AS ARMENIENNE 1 RED STAR 0 (0-0)
Division d'Honneur week one
Parc des Sports, Issy-les-Moulineaux 24/8/03
Goal : Dimnet (79) - attendance 200
referee : M. Lambert
booked : Dickenson (82) - Fourneuf (86), Matingou (86)
AllezRedStar.com man of the match: Guei
ARMENIENNE : Yazmadjian, Dickenson, Konaté (Benete 88), Brouillon, Neveu El-Zayati, Chalqi, Boukhanouci, Renvoyé (Dimnet 57), Yahiaoui, Davidson. Sub: Hayreytian.
Coach: V. Yazmadjian.
RED STAR : Néret, Carles, Fourneuf, Hammami, Guei, Matingou, Jalliti, Budoc, Milome, Fellahi, Desmarets. Subs: Ziwo, Oure, N'Guifoukou.
Coach: A. Méguellatti.
Milome denied by Yazmadjian
Red Star deserved to have come away from a tricky trip to Issy with more than just one point. Technically superior throughout the game, Red Stars' entreprising approach work came unstuck against a solid, well-organised Armenienne outfit, well-versed in the demands of DH football.
Despite overwhelming superiority in midfield, the attack of the visitors, made up of Milome and Ryad Fellahi had no answer to the uncompromising home defence, who were not afraid to get stuck in, over-physically at times. Red Star were never allowed any space to play their style of football, and with Jalliti anonymous at times, the Armenienne goalkeeper was untroubled throughout the game. His only call to action came when Jeremy Budoc accelerated out on the right, but pushed the ball too far forwards and the goalkeeper saved at his feet.
In contrast, at the other end Fred Néret was solicited on several occasions, turning the ball away for a corner when a goal appeared likely. Unfortunately it was the Red Star goalkeeper who was directly responsible for the Armenienne goal; a mong ball hoofed into the Red Star box, wind-assisted was only boxed away by Néret straight back to the Armenienne player who volleyd the ball from long range back into the unguarded net.
The last ten minutes were lively on and off the pitch; in the stands one Red Star supporter provoked the ire of a bunch of local supporters, and tempers frayed for a moment before calm returned. Red Star attempted to salvage something from the game, but to no avail and Meguellattis' men returned from the south of Paris empty-handed.
Lessons to be learned from this game, indeed, a baptism of fire against one of the more competent DH clubs. A team with much experience at this level, not a great deal of individual talent, but well-organised. In fact a bunch of cloggers, but with the capability to stifle the opposition and thus win games.
For Red Star, some optimism, but they appear not to have shaken off last seasons' horrible habit of failing to score goals. What is needed is an experienced striker who can score goals, and assist the youngster Milome.
© AllezRedStar.com 2003