25 May 2014
La France avec la manière
A great performance and a win for France
Les Mexicains ne sont pas en reste. Fierro (MEX, 9) (8'), Zuniga (MEX, 11) (9') et Pizzaro (MEX, 18) (18') sont proches d'égaliser, mais leurs tentatives sont non cadrées ou repoussées par Nardi (FRA, 1). Le Mexique ne se décourage pas pour autant et prend le jeu à son compte. Mais les joueurs de Raul Gutierez ont du mal à se procurer des occasions. Et ce sont finalement toujours les Français les plus dangereux, à l'image d'Hunou (FRA, 1), proche de doubler la mise coup sur coup (45' et 48'). Mais le deuxième but vient en toute fin de match. Sur un service parfait de Saïd (FRA, 20), Ikoko (FRA, 2) ajuste le gardien de près. La France prend la tête de son groupe.
That was certainly one of the best games since the start of the tournament. And this is France who won it against Mexico (2-0). A win well deserved by French, who made an excellent collective performance. The first half is rhythmic and intense. The score doesn't take time to evolve. After a great gap by Saïd (FRA, 20), Ikoko (FRA, 2) send a perfect cross for Hunou (FRA, 15) who shoots without control and scores (1-0, 6'). During the first period, French make a lot of fast counter-attacks, with an impressive Wesley Saïd (FRA, 20) on his right side. They are near to score the second goal after this kind of action in second half but Bahebeck (FRA, 7), on a great pass by Nangis (FRA, 10) is offside (71').
Mexicans are in a good day too. Fierro (MEX, 9) (8'), Zuniga (MEX, 11) (9') and Pizzaro (MEX, 18) (18') are not far to equalize, but their tries are not on the net or saved by Nardi (FRA, 1). Mexico doesn't give up and takes the ball possession. But Raul Gutierez players don't reach to get some real chances. And finally, French are the most dangerous, as Hunou (FRA, 15), near to score the second goal twice in three minutes (45' and 48'). But the second goal comes at the end of the game. On a perfect service by Saïd (FRA, 20), Ikoko (FRA, 20) shoots and scores. France takes the first place of the group.
Festival Espoirs de Toulon – 3ème journée (Groupe A)
France – Mexique : 2-0 (1-0)
Buts : Hunou (6'), Ikoko (80')
France : Nardi - Ikoko, Conte, Koné, Amavi, Bakayoko, Hunou (c) (Abdullah, 66'), Bourigeaud (Rabiot, 74'), Said (Sacko, 80'), Haller (Bahebeck, 66'), Nangis. Ent : Ludovic Batelli
Mexique : Sanchez – Abella (Gomez, 58'), Marin, Briseno, Hernandez, Van Rankin, Zamorano, Fierro, Gonzalez (Escoboza, 41'), Zuniga (Gracia, 56'), Pizarro. Ent : Raul Gutierez
Mathieu Lauricella -- Follow @LauricellaMatt