ES Thaon-les-Vosges delivered yet another remarkable performance on December 21, 2024, as they triumphed over Amiens SC with a stunning 2-1 victory in the 32nd round of the Coupe de France. This win not only solidified their reputation as cup underdogs but also advanced them to the 16th round of the tournament for the third time in four years.
The match took place at Stade de la Colombière, where the home side faced off against their Ligue 2 rivals Amiens under heavy rain, creating challenging playing conditions. The clash began with both teams sizing each other up, but it wasn’t long before the visitors took the lead. A corner kick from Amiens saw Osaze Urhoghide score with a well-placed header following some chaotic defending from Thaon, leaving the local supporters stunned.
Despite their difficult start, the players of ES Thaon refused to back down. Coach Romain Chouleur expressed frustration over conceding the early goal from a set piece, saying, "It’s always frustrating to concede from a set piece," but the resolve of his squad was evident as they regrouped at halftime.
The break seemed to breathe new life and strategy as the players returned, and only 46 seconds after the restart, they found the equalizer. A chaotic moment saw their striker, Petitpain, pounce on the rebound from a blocked shot and slot the ball home. "Our locker room talk really boosted us, and we went after this win," said Wilfried Rother, the team captain, expressing the collective spirit of the squad.
With the score level, the momentum swung heavily toward the home side. They began to press Amiens, creating several goal-scoring opportunities. The atmosphere around Stade de la Colombière was electric, with fans cheering their team on. Notably, the introduction of Lecoanet changed the dynamics of the match.
It was Lecoanet’s determined effort late in the match, at the 84th minute, which turned the tide decisively. After the Amiens defense failed to clear the ball from a free-kick, it fell kindly to Lecoanet, who seized the opportunity and buried it deep past the goalkeeper. The stadium erupted with joy. "It was magical, the fans deserved every moment of it," exclaimed Coach Chouleur, proud of his players’ indomitable spirit and teamwork.
With seconds ticking down, Thaon held onto their lead, successfully fending off any last attempts from the Amiens side. The match ended with the local heroes celebrating their impressive upset and the mutual admiration between players and supporters clear to see. Club president Nicolas Clasadonte declared, "We love it and hopefully, it continues. It’s about time we showed what we can do against professional clubs." His hopes to face major Ligue 1 teams like Paris Saint-Germain and Lyon are now tantalizingly closer.
Analysts will note this match as emblematic of the magic inherent within the Coupe de France, where the underdog can rise triumphantly against more established teams. The real winner of this affair was the spirit of football. The ES Thaon players displayed heart, determination, and teamwork, making their supporters proud and cementing their place in the competition. The anticipation will now grow for the draw for the next round, as they look to continue this remarkable cup run.
