VERSAILLES 0 RED STAR 1 (0-0)
DH (round 11)
Stade Montbauron 05/12/04
Attendance : 90 - referee : Frédéric Léonardi assisted by Michel Niegardowski & Kaddour Berrara - overcast
Booked : Moumeni (47), Mesloub (89) - Hamdani (37), N’Simba (42), Benmesmoudi (75), Abdallah (90)
Sent off : Girard (65)
Substitutions : Payet by Sadhoune (57), Sabourin by Lebrun (62) - Cuervo by Gassama (60), Aklouche by Benmesmoudi (63)
Goal : Tandia (90+3)
VERSAILLES : Abbas (1), Benichou (2), Moussi (3), Guillot (4), Moumeni (5), Brion (6), Bah (7), Payet (8), Sabourin (9), Mesloub (10), Alicer (11). subs : Tsassong (12), Sadhoune (13), Lebrun (14).
Coach : Thierry Bocquet
RED STAR : Bell (1), Dao (2), Diomande (3), Yessad (4), Fourneuf (5), N’Simba (6), Hamdani (7), Abdallah (8), Tandia (9), Aklouche (10), Cuervo (11). subs : Budoc (12), Benmesmoudi (13), Gassama (14). Coach : Jean-Luc Girard
LAST-GASP TANDIA SEALS IT IN THE DARKNESS
I hope that Versailles can avoid the drop. For the second successive visit to the impressive (albeit cold) Stade Montbauron, Red Star came away with maximum points, but unlike back in April this year when they comfortably ran out 2-0 winners, this time thir supporters, who made up 90% of the attendance figure, had to wait until deep into stoppage time for deliverance.
I suppose that giving away a last-gasp goal like that when they were looking good enough for a draw might be a tad hard on Versailles, but in reality they offered nothing at all against a dominant Red Star. They had two chances worthy of mention; firstly Vincent Fourneuf fluffed an easy clearance, Sabourin ran clear but brave Yann Bell stopped the Versailles man, diving at his feet then gathering up the loose ball afterwards. With the seconds ticking away Red Star conceded a free kick twenty yards out, which was defelected off the wall for a corner.
The corner was safely gathered by Bell, who quickly passed the ball out to Dao. From the full-backs' run, a Red Star movement appeard to run out of steam, to the frustration of their supporters, but Versailles were unable to clear their lines, allowing Benmesmoudi to center for the ever-dangerous TANDIA to slide the ball past Abbas into the net (0-1).
Earlier in the game, despite the opening ten minutes or so belonging to the hosts, Red Star had compeltely dominated procedings, with Abdallah in midfield showing class, and Phil Cuervo belieing his thirty-plus years with some good runs and accurate passing. But despite the monopoly of play, Red Star failed to break down Versailles, mostly thanks to an effective off-side trap aided on more than one occasion by some woeful lien decisions. Tandia had the ball in the net with a somptuous finish in a one-on-one against Abbas only for the raised flag to curtain celebrations. Hamdani had another chance to open the score, even rounding the goalkeeper, but to the credit of the Versailles number one, he did enough to force the Red Star man out wide, allowing defensive cover to get back in time.
The Versailles goalie could consider himself unlucky to be on the losing side again - he was probably the best player for the home side. His finest moment came with a point-blank reflex save to deny Gassama a goal from an acrobatic dive in the box. As wel as shot stoping, his big frame dealt easily with long balls pumped into the box.
Making his debut for Red Star was last seasons' under 18 youngster Aklouche, who played out wide on the left. Unfortunately for him he needs to work on his right foot. Despite that he was energetic, not overawed by the occasion, and fully deserved the ovation he received when substituted. Cuervo, as stated above ran around like a younger man until running out of steam on the hour.
At the back Red Star were never threatened apart from the two moments of danger perviously mentioned. Nabile Yessad was back where he belongs, and had a magnificent game, more as an extra attacking option than as a defender. Kaba Diomande made one very timely interception to cut out danger and generally hd a faultless display. Up front Hamdani was a handful for the home defence, but was quite rightly booked for diving in the Versailles penalty area when really there was no need for theatrics. Tandia was one of the main contenders for man of the match, playing his heart out for the entire game, and fully deserved his reward at the end.
Jean-Luc Girard received his marching order with twenty minutes left following a discussion with the referee - apparently he was curious as to why the referee had not signalled a foul against Versailles for a foul on one of his charges. Watching the game from the stand, he left the touchline manoeuvres to his deputy "Boubou".
Fianlly a word for Jérémy Budoc... for the entire second half he warmed up without getting a game - a somewhat forlorn figure watching the final ten minutes sat on a box behind Yann Bells' goal. One day he'll get his big chance and will score that winning goal ! Meanwhile, every mans' contribution to the good ship Red Star is vital !
© AllezRedStar.com 2004