ILE DE FRANCE – New Caledonia left it to the absolute last possible moment to defeat Oceanian rivals French-Polynesia 1-0 in the opening match of the 2008 Coupe de l’Outre-Mer at Stade Marville in La Courneuve, thanks to an injury-time goal to Michel Hmeun.
The rivalry between French Polynesia and New Caledonia on the football pitch has been fierce in the past, with both French Overseas Territories boasting ten South Pacific Games football gold medals dating back to 1963.
The ledger shows that gold medal haul split evenly down the middle with French Polynesia and New Caledonia tied 5-5.
The last time the two national teams met was at the XIII South Pacific Games – Samoa 2007, a match New Caledonia won 1-0 thanks to a ninth minute Pierre Wajoka penalty.
French Polynesia is represented at the 2008 Coupe de l’Outre-Mer by club champions AS Manu Ura, but the rivalry between the pair remains fierce as ever.
Tahiti’s track record in the tournament reveals two title victories and five runners-up finishes, although most of those achievements are distant memories from the late 1990’s early 2000’s.
The victory by Didier Chambaron’s team was made even better after Martinique defeated Gudaeloupe 1-0 in the opening match earlier in the evening.
Martinique and Gudaeloupe are both dark-horses to win the 2008 Coupe de l’Outre-Mer.
Group Two kicks-off tonight when Mayotte face La Reunion.
French Guiana has the bye.
Last year’s winners, US Stade Tamponnaise, came from Reunion Island, and have a strong history of competition in Africa, under the auspices of CAF.
They have also entered the Coupe de France (French FA Cup) competition on four occasions.
New Caledonia coach, Didier Chambaron, takes ‘Les Cagous’ through their paces ahead of the match with Tahitian club champions AS Manu Ura yesterday
2008 Coupe de l’Outre-Mer
Group A – Results
AS Manu Ura vs. New Caledonia 0-1
Martinique vs. Guadeloupe1-0
Group 1 – Standings
|
|
Pl |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
PTS |
GD |
|
|
1. |
|
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
+1 |
|
2. |
|
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
+1 |
|
3. |
AS Manu Ura |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
-1 |
|
4. |
|
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
-1 |
History of the Coupe de l’Outre-Mer
Traditionally, the club champions of each of the French Overseas Territories have come together in France to contest the French Overseas Territories Cup. Tahiti has won the trophy twice in 1999 and 2002 when AS Venus and AS Pirae recorded memorable victories.
Tahiti has finished runners-up on five occasions.
New Caledonia has yet to finish in the top two slots.
Coupe de l’Outre-Mer winners: Réunion 6, Martinique 2, Tahiti 2,
Coupe de l’Outre-Mer runners-up: Tahiti 5, Martinique 2, Réunion 2, Mayotte 1,
|
Year |
Coupe de l’Outre-Mer Finale |
Result |
||
|
1997 |
CS Saint Denis (Réunion) |
v |
AS Manu Ura ( |
4-0 |
|
1998 |
Club Franciscain ( |
v |
AS Venus ( |
3-2 |
|
1999 |
AS Venus ( |
v |
SS Saint-Louisienne (Réunion) |
2-2 |
|
2000 |
SS Saint-Louisienne (Réunion) |
v |
AS Venus ( |
1-0 |
|
2001 |
US Stade Tamponnaise (Réunion) |
v |
AS Venus ( |
4-1 |
|
2002 |
AS Pirae ( |
v |
Club Franciscain ( |
1-0 |
|
2003 |
SS Saint-Louisienne (Réunion) |
v |
AS Venus ( |
2-1 |
|
2004 |
US Stade Tamponnaise (Réunion) |
v |
Club Franciscain ( |
1-0 |
|
2005 |
ASC Le Geldar ( |
v |
AS Sada ( |
1-0 |
|
2006 |
Club Franciscain ( |
v |
US Stade Tamponnaise (Réunion) |
2-1 |
|
2007 |
US Stade Tamponnaise (Réunion) |
v |
L’Etoile de Morne-à-l’Eau ( |
3-0 |