Sunday afternoon at the stadium Jean Pierre Delhomme of Blanquefort, Bordeaux resident of D2 won his derby against Soyaux club D1 and neighbor. It was not until the penalty shoot-out, 5-4, to end a match full of suspense 1-1 and whose scenario was full of twists.

A hierarchy jostled ...
In that first half, it was impossible to see the division gap between the two opponents of the day. Soyaux plays shyly without taking any risk and there is this problem of efficiency and realism that becomes recurrent. Bordeaux on the other hand tries all the shots thoroughly and the question that everyone asks is: will they hold the whole match at this rate?

The first half hour is Girondine, a strike by Sarah Cambot and another Melody Sierra but both safely captured by Amandine Guérin.

In the 27th minute, Sabrina Barbe overflows on the right and she comes to open the score of a cross shot at the far post (1-0).

In the stadium it's madness, the public wanted the show and the Bordeaux people do it.

Soyaux is picked cold but in the minutes that follow, we find that the Sojaldiciennes do not panic. They build from behind by Melissa Godart and Cynthia Viana, without panic knowing that there is time and with their experience, they should return to the score.

There follows a series of corners of Soyaux but each time, Alizée Nadal intervenes and keeps his clean sheet. It is even she who will make the first spectacular stop of this match by stopping a shot from Gwendoline Djebbar with the tip of the left foot.

This end of the first half is to the advantage of the visitors and Bordeaux draws on his reserves to finish this period on this score.

Finally a reaction but bad luck will stop everything ...
Soyaux is back on the pitch with other intentions and this second half, for sure, will be Sojaldicienne. Only here, we always say that luck is part of the game but what is lucky for some becomes a blow to the fate for others and Soyaux will pay the price.

In the 48th minute of play, Justine Deschamps recovers a ball after a great moment of panic Bordeaux, she pushes the ball that gets into the goal but a player Girondine spring this ball and misplaced referee does not see the ball indeed crossed the line.

On the hour, it is Viviane Boudaud who pushes a ball that Alizée Nadal had released and it is then thought that Soyaux has finally equalized but in vain, the referee Elodie Coppola refuses the goal and reports a charge on the Guardian…

It starts to do a lot and when Gwendoline Djebbar finally opens the score for the ASJ in the 63rd, we say that it is well deserved. A climb to the left of Justine Deschamps followed by a center back and number 10 Soyaux thrills the trade winds Nadal (1-1).

No doubt now, Soyaux who mastered his subject, will accelerate the pace of the game. But that's without counting on the will of the Bordelaises, they talk to each other, they encourage each other and they do not want to let anything go. They are even the ones who obtain the last dangerous actions of this end of match and it will be necessary a great Amandine Guerin to hold the draw and go towards the session of the penaltys.

The suspense to the end ...
In this lottery that are the penaltys, it is the moment where the goalies can shine and it is Alizée Nadal who starts this session. First penalty Anais Dumont who found the post right goal but the captain of Soyaux has put so much strength that the ball returns anyway.

Let's go, the tone is set and the batters fired all their shots until Marie Aurelle Awona shot to the right of the goal of Alizée Nadal. This is the turning point of this session and Soyaux will not come back.

Emmanuelle Saboulard for Bordeaux places his ball, Amandine Guérin plays his last card trying to deconcentrate his opponent but the opposite foot is perfect and Bordeaux explodes.

All the staff runs on the field, the players are jumping in the arms and the smiles of the Girondines face the disappointment of Sojaldiciennes. Bordeaux continues the adventure and is preparing to party while waiting to know his next target Wednesday in the draw for the 16th.

Once again, the hierarchy is jostled but that's the magic of the Coupe de France.

Author and Photo Credit: Manu Cahu.