Left: Karim heads home the second goal; right: After the goal, the joy
Gutted. Two minutes away from a dream final, Red Star-PSG and now emptiness.
For any neutrals watching this match it must have been an absolute classic, but for the supporters of both clubs a stomach-churning roller-coaster ride. The pendulum of the match swung one way, then another, then another and so on, but in the end the Gueugnonnais emerged winners.
Red Star dominated the early exchanges, and the pendulum swung their way when on 30 minutes Karim Fellahi tore away down the right, lost his marker and centered for Richard AKIANA to bundle the ball over the line and into the net (1-0). Gueugnon stirred from their sleep and piled on the pressure but could not break Red Star before the pause.
The pressure continued after the interval, and eventually the visitors were rewarded with a fine goal from Flauto, ending a strong run with and unstoppable shot wide of Branger. (1-1). Pendulum swung back towards Gueugnon. For the next half an hour the games was balanced evenly, both sides unable to find an opening. With only five minutes remaining on the clock, Vincent Doukantie received the ball on the edge of the Gueugnon box and fired a magnificent volley which was a goal all the way, until 'keeper Trivino tipped the ball over the bar. Not the end of the action, however, as from the corner, taken by Doukantie, Karim FELLAHI stooped the head the ball into the net to send the home supporters wild and to rekindle the hopes of a final at the Stade de France. (2-1; see photos).
Left: Karim heads home the second goal; right: After the goal, the joy
Short-lived joy, unfortunately, as the never-say-die attitude of Gueugnon earned them a late equaliser, Traoré bundling the ball into the net as Red Star failed to clear their lines (2-2). Extra time, no further goals then the dreaded shoot-out. Firstly Doukantie set Red Star on their way with a perfect strike. In reply, Gueugnon missed. Advantage Red Star. Valéri, Pizzo scored, so did their Gueugnon opposites. Still advantage Red Star. Then drama, as Mamoun missed and Gueugnon scored, deuce. Meïté scored, so did Gueugnon. Still deuce. into sudden death. Clément, Ludo Mary, Oponga all scored, Thiam missed but so did his Gueugnon adversary, still deuce. Fellahi scored Red Stars' tenth, Gueugnon equalised. Now it was the turn if the goalkeepers. Branger fired - and saved by Trivino. The latter stepped up - and scored, sending the away fans into ecstasy and Red Star fans to their cars.
So, whatever, it's been a fantastic run to the semi-final, Red Star far from disgraced, just two minutes away from a return to the Stade de France. Bugger.
Attendance: 6 000; Ref; M. Bré; Our verdict: 4/5; MoM. no, I just can't.
RED STAR: Branger, Clément, Mary, Thiam, Oponga, Sirufo (Pizzo), Doukantie, Valéri, Saci (Mamoum), Fellahi, Akiana (Meïté).