PARIS: Monaco set up a top billing clash with Bordeaux in the French Cup round of 16 after coming from behind to beat Lyon 2-1 at the Stade Louis II on Sunday.
REAL DESIRE: Lyon’s Jean-Alain Boumsong (left) heads the ball to score during the match against Monaco at Louis II Stadium in Monaco. — AFP photo
South Korean international striker Chu-Young Park converted a close-range header 13 minutes from time to send Guy Lacombe’s team through and consign Lyon, who took a deserved lead into the interval, to their first loss of 2010.
Centre-back Jean-Alain Boumsong had given Lyon the lead on the cusp of half-time with a thumping header but Monaco’s Brazilian striker Nene equalised from the penalty spot seven minutes into the second period after Sidney Govou was adjudged to have fouled him in the penalty area.
Monaco coach Guy Lacombe said the result was logical given how far his team had come this season after a shaky start.
“We are making real progress. We are beginning to put together a coherent and effective game on the pitch,” said the former PSG handler.
“We have now gone eight matches without defeat. That is good. It is the first time this season that Monaco has been behind and gone on to win.
“That is an indication of how far we have progressed.”
His Lyon counterpart Claude Puel admitted that he felt the loss as did the team because they had had a real desire to win the trophy, especially as they are trailing Bordeaux by a long way in the title race
“This loss is therefore hugely frustrating, especially as the squad really wants to win something this season. But we will try and get this out of our system tomorrow (Monday) and focus on the League Cup tie with Lorient this week,” said Puel.
Earlier, Paris Saint-Germain overcame third-division Evian 3-1 after a workmanlike performance and will travel to fourth-tier Vesoul in the last 16.
Turkish international striker Mevlut Erding and last season’s top scorer Guillaume Hoarau, starting his first game since October after a spell on the sidelines, were on target for the hosts, while Kevin Berigauld replied for the visitors.
“It’s good for the confidence,” said Erding. “Guillaume scored, I scored. Evian were a great team but we were focused right to the end and the victory was deserved.”
Reigning cup holders Guingamp of the second division – who came from behind to stun Rennes 2-1 in last season’s final – beat fourth-division Mulhouse to take their place in the last 16.
They will meet the winners of the delayed last-32 tie between Boulogne-sur-Mer and fourth-tier Colmar, who stunned third-placed Ligue 1 side Lille 10-9 on penalties on Saturday.
Elsewhere on Sunday, top-tier Saint-Etienne and Nancy both secured places in the round of 32 by winning their respective last-64 ties, which had been delayed by heavy snowfall in France earlier in the month.
Les Verts are involved in a relegation scrap but they blew away eighth-placed Lorient with Emmanuel Riviere, Dimitri Payet, twice, and Bakary Sako all on target in a 4-1 victory.
“I’m pleased with our qualification, with having scored some goals, with the spirit in the team and with the match,” said Saint-Etienne coach Christophe Galtier.
Nancy were given a far sterner examination at fifth-division Thiers, however, and eventually prevailed 3-2 on penalties after the game finished 1-1.
Saint-Etienne will play Vannes or Grenoble if they can overcome Villefranche-sur-Saone in the round of 32, while Nancy will take on Plabennec for the right to face Sedan or Auxerre. — AFP