French giants PSG finished their Al Kass International Cup campaign in style with an emphatic 8-0 victory over fellow countrymen Auxerre yesterday.
With both teams having finished last in their groups earlier in the week, the game was billed as a contest for 9th place and a chance for either side to take some bragging rights back to France.
For PSG, it was Wilfride Kanga who was engineering most of the side’s early opportunities. Deployed in an attacking central midfield role behind Boubakary Soumare, Kanga excelled, giving Auxerre several early frights with his incisive through balls and well-timed late runs into the penalty area.
It was therefore no surprise when, on 26 minutes, it was Kanga who gave PSG the lead. Receiving a pass from Abdoulaye Konate with his back to goal, Kanga made a brilliant turn before charging into the Auxerre penalty area to slot past Auxerre keeper Desfossez Mathieu and make it 1-0.
Ten minutes later and a similar finish through Konate put the Parisians two up.
Two goals to the good, PSG were beginning to dominate and, having recorded 74 per cent possession for the first 45 minutes, they looked to start the second half just as strongly.
Early into the second half, it was the turn of defender Mahamadou Dembele to tap home for PSG’s third goal. The fourth came through a penalty kick scored by Nanitamo Ikone.
Goal number five - the finest of the day - came after a stunning pass from Allan Carneva carved open the Auxerre defence. Minutes later and a stunning individual move saw Ikone score his second. It was Ikone who continued the rout with another brilliant solo run.
Wrapping things up to make it 8-0 was fellow substitute Odsonne Edouard in the 88th minute. A resounding way to wrap up a sobering occasion for Auxerre, who had started the tournament so well by beating Fluminense on Monday.
In the other match, FC Porto restored some pride following a comfortable 3-2 victory over Chicago Fire. With only 11th place at stake, the sides entered the game having each registered two losses in the tournament’s group stages. But it was the Portuguese side who finally managed to register a win in this tournament and take 11th place.