This summit clash for promotion was mastered by L’USJFC before conceding victory to Rodez, who now have an advantage for promotion.
Occitanie R1 – Poule B.
RODEZ AVEYRON 2 (5-3) L’UNION SAINT FC: (HT 1-1).
Referee Romain Canal, assistants Thibault De Saint-Gilles, Nicolas Dru.
For Rodez/2: Didon 35th, Boulet 54th 82nd, Sielnu NDiefi 84th, Corredor 90th.
For L’USJFC: Chinchilla 13th, Belkoussa 65th, Tournier 68th.
RODEZ/2: Lucas. M, Didon, Tom. B, Basla, Dupont, Dahalani, Thibaut. P, Boulet, Joris. M, Sielenu NDiefi, Corredor, Mavounia Kouka, Kévin. C, Maexan.T.
L’USJFC: Rabyi, Tavares, Nativel Fontaine, Belkoussa, Bounhouret, Guerreiro, Lebrun, Chinchilla, Payant, Rafion, Capdeville, Fofana, Tournier, Viltard. Coaches Gregory Sorroche, Laurent Manach, Olivier De Dios.
Motivated by the stake, with 3 matches left for a decision, the two teams engaged in a fierce battle: 13th Lebrun’s throw-in, Chinchilla scores for L’USJFC (0-1) – 35th Rodez equalizes on a cross (1-1) – 54th Rodez takes the lead on a break (2-1) – 65th Belkoussa equalizes with a kick from a corner (2-2) – 68th Tournier puts L’USJFC ahead on Payan’s cross (2-3).
The end of the match proved fatal for L’USJFC.
The match shifted in the final minutes. Rodez equalized at 82nd on a break (3-3), reigniting the game. Eager to regain the lead, L’USJFC launched an offensive: 84th Rodez regained the advantage on a break (4-3) and at 90th on a corner, Rodez secured their victory.
“We faced some tough match situations that were hard to handle. It’s a good team, but losing in these conditions is tough. In this crucial match for both teams fighting for promotion, starting strong, we took the lead and missed two chances to make it (2-4). At (2-3), a stoppage disrupted our rhythm. Rodez equalized, we tried to regain control, but got caught at the end. We tried everything to come back, the score doesn’t reflect the intensity of this high-level match. Despite our performance, we are disappointed with the result, we lacked luck,” regrets coach Gregory Sorroche.
