Brandao double hands Marseille last eight spot

15 February 2012 20:47

A double from Brazilian striker Brandao gave Marseille a 3-1 win over amateur side Bourg-Peronnas on Wednesday and a place in the French Cup quarter-finals.

Marseille were joined in the last eight later on Wednesday by Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint Germain, who gained revenge on Dijon for being knocked out by them in the League Cup with a 1-0 win.

Brandao, who faces rape charges in France over an alleged incident that occurred in March last year, struck in the 28th minute and the second minute of time added on in the first-half to all but seal their spot in the last eight.

His double - taking his total to five goals in the six matches since he returned last month from a loan spell with Brazilian side Gremio - and one from Ghanaian star Jordan Ayew saw the 10-time Cup winners, the last time in 1989, canter to victory.

"We may have had just an amateur side as our opposition this afternoon, but it was the first challenge before many others that await us in the coming weeks," said Marseille coach Dider Deschamps, whose side have a league match this weekend followed by a Champions League clash with Inter Milan next week.

"There were just two important words this evening -- serious and concentration and we did what was required."

Bourg-Perronas, who reached the last eight in 1998, did at least reward their thousand or so supporters who had travelled down to watch them as Ousmane Diaby grabbed a consolation goal 12 minutes from time.

PSG remained on course for their first ever domestic double thanks to a 15th minute goal by Brazilian marksman Nene, who profited from a dreadful error by Dijon goalkeeper Baba Tchagouni.

Tchagouni failed to control a backpass allowing Nene to be rewarded for his persistence as he seized on the ball and shot home into an empty net.

The win was a perfect boost for PSG - who rested several key players - ahead of their crucial Ligue 1 match with second-placed Montpellier this Sunday with the latter trailing them by just a point.

PSG coach Carlo Ancelotti was pleased with the performance but admitted that they would have to step up a gear at the weekend.

"It is imperative that we play better against Montpellier," said the Italian, who is seeking his second domestic double in three seasons having won the English version with Chelsea in the 2009/2010 campaign.

"They are a dangerous side."

Source: AFP