Still not outside.
After getting out of their group without forcing themselves, until being caught in the start of a match-fixing scandal for the third match against Iran, the Blues provided the essentials against Thailand, in the round of 16 (5-2)not without trembling.
Carried by a Francis Lokoka in fusion in his goals from the first minutes, Ouassini Guirio’s partners were initially impeccable, alternating phases of possession and sharp counter-attacks. Ahead from the ninth minute thanks to a hand fault from the Thai goalkeeper on a strike from Steve Bendali, the Blues even made the break as soon as you return from the locker room via Mamadou Touré. Until then imperial.
Then, a little guilty relaxation and a few cold sweats which Raphaël Raynaud, the French coach, would have done without. Opposite, twice, the Thais came back to within a goal, notably after Abdessamad Mohammed’s left-footed dive. Eventually, Souheil Mouhoudine and Ayoub Saadaoui allowed the Blues to fly away definitely at the very end of the match.
Result, a victory which sends the French into quarters. Monday (2:30 p.m.), they will have to dismiss Paraguay in Bukhara (Azerbaijan) for a place in the last four.
The dream has only just begun.
Raphaël Reynaud is over the moon after the Blues’ futsal qualification for the quarters
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