Olympic Squad: France draw with Japan in final friendly

In the last of three friendlies ahead of the Olympics, which start next week, France faced Japan in Toulon at the Stade Félix Mayol. Despite going a goal down early, France rebounded well, with newly minted Bayern Munich player Michael Olise earning the hosts a point with a long-range effort.

Early dominance unrewarded

France had much of the ball in the match's early going, but Olympique Lyonnais striker Alexandre Lacazette struggled to make good on France's control of the match, as he Olise and Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta lacked cohesion in the final third. Japan would take advantage of the host's poor marksmanship midway through the first half, scoring after a slack pass out of the back by goalkeeper Guillaume Restes.

France even would have a nervy moment as Japan thought they had earned a penalty after what seemed a foul by Loïc Badé in the area, but VAR eventually intervened, allowing Les Bleuets to reach the break trailing 1-0. With the introduction of AS Monaco's Maghnes Akliouche at the break, France's attacking play at once looked sharper, and Olise drew France level with a stunning strike from range on 47 minutes. 

Shortly thereafter, Akliouche forced a fine save from the Japanese goalkeeper, but despite a raft of changes from Thierry Henry, including the introductions of Lyon's Raya Cherki and Stade Rennais' Arnaud Kalimuendo, France were unable to get the win, but will still draw confidence from having gone thropugh these three matches unbeaten ahead of their opening match against the United States on Wednesday.

REACTIONS:

Thierry Henry: “The match was good apart from this lost ball where we simply have to come out two against one. An individual error can happen but I liked the reaction, and there were countless number of opportunities that we didn't put away. The level was not far from what we want to do against a very good Japanese team who circulate their passes and keep the ball well. They pressed but we found the solutions to find ourselves one against one... The way we came back and didn’t give up, we have to try to keep this in our minds.”

LINEUP:

G. Restes – K. Sildillia, C. Lukeba, L. Badé, A. Truffert – M. Koné, J. Chotard, E. Millot (M. Akliouche 46'), M. Olise (D. Doué 72') – A. Lacazette (cap, E. Cherki 72'), J. Mateta (A. Kalimuendo 72').

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Olympic Team: Lacazette drives rout in Toulon

Olympic Team: Cherki, Kalimuendo power France to win