Wednesday 12 December 2012

Martinique win Outre-Mer battle, top group and send French Guiana out

Martinique ran out 3-1 winners of fellow non-FIFA side French Guiana to secure their appearance in the Caribbean Cup semi-finals, as well as a place in next summer’s Gold Cup in the United States. The defeat put out French Guiana, ending a fairy-tale campaign in which the underdogs achieved a great deal simply in getting to the finals.

After both teams shared one national anthem it was Les Matinino who started the brighter, and in the 11th minute they took the lead. A long ball out of defence was chased by Frédéric Piquionne who had the simple task of lifting the ball past Laurent Petchy for his 2nd goal of the tournament. In the 27th minute French Guiana captain Jean-Claude Darcheville tested his former Bordeaux team mate Kévin Olimpa from a free-kick but 6 minutes later it was 2-0 to Martinique. darcheville free-kick saved. Steeve Gustan, back in the side, played in Kévin Parsemain tucked the ball beynd Petchy in typically clinical fashion.

In the 2nd half Darchville brought the best out of Olimpa again from a free-kick, this time the goalkeeper tipping a powerful shot onto the bar as French Guiana urgently attempted to find a route back. They continued to press and substitute Stanley Ridel shot into the side-netting just after the hour. Piquionne headed wide in the 67th minute but with 12 minutes to go Anthony Angély wrapped up the win when he knocked home a rebound after Petchy blocked Nicolas Mirza’s shot. Darchville finally got on the score-sheet in the 81st minute when his free-kick sailed past everyone and into the net but it was mere consolation.

The 3 points mean Les Matinino will finish top, meeting Trinidad & Tobago in the semi-finals on Friday. They last reached the final 4 of the Caribbean Cup in 2001. Martinique have only reached the Gold Cup on 3 occasions, most recently in 2003, and this year’s qualification means there will be non-FIFA representation at CONCACAF’s showpiece tournament next summer. Updates from Friday’s semi-final will be available via our Twitter service @NonFIFAfootball from 19:00 (23:00 U.K).

Match information –

Score: French Guiana 1 - 3 Martinique

Goals: French Guiana – Jean-Claude Darcheville 81’. Martinique - Frédéric Piquionne 11, Kévin Parsemain 33’, Anthony Angély 78’.

French Guiana XI: Petchy; Marigard [Habran 51’], Torvic, Evens [Ridel 59’], Lesperance; Ajaiso, Jean-Jacques; Darcheville, Malouda [Adinge 51’]; Pigrée, Sophie.

Martinique XI: Olimpa; Zaire, Herelle [Reuperne?], Germany [Angély 23’], Sery; Gustan, Cretinoir, Bannais, Mirza [Ravi 80’]; Parsemain, Piquionne.

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