England U21 2 v China U21 1
Tournoi Maurice Revello, Group A
Played at Stade De Lattre, Aubagne
Saturday 26 May 2018
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Right. Here we go. This trip is unashamedly Small Football. In old money, this used to be the Toulon Tournament. An invitation Youth/U21 tournament, now for National Teams, played in the South of France. But, increasingly, not played in Toulon. In fact, this is the 46th tournament. It's played in smaller, often municipal, stadiums. There's precious little bollocks. It's free to get in until the Final. Turn up. Walk in. Sit down. You don't have to qualify. It's played every year. In. The. South. Of. France.
They have slightly different age rules to UEFA & FIFA. And, in odd numbered years, there is a bit of a clash with the U20 World Cup & the U21 EUROs. That means there are sometimes left field selections for the squad. As you'll recall, David Brooks was called into the Wales squad last year. And ended up being the voted the Player Of The Tournament. FOR ENGLAND. George Hirst was joint Golden Boot last year an’ all.
As I say, joyful, celebratory, Small Football. Love it. So, I'm allowed to take the piss out of it, right? Here's how Small it is. The Stade De Lattre is right in the centre of Aubagne. You get off the train. Walk two hundred yards turn left. You can see the ground. Bang there. As we walked up, well before kick off, I could see two groups of people milling around outside what I took to be the entrance. One group, men, women, kids were formed into an orderly queue. The other group, all older men, were sat on a long wall, under some shade. Hello. What's going on here? Maybe the ground isn't open yet. Maybe there's a little bit of security before you get in. Still, it doesn't look that bad. Get a shuffty on. We'll be fine.
Oh Yes. We were fine. The queue was to get in a Wedding Reception. And, the old men were all watching games of Boule on the gravel. Hardly anyone but us heading to the Football (Small).
But, you know this game, they can't leave it alone can they? Small or otherwise. Joyful or similar. They'll always find a way to bring you down. A minutes silence before kick off. What? Black Armbands. How? The announcements begin in French. Something. Something. Something… three deaths … Something. FFS - let's hope it's not Three Minutes. Or a Minute before each half, and one at the end. Maybe someone else has been stabbed in Lowedges?
So, Ray Wilkins (4 April). Ray Wilson (15 May). Jlloyd Samuel (15 May). Today is 26 May. RIP and all that. But, stop it now….
This is a proper tough tournament. Just 12 teams. Three groups. Win your group. Or be best 2nd placed to get to the semis. Not many saloons in which to have a pint of second chance.
England scored a goal ruled out for offside very early on. But, otherwise, I felt they'd started a bit lacklustre & half paced. They were standing off their men & not getting tight. Basically, set up with three at the back (Fry, Tomiri, Clarke-Salter). Kenny wide right & Dasilva wide left. Armstrong & Abraham up top. Cook in the Coutts. Davies & Dowell in front of him. But, it all looked quite flexible.
The England defenders seemed to be constantly underhitting passes, to each other & to the more forward midfielders. So, England always looked vulnerable. And Lo. They conceded after 19 minutes. Didn't get tight on. And the Chinese fella has been able to loop his header in.
Fair do. England came out a lot more fired up in the second half. Odd though. I've quickly tried to work it out. No subs. But, centre back Tomori pushed up in a top three. Gone four at the back. I’m just getting my head around that. And they sub Tomori off - just minutes into the half. Any road, England looked more switched on & pressing.
At this stage, I'm going to mention Tammy Abraham (Chelsea, been on loan at Swansea). I felt he was England's main threat & best player. He's good at picking stuff out. When he got it wide. Take a touch. Have a look. Hit the man. In a side woefully mishitting passes at times, he stood out. He did the same with his head. He's a big tall thing. See the ball. Have a look. Get up. Cushion header to the man. And, that's what he did on 51 (40 minutes each way here, Small Football). A high looping Lewis Cook corner. Abraham didn't need any hang. Cushioned it back into the mixer. Dael Fry bundle headed the equaliser.
From about 60 onwards, England became more dominant. Both Armstrong & Davies went close in quick succession. A few subs at times. One brought a bit of paper on for Captain Cook. Presumably with instructions. “Kick it in The Goal” or somesuch. Anyway. I've given Cook temporary Carrier Bag Firm membership. He was so engrossed in protecting the bit of paper for his “collection”, that when Matey passed him the ball - he didn't know. Ob. Livious.
China had a Red, went to Ten. Blokes down with cramp. Generally running on empty. Right at the death, my mate Abraham won it. It might be Small Football, but you've got to win it.
We'd already celebrated before kick off. At the marvellous Les Deux Font La Bière. A very well appointed brewery tap on an industrial estate. Very welcoming. Didn't mind my questions in English. They call their beers - Craint Dègun. In Marseillaise - that's summat like - we ain't mithered about no one.
Craint Dègun - Blonde
Craint Dègun - Blanche
The Blanche was the pick. Nothing extraordinary. A bit identikit underpowered. But, pleasant enough. Great start to a Small Ball Day.
667/1376
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