Every day after a Nîmes Olympique match, Objectif Gard invites you to look back on the past meeting. Focus on what to remember after the Crocodiles’ 4-2 victory against Sochaux. At the same time, the Nîmes secured their retention in National.
Mathis Picouleau opened the scoring from the penalty spot • Photo: Anthony Maurin
The analysis: full success and maintenance at the same time! It was the match that was supposed to save the whole season and it kept all its promises. As against Red Star, the Crocodiles decide to quickly get to the heart of the matter, but Mbina misses his face-to-face with the Sochaux goalkeeper (5th). But the strong pressing of the NO soon paid off. On a cross from the left, Mbina is hooked in the penalty area. It’s a penalty that Picouleau transforms (1-0, 20th). Five minutes later, it’s Mbina again who gets another penalty, this time scored by Mbemba (2-0, 25th). While we think that Nîmes Olympique is heading towards an easy victory, everything is called into question when on a corner taken by the Sochalian Michel, the ball is poorly negotiated by Mbina and Paradowski (2-1, 47th). From then on, doubt settled in the minds of the Gard who suffered under Sochaux’s resurgence in form. At the hour mark, well served by Mbina, Mbemba gives Nîmes some breathing space (3-1, 60th). But Nîmes’ joy was short-lived as Sochaux responded immediately through Lecolier (3-2, 62nd). However, the Crocodiles have the last word with very good preparatory work from Doukansy, Khalid, Mbina and Picouleau, for a conclusion from Mbemba who scores the hat-trick (4-2, 85th). It is with an offensive festival that Nîmes Olympique formalizes its maintenance in National.
Freddy Mbemba (28) scored the first hat-trick of his career
The Key Croc: Mbemba sees triple. Fréddy Mbemba will remember May 10, 2024 for a long time. For the first time in his professional career, he scored three goals in the same match. First on a penalty obtained by Mbina, then on a good service from the same Mbina, and finally on a decisive pass from Picouleau. In the final moments, he was just a few centimeters away from scoring a fourth goal. The native of Kinshasa (DR Congo), who scored her 4th, 5th and 6th goals of the season, is the great architect of this victory which formalizes the maintenance of Nîmes Olympique in National. “I scored last week and I was looking forward to this match because it’s been a tough season. I got injured in my first match. But I always believed that we could maintain ourselves”, explains Freddy Mbemba who left with the match ball signed by his teammates.
The notes :
Paradowski: 5
Sbaï: 5
Diouf: 5
Mendy: 5
Diallo: 6
Doukansy: 6
Mexico: 5
Picouleau: 6
Camera: 5
Mbina: 7
Mbemba: 8
The statement: “ Today we have the right to be proud and I will enjoy it. I’ll realize what we did in a few days. It’s a great human adventure, even if it’s short. During my first press conference I talked about family and I believe we are getting closer. “. The name of Adil Hermach will remain associated with the maintenance of Nîmes Olympique in National, but the adventure will soon end: “I would like to know how far this team can go and I wish there were a few more days. » The Nîmes man succeeded in his mission, but he will not be the NO coach next season because he does not have the necessary diploma. However, the former Crocodile has achieved a hold which seemed to be in serious danger just five days ago. “ It’s my greatest pride. My dad went blind not too long ago and he was here tonight because he wanted to hear the noise of the stadium. My mom was there too and that makes me very proud », Explained the Nîmes coach.
Relive the match in audio:
