Football: Friendly match between Seychelles national team and Dream Stars |08 August 2014

Seychelles earn last-gasp draw against Dream Stars

The Seychelles senior national team earned a last-gasp draw against a team of former professionals known as Dream Stars at Stad Linite on Wednesday evening in a friendly match.

Social Affairs, Community Development and Sports Minister Vincent Meriton was among a decent crowd that had gathered at the stadium to witness this match between our guests comprising former professional players and the national team as well as a group of children from the St Elizabeth and Foyer de Nazareth homes who were the guests of honour of the Dream Stars players.

Minister Meriton and Seychelles Football Federation (SFF) chairman Elvis Chetty met the players before the match as our team had high hopes to go for a victory against those retired group of players who had come here courtesy of Air Seychelles, Airtel, Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay hotel for this charitable match for the different orphanages in the country.

The Seychelles team drew first blood as early as the second minute as Benoit Marie played the ball in space to the overlapping Gino Agathine who could not link up with Achille Henriette who was in a good scoring position.

Dream Stars stunned the Seychelles team in the seventh minute from Samir Amireche’s free kick which was half cleared and Sydney Govou played the ball in the box to Lamine Diatta who was unmarked allowing him to drill the ball past goalkeeper Vincent Euphrasie to make it 1-0.

In the 10th minute, the Seychelles team should have levelled matters from a mistake by Dream Stars’ Amireche who lost possession to Achille Henriette who set up Carl Hall and he should have scored but his weak shot was turned into corner by goalkeeper Fousseyni Tangara.

Three minutes later, the players of coach Ulric Mathiot had the official to thank as they rode their luck when Saïd Mansouri latched onto captain Jean-Marc Chanlet’s long pass but was held back by defender Benoit Marie. But surprisingly referee Emile Fred turned a blind eye as it could have proved a costly error as Mansouri would have had a clear run at goal.

Dream Stars continued to grow in ascendency as young Seychellois Laurent Vel who linked up for the visitors, saw a 26th minute long range effort deflected into corner as our team were too slow and failed to press the opponents but were too concerned with defending.

In the 29th minute, Dream Stars again went close as Amireche’s near post free kick was met by Govou’s downward header to force a fine save out of goalkeeper Euphrasie.

Two minutes later, Seychelles coach Mathiot made a controversial decision as he pulled off Achille Henriette one of the rare players in the squad who could run at the opponents and he was replaced by Renick Esther.

The change though did not have the desired effect as our national team continued to struggle to break down the Dream Stars as they were too slow in their approach.

The second half began in a passing shower and breeze that suited the visitors as they picked up where they had left off.
In the 54th minute, Laurent Vel combined with Saïd Mansouri but The Lions’ midfielder fired wide with the goal at his mercy.

Coach Mathiot brought on Gervais Waye-Hive and Ryan Antat to bring more urgency to their play and in the 62nd minute Renick Esther failed to tuck home Steve Henriette’s cross after he had marauded forward.

The Seychelles team rode their luck on the hour mark from Laurent Robert’s teasing free kick which goalkeeper Euphrasie could only clear with an outstretched leg with two Dream Stars players lurking while his defence remained static.

Four minutes later, Mansouri pounced on a defensive error to feed Laurent Vel who looked odds on to score but he allowed goalkeeper Euphrasie to block his shot.

Mansouri tested goalkeeper Euhprasie in the 72nd minute after he was released by Laurent Robert but the national team goalkeeper pushed out his shot.
As the Dream Stars ran out of steam, the Seychelles team became more threatening and in the 78th minute Waye-Hive centred to Ryan Antat whose close range shot came off the crossbar.

Two minutes later, Waye-Hive’s shot was deflected to Renick Esther who saw his tap-in saved by goalkeeper Tangara.

The Seychelles team saved their blushes with a late equaliser deep in added time as Antat crossed the ball into the penalty box where Renick Esther miscued his shot but defender Ronny Hoareau blasted it into the net for a final 1-1 score as the visitors claimed for an offside.

National team manager Michel Albert admitted after the match that his team had underestimated their opponents with a casual approach especially in the first half.
“We did not play well in the first half but improved in the second, especially late in the match and we are satisfied with the result but not the performance,” manager Albert told Sports Nation.

As for Dream Stars’ coach Kaba Diawara, he was pleased with his team’s performance and reflected on a fantastic visit here.
“It was a good match where we played well in the first half but as we are not up to the level physically we began to feel the strain late in the match.

Overall I feel a draw is a fair result.  The Seychelles team are good technically but need to work on their physical side especially if they are to compete on the African continent. We hope we can return next year to continue with our projects with the orphanages but also with more players to play a better match,” coach Diawara said.

The Dream Stars leave the country today after spending a week in the country and have described their stay as unforgettable.

R. J-L.