For the first time in the history of the Coupe de France, a Reunion club qualified for the round of 16 of the competition. JS Saint-Pierroise created the feat by beating Niort (2-1), this Saturday afternoon, in a festive atmosphere provided in the stands by more than a hundred of its supporters from the island or from different metropolitan regions.
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On the field of the René-Gaillard stadium, the four divisions away were not felt at all and the Reunionese were even the most dangerous throughout the match. Despite several good situations by Ponti (8th), Razak (21st) or Fontaine (34th), the players of Christian Dafreville did not manage to see their domination rewarded in the first half but they maintained their game plan and their quick attacks.
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Hubert and Ponti, the heroes of Reunion
Gérard Hubert first opened the scoring with a header (59th, 1-0) on an action well conducted on the left. The Cigognes then narrowly missed the ball 2-0 by Razak and in the continuity of the action the Niortais equalized thanks to a goal against his camp of Mamy (63rd, 1-1). Despite this twist of fate, the Reunionese did not lower their tone and it was finally the electric battery of the JSSP, Ryan Ponti, often at the origin of the actions, who signed the goal of victory and qualification historical. Launched on his left side, the Saint-Pierroise midfielder played on Bryan Passi before deceiving Pauchet with a cross shot (76th, 2-1).
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In a last hope, illusory, of equalization, the Niortais pushed. In vain. The Reunionese were the best.
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