Football: Airtel cup-Newcomers hold defending champion to draw |15 February 2006

Both teams were playing their first Airtel Cup match of the new season.

Northern Dynamo, who reclaimed their place in the first division after winning the second division title last year, took the lead in the 79th minute through Ronny Hoareau.

However, they could not hold on to it as Red Star levelled matters in the 87th minute through Seychelles top striker Wilnes Brutus.

St Louis are leading group A with three points after winning the first match on Sunday and Red Star and Northern Dynamo are joint second.

Northern Dynamo coach Cliff Nolin described the result as "encouraging as we had the opportunity to win the match."

"My players have not matured as most of them have just been promoted to the senior side from the youth team," he explained.

"This lack of experience was obvious in the way we conceded the second goal. We where leading 1-0 with three minutes left and instead of keeping the ball in our possession we tried to attack and lost it, and we where hit on the counter. We have recruited and resigned some experienced players and  you will see them in our next match against La Passe."

As for Red Star club president Walter Confait had this to say: "I think it is always difficult to collect the first points at the beginning of a new season. I think when our new players Terry Crea from St Louis, Dereck Omath from Baie Ste Anne 96ers and Kenny Rath from St Michel start playing, if will be a different affair altogether."