Stade Rennais have booked their place into the next round of the Coupe de France after defeating opponents Stade de Reims 5-4 on penalty kicks, as extra time couldn't separate both sides from a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes.
The home side started the brighter of the two sides, however it was to be ex-Liverpool striker, David Ngog, who would have the first sight of goal when he used his thigh to direct the ball just past the Rennes goal. It wasn't long before the Bretons had a chance pass by themselves when Christian Bruls pinged a sweet ball across field into the path of Pedro Henrique who was unfortunate not to make contact from six yards.
Ola Toivonen also could have done better when he was in on goal, but his shot was off target. The Swede was probably happy when he seen the offside flag raised against him. Pedro Henrique was in the midst of the action again when he collected a wayward Toivonen cross to cut inside and see his shot graze over the bar. After a feeble attempt from Ngog, Rennes soon found themselves a goal ahead through a Sylvain Armand penalty. Pedro Henrique forced a foul from Christopher Glombard to win his side the spot kick. Armand, given the task of notching home from 12 yards, did so with ease, sending keeper, Kossi Agassa, the wrong way.
Reims thought they made an immediate recovery, but they were to be dumfounded by the eventual effort at goal. Nicolas de Preville jostled himself by the Rennes centre-halves, but not in a shooting position, he opted to cut-back to a waiting Ngog who couldn't do the easy job of hitting the target. Rennes almost punished their opponents when a Ola Toivonen claimed he was fouled in the penalty area by Agassa. Fortunately for the visitors, the referee waved play on.
Reims played much better in the second half, but didn't have as clear cut a chance as the previous one from Ngog. Gaetan Charbonnier had the first proper shot on goal in the half, causing a momentary scare as his shot from outside the box took a major deflection, sending the ball goalwards. Both teams made several substitutions including miss-hitter, David Ngog, who was replaced by 19 year old forward, Grejohn Kyei. The teenager made immediate impact by clawing back a goal. The striker, who was prolific in CFA 2, managed to brush off Mexer with ease to slot away his shot to the right of Benoit Costil.
Rennes had their best chance of the half to go back in front when their attackers found themselves in a three on two situation, with Pedro Henrique leading the charge down the middle. The Brazilian winger opted to have a shot at goal rather than pass to his two open team mates, but made the keeper work as his side footed effort from just outside the box was heroically turned away for a corner by Agassi. Henrqiue did turn provider however, when he lobbed a ball into the path of Abdoulaye Doucoure who was clear on goal. Known for his trouble with shooting, the tall midfielder illustrated this as his tame shot was kneed away by Agassi, with Sanjin Prcic not following up on the rebound.
Doucoure would have the Rennes fans up in arms again when he collected a Henrique cross centimeters outside the 18 yard box- the midfielder chose to shoot once more, this time the ball going meters wide of the goal. Kyei thought he scored soon after to put the away side 1-2 ahead, but the referee intervened on the impromptu celebrations to call for offside. Before the referee blew for full time both sides could have snatched the win. Substitute, Habib Habibou, found some good movement as he got on the end of a Prcic cross to the near post. The Central African couldn't get the force or the direction to put the ball by Agassa who came out to collect. At the other end it was Kyei who tried to do a smart lob from the corner of the box to the far corner of the goal, which ultimately was unsuccessful.
As the quick switch signalled the start of extra times, both teams looked at their substitutes to try and make the biggest impact as they were the freshest players on the field. Strangely, it was two starters who linked up together to score another ghost goal for Reims. Antoine Conte passed the ball across goal, after receiving the ball in what was said to be an offside position, to Gregory Bourillon who finished up by putting the ball in the net. Post replays suggest that neither player was offside in the proceedings. Miffed at the previous decision, Charbonnier tried his arm by trying to force his own way to a goal. The attacker received the ball from a cut-back and opened his foot on the ball and it curled towards and off the side of the post, leaving Costil stranded.
The second half of extra time was a tiresome affair for both teams, showing that there was little or nothing in the tank in terms of desire or stamina. Reims restricted themsleves to weak long shots that caused no bother to Costil. The same can be said for Rennes as a fatigued Prcic swung a poor effort which Agassa collected. It was then up to Doucoure to hit a familiar shocker of a dig from distance, bringing extra time to an end and signalling penalty kicks.
The penalties were taken in front of the Rennes ultras, Roazhon Celtic Kop, who cheered their keeper, Benoit Costil to the rafters. Ex-Rennes player, Bourillon, scored the first penalty, giving his side the all important psychological lead. Rennes captain, Romain Danze, scored the next penalty, unfazed was the veteran right-back. Charbonnier just managed to score the next penalty as he saw his strike bounce off the bottom of Costil, who guessed the right way, to trickle in. Gelson Fernandes levelled the shoot-out with the next penalty. Gaetan Courtet restored the Reims lead with his penalty. Habib Habibou missed the first penalty of the evening, but not dampning the spirits of his team mates who rallied round one another- the score remained 2-3.
Kyei who was so promising since his introduction in the second half, let Habibou off big time when he missed his penalty- his inexperience could have played a major part. Pedro Henrique, arguably man of the match, levelled the game and put hope back into the home crowd and players alike. Antoine Devaux certainly felt the pressure as he missed the next Reims penalty. Unfortunately, Armand also felt the pressure to win the game for his side, as the goal scorer of the first penalty, had his second saved. Conte and Doucoure both slotted away their penalties, the Rennes fans would have had their hearts in their mouths when Doucoure stepped up.
Another substitute sealed the fate for Reims when Costil saved Omenuke Mfulu's penalty. All eyes pointed to Anders Konradsen who had to do what Armand couldn't and finish the cup tie- the Norwegian international fired the ball to Agassa's right and the ball nestled the net, sealing the cup place for Rennes. Les Rouges et Noirs will travel to the Stade Louis II to play AS Monaco in the next round.
Rennes are in league action on Sunday as they host Caen, featuring old Rennes favourite, Julien Feret. Reims also play hosts on Sunday as Lens travel to the Stade Auguste Delaune.