Football: President’s Cup-St Michel win President’s cup on penalties |12 March 2012

President James Michel, the Patron of Seychelles Football, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports and the Seychelles Football Federation (SFF) chairman Joel De Commarmond as well as a decent crowd were present as football returned to the stadiums for 2012.

St Michel, who had conquered all the titles on offer last season, started brightly as Minister Meriton kicked off the match.
La Passe threatened in the tenth minute as their new recruit Yves Zialor chased a long ball which Nigel Freminot struggled to reach but goalkeeper Nelson Sopha was quick off his line to clear the danger.

St Michel’s response came in the 17th minute from Malagasy Jimmy Radafison who bore forward to chip a ball to his colleague and St Michel’s latest signing Jean Delor Tsaralaza who tried to lob La Passe goalkeeper and captain Vincent Euphrasie but the ball sailed wide.

Three minutes later Delor left defender Verna Rose in is wake with a burst of speed but his cross-cum-shot fell straight in goalkeeper Euphrasie’s gloves.

Midway in this half, St Michel should have taken the lead as captain Don Anacoura put in an inch perfect cross on the head of the unmarked Wilnes Brutus but he headed over a good chance.

In the 25th minute, St Michel had a decent shout for a penalty as Brutus flicked a header into the path of Nelson Laurence who went down under a strong challenge by Malagasy Tholix Jean.  But referee Emile Fred was not convinced by St Michel’s appeals.

Just past the half-hour mark, St Michel’s Gino Agathine galloped forward and his near post shot forced a good save out of goalkeeper Euphrasie.

During half time, the main league sponsor Barlcays Bank presented a cheque to theSFF treasurer Justin Mathiot.
When the second half resumed St Michel again went close in the 54th minute from Malagasy Radafison’s curling free kick which flashed past the side netting.

La Passe pulled off the disappointing Yves Zialor and brought on Kenny Nibourette as they tried to improve their forward play.

In the 62nd minute, La Passe had a glorious opportunity as veteran Malagasy Eric Rajaobery released Achille Henriette who raced on goal but he was stopped in his stride by referee Emile Fred who penalized him for a not so apparent handball.

In the 66th minute at the other end Delor picked out Brutus with a superb cross but he missed the target.

Three minutes later, goalkeeper Sopha almost gifted footballer of the year Achille Henriette as his clearance came off the La Passe midfielder but it rolled agonizingly wide of an open goal.

In the 73rd minute, La Passe Gary Radegonde sent in a teasing corner which was met by Jean Paul Adela’s header but golie Sopha had to punch out the danger.

La Passe upped the tempo and in the 80th minute on a counter Henriette released Radegonde whose superb centre fell to Malagasy Valerie but he headed wide when he should have done better.

The last chance of the regular time fell to St Michel from Laurence’s free kick which captain Anacoura headed goalwards but goalkeeper Euphrasie turned it into corner.

In the 94th minute, La Passe played some neat passes as substitute Andrew Jean linked up with Rajaobery who back healed to Henriette but he hurried his shot which flew wide.

The match had to go into extra time as both teams failed to break the deadlock.

In the 103rd minute, La Passe goalkeeper Euphrasie misjudged Agathine’s long ball and was beaten to it by Delor’s flicked header but luckily for him the ball rolled out of play.

In the second period of extra time, La Passe threatened as Henriette pounced on a defensive error in the 113th minute to set up Valerie who fired over the crossbar.

St Michel stole the match with two minutes remaining as substitute Andy Mougal eluded a couple of tackles to cut back to Brutus but he blazed over to send the match into a penalty shoot out.

St Michel’s captain Anacoura was the first to take the spot kick and he score.  Henriette responded to make it 1-1.
Allen Larue made it 2-1 only for Malagasy Valerie to level it at 2-2.

Nigel Freminot restored St Michel’s lead at 3-2.  La Passe assigned young Collin Bibi for the third spot kick and the pressure got to him as his shot was saved by goalie Sopha.  Many questioned La Passe’s judgement of allowing Bibi such responsibility but coach Bruno Saindini said after the match that Bibi is the best penalty taker.

It was a crucial miss as substitute Leeroy Mathiot who came on in the last second of extra time and had not had a kick, scored to make it 4-2.

Verna Rose reduced the arrears to make it 4-3 but Radafison ensured St Michel clinched a record ninth President’s cup as he thumped the ball into the roof of the net to send his team and fans in celebration with a 5-3 win.

The St Michel manager Andrew Jean-Louis told Sports Nation that it was a tough match though his team had a slight edge and was happy that they had won a record ninth title.

As for La Passe coach Saindini, he said he was not satisfied as his team had once again failed to beat St Michel though he was pleased with their overall performance and also noted that they had created decent chances to win in normal time.

The cup and medals were presented by President Michel and Minister Meriton, assisted by chairman Decommarmond and vice chairman Roch Henriette.