Football: Sunkiss'd division one-Bruno's late strike brings La Passe back to the top |21 September 2004

Captain Bruno Saindini was La Passe's hero after netting the game's sole goal in the 78th minute to earn his team three vital points.

It was an important victory for the players of suspended Yugoslav coach Vojo Gardasevic who watched the match from the stands.

La Passe were the better side in every department and their speed in attack caused havoc in Northern Dynamo's defence. But they had no luck when presented with goal-scoring opportunities and it took them 78 minutes to finally break the deadlock, thanks to the influential Bruno.

The bulky striker was at the right place at the right time to blast home a loose ball after Northern Dynamo's goalkeeper Jules Monnaie had blocked Eric Rajaobery's initial shot.
"My team performed well and we deserved to win," said Saindini after the match.

Northern Dynamo, whose attack was neutralised by their opponents' rock-solid defence, could have opened the scoring two minutes earlier (76th) on their best chance in the second period.

Substitute Jude Bibi's first-time shot on the edge of the penalty box hit the woodwork and bounced back into play. The usually reliable Malagasy striker Assman Todisoa chest-trapped the ball before firing it wide from point-blank range.

La Passe did get the ball inside their opponents' net a second time in the 81st minute but  Rajaobery's effort was ruled out for offside by referee Jourdan Benstrong.

La Passe should have scored as early as the 20th minute but Salum Kinje's outside-of-the-boot free-kick hit the upright and rolled out of play.

Northern Dynamo responded immediately as young and skilful Daniel Maillet stole a ball from midfield before releasing Todisoa but La Passe's custodian Paul Ah-Kong, who was deputising for the suspended Vincent Euphrasie, did well to leave his goalline to thwart the danger.

In the 37th minute, Northern Dynamo's Todisoa tangled with La Passe's defender Ted Esther who lost possession. The ball rolled to Evans Télémaque who shot straight at La Passe's defender Gary Radegonde with the goal begging.

With the win, their ninth in 13 matches, La Passe have 30 points, the same total as Red Star who have played a game more and have an inferior goal difference.

La Passe have the best defence with just five goals conceded and the second best line of attack with 31 scored.

As for Red Star, they have netted 34 goals and leaked in 11.

C. J.