PARIS – Fifth-tier Chambery claimed another major French Cup scalp on Saturday, following up a success over Monaco with a penalty shootout win over another top flight side in Brest to reach the last 16 along with fellow amateurs Drancy.
Bordeaux promptly became the 12th first division side to exit the tournament after they went down at second division Angers to a second-half goal from Sebastien Renouard. Jean Tigana’s Bordeaux have lost their way in recent weeks to stand in midtable in the league and this will do nothing to raise their spirits, which have been in freefall since failing to reach the Champions League last season after winning the 2009 title.
“This is my biggest disappointment in 17 years,” said Tigana, who led Monaco to the French title before a spell with Fulham in England. “I’ll have to speak to the players as today they were a pale imitation of themselves.” At Chambery, the 3,500 fans who packed into the Stade Municipal in the Alpine town saw the hosts come back from the brink with a goal three minutes before the end of extra-time from former Saint Etienne striker Malik Faye, on as a substitute.
Ten minutes earlier, Brest thought they had done enough when Bruno Grougi, himself making a late entrance from the bench, put them in front after 90 minutes had failed to see either side break the stalemate. In the ensuing shootout, Faye duly dispatched his effort along with three other teammates while Larsen Toure and Omar Daf missed for Brest before Remy Sahinovic smacked in the decisive kick just as he had against Monaco in the previous round.
“The players knew I wanted us to stay true to our values and we did that,” said Chambery coach David Guion. “Now we’d like a match against another top flight side so the players can savour playing in a big stadium. Taking on (neighbouring) Lyon and gouing down fighting at the Gerland stadium would do nicely.”
