France won 4-1 against South Korea. Ambitious in front of their public, they felt confident along the match and crushed their opponents of the day.
Motivated and full of ambition, both teams had a good start of the game. The first ten minutes were intense but the French domination is important. French players take rapidly the lead of the game, scoring the two first goals. No time to doubt for the French squad. The young player Ambri from Valenciennes FC opens the score with a fireshot (1-0, 3rd minute) just before the Bleuets double it thanks to Jordon Tell, who slips the ball into South Korean net (2-0, 8th minute).
Those fifteen first minutes ables us to glimpse the domination from the French squad. The French players show a great desire, while developping a good strategy of playing and showing good passing habilities. On the contrary, South Korean strategy doesn’t seem as developped. Regarding the possession of the ball, Johan Radet’s men are controlling the game and put the foot on the ball.
The second half is more encouraging for the South Korean, who are coming back from the changing room more determined than ever. They reduce the score by Cho Younwook, scoring a penalty kick in the beginning of the second half. However, once again they are outperformed by the French side. They score a third goal by the player from Angers Kanga (3-1, 50th minute) just before a fourth and last goal thanks to a beautiful play by the young Tell (4-1, 52nd minute). We notice a dynamic game, full of enthusiasm for the first day of group B with a superb early lead from French side, letting South Korea far behind on the scoreboard. An interesting game for the « Tricolores » ended by a large win. Leader of group B, they could follow with serenity the next match between Togo and Scotland (17 :30).
Orane Guisset
Credits photo Eric Estrade
France - South Korea : 4-1
Game 1 - Group B
Stade de Lattre, Aubagne
Goals : Ambri (3'), Tell (7', 52'), Kanga (50') for France / Cho Youngwook (42') for South Korea
France : Bertaud, Posan Clemente,(Michelin, 58'), Perraud, Moukoudi, Disasi, Blas, Tell (Lasme, 67'), Bellegarde, Ambri, Fuchs, Kanga.
Coach : Radet Johan
South Korea : Min, Hwang (Lee Sangjun, 66'), Lee Jaeik, Jeong, Ko Junhee, Cho, Lee Kyuhyuk, Jeon (Go Jaehyeon, 40'), Kim (Um Wonsang, 35'), Lee Kangin, Oh.
Referees : Mr Branco Godinho (POR), assisted by Mr Pereira (POR) and Mr Campos (POR).