It looked like it would be tight, but it was! Accustomed to meeting each other, Briochins and Malouins only decided on penalties. The last word went to the Griffons, after a perfect session on their side.
Coupe de France (8th round). Stade Briochin (N2) – US Saint-Malo (N2): 0-0 (5-4 on the tab)
First in line. The first Breton qualifier is Stade Briochin. he who nevertheless presented himself as an outsider, facing the undefeated leaders of the Malouins of the same N2 championship. Fate chose its side at the end of the fateful penalty shootout. All five Griffons scored. The unfortunate Alexandre Leroyer, the last Saint-Malo shooter, saw his shot diverted by Franck L'Hostis.
But there is no question for the experienced goalkeeper in 222 National matches to take the cover for himself. “It’s group work,” insists the former Monegasque. We scored all our penalties. Luckily, I took out the fifth one. But everyone made their contribution. Everyone made the effort, on difficult terrain, against a great team.”
“A football parody”
This derby initially got off to a strong start when L'Hostis, already himself, superbly deflected Gerbeaud's volley (9'). He continued to show some promise when Yobé's rebound crashed onto the crossbar (22'). And we imagined a disheveled match when Briochin Gomis (26') and Malouin Diakhaby (33') were sent off for high feet on Magnon and Diakité. But none of that, ultimately. Almost no chance, and Bretillians frustrated by what they consider to be an error of judgment. “It was a parody of football,” says Gwen Corbin, the Saint-Malo coach. It is not because the Briochins took a red that it was necessary to compensate. It is a choice of the referee, but this compensation has a real impact on the match. I would have preferred to play eleven against eleven.”
“If we receive a Ligue 1 at Fred-Aubert, it would be great”
Padlocked from start to finish, this match finally resembled previous confrontations, the last of which during the second day of N2 (0-0). “It was as usual, a closed match,” smiles James Le Marer, the Briochin captain. I think both teams were afraid of each other. We knew it would be a tactical match. We were united, especially ten against ten. We're going to get back to the 32nd finals, it's great! “.
This will be the entry into the running of Ligue 1 clubs. The draw will take place Monday evening. The Malouins will be absent. “That's three times in a row that we've lost at the penos, after Guingamp and Caen, it's hard to swallow,” breathes Gwen Corbin while Franck L'Hostis begins to dream. “If we receive a Ligue 1 at Fred-Aubert, that would be great.” It’s up to the other Bretons to play, now!
SHOT ON GOAL. Saint-Brieuc: Beghin (1), Zakharyan (1), Le Marer (1), Diakité (1), Konan (1) ;
Saint-Malo: Gerbeaud (1), Heinry (1), Daillet (1), Cissé (1), Leroyer (0)
WARNINGS. Saint-Brieuc: Boudin (56'), Kerbrat (90' + 2); Saint-Malo: Daillet (48'), Abasq (85').
Exclusions. Saint-Brieuc: Gomis (26'), Saint-Malo: A. Diakhaby (33').
BRIOCHIN STADIUM : L'Hostis – Nugent (Rouillé, 79'), Kerbrat, Boudin, Diakité – Le Marer (cap.), Beghin, Yobé (Balzan, 86') – Gomis – Janno (Zakharyan, 73'), Konan. Not included: The Norman (g.), Angoua, B. Diakhaby, The Apostle.
US SAINT-MALO : Escandre – Cillard (Abasq, 79'), Cissé (cap.), Cottereau – Duponchelle, Magnon (Daillet, 39'), Taïpa (Duclovel, 65') – Daury (Leroyer, 79'), Barroug (Heinry, 65 ') – A. Diakhaby, Gerbeaud. Not entered in the game : Queried, Hungbo.
Crédit photo: Photo Nicolas Créach
