CFA round 23
Saturday 10th March 10 2007
RED STAR 2 VITRE 0 (0-0)
Attendance : 1 200 - referee : Mme Sarah Girard assisted by Bruno Manquelian & Yannick Jenesi
Goals : Kemas (65), Diawara (85 penalty)
Substitutions : Ghili by Kenmas (60), Buval by Ouattara (77), N'Simba by Yessad (89) - Moustapha by Lefaix 68), Moro by Bertin (76), Courteille by Renaud (86)
RED STAR FC 93 : DJIDONOU (1), LACOMAT (2), HAGUY (3), TOUNKARA (4), KANGULUNGU, cap. (5), N'SIMBA (6), DIAWARA (7), MIHERRE(8), MBANZA (9), GHILI (10), BUVAL (11), NSEKE (12), OUATTARA (13), KEMAS (14), YESSAD (15), MOULIN (16). Coach : Bruno NAIDON
VITRE : CHAVROLLIER (1), MORISSEAU (2), PODER (3), MORO (4), ENYEAYA (5), BRARD (6), JOUVROT (7), COURTEILLE, cap. (8), LE MAT (9), DIAWARA (10), MOUSTAPHA (11), BERTIN (12), CHABIMANE (13), LEFAIX (14), RENAUD (15), MINTUKIER (16). Coach : Joël CLOAREC
Red Star FC 93
KEMAS WONDER GOAL LIFTS GLOOM
In the 110 years of Red Stars' existence, there probably have been worse games than this one, especially the atrocious first half served up by Red Star, but there can not have been many more goals better than the one scored today by Khaled Kemas, Red Stars' enigmatic centre forward. Just as Red Stars' restless supporters were starting to ponder the consequences of yet another goalless draw, Kemas, whom had brely been on the pitch five minutes as a sub for the game but nevertheless ineffective Loïc Ghili, picked up a ball from a throw in on the left hand edge of the Vitré penalty area. Dropping his shoulder KEMAS jinked hs way past three defenders, took the ball to the edge of the six yard box before firing home an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net (1-0). The late great Jimmy Johnstone would have been proud of that one. To see the video of the goal, click here.
Truth be told, however, the match was dour, especially the first half. Vitré had a bagful of chances to wrap up the game in the first forty five minutes, whereas Red Star needed forty-odd minutes before mustering a shot of any danger. Luckily the visitors' finishing was as poor as Red Stars' game and combined with the brilliance of Yoann Djidonou, both sides returned for a half time break level at nil-nil.
After the pause, Red Star improved their game and started to look dangerous, and in the second half Benin international Djidonou became something of a spectator, even having time to admire some fantastic saves made by his opposite number Chavrollier. One of these was truly top-notch, clawing the ball away as the goal appeared inevitable.
What this game needed was a touch of individual brlliance to break the deadlock - with Red Star having virtually abandoned any concept of an attacking midfield, especially in the first half where the midfield was bypassed by long balls punted up from the back over their heads, hoping that the powerful presence of Elysée MBanza up front could salvage something from this strategy. A midfield of NSimba, Miherre and Diawara hardly condusive to the attacking creativity that we saw when Fabiano was playing.
Kemas on, then came that moment of individual brilliance and the crowd loved it. Vitré virtually wilted and failed to pose any threat to get back in the game. Kemas was responsible for the build-up to the second goal, threading a beautiful pass into the path of MBanza who was bundled over in the penalty area. The excellent referee Madame Girard pointed to the spot and to the surprise of the crowd, Abdoulaye DIAWARA stepped up to place the ball firmly into the bottom corner (2-0). With only five minutes remaining and Vitré looking less than threatening, it was time to savour the win, enjoyed by Red Stars' biggest home gate of the season.
Maybe Monsieur Jules Rimet was looking down over the old Stade de Paris on Saturday. What is sure that he would have enjoyed the sporting endeavour of Khaled Kemas. Happy Birthday Red Star, here's hoping for many more in the future !
© AllezRedStar.com 2007