They were 90 minutes away from reaching the dream of reaching the round of 16 of the French Football Cup. However, the dream ended this Saturday, December 21, 2024 for Saint-Denis FC. Fred Bachelier's players were beaten 2-0 by the Normans of SU Dives-Cabourg. The Reunion Islanders fought to the end and came out of the competition with honors (Illustrative photo: www.imazpress.com)
This 32nd round of finals gave Saint-Denis FC the hope of reaching the round of 16 of the Coupe de Frande for the first time.
But the cold – a match in 9 low Normandy degrees at the Cabourg stadium – and the level of the opposing team got the better of their determination
Read also – Coupe de France: end of adventure for Saint-Denis FC, beaten 2-0 by SU Dives-Cabourg
– Dominated by the score –
It was at 6:30 p.m. (Reunion time) that the match between Saint-Denis FC and SU Dives-Cabourg kicked off.
Rather good at the start of the match, the Reunion Islanders – who played in yellow – quickly let themselves be overtaken.
At halftime, the score between the two teams was 0-0.
The score was opened in the 60th minute after a goal from Théo Fontaine for SU Dives-Cabourg.
In the 75th minute, second goal for the Normans thanks to number 7, Alban Bekombo.
Before the end of the match, the chances continued for Fred Bachelier's players. In the 82nd minute, Bacary Toufeily narrowly missed the goal, his ball having been deflected by the Norman goalkeeper.
The six minutes of added time did not give the Saint-Denis FC players any hope of putting a ball in the back of the opposing cages, despite several opportunities.
The match between the two teams was played behind closed doors as all 1,900 seats at the André Heurtematte stadium were sold. Among these supporters, 150 places had been reserved for Reunion Islanders.
– A “difficult” match –
From half-time, the Saint-Denis FC players knew, “it’s difficult”. “It’s a real Coupe de France match,” said number 9, Mamoudou Diallo, at the Réunion La 1ère microphone.
At the end of the match, for Fred Bachelier's players, “we had 3 or 4 opportunities but missed”, says Tsito Razafindrasata at Réunion La 1ère.
“They are better than us but we gave everything,” he concedes.
“It was difficult but we were able to return to the locker room, question ourselves and arrive like warriors,” comments Théo Fontaine, scorer for the Normandy team.
SU Dives-Cabourg, a National 3 club (ex-CFA 2) and is therefore heading into the round of 16 which will be played on Wednesday January 15, 2025. They will know their opponent during the draw this Sunday December 22.
– A great course for Fred Bachelier's players –
A very good achievement all the same for Saint-Denis FC. Last year, the Dionysian club failed to advance to the 8th round, led by the professionals of Paris FC.
Read also – Saint-Denis FC eliminated after the suspense against the Parisians (3-1)
15 days ago, Saint-Denis FC brilliantly defeated Saint Pierroise in the final of the French regional cup.
Read also – Football: Saint-Denis FC wins 4 to 1 against JS Saint-Pierroise
As a reminder, over the last 10 years, Reunion has regularly sent clubs to the 32nd finals: Sainte Marienne in 2013 and 2015, Excelsior in 2016, Saint Pierroise in 2019, Saint-Denis FC already in 2021 and the Tamponnaise in 2022.
Once, only once, did a Reunion club reach the round of 16. All football fans still remember it: Saint Pierre beating Niort, which was 4 divisions above the Southerners 5 years ago.
Read also – Football: Saint-Pierroise beats Niort and advances to the round of 16
Read also – Round of 16 of the Coupe de France: Epinal 1 – Saint-Pierre 0, the JSSP eliminated at the end of the effort
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Football, Coupe de France, Saint-Denis FC
