This Sunday, FC Allobroges Asafia played for the first time in its history a seventh round of the Coupe de France. The march was high for this small Grenoble football club, which took on FC Martigues playing in Ligue 2. Despite the defeat, this meeting will remain a real “pride” for these amateur players, acclaimed by their supporters.
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There were five divisions between the two clubs. However, on the pitch at the Stade des Alpes this Sunday, November 17, the FC2A players stood up to FC Martigues throughout the first period. “We made them doubt, and the boys did not distort the game against this professional team“, proudly comments Abdelaziz Tafer, the team's coach.
Despite these first 45 honorable minutes with only one goal conceded, the players of the regional 2 club finally lost 5-0, defeated by FC Martigues who play in Ligue 2.We lacked concentration in the second half, and we had situations that we are not very familiar with with our R2 championship, which is far from this level. It's not the same pace, it goes much faster“, concedes the coach.
But the score doesn't matter for this small Grenoble club, which is already very proud to have played its first seventh round of the Coupe de France.
Having left on foot from their neighborhood to reach the stadium, the players could count on the unconditional support of the club's young people, their first supporters. “It's a great thing to see an amateur club playing in a big, well-known stadium. And above all everyone who comes to watch, it's incredible“, exclaimed a young supporter, walking with the procession towards the stadium.
Most of the players were stepping onto the pitch at the Stade des Alpes for the first time, in front of 5,400 spectators. Just discovering the locker rooms was a small event. “It was great to be here, playing in front of our families and friends.”welcomes Sofiane Belbey, midfielder.
FC2A players and their supporters formed a procession to reach the Stade des Alpes on foot.
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© F3 Alpes
This is the first time in 30 years that the club has played in the 7th round of the Coupe de France. And to finish against a professional team, we couldn't have hoped for better.
Abdelaziz Tafer, FC2A coach
“I felt a lot of pride, it's not every day that we play against a Ligue 2! The defeat is not the most important thing today. Playing in a big stadium was a first for me, it was a real treat“, concludes Aziz Teguia, FC2A striker.
Now, the club must close the Coupe de France page and refocus on the championship. With a head full of memories and a neighborhood team linked forever.
Find the summary of the meeting in the video below:
duration of video: 00h01mn48s
This Sunday, November 17, FC Allobroges Asafia played for the first time in its history a seventh round of the Coupe de France. The march was high for this small Grenoble regional 2 club, which took on FC Martigues, a club playing in Ligue 2.
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©F3 Alpes
