Tokyo 2021: French footballers ejected from the Olympic Games
French footballer André-Pierre Gignac, eliminated from the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games. REUTERS - HANNAH MCKAY
Text by: David Kalfa Follow
4 min
The French Olympic football team was eliminated in the first round of the Tokyo 2021 Games on July 28 in Yokohama, after a 4-0 rout against Japan.
For André-Pierre Gignac, striker and captain of the selection, nothing has been done to help the Bleuets shine during these Olympics.
Publicity
Read more
From our special correspondent in Yokohama,
It is under a stormy sky and in a dreary atmosphere that the French football team left the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games on July 28 in Yokohama.
After a stinging setback against Mexico (1-4) and a happy victory against South Africa (4-3), the Bleuets were swept 4-0 by a Japanese selection much more comfortable collectively and carried by the excellent Real Madrid winger Takefusa Kubo.
It was also he who opened the scoring of a recovery, before the side Hiroki Sakai widened the gap by also taking advantage of a rejected ball (2-0, 34th).
In the second period, the sinking continued.
Koji Miyoshi added strength (3-0, 70th) just before Randal Kolo Muani was sent off for an ugly base (72nd).
Then Daizen Maeda closed the festival during the stoppage time (4-0, 90th + 1).
“
Tonight, we fell against stronger than us
, admitted the captain of the France team, André-Pierre Gignac.
Against Mexico, we had fallen on stronger than us.
When you take 11 goals in a competition of this level, it's not forgiving
”.
Gignac: “Under these conditions, it's too complicated!
"
Deprived of its best players aged 24 and under [1] and of good preparation, this French Olympic team has, in fact, approached the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games in conditions far from optimal. “
We must not look for excuses but it is true that it was complicated
, abounds Gignac.
Japan are playing at home, they are ready, they have decided to bring back a big team. Collectively, they are very strong. They started to prepare in June. They have played six or seven friendlies. There are no secrets in football. The Japanese have been evolving together for a very long time. They are ready. Mexicans, the same
”.
He adds, about his Olympic experience: “
I came to Tokyo to do something, to give the best of myself, to try to pass the first round, to bring back a medal for France.
But, under these conditions, it is too complicated!
"
The veteran concludes, for the attention of the clubs which did not want to let go of their players for Tokyo 2021 but also of other players in French football: "
I only hope that in 2024, for the Paris Games, they will be more clements with the Olympic selection…
”
[1] Men's football teams competing in the Olympic tournament must usually be composed of players 23 years of age and under and are allowed three older players. But, due to the postponement of the Olympics, 24-year-old players were allowed in Tokyo.
Newsletter
Receive all international news directly in your mailbox
I subscribe
Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application
google-play-badge_FR
Olympic Games
2020 Olympics
Sports
Soccer
France