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21 May 2018
France, to rise the level
Less than a month before the start of the first edition of the Sud Ladies Cup, from 5th to 10th June, the four teams are trying to prepare in the best way. After two years of friendlies, France are looking for some references and rhythm.
The issue comes up to every host country. The French head coach Gilles Eyquem didn't avoid it. As the competition organizer, France were duty qualified for the U20 World Cup in August. A real advantage or an inconvenient to overcome ? Hard to answer. If Les Bleuettes didn't have the worry to fight for a qualification during complicated qualifying rounds, they only played friendlies during two years. Not the best way to prepare a World Cup at home.
Gilles Eyquem and his squad had to surmount that. That's also why the coach chose to face high level teams, in order to maintain a good opposition level. On March and April, French U20 played four games against USA and Japan, both of the main women football nations.
On early April, Les Bleuettes were beaten by Japan in Concarneau (0-2) before to reverse the trend a few days later in Dinan Lehon and win with the same score (2-0).
An encouraging victory which permitted France to take the win up again. On March, the Tricolores faced twice USA, without managing to beat them. After a loss in Vannes the 3rd March (0-1), they couldn't do better than a draw in the second game in Saint-Malo (2-2). They will have the opportunity to take their revenge against Americans during the Sud Ladies Cup, the 10th June in Salon-de-Provence.
In their last friendly game of 2017, they beat Sweden in Goteborg (2-0). Gilles Eyquem's players had mixed resultats these last months. They'll have to rise their level during the Sud Ladies Cup and prepare themselves for official games in the next few weeks...
Mathieu Lauricella
Credits photo : Ouest-France
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