LIVE – Kuwait-France: the Blues in demonstration

Still in difficulty against a serious French defense, Kuwait lost a new ball which Aymeric Minne converted into a counterattack.

It’s good for confidence. Kuwait’s first shot to the hip was repelled with the foot by Remi Desbonnet, on the fall-out, the right-back took advantage of Prandi’s defensive generosity to present himself again against the Blues goalkeeper who made another authoritarian save.

Good shot taken from 9 meters by Dika Mem who scores her second goal of the match without forcing her talent.

Second failure at 7 meters for Melvyn Richardson against Althafiri.

The fourth attempt is the right one for the PSG left-back who scores his first goal of the World Cup.

Elohim Prandi tries from afar but hits his shot too far and is pushed away by the goalkeeper. On his rapid recovery, Alshammari finally finds the path to goals for Kuwait.

Still no goal for Kuwait in the middle of a nightmare, Aymeric Minne scores again. 10 goals difference already.

10 minutes without a goal for Kuwait, this new shot from 9 meters was easily repelled by Remi Desbonnet.

France has already taken the break, Guillaume Gille is taking the opportunity to rotate his squad. Elohim Prandi misses his first shot attempt, still no goal in this World Cup for the Parisian.

New loss of the ball for Kuwait following a poorly negotiated ball transfer. On the following offensive, Aymeric Minne took his chance from 9 meters to release a firecracker into Althafiri’s top corner.

Kuwait loses a new ball against a serious French defense. On the other hand, Grebille found in the last meters adjusts the goalkeeper with a beautiful coo.

Audacious and failed long-range attempt from Kuwait who hasn’t scored for six minutes. On a missile from Thibaud Briet, France made a first break.

Good transmission, space frees up again on the wing, Grebille takes the opportunity to score his first goal of the World Cup. All the Blues players (except the two goalkeepers and Prandi who was absent during the first match) scored.

As against Qatar, the Blues dominated but were put in check against a brilliant goalkeeper. Another save from Althafiri this time on a shot from Mathieu Grebille on the left wing.

Once but not twice, again found on his wing, the right winger of the Blues adjusts the goalkeeper with a lob. He scored his second goal of the match.

Found on a bright pass, Benoit Kounkoud took his time but saw his shot magnificently stopped by Althafiri, the Kuwait goalkeeper.

It has to be sorted out. Melvyn Richardson misses the first throw from seven meters of the match like against Qatar.

Kuwait’s advanced defense which leaves spaces behind its back, quite enough for Ludovic Fabregas found in a mouse hole. The Pivot of the Blues makes the difference in shooting.

Top scorer for the Blues against Qatar, on a high ball, the Nantes fullback goes alone to strike hard and score his first goal of the match.

In a quick game, Kuwait counter-punished the French in quick succession. Remi Desbonnet makes a first stop before seeing Ghadanfar adjust it on the fall.

Good defense from Benoit Kounkoud which provokes a strong passage. On the next offensive, the Blues rotate until Remili breaks through the defense.

As against Qatar, it was Benoit Kounkoud on the right wing who scored the first goal for the French.

The French who play in white kick off this meeting.

Valuable against Qatar, the new number one goalkeeper of the Blues wants to confirm his starting status and gain confidence before facing queen nations. With almost 40% success against the Qataris, the Montpellier goalkeeper was elected man of the first meeting.

This meeting should be a formality for the French team, reigning European champion and vice-world champion. Kuwait (Asian champion 2002, 2004 and 2006) is far from its best years. This team returns to the World Cup, 16 years later, their last participation dates back to 2009 where they finished in 22nd place.

As mentioned previously, during the first day, the Blues won against a weak Qatari team 37-19, Kuwait for its part lost to Austria (37-26).

Also read
France-Qatar: Briet flies away, Mem found, too much waste… The tops and the flops

After a great success against Qatar (37-19), the France team can already validate its qualification for the next round in the event of success. As a reminder, the Blues are in Group C of this preliminary round with Qatar, Austria and Kuwait.

Left back Elohim Prandi, in the stands against Qatar for the first match of the French handball team at the World Cup, appears on the official match sheet for the second meeting this Thursday (6:00 p.m.) against Kuwait in Porec (Croatia ).

Guillaume Gille lines up the same starting 7 as against Qatar with one exception, the presence of Mathieu Grebille on the left wing, the only player from the Blues (apart from the two goalkeepers) not to have scored a goal in this World Cup. As a reminder, Karl Konan swaps with Melvyn Richardson on the defensive phases.

Good evening everyone and welcome to this live commentary on lefigaro.fr.