DEFENDING Airtel Cup champions La Passe made a good start to their title defence on Sunday March 14 with a 1-0 win over Red Star at Stad Linite.

Striker Gitano Ladouce netted the sole goal of the match in the 23 minute. A poor goal-kick by Red Star's captain Percy Laramé was pounced on by La Passe's Eric Rajaobery. The diminutive Malagasy striker fended off the challenge of another Malagasy, Red Star's defender Desiré Ramsamymanana, to play a square pass to Ladouce who intelligently placed the ball out of goalkeeper Andrew Valentin's reach.

La Passe had two other good opportunities to increase their lead but Ladouce was guilty on both occasions.

In the 32nd minute, he ran on to a through-ball but his effort was blocked by keeper Valentin who had left his goalline to close down the angle.

Ladouce again could not hit the target midway through the second half when Rajaobery did well to release him after Red Star's keeper Valentin had failed to hold on to a deflected shot.

Red Star's best chance to tie the game came in the 50th minute, but Malagasy striker Hubert Robson inexplicably placed his effort wide of the far post after La Passe's goalkeeper Vincent Euphrasie had already committed himself.

Euphrasie then came to La Passe's rescue by saving Laramé's 72nd minute header.

La Passe's coach Marius Fanchette told Sports Nation after the match that he was "happy with how my players performed today and our aim is to defend our title."

Both Red Star and La Passe have three points in group B.  While La Digue-based La Passe have played just one match, Red Star have already played two.

Coach Mosa's Red Star won their first match without having to break a sweat after Plaisance decided to forfeit the March 4 encounter.

G. G.