revengers’ Evariste, who is rumoured to be joining St Michel next season, then scored with a fantastic free kick from 35 metres as he sweetly curled the ball into the top corner for a 3-0 lead on the stroke of half-time.
Down but not out, coach Ronny Hoareau brought on the dazzling Steven Telemaque early in the second half and he almost single-handedly turned this match on its head.
In the 58th minute, Revengers’ Malagasy defender Mazinot Valentin gave the ball away and Hendrix Labrosse fed Telemaque who planted the ball past goalkeeper Jean Michel Marie for a 1-3 score.
Eleven minutes later, Telemaque lobbed narrowly wide after being released by Carlos Onezime and Revengers goalkeeper Marie had raced out of his goal.
In the 75th minute, Telemaque tormented the Revengers defenders with his silky skill and then pulled the ball to Labrosse who easily tucked the ball home to make it 2-3 the score as the excitement level rose in this very entertaining second half which swung back and forth.
Revengers had three great chances to stretch their lead. Firstly in the 78th minute, substitute Marcus François burst through but his shot was smothered by goalkeeper Kitson Cecile who had a very good second half.
Two minutes later, Ludovigue combined with Evariste but the former failed to beat a determined goalkeeper Cecile in a one-on-one situation.
Goalkeeper Cecile also denied substitute Malagasy Evelyn in the 82nd minute when he blocked his shot from close range.
The pendulum then swung Glacis’ way and in the 84th minute, Steve Henriette burst through to fire at goalkeeper Marie who parried the ball into corner.
A minute later, Collin Tirant swung a long throw-in to Henriette who flicked the ball into the penalty area to Telemaque but his left foot volley flew over the crossbar.
Glacis’ last chance to send this match into extra-time came in the last minute of injury time from Onezime’s cross which Henriette could not direct on target as Revengers survived a late scare to maintain their first division status much to the relief of coach Basil Hoareau.
“We wasted too many chances but the players thought they were in their comfort zone after taking a strong lead at the break and it almost proved costly, but at least we survived to stay in the top flight which was the target in this match,” the Revengers coach told Sports NATION.
R. J-L.