Football: President's Cup-Red Star victorious on penalty shoot-out |14 March 2005

Played in front of a big crowd which included Vice-President Joseph Belmont  and Health  and Social Services Minister Vincent Meriton, the match got off to a fast start and Red Star should have shot into the lead in the opening minute.

Voted the best goalkeeper in the top flight for the 2004 season, La Passe's Vincent Euphrasie committed a dreadful mistake seconds after kick-off when he fouled a goal-bound Wilnes Brutus inside the danger zone.

Referee Eddie Maillet did not hesitate to book the La Passe custodian and award Red Star a penalty. Red Star's spot kick specialist Ted Radegonde's effort went sailing over the horizontal bar to keep the score neutral.

La Passe responded in the 11th minute through diminutive Malagasy striker Eric 'Didy' Rajaobery who connected to compatriot and captain Bruno Saindini's pass before firing at goal, but goalie Joel Lesperance, back in the Red Star goal after a  long injury lay-off, blocked his effort.

Keeper Lesperance pulled off another magnificent save to deny the Malagasy marksman a second time in the 22nd minute.

Five minutes later, Red Star, who are to travel to South Africa this week for the first round return leg match of the Confederations Cup against SuperSport United FC, broke the deadlock. Under pressure from La Passe's defender Jonathan Bibi, industrious Wilnes Brutus rose majestically to head into an empty net a defender Radegonde long free-kick, beating a bemused goalie Euphrasie who had left his goalline.

The goal inspired Red Star to go forward and they should have gone two goals up in the 37th minute through Jeffrey Brutus who exquisitely trapped a half-cleared corner but his sweetly struck volley was well saved by goalie Euphrasie.

At the other end, 'Didy' picked out Melvin Uranie who sent his scorcher crashing against the woodwork.

Both teams came out roaring after the breather and as the game grew older, they created more chances.

Red Star went close in the 54th minute as Malagasy Taly beat the La Passe off-side trap to centre to Wilnes Brutus who volleyed towards goal but keeper Euphrasie was equal to the task.

The Diguois shocked Red Star in the 77th minute with the equaliser. Unmarked inside the six-yard box, defender Ted Esther headed home a captain Bruno Saindini well-curled corner kick to send La Passe's supporters wild.

In the 88th minute, Rajaobery's teasing cross caused confusion in Red Star's defence and the ball nicely dropped to substitute Gary Radegonde but he shot across the face of goal from close-range.

The game thus had to go to extra-time where both sides needed to dig deep in their reserves to keep the momentum.

Mosa's Red Star were the first to threaten in the first period of extra-time but Wilnes Brutus' spectacular volley on the edge of the box in the 97th minute was blocked by a vigilant keeper Euphrasie.

La Passe's Saindini stole a ball from midfield in the 103rd minute but his goalbound shot after a brilliant control was easily dealt with by keeper Lesperance.

With five minutes left to play in the second period of extra-time, Red Star had two clear chances to kill off the contest but Wilnes Brutus fluffed both when faced with goalie Euphrasie.

Goalie Lesperance, Red Star's hero in penalty shoot-out

The penalty shoot-out was crucial for both teams and goalie Lesperance came up big for Red Star, saving two penalties to help his team to victory.

Red Star's Jeffrey Brutus took the first penalty which was saved by goalie Euphrasie. La Passe's 'Didy' was next to step up but his effort hit the upright.

Skipper Percy Laramé sent goalie Euphrasie the wrong way to give Red Star the lead (1-0). Jonathan Bibi's effort was stopped by keeper Lesperance who dived to his right to stop the La Passe defender's effort.

Bernard St Ange wrong-footed keeper Euphrasie to increase Red Star's lead to 2-0 and things looked rosy for Mosa's boys when goalie Lesperance dived full length to his left to deny Melvin Uranie.

Red Star's Nigel Freminot could have ended the show but his powerful shot went agonisingly wide. Amisy Voavy made no mistake, beating goalie Lesperance with a low shot to reduce the score to 2-1.

Taly was given the responsibility to take the final penalty kick for Red Star and he made no mistake, beating goalie Euphrasie to win his team their first piece of silverware of the season.

La Passe did not take their last penalty kick.
Vice-President Belmont presented the President's Cup to Red Star's captain Laramé and the runners-up trophy to La Passe's skipper Saindini at the end of the match.

What they said:

Red Star's coach Mosa: "We played well but failed to score on a number of occasions. I am happy though with the win which should motivate us for the rest of the season."

La Passe's coach Vojo Gardesevic: "Red Star were the better side and deserved victory. We have to work harder and come out stronger next time."

C. J.