Closing the 2016/2017 season of the second division, Arras received the LOSC for a final match, which was to remain a formality for the players of Jérémie Descamps. But Lille, first in the standings were held in check by the Arrageoises, who played on their field, in Degouve (0-0). An outcome of meeting which gives at this moment there, in question the rise in D1 of Lille.



On May 14, Lille had - normally - validated its rise in D1, since the club northerner had six points more than his direct opponent, La Roche-Sur-Yon. But it was before the affair of the four points withdrawn by the FFF, following a claim of the ESOF on their match of May 14th against the club. A player did not have a valid license, but she played the match ... Who could have predicted such a scenario? Lille must imperatively win this last match (where hope for a draw of the ESOF), being no more than two points of difference against the second-ranked Roche, to officially confirm their accession to the elite of the championship of France. But nothing happened as planned.
Everything seemed written for LOSC before this last week of the D2 Feminine. With six more points, against his underdog of the season, Lille was "assured" to be Champion despite the final result of this match against Arras. A derby that seemed within reach of the LOSC players, but this disappointment came at the worst time.
Because it was a near miss for Lille in their race to climb. They had Arras, in their opening match last September, certainly, on the smallest margin 1-0. It therefore foreshadowed a tight match and fought, but where Lille was slightly favorite in view of his career during this exercise. But the favorite is never really written. Because he did not keep those promises.

A story that is almost repeated, since the PSG had to face this case, to have a player enter, who was not registered on the sheet of match. A bug according to Paris. But the CNOSF had validated the decision of the Federation. A case that had since broken the Parisiennes in their season. The Lille have lived this Sunday, the same penalty, but it is not yet definitive, since the club has appealed. The match could be replayed.



Arras holds the dragée haute in Lille

In Degouve, it was complicated to take - completely - the ascendancy on his opponent for the LOSC, ranking leader just before the kickoff. Yet it is the Lille women who have the influence of the ball, but the Arrageoises are not going to make the task easy to their opponents, annoying them repeatedly in their momentum and the construction of their game.
From the first minute though, Lille wants to hit the mark with the irreducible Belgian, Jana Coryn, formidable this season for the opponents defenses. She is exposed from the first minute on a long balloon of Maud Coutereels, her teammate in the selection of Belgium, but the attempt is aborted by the defense of Arras. The Lille then have a good indirect free kick, struck by Jessica Lernon (4 '), which is rejected by Loreen Werbet.
Arras then tries to return to the game, and not to be locked in a game too defensive. It was a great opportunity for Marie Schepers in the 5th minute, who almost recovered the ball on the ground, in the gloves of the door Lille, Floriane Azem, which gives scare fans Lille. Both teams stand physically and psychologically head. The rivalry is not to be underlined between the 22 protagonists present on the ground. Aurélie Coquet had a good ball for Arras, at the quarter of an hour, full axis, at the entrance to the surface, the shot is somewhat enveloped but the goalkeeper recovers without shaking the ball.

Not the head in the match
The LOSC regains possession of the ball, after being scared, on a free kick quickly played. Jana Coryn (16 ') follows the ball, but the goalie comes out of the box, and controls the ball from the chest, the Belgian could do nothing. She's going to have another opportunity, two minutes after that. Ludivine Bultel (18 ') takes the left lane, and transmits a good ball for Coryn at the penalty box. But Lille late and his shot ends on the first post. It was missing a few centimeters for the opening of the score.
The LOSC begins to delay the game, not to grill. But the game ahead continues. As this center flank right Charlotte Sailly (23 '), which ends in the gloves of the goalkeeper though. Lille are nervous, the Arrageoises benefit clearly. Even this ball well given by Silke Demeyere (30 '), battled between Caroline Denis and teammate Bultel. But it is finally recovered at the entrance of the box by the door of Arras, Marion Mancion, who will go prove decisive in this match.Arras is also good to play. Like this failed attempt between Many N'Zyaye (36 ') and Manon Dumoulin by Jennifer Bouchenna at the entrance to the penalty area. It was just. A discount full axis of N'Zyaye for Dumoulin, which cut full axis, but Bouchenna comes clear the danger.

A few minutes before the end of this first act, the spirits begin to warm up, the first yellow card is out, for Schepers (43 ').

The first half was an opportunity to situate the two teams in their state of mind. The LOSC did not manage its match, the fault of a system that lacks a relay between the defense and the attack led by Jana Coryn. On the other Arras has nothing to lose in this game and wants to look good in front of his audience.


Lille must rectify the shot

The second half resumes at the same pace neither team wants to let go of the field. We have the impression, however, that Lille is coming back with better intentions, but realism is lacking as much as in the first half. Even this shot by Jana Coryn (49 ') misses the target. The Belgian was almost alone in front of the goal and her shot was close at hand, but it's above. It's not the gambler's habit to miss this kind of opportunity, though.

Arras responds quickly with a free-kick wound (53 '), on the right side, which shaves the skylight Azem. It was not far, but it's still not in it. Arras tries in vain to destabilize Lille in his mind and find the flaw in his defense, but Maud Coutereels is infallible to block the assault arrageois.

The actions are linked, the tensions too, the players are shot for blow, cartons rain. Nothing works, none finds the bottom of the nets. It's hard to understand the reasons, but the Lille women are the loser of the points, they are not at all serene and even less in the game. Even this combination between Camille Dolignon (70 '), undoubtedly the player of the match side Lille, with Bultel, will not succeed.


Arras makes life hard in Lille

The minutes become crucial for the LOSC, which must transform these opportunities now. A new strike eccentric, slightly, in the line of the right post of Mancion, but the strike of the left of Coryn (72 ') is not enough supported, it is in the gloves of the door of course on its supports. It is hard for the Belgian, whom he is keen to give the victory to his team in this match, so crucial at bottom. But nothing will change the scenario. Not even this beautiful shot Dolignon (82 '), just below the cross, which will come to be slammed with the tip of the glove by Mancion. The match ball was there.

The last action is for Arras to finish everything. Just before the final whistle. A nice center Yvonne Leuko (89 '), which will come to be cleared by Maud Coutereels, the Lille captain. The two teams are leaving back to back, on a draw and blank. Lille was not used to this kind of situation. The case of the points removed had to hurt the players, who faced a team Arras snarling and eager to rectify the first leg.



At the end of a disputed match, the LOSC has not managed to consolidate its leading position and will now have to wait for the decision on appeal to the FFF. For the moment it is indeed the ESOF which is promoted in D1, the next season, by having 7-1 of Brest, this Sunday. Arras on his side has certainly held Lille in check for their last meeting of the season, but it is not a real satisfaction in view of the conceded first leg. In the end, the two teams will remain frustrated with this last confrontation of the championship of D2 Feminine.