Monaco shootout win gives them much-needed boost

Monaco´s forward Dieudonne Mbokani Bezua (C) vies with Lorient´s defender Arnaud Le Lan (L) and forward Bruno Ecuele Manga (R) during the French League Cup football match Monaco vs. Lorient, at the Louis II stadium in Monaco. Monaco got a much-needed morale boost on Tuesday as they reached the League Cup quarter-finals beating Lorient 5-3 on penalties.

PARIS (AFP) - Ailing French football giants Monaco got a much-needed morale boost on Tuesday as they reached the League Cup quarter-finals beating Lorient 5-3 on penalties after their Last 16 clash finished 1-1 after extra-time.

Monaco - Champions League finalists in 2004 and whose last trophy win was the 2003 League Cup - opened the scoring through a header by Swedish defender Petter Hansson in the 99th minute, their first goal in seven matches, only for Malian midfielder Sigamary Diarra to level two minutes from the end of extra-time.

However, their penalty takers all scored whilst Monaco's goalkeeping captain Stephane Ruffier saved their opponents first penalty to help secure the principality side's place in the last eight.

More pleasing as well for the home supporters was that their expensive summer signing from Belgian side Standard Liege, Congolese striker Dieumerci Mbokani scored the decisive penalty which will ease some of the pressure on him as he has failed to sparkle thus far.

The victory may have bought coach Guy Lacombe some more time after a dreadful run of just one win in their last 10 league matches with this weekend's league match against Bordeaux pivotal.

Lacombe, who coached unfashionable Sochaux to the League Cup trophy, said that it was a hugely important victory.

"Is it a fire extinguished? Well there was no fire in the first place," said Lacombe, who guided Monaco to the French Cup final last season.

"But of course there were question marks hanging over us. We were udner pressure because we knew if we qualified we would be more confident for Sunday (against Bordeaux).

"It is true that it is absolutely crucial we are really strong and win on Sunday," added 55-year-old Lacombe, who as a player won an Olympic gold medal in 1984.

Bordeaux, coached by a former Monaco handler in Jean Tigana, exited the competition after a 1-0 defeat by highflying rivals St Etienne.

Midfielder Guirane N'Daw struck early on with a superb shot from the left to end a run of three matches without a win for 'Les Verts' and also confirm his return to the fold after he was exiled by coach Christophe Galtier during the summer for his poor attitude.

St Etienne failed to press home their advantage and it was Bordeaux, whose form has been described as only average by Tigana in his first season in charge after replacing France coach Laurent Blanc, who dominated the second period.

However St Etienne 'keeper Jeremie Janot saved from Anthony Modeste before also proving equal to the efforts of a long range shot by Czech international Jaroslav Plasil and from Jussie following the ensuing corner.

Tigana, a member of the great French midfield of the 1980's known as the 'Magic Square', was not too disappointed to have lost especially as he said it was a markedly better performance than their league defeat by Brest last weekend.

"The priority is the championship," said Tigana, who hinted last week this would be his last coaching post.

"The French Cup gets underway in January. We have the time to devote ourselves to the championship and it is crucial we get a good result against Monaco on Sunday."