FRANCE – New Caledonia must rely on a massive favour from Oceanian rivals French-Polynesia if it is to have any hope of winning a finals berth at the 2008 Coupe de’l Outre-Mer after a 4-0 loss to Guadeloupe at the weekend.

‘Les Cagous’ were completely outclassed by a polished Guadeloupe and must now hope that French-Polynesia can somehow cause an upset in its final match against New Caledonia’s conquerers.

The likelihood of that upset materialising will largely depend upon how motivated French-Polynesia remain after it also lost to table-toppers Martinique 1-0 at Stade Municipal in Seine et Marne.

French-Polynesia – represented by players from the Champpionat D1 winners AS Manu Ura and Lionel Charbonnier – also lost its first match to "Les Cagous" 1-0 and must win its final game if it wishes to progress to the play-off for 5th and 6th place.

French-Polynesia’s record in international tournaments in recent times suggests victory could be a difficult ask although they will take plenty of encouragement from the narrow margin of defeat in both its matches so far. 

A goal in the 12th minute to Fabien Jerome set Guadeloupe on its way to victory with goals in the second-half to Lerny Hanany, Gregory Gendrey and Jean-Luc Lambourde swept "Les Cagous" aside with barely a whimper.

French-Polynesia competed bravely against Martinique but a 12th minute goal to Kevin Saint-Louis Augustin was enough to condemn the Oceanians to bottom place in the group without a single goal or a single point.

In Group 2, Mayotte proved little more than elaborate training fodder for La Reunion, going down 6-1 at Stade Jean Rolland. French Guiana completed Mayotte’s misery with an easy 4-2 win that puts Mayotte into the play-off for 5th and 6th place.

French Guiana plays La Reunion on 1 October with a draw enough to send La Reunion through to the final.

2008 Coupe de’l Outre-Mer

Group 1

Results

New Caledonia vs. French-Polynesia 1-0

Martinique vs. Guadeloupe 1-0

New Caledonia vs. Guadeloupe 0-4

French-Polynesia vs. Martinique 0-1

Group1

Standings – 29.09.08

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PL

W

D

L

GA

GA

PTS

GD

1.

Martinique

2

2

0

0

2

0

6

+2

2.

Guadeloupe

2

1

0

1

4

1

3

+3

3.

New Caledonia

2

1

0

1

1

4

3

-3

4.

French-Polynesia

2

0

0

2

0

2

0

-2

Group 2

Results

Mayotte vs. La Reunion 1-6

Mayotte vs. French Guiana 2-4

Group 2

Standings – 29.09.08

3

 

PL

W

D

L

GF

GA

PTS

GD

1.

La Reunion

1

1

0

0

6

1

+5

2.

French Guiana

1

1

0

0

4

2

3

+2

3.

Mayotte

2

0

0

2

3

10

0

-7