NOUMEA – Hienghène Sport, AS Magenta and AS Lossi were the big winners in the Super Ligue Challenge tournament, with AS Thio Sport left stranded after a no-show by opponents, Témala Ouélisse,
Hienghène Sport got the North Pool off to a flyer with an upset 2-0 win over JS Baco.
JS Baco coach Didier Wayaridri played down the defeat as a case of pre-season fact-finding rather than a portent of things to come.
“This is not a very serious defeat in the scheme of things", Wayaridri said.
"The important thing is making sure our Super Ligue Nestle campaign reaches the same standards as last season. ”
It is true that the first results are undoubtedly not revealing the likely competition level of all the competing teams with many teams sporting unfamiliar line-ups and formations.
In the South Pool, AS Mount Dore capitulated to AS Lossi 3-0.
“AS Mont Dore had a few players missing because of international duty last week", said AS Lossi coach, Ferry Forest.
But it is still a good result for us because we had players missing too ”
Defending champions AS Magenta gave newly promoted Mouli Sport a tough lesson ahead of the Super Ligue kick-off next month.
Mouli Sport – based in Ouvéa – raced into a 3-0 lead before unravelling toward the end of the match in spectacular fashion.
Magenta struck back with five unaswered goals to illustrate their champion pedigree, winning the match 5-3.
Noel Kaudré – one of the rare international players in action this weekend – turned in a masterclass for his club.
The Magenta star played in both 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa/OFC Nations Cup matches but returned to help guide the champions to victory.
AS Mouli Sport’s Jean-François Waimo said his team were disappointed to lose after contributing much to an absorbing encounter.
“It is a disappointment. We attacked throughout the match but could not sustain that pace."
The biggest disappointment of the weekend, however, was the non-appearance of Téméla Ouélisse for its match against AS Thio Sport.
Mickaël Mépari, coach of AS Thio Sport, arrived at the ground with his team to find their opponents had not turned up.
"It was a surprise. Our players were itching to get going, so this was very furstrating," Mepari said.
Federation Caledonienne de Football (FCF) will make a ruling on Téméla Ouélisse’s absence this week.
SUPER LIGUE CHALLENGE
Saturday 13 September 2008
North Pool
Hienghène Sport vs. JS Baco 2-0
AS Thio Sport vs. Téméla Ouélisse P-P
South Pool
AS Mont Dore vs. AS Lossi 0-3
AS Magenta vs. AS Mouli Sport 5-3