Minnows Vannes in the driving seat while PSG keep season alive


Written by: AFP Bookmark and Share
2007-01-30 23:39:29

Paris´ Christian Rodriguez leaves the field during the French cup football match PSG vs. Valenciennes, at the Parc des Princes in Paris. Paris won 1-0.
  Paris´ Christian Rodriguez leaves the field during the French cup football match PSG vs. Valenciennes, at the Parc des Princes in Paris. Paris won 1-0.
PARIS (AFP) - Paul Le Guen´s Paris Saint Germain safely booked their place in the French Cup quarter-finals with a 1-0 win over Valenciennes.

Valenciennes proved the bogey side for Le Guen´s predecessor Guy Lacombe, who was dismissed after PSG lost to them earlier this month.

Le Guen´s outfit ensured no such repeat when Cristian Rodriguez produced the only goal of the game in the 55th minute.

But the capital side´s cause was helped considerably by Valenciennes´ Uruguayan keeper Nicolas Penneteau who let the ball slip safely from his clutches at Rodriguez´ feet.

"We needed a good result to help our confidence," said Le Guen, brought in to save PSG´s season after leaving Scottish giants Rangers in ignominious fashion after less than a season in charge.

Third division Vannes made it into the Cup last eight for the first time in their modest history after a 2-0 extra time win over second division Montpellier.

The Brittany minnows stunned the favourites for this on paper at least mismatched last 16 tie with Jerome Le Bouc´s 100th minute strike.

The former Rennes and Nantes player was then instrumental in Vannes´ second two minutes later when he set up Cedric Rjillo to keep their cup adventure well and truly alive.

"It´s great that our adventure is continuing," said the club captain Christophe Le Roux.

"I take my hat off to the team."

Earlier Sochaux knocked out former Champions League finalists Monaco 2-0, the goals coming either side of the break from Romain Pitau and former Liverpool striker Anthony Le Tallec.

Monaco were whistled off by their home supporters at the Stade Louis-II after this tepid display.

"We deserved what we got," said Monaco´s Sylvain Monsoreau.

"We didn´t play, Sochaux taught us a lesson.´

Monaco´s night was made worse after their Ivory coast international Yaya Toure had to come off with a torn ankle muscle.

First division Sedan overcame the banana skin presented by their second division opponents Libourne-Saint-Seurin, but only after a fightback.

Libourne took the lead one minute from the interval with Yahia Kebe´s close range goal but they will have been kicking themselves for not converting at least half a dozen live chances.

Sedan levelled shortly after retaking the pitch thanks to former Cameroon international striker Joseph-Desire Job who pounced on some sloppy defending and he then produced the winner 20 minutes from time.

Wednesday´s last 16 fixtures include out of form French champions Lyon up against Marseille and fourth division amateurs Monceau Les Mines against top flight rivals Bordeaux




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