U20 World Cup: Les Bleuets are surprised by Korea

2023-05-22 22:33:14

To dominate is not to score, this is the first lesson that the Bleuets will have revised at their expense for their first outing at the U20 World Cup in Argentina this Monday evening. Opposed to South Korea, their most serious competitor in Group F, the young French were even punished with a defeat, undeserved in view of their efforts and their domination.

Attenuating circumstance for the Bleuets, they evolve without a host of leading elements, not released by their respective club, as the regulations allow – the competition not being disputed on FIFA dates: Zaire-Emery (PSG) , Michut (Sunderland), Cherki, Gusto (OL), Cho (Real Sociedad), Désiré Doué (Rennes), Wahi (Montpellier), Ben Seghir (Monaco), Tel (Bayern Munich), Isaak Touré, Mathis Abline (Auxerre) …

In Mendoza this Monday evening, control of the ball and the first situations were to the credit of the players of Landry Chauvin. However, following a ball lost by Keita in the center of the field, Lee sent a powerful shot on target but captured by Lo-Tutala, the goalkeeper of the Blues, in two stages (10th).

It was a first warning free of charge, which, neglected by the Bleuets, resulted in a real sanction shortly afterwards. On a corner in favor of the French, a lightning counter-attack from the Koreans led to the opening of the score by Lee, alone against Lo-Tutala, completely against the course of the game but facilitated by several approximations from the French defenders (0-1 , 22nd).

After the rest, the Bleuets took over the seat of the Korean goal even more energetically. Under pressure, the Koreans had only a tap from Kim, the Korean goalkeeper, not to suffer the equalizer on a goal against their camp (50th). After which, Virginius, then Odobert on several occasions came close enough to equalize but, as in the first period, the Blueberries were surprised.

While the Tricolores pushed hard, the Koreans doubled the bet following a free kick on the left of the surface impeccably deflected from the head by Lee (0-2, 64th).

The French reduced the score well by Virginius (2-1, 70th) on a penalty generously awarded by the referee for an alleged fault by the Korean goalkeeper on Efekele. But despite their best efforts, they failed to avoid defeat.

From Thursday evening, the young French will have an opportunity to catch up against Gambia, before facing Honduras on Sunday. But they no longer have much room for error, if they want to go further.