PARIS, Jan 5, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – JS Saint-Pierroise on Saturday became only
the second overseas-based team to win a French Cup knockout tie and it was
achieved playing more than 9,000km from home.
The club, based on the Indian Ocean island of Reunion, and which once
boasted the talents of current Marseille star Dimitri Payet, defeated second-
division Niort 2-1 in the round of 64.
An overseas side has only once before achieved a similar feat when Geldar
FC of French Guiana made the round of 16 in the 1988-1989 season.
On Saturday, Saint-Pierroise’s goals were scored by Gerard Hubert and Ryan
Ponti, both in the second half.
The home team’s reply also came courtesy of a visiting player when Gervais
Randrianarisoa put through his own goal just after the hour mark in the game
played at Niort, which sits to the north of Bordeaux.