Sedan shock Monaco and reach final
 |  Underdogs Sedan celebrate after reaching the French Cup final |
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MONACO -- Sedan, fifth in the second division, beat top-flight Monaco 1-0 on Wednesday to create a sensation by clinching a place in the French Cup final.
Mickael Citony scored with a powerful shot after 75 minutes to set up a clash with Auxerre at the Stade de France on June 4 with a UEFA Cup spot at stake.
Sedan deserved their win after Monaco coach Didier Deschamps surprisignly left Gael Givet, Jaroslav Plasil and Javier Saviola on the bench for the home tie.
"It's a big disappointment because we missed an opportunity to play the final but Sedan's victory is a deserved one," said Didier Deschamps.
"They tried harder than we did and created more chances."
Last season's Champions League finalists are third in the Ligue 1 standings, 14 points below Olympique Lyon who have already secured a fourth consecutive title.
Monaco had also been eliminated from the French League Cup in the semifinals, losing 3-1 to unheralded Caen in February.
All they have left to fight for is a top three finish in Ligue 1 for a place in the third qualifying round of the Champions League.
Sedan lifted the French Cup twice, in 1956 and 1961 and last reached the final in 1999, losing 1-0 to Nantes.
They were quickly on the offensive through Marcus Mokake in the fourth minute though he did not find the target with his shot in front of a meagre crowd.
Monaco responded with a volley from Lucas Bernardi that forced Sedan keeper Patrick Regnault to push the ball out for a corner.
Striker Mohamed Kallon also had a chance, shooting wide, but from then on Sedan grew stronger.
Didier Neumann had the best effort before half-time when his shot, slightly deflected on the edge of the box, just failed to find the target.
After the break, Monaco were still finding it hard to get into the match and it was no surprise when Sedan took the lead.
Citony, fed by substitute Cedric Sabin, but in from the right before shooting powerfully past Monaco keeper Flavio Roma.
Citony would have added a second five minutes later but for a fine save from Roma.
