Camara causes Monaco celebrations

By Chris Burke

AS Monaco FC reached the semi-finals of the French Cup, but were pushed all the way by second division side Clermont Foot Auvergne before winning 1-0 in extra time. Didier Deschamps' side were joined in the last four by CS Sedan Ardennes, who defeated Grenoble Foot 38 2-1.

Bouchard saves
Monaco often dominated proceedings at the Stade Louis II, yet they struggled to find a way through their well-organised opponents. When the Ligue 1 side did, they found goalkeeper Yoann Bouchard in fine form, and he reacted quickly to block an early effort from Javier Saviola before palming wide an excellent shot on the turn from Jaroslav Plašil after the beak.

Camara decisive
Clermont gradually showed more ambition and even carved out the best chance of the first 90 minutes, when Stéphane Samson lobbed just over the bar after finding himself through on Flavio Roma's goal. Frédéric Brando fired just wide as the tie went into 30 additional minutes, but Monaco eventually made their superiority count through substitute Souleymane Camara, who capped a rare appearance with a powerful header at the end of the first period.

Citony strike
With Clermont eliminated, Sedan will carry the banner for Ligue 2 thanks to Mickaël Citony's dramatic strike with just two minutes left in extra time. Visitors Grenoble had done well to pull themselves back into the tie after Sergio Rojas cancelled out Stéphane Noro's first-half opener, but just as the game seemed destined for penalties, Citony volleyed in to earn his side a place in the last four.

Proud pedigree
Sedan have a proud pedigree in the cup having won the competition in 1956 and 1961, and are now just one game away from matching their more recent feat of qualifying for the 1999 final. The two remaining semi-final berths will be contested on Wednesday, when fourth division US Boulogne face AJ Auxerre and 1996 runners-up Nîmes Olympique welcome FC Sochaux-Montbéliard.