Football: For Alès, the Gambardella Cup epic came to an abrupt end

L’international espoir anglais Alejandro Jesus Gomes a fait très mal à Barbu, à Mezghenna et aux Alésiens. Midi Libre – Alexis Bethune

In the last 16 of the Coupe Gambardella, Sunday afternoon, OAC could do nothing against an Olympique Lyonnais superior in all areas.

Facing Olympique Lyonnais, the step was really too high for Alès, severely punished on Sunday.

Motivated and uninhibited, the youngsters of OAC put a lot of desire and pride from the kick-off, playing with a high block. Ambitious tactic against OL even if the final score is harsh. OAC captain Marwane Taïbi noted the behavior of his teammates: “Faced with such an opponent, we had to earn respect in the duels, show that we were there.”

Despite Barbu's two saves very early in the game (4th, 5th), the Gones quickly opened the scoring with a volley from Himbert (0-1, 8th) that cooled Pibarot. A shot deflected by Lurika made the score worse (0-2, 16th). The very prominent Jesus Gomes then outpaced the OAC defense to score the third goal (0-3, 18th).

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The technical sheet

Alès – Lyon: 0-8.
Stade Pierre-Pibarot.
Half-time: 0-6.
Referee: Benjamin Amsili.
Goals for Lyon: Himbert (8th), Lurika (16th, 45th + 1), Gomes (18th, 38th, 45th sp), Hamdani (64th, 89th).
Warning à Alès : Keomany (32nd).
Warning à Lyon:Otobo (88th).
Exclusion à Alès : Barbu (51st).

“I didn't think we were going to get such a spanking”

3-0 after less than twenty minutes of play, the scenario couldn't be worse. Mehdi Sidane acknowledged Lyon's superiority: “I didn't think we were going to get such a beating. We realise that there is a difference in level in all aspects.”

That didn't stop the Alès coach from congratulating his players: “We can't just focus on this match. My guys had a great run. We have other deadlines coming up and we'll have to be there.”

The festival of the English international hopeful Jesus Gomes

Alejandro Gomes wasn't done with the Alès defence: served by Gonçalves, he found himself alone to push the ball into the back of the net (0-4, 38th).

The England international hopeful then took responsibility by converting a penalty (0-5, 45th). Hat-trick! In added time, Lurika scored twice with a clean strike (0-6, 45th + 1).

Goalkeeper Soen Barbu sent off

In the second half, Lyon – logically – slowed down their pace. For Alès, the insurmountable task became even more complicated with the sending off of goalkeeper Barbu (51st).

Outnumbered, the Cévenols only conceded two other goals. Hamdani scored on his first ball, barely having come into play, with a superb right-footed shot (0-7, 64th).

On a final attack, this same Hamdani made the score even higher (0-7, 89th). Really too high, the step.

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