In their first international warm up game before the Moroccan expedition the Gambia national U-20 team last Friday defeated the young Elephants of Ivory Coast by 2 goals to 1 at the Independence stadium in Bakau.
Both teams featured many former U-17 players who took part in the Banjul championship in May 2005.
The young Elephants of Ivory Coast featured four players of their team that finished third in the CAF U-17 championship held in Banjul in May 2005.
They are Romaric Kablan Bosson, Pacome Kouassi Kouadio, Koffi Kouassi and Serge Konan Kouassi.
For the Gambia side coach Peter Bonu Johnson used eight players of the former U-17 team that won the continental title in Banjul in May 2005 namely Pierre Mendy, Alhagie Amadou Ngum, Mandou Bojang, Ousman Jallow, Sarja Leigh, Pa Modou Jagne Christopher Allen and George Cole.
In the highlights of the game the Ivorians took control of the game at the beginning but failed to create real chances.
The Gambia opted for the counter-attacks by using Pa Landing Konateh alias Daji in the right flank.
One of them pay deviance in the 6th minute when Ousman Jallow received a fantastic pass from Pa Landing Konateh and beat Ibrahim Kone the Ivorian Goalkeeper for the first gaol for the Gambia.
The Ivorians reacted immediately through Moustapha Ouedraogo, Pacome kouadio and Serge Kouadio who demonstrated some good skills in the midfield.
The Ivorians levelled the scores in the 12th minute by Moustapha Ouedraogo who overpowered Pierre Mendy in the left flank and beat Gambia Keeper Joseph Gomez alias Nding.
The young Elephants continued to take the game to the young Scorpions who opted to stay back and use the counter-attacks system.
The First half added on a one draw.
At resumption the Gambia changed their option by trying to keep the ball on the grounds.
Just two minutes after resumption Ousman Jallow netted the second goal for the Gambia his second of the day.
From there the encounter became more exciting especially with the coming of Sainey Sambou in the Gambia side who gave uncomfortable moment to Ivorian midfield.
Speaking to newsmen after the game the coach of Gambia U-20 team Peter Bonu Johnson said that it was a though game but they have still some more work to do.
He acknowledged that the Ivorian played better tactically that the Gambia.
Lamenting on the system applied by his team, Bonu said that they were testing a system that they want to apply in their first leg in Morocco.
‘’We were defending deep and try to apply counter-attacks’’ said Bonu Johnson.
It could be noted that the Gambia will leave Banjul tomorrow for Tunisia for two international friendly matches before their first leg battle against Morocco on the weekend of 4th, 5th and 6th August in Rabat while Ivory Coast will face Tunisia.作者:
廖化将军 时间: 2006-9-22 06:48
