French futsal is experiencing historic days in Uzbekistan. Installed in Bukhara since the start of the World Cup, the Blues have still not left their base camp, being still in the running for their first participation. On Friday, they overcame Thailand (5-2) to reach the quarter-finals, a stage of the competition where Portugal, defending champion, will not be present.
From now on, Raphaël Reynaud’s players are focusing on their next opponent, Paraguay (13e global). The South American country finished at the top of Group A during the group stage, with the same record as France (two wins, one loss), 2e of group F. Carlos Chilavert’s players first beat Costa Rica (5-2) then Uzbekistan, host country (4-1), before losing to the Netherlands (2-5) .
A qualification in the quarters narrowly obtained
Against Afghanistan (30e), an opponent within reach having finished among the best thirds, the Paraguayans had all the difficulty in the world to extricate themselves from the trap. After conceding the opener, they had to go through overtime to force the decision (3-1) and reach the quarters for the second time in their history, after the 2016 World Cup (1-4 defeat against Iran). ).
“It’s a superb team, which is in its place, which I really like to see playunderlines Abdessamad Mohammed, scorer for the 82e times in the blue jersey in the eighth grade, a record. With our qualities, it will result in a great match. » In June 2023, the France team traveled to Asuncion, capital of Paraguay, to play two friendly matches. She returned to France with two defeats under her belt (3-5, 1-3).
L’Albirroja has multiple strings to his bow on the offensive level, with six players having scored two or more goals in this World Cup. An attack that the Blues will have to be wary of. “We had a hollow nose when we went to face them twice at home last yearsmiles coach Raphaël Reynaud. It’s a very big team. Having played Argentina, Venezuela or even Costa Rica, nations from Central and South America which resemble Paraguay, that will allow us to better prepare for this match. »
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If successful, the French team, 10e in the Fifa rankings, would join the last four of the World Cup in Tashkent, where it would meet the winner of the quarter-final between Kazakhstan and… Argentina, reigning vice-world champion, against whom it had lost in August to Orleans (3-5).
