The two teams were neutralized throughout regulation time and overtime, with all the same an overall domination of AJA against the Sochaux who had passed the first round on Tuesday against Paris FC (2-1). Auxerre will therefore face the 18th in Ligue 1 by return match, which will be known on Saturday evening at the end of the last day. It will be Metz, Saint-Etienne, or Bordeaux for the most improbable scenario.
At the end of the suspense, Auxerre therefore qualified for the Ligue 1 accession play-off in its Abbé-Deschamps stadium by winning on penalties at the expense of Sochaux (0-0 and 5-4 on pens) in 2nd Ligue 2 pre-play-off round.
During the fateful session, captain Birama Touré gave the victory to his team after goalkeeper Donovan Leon stopped the attempt of Sochalien Yann Kitala, causing the invasion of the pitch by the public who dream of going back to Ligue 1 , ten years after relegation.
Sold out
But before really celebrating the eventual accession, AJA will face Metz or Saint-Etienne on May 26 and 29 (or even Bordeaux for the most unlikely scenario) with the return match away.
The Auxerrois, 3rd in Ligue 2, still deserve their qualification against Sochaliens (5th) who despite everything showed a lot of courage, ending the match very tired after having already played – and won after additional time – on Tuesday on the ground of Paris FC (2-1), for the 1st round of these “play-offs”.
The Icaunais, supported by 17,000 supporters (boxes sold out) dominated the game but may regret having lacked too much technical accuracy in the finishing area to fault the excellent defensive organization of their opponent, wait-and-see and preferring to operate in cons.