TAHITI – AS Venus caused the shock of the Coupe de Polynesie after dumping D1 club AS Excelsior in the Round of 16. A first-half injury-time goal to Joseph Taune helped guide the D2 club into the last eight as Excelsior’s season of struggle continued.

AS Pirae’s Coupe de Polynesie curse continued with another exit this time at the hands of Tahitian champions AS Manu Ura. Meanwhile, AS Vaiete’s relegation woes were forgotten for the moment with a six goal romp over AS Vaiarii. The three victorious clubs progress to the quarter finals of the 2008/09 Coupe de Polynesie.

In a groundbreaking weekend for Federation Tahitienne de Football (FTF), the governing body for football saw its match officials utilize its new flags and sound transmitters to communicate during the match. It is the first time such technology has been used in the Oceania region (outside of New Zealand) in a domestic football competition.

VAIETE EASE THROUGH TO LAST EIGHT

AS Vaiarii (0) 1

AS Vaiete (3) 6

AS Vaiete moved into the Coupe de Polynesie Quarter Finals with an easy 6-1 win over Championnat D2 side AS Vaiarii in Paea. Vaiete led 3-0 at halftime and added a further three goals in a bland second-half. Vaiarii pulled back a consolation goal toward the end of the match. Vaiete’s rare victory will be the perfect confidence booster ahead of their next Championnat D1 clash with Tahiti U-20. Tahiti U-20 are currently riding the crest of a wave after qualifying for the FIFA U-20 World Cup – Egypt 2009. AS Vaiarii faces AS Papenoo in its next D2 match.

PIRAE CUP CURSE CONTINUES

AS Pirae (0) 0

AS Manu Ura (0) 2 (Auguste Washetine 74’, Hiroana Poroiae 75’)

AS Pirae’s wretched form in the Coupe de Polynesie continued this weekend after a 0-2 loss to D1 champions AS Manu Ura. Pirae – dumped at the Quarter-Final stage by AS Tefana in 2007 (10-1 on aggregate) and 2008 (3-1) – had hoped for better luck against ‘Les Mauve’. With the match level at 0-0 at the break, Manu Ura got the breakthrough thanks to two quick goals within sixty seconds. New Caledonian striker Auguste Washetine and Hiroana Poroiae struck on 74’ and 75’ minutes to break the hearts of ‘Les Oranges’ fans. Whether AS Manu Ura can emulate AS Tefana and go on to lift the Coupe de Polynesie remains to be seen.

VENUS TRIUMPH IN COUPE DE POLYNESIE UPSET

AS Venus (1) 1 (Joseph Taune 45+2’)

AS Excelsior (0) 0

AS Venus caused the biggest upset in the Coupe de Polynesia Round of 16 after a 1-0 win over Championnat D1 club AS Excelsior. A goal to the diminutive Venus player Joseph Taune (45′ +2) was enough to hand his team a golden ticket to the Coupe de Polynesie Quarter Finals. Excelsior laid siege to AS Venus goal in a dramatic second-half but the minnows from D2 held on to record a deserved and famous victory. AS Venus is the last surviving club from D2 left in the competition.

2008/09 Coupe de Polynesie – Round of 16

Saturday 10 January, 2009

AS Venus 1, AS Excelsior 0

AS Pirae 0, AS Manu Ura 2

AS Vaiarii 1, AS Vaiete 6

Sunday 11 January, 2009

AS Samine vs. AS Tefana

AS Temanava vs. AS Punaruu

AS Tiari Tahiti or AS Mira vs. JT

AS Dragon vs. Tahiti U-20

AS Tamarii Faaa vs. AS Tac

Time difference -24 hours (NZT)

*The winner of the 2008/09 Coupe de Polynesie qualifies for the Coupe de France