Football: Intelvision Cup - La Passe floor 10-man Foresters in penalty shootout |12 November 2015

Airtel Cup holders La Passe came from behind twice to knock out 10-man Foresters on a 7-6 score after the fourth round Intelvision Cup match had ended 2-2 after extra time on Tuesday afternoon at Stad Linite.

This was a real cup tie which swung from end to end before the La Digue side held their nerve to triumph as Foresters were left to rue their chances in a match which ironically started with referee Bernard Camille turning down two strong penalty appeals from each team.

In the 18th minute, Foresters’ Marlon Sophola lost the ball to Renick Esther who bore on goal but was pulled back by this same player for a penalty but the official turned a blind eye. Seconds later at the other end, La Passe’s Laurel Ladouce got caught in possession by Richard Freminot who surged into the penalty area and was hacked down by this young defender for a clear spot kick which was once again not awarded.

Goal scoring chances though was in scarcity in this first period and the two noteworthy came in the 40th minute from Randy Emile’s corner which fell to Renick Esther whose spectacular volley was cleared on the goal line by Foresters defender Patrick Bonne and in the dying seconds of this half, La Passe captain Achille Henriette set up Randy Emile but he shot straight at Foresters goalkeeper Frank Moutoni.

The second half was much better though after it took some time to sort out the lighting as everyone seemed to know which combination was best which was rather frustrating for the supporters and players alike.

In the 56th minute, Collin Esther picked out captain Henriette’s darting run in the penalty area but the latter could not direct his header on target and eight minutes later the same Henriette flashed a free kick which whizzed in the side-netting as Foresters breathed a sigh of relief.

Foresters broke the deadlock in this tightly contested cup match in the 79th minute as Brian Dorby galloped down the right to centre to Martin William who had been given the captain’s armband for the day, and he took his goal with aplomb as he rifled a left foot shot low past goalkeeper Vincent Euphrasie to make it 1-0.

Foresters then gifted their opponents almost immediately an equaliser as Senky Vidot lofted a free kick in the opposing penalty area and Malagasy defender Edgard Nandresana attempted a back header to his goalkeeper Moutoni who had rushed out and the ball found refuge in the net for a 1-1 score for an embarrassing own goal.

La Passe almost stole this encounter in the 84th minute as captain Henriette threaded the ball to Renick Esther who glided past the onrushing goalkeeper Moutoni before firing at goal but Sophola cleared the goal bound shot to send this match into extra-time.

Extra-time

In the first minute of extra-time, Foresters went close as Ugandan Tonny Kizito slipped a pass to substitute Carlos Mondon who rattled the crossbar with a fierce shot.

In the 104th minute, Mike Lesperance got into a row with La Passe defender Jean-Paul Adela who had tackled him to the ground as he went on the offensive but he got up and had a go at the La Passe player despite being awarded the foul and referee Bernard Camille showed him a straight red card for retaliation.

Ten-man Foresters again went ahead in this topsy turvy match in the 112th minute. Francis Nourrice sent in a deep free kick on the left to Elvin Estico who was left unmarked and headed the ball past goalkeeper Euphrasie to make it 2-1 for the Mont Fleuri-based team.

Three minutes later, La Passe levelled matters again as substitute Adrian Constance’s centre across the face of the Foresters goal was met by captain Henriette who drilled the ball at the near post for a 2-2 score line.

Foresters had a final chance to snatch victory in the 118th minute as Nourrice, who looked suspiciously offside, latched onto a through ball to come face to face with goalkeeper Euphrasie who stood tall to deny him and send this match into a dramatic penalty shootout.

Penalty shootout

Elvin Estico gave Foresters the lead only for captain Henriette to equalise at 1-1. Jules Rapiera, who had come on in the dying seconds of extra-time, then shot past goalkeeper Euphrasie to make it 2-1 but substitute Stenio Ernesta levelled the score at 2-2.

Malagasy Edgard tucked home his spot kick only for Collin Esther to do the same as the score was at a deadlock at 3-3. Nourrice gave his team a 4-3 lead but Ian Ah-Kong shot past Moutoni to make it 4-4.

Then there was to be another twist for the fifth and crucial penalty as Sophola saw his effort from the spot pushed away by goalkeeper Euphrasie and then came Senky Vidot who kept his cool to place the ball far from goalkeeper’s Moutoni’s reach to put the score at 5-4 to hand his team victory on a 7-6 score as they qualify for the quarterfinals where they will face Côte d’Or who had dumped the cup holders St Michel in the fourth round.

La Passe coach Bruno Saindini was just relieved his team had kept their composure in the penalty shootout to progress to the next phase.

“It was a difficult match against a strong opponent and today we fielded an all-Seychellois team so I’m just happy to have won despite being on penalties and I congratulate my players for giving their all in this match,” the La Passe coach told Sports Nation.

As for Foresters coach Rodney Choisy, he was very upset with his team for allowing their opponents to knock them out when they were in a strong position to win.

“I’m very disappointed as we twice led in this match and should have gone on to win but a lack in communication in defence cost us this game,” coach Choisy said.  

R. J-L.

Foresters captain Martin William (left) opened the scoring in this match, but it was La Passe who won on penalties to make it to the quarterfinals