It's almost a fiasco. Already beaten in the opening Monday by South Korea (2-1), the France under-20 team recorded this Thursday a new defeat against Gambia, on the same score, in its second match of the World Cup in Argentina. Last in Group F before the match between South Korea and Honduras late in the evening, the Blueberries are close to the exit before their last match against the Hondurans on Sunday.
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The format of the competition with the first two of each group qualified for the 8th finals as well as the 4 best 3rd of the 6 groups still leave some chances to the France. But it will be necessary to show a completely different face on Sunday where victory will be mandatory. The Gambians are already qualified for the knockout stages.
"If the football gods can give us a hand... »
During this meeting played in Mendoza, the young French again showed defensive shortcomings against the semi-finalists of the U20 Africa Cup of Nations. After a goal against his side conceded by Tanguy Zoukrou (13th), the Tricolores are close to conceding a 2nd goal but the goalkeeper of AS Monaco Lienard diverts a penalty from Alagie Saine in the 57th minute. In the aftermath, Wilson Odobert equalized from the head to the second post (61st). A short-lived joy for the French. Mamin Sanyang, who entered at the end of the first half, took Jordan Semedo in the box to deceive Liénard with a powerful strike (68th) and give a definitive advantage to the Gambians.
"We haven't been at the level technically and, athletically, with games so close together, those who have had very little playing time at their club are paying for a terrible lack of rhythm. We are able to achieve things intermittently but not over time, analyzes coach Landry Chauvin on the channel L'Équipe. As much as we missed the lack of efficiency in the first game, it was a kind of helplessness, which turns into excitement for some and a lack of initiative for others. We will not have to calculate (against Honduras), we will not just need three points but also a certain number of goals scored when, so far, we have not shown great efficiency in this area. We're going to wash our heads and if the football gods can give us a hand on Sunday, we'll need it. »