World Footy News

France achieved a big win over Indonesia today, Les Coqs running out 106 point winners over the Garudas in their match at Digger’s Rest.

As expected, a good crowd was in evidence at the ground and they had warmed to the occasion. Some locals were sporting colours of the International countries. In true Aussie tradition there was plenty of support for the underdog Indonesians.

France started from the first bounce down using their superior strength, height and now experience to continually push the ball into attack to produce many scoring opportunities.

Better accuracy would have seen Les Coqs comfortably in front. #13 Gregoire Patacq was already giving a lot of drive and contributed to the second French goal via #8 Jean Rosado who was providing a focal point up forward. Just before the siren #13 Gregoire Patacq threaded his way past multiple defenders only to push the ball wide of the big sticks with his kick.

Certainly, France has progressed from a very Rugby looking style to a well balanced team with tall rucks, key positional players and handy midfielders that more often than not choose the best option, whether it be the lead, the handpass, the long kick or the shepherd. The Garudas played with plenty of heart and athleticism. They were still in touch on the scoreboard but it was hard to see where they could manufacture the scoring opportunities.

From the bouncedown of the second quarter #26 Clement Coste thumped the ball forward to #39 Joevin L’Hotelier who ran, executed the “1~2” and kicked a great goal from just inside the 50m arc. The Garudas rebounded with athletic endeavour only for the ball to return to #39 Joevin L’Hotelier for a second goal. The game opened up allowing the Garudas to make numerous forays forward and their first score was roundly received by the crowd.

However, the experience of the French became evident in their reading of the play and confident in defence. #13 Gregoire Patacq snapped for truly Les Coqs truly and whilst #15 Mahenra Gilang Saputro for the Garudas received attention for his arm injured in defending #96 Henry Tiefenbach for the Les Coqs kicked a booming goal. Mahenra Gilang Saputro later left the ground with the other arm injured.

The French were getting on top but a good passage of play saw the Garudas run into goal and hit the goalpost when they probably should’ve steadied and taken a kick from a mark .

But it did lift the Garudas and #21 Hasanema Ziso Daichi marked around the ground and roved bringing team mates into play. #36 saved a certain goal when he repulsed a French attack outnumbered at least 3:1. However it was shortlived as the ball was pushed wide for a set shot where #13 Gregoire Patacq marked in the goal square and converted.

Undoubtedly a better quarter for the Garudas getting their hands on the ball a good percentage of the time and making the French chase however Les Coqs regained their composure and were able to systematically able to punish the Garudas on the scoreboard especially when Indonesia had pushed numbers forward leaving the defence under manned.

Once again the third quarter commenced with Les Coqs into attack through their ruck ascendancy Clement Coste #26 and #20 Julien Gil to #13 Gregoire Patacq. A poor defensive effort gave an easy goal to #7 William Tapia Les Cogs. The Garudas persevered and there was a nice cameo run by #9 Frenky Warumu.

The diminutive Indonesian roving division was seen to be thrown out of the ruck at times without the benefit of any free kick. The umpires did see the holding by Indonesian rovers much to the displeasure of the crowd and player feelings intensified.

#13 Gregoire Patacq received the ball on the outer of a pack and slotted a major but it was a good result by the Garudas to contain Les Coqs to just two majors credit due in part to #36 solid in defence and #21 Hasanema Ziso Daichi around the ground. A good passage of play #22 Handri Aan Susanto from defence to #13 Dimas Adi Prasojo to #16 Egy Dwi Tanto only to find the woodwork was not just reward for hard work

The tempo lifted in the last quarter opening up for some good passages of play. #39 Joevin L’Hotelier kicked a good bannna goal on the run figured prominently around the ground with #13 Gregoire Patacq.

After some frantic passages of play #13 Gregoire Patacq drilled a long attempt. The Garudas were playing their best football but with #26 Clement Coste having little opposition in the ruck and some good passes #39 Joevin L’Hotelier ran in for an easy goal. That was followed by another lead, mark and goal and an overhead mark and goal to #39 Joevin L’Hotelier and a very sharp angled mark and goal to #42 Thibault Picard.

The Garudas showed influences of another game when they occasionally kicked the ball out of mid air. It was another disappointing result as the Garudas strung together their best passage of play only to push the ball wide from short range just before the final siren.

Typifying the attitude of the International Cup was #13 Gregoire Patacq giving a hand up to an opposition player that he had just shirtfronted (legally) and pandemonium broke out when the French celebrated in their unique style and Indonesia joined in.

Goals
France: Tiefenbach 5, Patacq 4, Tapia 2, L’Hotellier 2, Picard, Dandaleix, Rosado
Indonesia: -

Best players
France: Picard, Dandaleix, Tiefenbach, Coste, Patacq, L’Hotellier
Indonesia: Santtoso, Wood, Ibadurrohman, Halim, Suputro, Daichi