Exceptionally, the kickoff of the Toulon International Youth Festival was relocated to Nice. The Ray Stadium hosted the first two games of the competition on Tuesday night. It was an opportunity for the public to discover the talents of tomorrow. The tournament brings together eight world-class teams such as Ivory Coast, Denmark, or France. A festival that deserves the reputation it has gained over the years. One only needs to look at the great players who have passed through Toulon: Papin, Deschamps, Zidane, Henry, Kaka, C. Ronaldo…
Talented young French players
There were undeniably talents on the French team on Tuesday night. The young players, led by Patrick Gonfalone, brilliantly defeated Colombia 2-0. They managed to combine effectiveness and spectacle. Like the striker Lynel Kitambala, who delighted the audience by scoring the second goal for the little blues with a sublime bicycle kick. Following a long free-kick for France, the young Dijon player took advantage of the Colombian defense’s leniency to send the ball beyond the reach of the opposing goalkeeper. Kitambala, 21, thus sealed the fate of the match. A scenario he had started himself by assisting his teammate Schneiderlin for the opening goal. The Southampton midfielder shot a crisp 20-meter strike that nestled into Mosquera’s bottom corner. In the curtain-raiser, the elephants of Ivory Coast had soundly defeated Japan 3-0.
Man of the match comment: Lynel Kitambala
“We got lulled into slumber in the first fifteen minutes, so we pressed higher and it paid off. It was not easy because we don’t know each other well, but there was still some chemistry. The game against Ivory Coast should be a great match, with lots of commitment.” Regarding his goal: “on a free-kick, Paul Baysse headed the ball back, I could take my time because the Colombians were somewhat spectators, and I attempted the move. It was instinctive, I tried the same in training but it didn’t go in, this time I was luckier!”
