Newly crowned Coupe de Caledonie champions Hienghène Sport will line up against Racing Club Epernay Champagne, a CFA2 side from Champagne-Ardenne, while AS Pirae have been drawn against Pontivy GSI, a side also playing in the CFA2 in France.
RC Epernay are currently sitting fifth in their Championnat de France Amateur 2 group, just eight points behind the leaders. And with six goals scored, and seven conceded, the Northerners from New Caledonia will be liking the odds of qualifying for the 8th Round.
Coach Felix Tagawa knows a major challenge awaits his side but is confident that with the best possible preparation for the November encounter, they have a shot of progressing.
“We know that the CFA2 is a physical league. We don’t know the team from Epernay, but we will try our best to have as much information as possible in preparation for this match,” he says.
“We still have two matches in the domestic championship to play before we leave. We will have to manage the team’s workload and also those minor niggles.
“After that it’s up to us to be in the best possible condition when we arrive. Our game plan will remain the same as always, but we know that our opponent will be of quality. We will study all of that, as well as the region, the temperature – we will do everything to be ready.”
For Pirae, history will weigh heavily on their minds as they prepare to welcome Pontivy to their sunny shores.
Fellow Tahitian side AS Tefana were drawn against Pontivy in 2012 and saw their dreams of qualfiying for Round 8 cut short as they were beaten 5-1 at Stade du Faubourg de Verdun. In 2005 the CFA2 side made the trip to New Caledonia where they beat Ligue 1 side Magenta to continue their Coupe de France journey.
It will be up to the Tahitian club, currently sitting third in the Ligue 1 standings after a difficult start to the season, to impress against their more favoured opponent when they meet at Stade Pater on 14 November.
For more on New Caledonia football visit www.fedcalfoot.com
For more on Tahiti football go to www.ftf.pf

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