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Tokyo Olympics: against South Africa, the French football team must react, under penalty of elimination

2021-07-24T17:11:10.400Z


After the correction against Mexico (4-1) at the opening of the Games, the French Olympic team must react against South Africa this Sunday


There was no miracle for the entry into contention of the Blues in the Olympic Games against Mexico on Thursday morning.

Faced with the group's favorite, Sylvain Ripoll's men literally sank, beaten 4-1.

They were unable to upset the Mexicans, winners of the London Olympics in 2012. “We are obviously disappointed with the result, but also with the content.

We would have liked to play a more balanced game, reacted the French coach.

It should have been much better.

The score clearly reflects the difference in level.

"

Executives must do better

But this Sunday, at 10 a.m. (French time), we must not miss the second match, against South Africa, under penalty of leaving the door earlier than expected.

The match will be watched live on France 4 and Eurosport 2.

Like André-Pierre Gignac and his gang, the Bafana Bafana missed their entry into the Olympic tournament by conceding a defeat against the host country, Japan (0-1).

They too find themselves at the foot of the wall knowing that only the first two of the pool are qualified for the quarter-finals.

Read alsoJO de Tokyo: basketball, handball, volleyball, rugby ... France expects a lot from its co-sports

For the Blues, a completely different face is expected this Sunday with, it is hoped, executives at their best.

Because, after having known great difficulties to constitute his list, Sylvain Ripoll counts on the experience of Gignac, Thauvin, Tousart even Savanier to carry this selection.

And the latter have failed against Mexico in their ability to raise the cursor in difficult times.

Match training for our Blues 👊 Focus on tomorrow's match against South Africa 🇿🇦 (10:00 am on France 4 and Eurosport 2) # Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/Qyjuh9lm3H

- French team ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) July 24, 2021

The French Olympic team may have learned the lessons from this match.

In any case, this is what should be hoped for in the sense that a defeat would propel the Blues towards an express return to France.

This would constitute a real failure as France in football returns to the Games for the first time in 25 years.

In 1996 in Atlanta, the course of the France team led by Claude Makélélé and Patrick Vieira ended in a quarter-final.

This is the minimum goal for their cadets, who dropped to one knee on Thursday morning, but who hope to get up this Sunday to make the Olympic dream finally a reality, and not an organized gang nightmare.

To still believe in it and afford a small final against Japan, next Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. for the last match of the group stage.

Source: leparis

All sports articles on 2021-07-24

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