Having yet to win a match thus far, France need to remedy that
situation against Japan if they are to avoid an early exit. Their
opponents on the other hand already have a three-point haul, and a
draw would be enough for them to finish second, provided group
leaders Nigeria do not lose to Haiti. Coach Hiroshi Jofuku would,
of course, prefer his team to put qualification beyond doubt with a
win, and receive an important psychological boost for the rest of
the competition.
The game
France - Japan, Goyang, 25 August, 19:00 (local time)
The stakes
France were one of the favourites to win Group D but have
failed to live up to their billing. Defeat to Nigeria and a nervous
draw with Haiti have done nothing to reassure coach Francois
Blaquart ahead of this all-or-nothing encounter.
Les Bleuets need to find their rhythm - and fast -
otherwise they will be packing their bags and heading back to
Europe at the final whistle.
Against Japan, this will be no easy matter. Having beaten
Haiti in their opening match, they slipped to a heavy 3-0 defeat to
Nigeria. Jofuku's men are currently in control of their own
destiny, and a draw should be enough to secure at least one of the
four best third-place slots in the last 16. Victory, of course,
would put their progress beyond doubt.
The players
French left-back Badis Lebbihi picked up two yellow cards in
three minutes against Haiti and will be forced to watch the match
from the sidelines. Japan are at full strength.
The past
The two teams have met only once in the FIFA U-17 World Cup,
during the group stages at Trinidad and Tobago in 2001. France
strolled to a 5-1 victory and went on to win the tournament.
The words
"Japan play a similar style of football to ours. They
have a few weak points of course, but I'd rather concentrate on
our strengths than their weaknesses."
Francois Blaquart,Francecoach
"The match against France is vital for both teams. After
the mistakes we made against Nigeria, we are going to try to be
stronger in defence to be at our best for this game."
Hiroshi Jofuku,Japancoach
