SOCHAUX SAFE BUT METZ DROP
Sochaux secured their Ligue 1 status for next season at the expense of Metz with a narrow win at the Saint-Symphorien Stadium.
Mickael Isabey's 56th-minute goal was all that separated the sides on the day but they will be a league apart next season as Metz were banished to Ligue 2 with the defeat.
There were chances for both sides in the game, but Metz's inability to score - they have only 24 goals in 35 games - came back to haunt them once more.
But it was not until the second half that things began to open up as the teams played out a tense opening 45 minutes.
Metz's Abdelnasser Ouadah saw his free-kick deflected wide for a corner in the 10th minute but it was not until the 36th minute until either side had another sight of goal.
A great ball from Fabien Boudarene found Sochaux team-mate Jeremy Menez but his shot across the face of goal went wide at the far post.
Then, moments before the half-time whistle, Henza Mihoubi went one-on-one with Sochaux goalkeeper Teddy Richert but squandered the chance as he failed to find the target.
The visitors began the second half the stronger and soon had their reward.
Metz goalkeeper Christophe Marichez had just denied Moumouni Dagano when Isabey scored the all-important goal.
Substitute Santos Wheldon used his pace to break free and thread a pass through for Isabey who found the net with a neat finish.
At the other end, Ruslan Pimenov made a great run towards the box but has he was preparing to fire Souleymane Diawara made a crucial intervention for Sochaux.
With 11 minutes left, Metz knew it was not to be their day with Pimenov's right-footed shot came back off the post.
[ 8:22 AM ] [ May. 1, 2006 ]
