REIGNING Airtel Cup champions La Passe saw their two-game winning streak come to a halt when St Louis held them to a 3-3 draw on Saturday at Stad Linite. The day before at the same venue,  Praslin side Light Stars sailed home with their first win in three matches after outsmarting a below-par SMB 3-1 in a group A match.

The draw helped La Digue-based La Passe to consolidate their first position in group B with seven points in three outings.

Coach Marc Mathiot's St Louis came out roaring on Saturday with the hope of getting  a win after having lost 1-2 to Anse Réunion in their first match.

The Saints dominated proceedings and were handed the initiative in the fifth minute but Mervin Mathiot made a meal out of a Philip Zialor through ball. Two minutes later, Roy Julie went on a good run before shooting wide.

La Passe responded in the 11th minute but captain Bruno Saindini's shot was cleared on the goalline by defender Jude Marie.

In the 20th minute, St Louis' Philip Zialor, who was a handful for the La Passe defence, controlled an Eddie Bistoé long pass from the left before lobbing the advancing goalie Vincent Euphrasie to put St Louis a goal up.

Philip Zialor (left) and Ted Esther were on target for St Louis and La Passe in the 3-3 draw

The goal woke up La Passe who equalised a minute later through diminutive Malagasy striker Eric Rajaobery. Jutano Ladouce got past two defenders on the right wing before playing a neat cross to the unmarked Rajaobery who headed home to level matters at one goal all.

La Passe upped the tempo and got a second goal in the 27th minute, courtesy of Ted Esther, formerly with neighbours Anse Réunion.

A mis-understanding between St Louis keeper Roy Onyango and right-back Albert Ladouceur, who both failed to clear the ball inside the penalty box, let La Passe's defender Ted Esther in with a scoring opportunity. Esther won his tussle against Ladouceur, controlled the ball before blasting it into St Louis' net to give La Passe a 2-1 lead.

In the 29th minute, St Louis' Alpha Baldé and Philip Zialor combined well to put the two sides back at level terms.

Zialor fended off defender Verna Rose's challenge, played a square pass to strike partner Baldé who beat goalie Euphrasie with a low shot at the near post (2-2).

On the stroke of half-time, Zialor netted his second goal and his team's third with a beautiful strike. The hardworking Baldé beat La Passe's off-side trap, eluded goalie Euphrasie before crossing to Zialor who tucked the ball inside an empty net (3-2).

With the inclusion of Jude Bibi in the second half, La Passe looked more composed in midfield and the substitute should have scored in the 53rd minute but his effort was cleared in the nick of time by defender Marie.

La Passe were awarded a penalty in the 62nd minute after goalie Onyango, who had left his goalline to tackle Rajaobery, only succeeded in wrestling down the Malagasy striker inside the area.

Referee Gonzague Boniface did not hesitate to point to the penalty spot. Jonathan Bibi stepped up to bury the ball deep inside St Louis' net (3-3).

Both teams had chances to claim victory late in the game, but the best one fell to La Passe, only for keeper Onyango to pull off a top drawer save to deny Mervin Uranie.

Light Stars outsmart SMB

On Friday, Light Stars, who had only known defeat in their first two matches, outsmarted a below-par SMB 3-1.

Light Stars almost broke the deadlock in the 24th minute but Rwandan import Jonathan Mbanze's first-time shot was parried into corner by goalie Kitson Cécile.

SMB, whose performance last Friday was far from convincing compared to their last two games against Sunshine and St Michel, shocked Light Stars in the 35th minute.

Light Stars' custodian Denis Fideria blocked a Brian Dorby shot at the far post and the ball rolled straight to Curtis Leopold. The SMB striker, who was making his debut, wasted no time to beat goalie Fideria (1-0).

Sensing danger, Light Stars, who were without midfielder Radley Monthy, who is serving a two-match ban, came out of their shell to equalise in the 44th minute.

Mbanze, unmarked on the edge of the penalty area, chested down a long pass from midfield before firing it out of goalie Cécile's reach (1-1).

Light Stars got a second goal in the 70th minute. Former Seychelles international Hugh Jeanne's header from a Magnifique Ndikumana well-worked corner at the near post left goalie Cécile rooted to his spot (2-1).

SMB, who were missing central defender Steve Larue with a leg injury, were unable to come anywhere close to scoring again and their players gave away the ball too easily, leaving their opponents with enough room to counter attack them.

Light Stars scored a third goal in the dying minutes of the game as Kenneth Radegonde lobbed the advancing goalie Cécile to close the score at 3-1.

C. J.