Coupe de France
Round 4
Saturday 7th October 2006
VILLEJUIF 1 RED STAR 4 (1-1)
Attendance 350 - referee : Guillaume AFONSO assited by Philippe Thoison & Mohamed Hachid
Goals : Villejuif (22) - Berthier (32), Kemas (61), MBanza (82), Rogin (90)
Booked : MBanza (34)
Substitutions : Haguy by Ouattara (72), NSimba by Rogin (85), Kemas by Aklouche (85)
RED STAR FC 93 : Moulin - Lacomat, Sambague, Tounkara, Fourneuf (cap) - NSimba, Haguy, Bengougam, Kemas, MBanza, Berthier. Subs: Rogin, Yessad, Aklouche, Ouattara, Djidonou. Coach: Bruno NAIDON
Yannick Berthier prepares to take the free kick from which Red Star equalise
RED STAR PASS CUP TEST
For ten or so minutes on Saturday evening it appeared that as had happened earlier on in the evening, the home side would be sending their illustrious visitors back home "to think again". However, whereas in Glasgow one goal would prove to be enough, in the southern Paris suburbs Villejuifs' slender advantage was insufficient against a green-shirted onslaught.
The day had been pleasant enough for October; by the kick off the temperature had dropped and the evening was a tad chiily. Despite the alternative entertainments on the TV there was a good turn out for this fourth round tie including thirty or so member of the Bauer Kop and the usual collection of independant Red Star supporters.
For the first ten minutes the game swung from end to end, the locals giving as good as they got in terms of posession and skill. Just as Red Star started to take the upper hand, Eric Lacomat needlessly lost posession under pressure and immediately Villejuif counter-attacked. The ball switched to the right, Red Stars' defence was pulled apart and a wonder inch-perfect cross was volleyed past Red Stars' Florent Moulin, making his first start in a competitive game (1-0)
Earlier Khaled Kemas had set out his stall, causing panic in the home defence but in each case his shot was blocked by a packed defence or the shot sailed harmlessly wide.
Despite the setback of the goal conceded Red Star stuck to their task. Five minutes later Red Star won a series of two corners - from the second Kemas powered a header against the crossbar; the ball bounced down but according to the referees' assistant the ball had not crossed the line. Kemas once again blasted wide moments later before the lively Berthier set off on a run into the penalty area. Brought down just before the eighteen yard line, BERTHIER dusted himself down and curled a somptuous free kick past the left hand of the stranded home goalkeeper to bring the scores level (1-1).
Whereas one would have expected a Red Star onslaught given their territorial superiority, in the minutes leading up to the half time break Villejuif looked more likely to regain their lead. In the 41st minute Moulin tested the solidity of his gloves with a fine save from another volley and two minutes before the whistle Red Star' much-vaunted central defence, modified this eveing to a Fourneuf-Tounkara partnership, went awol and allowed a home attacker a fine free header that Moulin did well to claw away from his goal.
A sluggish start to the second period was enlivened by a claim for a handball by a Red Star player in his own penalty area, refused by the man in the middle. As the minutes ticked down, Red Star started to enjoy a dominance down their right hand side, where the duo Lacomat - Berthier was causing problems for a tiring home defence. Berthier outplayed his marker but his cross from the dead-ball line found nobody in particular in the six yard box. Kemas rattled Villejuifs' crossbar with a powerful drive before Red Star made the breakthrough on the hour. Berthier again crossed from the right to find the unmarked KEMAS to place a header into the net. (1-2).
Red Star had a glorious occasion to kill off the game with fifteen minutes remaining; Berthier crossed and with Kemas completely unmarked M'Banza tried to get his head on the cross but succeeded in deviated the ball from Kemas' path. Finally Red Star put the game beyond Villjuifs' reach as M'BANZA cracked the offside trap, shook off a defender and blasted the ball hard and low past the luckless goalkeeper. (1-3). A late injury to N'Simba saw ROGIN enter the fray and it was his header from close range that hit the bar and bounced over the line to make it four. (1-4).
Red Star will be pleased to have progressed; despite the five-divisions difference on the field at times there wasn't a great deal in it. But having said that Red Star monopolised posession and the hosts were happy to play the counter-attacking game.
Coach Naidon had rung the changes, bringing in goalkeeper Moulin for Djidonou, Sambague started the game as an attacking full back in the place of Kaba Diomande; a central defensive partnership of Fourneuf and Tounkara as the latter took the place of Kangulungu; making his debut was Bengougam for Nicolas Fabiano. Red Stars' number eight had a quiet game and perhaps futher games are required before his best is on view. Kemas was himself up front, provoking, creating half chances, making space and drawing two or three defenders. MBanza played the full ninety minutes and was rewarded with a solo goal that was complemented by his solo celebrations !
A worry for the coach might be that N'Simba limped from the action late on in the game - the seriousness of the injury will be revealed soon, or he may be back in training this week.
SOME MATCH PHOTOS
(Apologies for the poor quality, the floodlights at the Stade Louis Dolly were rubbish and even with ISO 1600 setting on the camera there was very litle available light)
Elysée M'Banza wheels away after scoring Red Stars' third goal
Khaled Kemas (right) puts Red Star in front
Villejuifs' goal under pressure. The home goalie turned out to be quite a decent bloke, actually
All smiles from a ball-girl on Saturday. This charming young lady plays for Villejuifs' under 16s' ladies team whom earlier in the day had thrashed Issy' ladies 6-1 away.
© AllezRedStar.com 2006