FOOTBALL action returned to Stad Linite on Saturday January 17 with the first match of the Triangular tournament and in the battle of the Saints, Michel drew first blood over Louis on a 3-0 score.

St Louis, without Malagasy sweeper Ralid, Kenyan goalkeeper Roy Onyango and striker Alpha Baldé who was only included at the start of the second half, enjoyed early possession but could not trouble St Michel's goalkeeper Nelson Sopha and incumbent footballer of the year who has been elevated to the role of captain.

Spectators, who had come in numbers to see how their teams fare after  two weeks of training in preparation for their campaigns in the two African club competitions, witnessed some fast-paced and constructive football but had to wait until the 36th minute for the first goal.

Alex Nibourette stood behind the ball for a free-kick on the right of St Louis' penalty area. With the St Louis defenders concentrating on what the wing-back will do with the ball, Marcel Labiche directed him to swing it at the far post which he did and unmarked Kenyan defender Zablon Amanaka headed past former St Michel's reserve goalkeeper Dominic Chang-Waye, who was deputising for the injured Roy Onyango.

After the goal, St Michel upped the tempo and new Kenyan striker Isaiah Onyango rounded St Louis' central defender Terry Créa before shooting straight at keeper Chang-Waye in the 38th minute.

A minute later, young Samuel Henriette's attempted volley was blocked by a defender but he got possession while on the ground and was allowed time to pick himself up to delicately chip the ball just wide of Chang-Waye's left post.

In the second half, St Michel continued from where they had left off in the first with Isaiah Onyango getting at the end of a hard working James Bonne through-ball but keeper Chang-Waye just got a touch to the ball to send it into corner.

From the resultant corner hoisted by Labiche, Amanaka climbed over the defence to meet the ball with a header which hit the ground and bounced in front of keeper Chang-Waye who got a touch to it but could not prevent it from hitting the back of the net.

With a two-goal lead after 54 minutes of play, it was always going to be difficult for St Louis to get back into the match, especially with St Michel dominating the midfield through tireless Garry Robert and industrious Labiche.

Coach Marc Mathiot's St Louis were again punished for poor marking on the hour as Amanaka soared over the defence to put his head, covered with dyed hair, under the ball from a Labiche free-kick on the right. With keeper Chang-Waye beaten and the ball rolling towards goal and about to cross the goalline, defender Créa tried to clear but only helped it into his own net (3-0).

Sensing that St Louis would not be able to challenge them, St Michel's coach Terrence Barbé sent in Kenny Rath, José Betsy, Dereck Agathine, Patrick Barra and Roddy Victor as replacements for Bonne, Henriette, Nibourette, Onyango and Labiche.

But still St Louis kept looking for a consolation goal and Baldé, who combined well with Philip Zialor after coming in as a substitute for Denis Zialor, was twice foiled by Nibourette (70th) and Agathine (75th) after having had the better of keeper Sopha.

Asked if he was happy with his team's performance, coach Barbé replied:

"Football is played on the pitch. Not on paper or by the roadside. I am satisfied with my players' performance. I can't ask for more after just two weeks of training."

As for his opposite number Marc Mathiot, he accepted that "St Michel were the better team" and added that "things will be different in the President's Cup."

G. G.