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PSG send minnows out of French Cup

  • Story Highlights
  • Paris Saint Germain end the French Cup dreams of fifth division Le Poire-sur-Vie
  • Striker Amara Diane nets twice as PSG shrug off poor form to reach last 16
  • Five of the other ties on Saturday were settled by penalty shootouts
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PARIS, France -- Paris Saint Germain ended the French Cup dreams of fifth division Le Poire-sur-Vie on Saturday, winning 3-1 to reach the last 16.

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PSG's Clement Chantome helped Amara Diane net his second goal against Le Poire.

Le Poire had the support of some 8,000 fans from their small town for a match moved to the stadium of top-flight neighbors Nantes.

But PSG, struggling in the league this season but still in the hunt for an eighth Cup success, completed a professional victory two goals from striker Amara Diane and another from Bernard Mendy.

The part-timers held their own until the 52nd minute, when Mendy latched onto a pass from Peguy Luyundula and sidestepped keeper Mickael Carradec to fire into the empty net.

Poire scored a shock equalizer inside two minutes when Jonathan Teillet pounced on a loose ball after good work from Djilali Bekkar to fire past PSG's former Nantes keeper Mickael Landreau.

But Diane struck twice in three minutes, the first a low shot on 74 minutes and then a superb finish after a neat one-two with Clement Chantome to wrap up a hard-earned victory.

"We weren't too hot in the first half but got better thereafter," PSG coach Paul Le Guen said.

Another fifth division side, Lyon-Duchere, were beaten 1-0 by first division Lille, with Nicolas Fauvergue's winner meaning the minnows missed out on the hope of a clash with league champions and city neighbors Lyon in the next round.

Lyon-Duchere's big brothers first have to negotiate a tricky tie at fourth division Croix de Savoie on Sunday, when 10-times winners Marseille clash with Ligue 1 rivals Monaco -- who have won the trophy five times.

Carquefou, the other fifth division survivor, face high-flying Nancy on Sunday.

Holders Sochaux had to go to penalties on Saturday, as they did in last season's final win over Marseille, before putting out Montpellier. Goalkeeper Teddy Richert was again the hero, saving the decisive kick following a 1-1 stalemate.

Sochaux had Kandia Traore red-carded before Montpellier keeper Geoffrey Jourdren was also sent off, forcing striker Souleymane Camara to take his place in goal for the shootout.

Four other ties were decided by penalties after goalless draws, with Sedan upsetting Nantes 4-2, Arles winning 9-8 over Niort, and Dijon triumphing 6-5 at Paris FC and Lorient beating Rennes 3-1.

Amiens edged Ajaccio 1-0, Angers beat Nice 3-1, Bastia defeated Auxerre 3-0 and Bordeaux ousted Le Mans 1-0.

On Friday, Metz shrugged off their rock-bottom league standing to win 3-0 at neighbors Strasbourg. E-mail to a friend E-mail to a friend

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