Two games away from happiness.

Auxerre qualified for the Ligue 1 accession play-off on Friday at its Abbé-Deschamps stadium by winning on penalties at the expense of Sochaux (0-0 after, 5-4 on pens) in the second round of pre- Ligue 2 play-off. During the fateful session, captain Birama Touré gave the victory to his team after goalkeeper Donovan Leon stopped the attempt of Sochalien Yann Kitala, causing the invasion of the pitch by the public who dream of the rise in Ligue 1, ten years after relegation.

But before really celebrating the eventual accession, AJA will face Metz or Saint-Etienne on May 26 and 29 (or even Bordeaux for the most unlikely scenario) with the return match away.

The Auxerrois, 3rd in Ligue 2, deserve their qualification against Sochaliens (5th) who despite everything showed a lot of courage, ending the match very tired after having already played - and won after additional time - Tuesday on the ground of the Paris FC (2-1), for the 1st round of these "play-offs".

The Icaunais, supported by 17,000 supporters (boxes sold out) dominated the game but may regret having lacked too much technical accuracy in the finishing zone to fault the excellent defensive organization of his opponent, wait-and-see and preferring to operate on counterattacks .

Missed opportunities

In the first half, a free kick from Gauthier Hein went just wide (44), while goalkeeper Maxence Prevot released a shot from Hamza Sakhi without consequence other than a corner (45).

Auxerre thus had to wait for added time to get their best chance, Gaëtan Charbonnier missing the target on a point-blank shot after Sochaux goalkeeper Maxence Prevot could not catch a shot from Alexis Trouillet (90 + 1).

Previously, this same Charbonnier had created some hot situations but without finding the frame (63, 70) or on a shot easily stopped by Prevot (49).

In extra time, a shot from Gaëtan Perrin also grazed the frame (99).

The Sochaliens, for their part, missed the opportunity early enough to open the scoring on a cross from Maxime Do Couto, intercepted by Donovan Leon just ahead of Aldo Kalulu (13), while Gaëtan Weissbeck failed to take advantage of an error by defender Carlens Arcus to fail the Icaun goalkeeper (78).

But the FCSM may as well regret that the Auxerrois Quentin Bernard saved his team on the line in front of Steve Ambri in extra time, for an incredible opportunity at this moment of the match (105 + 1).

  • Sport

  • Soccer

  • League 2

  • Auxerre, AJA