On Monday night, USL Dunkerque continued its impressive run in Ligue 2 by securing a hard-fought victory against AC Ajaccio, winning 2-1 at the Stade Michel-Moretti. The match, which kicked off at 20:45, saw Dunkerque taking the lead early on, displaying the confidence they have built over recent weeks.
Gaëtan Courtet opened the scoring for Dunkerque just 16 minutes after the whistle, capitalizing on a rebound. His header found the net as he timed his jump perfectly to redirect the ball past the Ajaccio goalkeeper. Dunkerque’s bright start looked promising as they managed to control the match, laying the foundation for what could have been another commanding performance.
Ajaccio, eager to impress their home crowd and reverse their fortunes, responded quickly after halftime. Just one minute after the restart, Aboubakary Kanté equalized with a perfectly placed header, marking his success as he leapt to meet Moussa Soumano's accurate cross. This revitalizing moment brought the scoreline to 1-1 and shifted the momentum back to the home side.
Despite this setback, Dunkerque remained composed and soon regained their lead. Naatan Skyttä, supported by his teammates, found the net for the second time during the match, scoring in the 62nd minute. Following some clever buildup play, Skyttä positioned himself well and finished coolly, bringing the score to 2-1.
The visitors faced significant challenges as Ajaccio pressed for another equalizer. The match intensified as both sides battled for supremacy, but Dunkerque's defense held firm, aided by the performance of their goalkeeper, who made several key saves to deny the Corsican side.
The situation worsened for Ajaccio when Arsène Kouassi received his second yellow card late in the match, leaving his side to defend against Dunkerque with only ten men. His dismissal came after he fouled Yacine Bammou, prompting the referee to send him off after consecutive cautions.
Following this dismissal, Dunkerque confidently managed the remaining minutes, firmly securing their win. This victory marks Dunkerque's 15th win of the season, allowing them to climb back to third place on the league table with 48 points, just one behind second-placed Paris FC.
Ajaccio's defeat, their 13th of the season, leaves them languishing at 12th with only 30 points. While the home side showed moments of promise, including the equalizer, they simply couldn’t capitalize on their chances to turn the game around.
This victory is indicative of Dunkerque’s solid form, having also recently made headlines with their qualification for the semi-finals of the Coupe de France. The team’s manager, Luis Castro, will be pleased with the performance, especially as it reflects their resilience and determination, traits necessary for any successful campaign.
The encounter on Monday was not just another match for Dunkerque; it was about proving their consistency and ability to compete at the top of Ligue 2. This level of performance bodes well for the remainder of the season as they aim for promotion.
Dunkerque’s next fixture will be eagerly anticipated as they strive to leverage this recent momentum to close the gap on leading teams, raising expectations among their fans and securing their position as serious contenders.