RELAXED AFFAIR IN SOCHAUX
Sochaux and Troyes both saved themselves from relegation last weekend and thus could play out a draw in a relatively relaxed atmosphere on Saturday evening at the Stade Auguste Bonal.
Sebastien Grax struck in stoppage time to earn a draw for Troyes after Rabiu Afolabi looked to have done enough for the hosts to take the points.
But following last weekend's relegations for Metz, Ajaccio and Strasbourg, Troyes coach Jean-Marc Furlan will not have been biting his fingernails too much as his team chased the game.
Sochaux, whose coach Dominique Bijotat may quit the club in the summer, started brightly and Weldon and Mickael Isabey created a chance for Araujo Ilan whose shot went over.
Weldon then linked up with Ilan again with Ilan's header once more missing - this time to the right.
Sochaux made the breakthrough after 18 minutes when Fabien Boudarene's free-kick was headed by Afolabi into the net.
Ilan could have doubled his side's lead had Ronan Le Crom not dashed from his goalline to clear the danger.
In the second half Troyes proved more worthy opponents against a Sochaux team that seemed to have thought they had done enough to win the match.
First home goalkeeper Teddy Richert did well to keep out a header from Troyes striker Ziad Jaziri who will represent Tunisia in this year's World Cup.
In stoppage-time Troyes drew level and this time Richert was unable to do anything to keep out a free-kick from Grax that beat the wall and nestled in the net.
[ 9:13 AM ] [ May. 8, 2006 ]
