Brian Dorby, Achille Henriette, Karl Hall, Rashim Padayachy.
Mauritius XI: Kevin Jean-Louis, Chandrayah Veeranah, Emmanuel Jean, Francis Rasolofonirina, Christopher L’Enclume, Nick Curpanen, Louis Pithia, Jimmy Buckland, Jonathan Edouard, John Calambe, Jean-Pierre Sophie.
Referee: Pritchard Nhleko (Swaziland); 1st Asst: Wilson Valdmiro Ntyamba (Angola); 2nd Asst: Souro Phatsoane (Lesotho); 4th Official: Wisdom Chewe (Zambia)
– Seychelles coach Ulric Mathiot shuffles his pack by starting with three new players namely Ahmed Maurice, Mervin Mathiot, Achille Henrietten and Rashim Padayachy, while dropping from the squad that faced Zimbabwe on Tuesday are Senky Vidot, Gervais Waye-Hive, Colin Winsley Ester and Benoit Marie.
1′ – We are under way!
2′ – Mauritius have already earned two free-kicks from close to half-way line, but Seychelles are not troubled.
5′ – Marie with a dipping shot tipped for a corner for Seychelles. Mathiot arrives at near post and drives his header over. Seychelles get another corner but Jean clears it away.
8′ – Mauritius earn a free-kick after a foul. Veeranah floats the ball onto the path of Curpanen, who shots over the bar from the penalty box.
11′ – A cross from the right goes across the goal mouth but Sophies throws himself onto the ball only to shot wide with the ‘keeper at his mercy. Wasteful for Mauritius who may rue these chances.
3′ – Seychelles are not panicking on the ball, opting to keep shape and wait for a counterattack.
14′ – Chandrayah takes another free-kick for Mauritius from his half, but the ball eventually goes out wide on the left.
16′ – Mauritius win a first corner from the right, but when Veeranah delivers, the ball is cleared by Seychelles’ Buckland drives his shot wide.
17′ – Seychelles get a free-kick as Marie is fouled. It all comes to nothing as Mauritius goalkeeper is not tested enough.
21′ – Another Seychelles free kick. Joubert plays it backwards. It is all about keeping it safe and getting organised.
22′ – Mauritius goes into Seychelles box to get another free-kick after Curpanen is brought down. Veeranah’s ball lands straight at the ‘keeper.
23′ – Seychelles respond but Manoo cannot get his chip right as it flies over Jean-Louis’s goal.
27′ – Calambe tries to dribble in Seychelles 18-yard area, but is policed by three defenders and stumbles while trying to twist and turn.
29′ – Free-kick for Seychelles as the pendulum of the game goes to the other end. Buckland jumps to head the ball for a throw in.
31′ – Veeranah slips the ball into the path of Sophies, but his first touch lets him down allowing Seychelles to sweep the ball away.
36′ – Henriette’s pass sets Dorby clear on the corner flag, but his curling high ball does not trouble the Mauritius ‘keeper who makes an easy catch.|
38′ – It’s a very quiet game that is revolving around a packed midfield as both teams seek dominance of an otherwise balanced affair.
40′ – Mauritius win another free-kick following a foul on Edouard. This game is full of fouls!
42′ – Seychelles win a corner from the right. Mauritius goalkeeper Jean-Louis rises the highest to grab the ball.
44′ – Mauritius are caught off side while trying to launch a counter attack!
HALFTIME – First half is over and there is nothing much to write about between Seychelles and Mauritius. Too close and a contest of few openings.
46′ – We are back under way in the second half!
48′ – No substitutions so far from either side.
49′ – Hall puts Marie through on goal but he is ruled offside.
51′ Seychelles sub: Geno Agathine in for Dorby.
54′ – Joubert fouled for Seychelles free-kick. Nothing tangible happens as Mauritius deal with the aerial threat.
55′ – Mauritius corner as Sophie’s shot is deflected out by Seychelles. Mauritius players jump for the corner but the ball drops and rolls out of play.
56′ – Hall squares the ball to Marie, who fires straight into the palms of Mauritius custodian Jean-Louis.
59′ – Mauritius sub: Calambe comes off and Adrien Botlar goes in.
67′ – Mauritius sub: Edouard is replaced by Jean Justin.
73′ – Seychelles sub: Gervais Waye-Hive is in for Mathiot.
74′ – Lenclume intercepts ball and shoots straight at goalkeeper.
77′ – Mauritius sub: Yannick Dig Dig comes in for Pithia.
79′ – Sophies dribbles too much in the Seychelles box and losses the ball. He should be shooting from that close range.
81′ – Seychelles corner. Cleared. Marie pumps in a long ball which does not trouble well-positioned Mauritius goalkeeper at the far post.
83′ – Sophies comes close again to getting Mauritius a first goal. He, however, skies his shot.
87′ – Mauritius’ Justin turns and shoots, but keeper makes save.
88′ – Seychelles sub: Ryan Antat in for Bertrand Esther.
90+1′ – Yellow card to Mauritius’ Buckland. Freekick taken, but Mauritius deal with high ball.
92′ – Seychelles win another free-kick after Hall is fouled. Waye-Hive free-kick is stopped by keeper.
FULLTIME – That’s it! Mauritius finish on a high with a 1-0 win, but both they and Seychelles are going home.
