Dominating is not scoring, this is the first lesson that the Blueberries will have reviewed at their expense for their first outing at the U20 World Cup in Argentina on Monday night. 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.
A mitigating circumstance for Les Bleuets, they evolve without a host of first-rate elements, not released by their respective clubs, as the regulations allow - the competition is not played 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)...
Odobert, Keita, Semedo Varela... who are the Blueberries to watch at the U20
➡️ World Cup https://t.co/PFpPYuvkqp pic.twitter.com/0HAcMqLn2U
— Le Parisien | sport (@leparisiensport) May 22, 2023
In Mendoza on Monday night, the control of the ball and the first situations were to the credit of Landry Chauvin's players. However, following a loose ball by Keita in the axis of the field, Lee sent a powerful strike framed but caught by Lo-Tutala, the goalkeeper of the Blues, in two periods (10th).
This was a first warning without cost, which, neglected by the Blueberries, resulted in a genuine sanction shortly after. On a corner in favor of the French, a lightning counterattack of the Koreans led to the opening of the score of Lee, alone against Lo-Tutala, completely against the course of the game but facilitated by several approximations of the French defenders (0-1, 22nd).
After the break, the Blueberries took over the Korean goal even more energetically. Under pressure, the Koreans only had to tap in from Kim, the Korean goalkeeper, not to suffer the equalization on a goal against their side (50th). After which, Virginius, then Odobert several times came close enough to equalize but, as in the first period, the Blueberries were surprised.
While the Habs were pushing hard, the Koreans doubled the lead following a free kick on the left of the box impeccably deflected off the head by Lee (0-2, 64th).
The French reduced the score by Virginius (2-1, 70th) on a penalty generously awarded by the referee for an alleged foul by the Korean goalkeeper on Efekele. But despite their efforts, they failed to avoid defeat.
From Thursday night, the young French will have an opportunity to catch up against Gambia, before facing Honduras on Sunday. But they no longer have the right to make mistakes if they want to go further.
