International: good results for the Rennais

Last Friday, five Rennes’ players were engaged with their respective national teams.

In the end of the afternoon, the U21 French squad took a good start to the qualifications for the Euro 2013 by winning in Latvia (3-0), thanks to goals by Joseph-Monrose (33’), Mangala (63’) and Niang (86’).Unlike Chris Mavinga, withdrawn because of injury (also read), Vincent Pajot started the match at midfield. Playing quite a good game, the young Rennais offered the third goal to M’Baye Niang with a wide pass, and played the whole match. Late next Tuesday, the Bleuets will face Portugal in a friendly match.

With the “senior” French squad, Yann M’Vila also distinguished himself and played the whole match. Starting the game in a 4-2-3-1 organization, next to Alou Diarra, the Rennais scored his first goal with “Les Bleus” with a nice shot from outside the penalty area (18’). This goal was the second for France in this match, since Benzema had already scored at the 11th minute. Dominant during the first half, the French had more difficulties during the second one, and conceded a goal at the 47th minute.
Even so, this success (2-1) allows the French squad to take an additional step forward the qualification, to be confirmed this Tuesday in Romania.

Further North, Norway suffered all sort of troubles to beat Iceland (1-0). In their Ullevall Stadion, the Scandinavians bumped for a long time against the Icelandic defense, but finally made the difference thanks to a penalty obtained by Carew and scored by Abdellaoue (88’). A last minute victory that allows the Norwegians to preserve their chances to qualifiy for the next Euro. They now have to bring back a good result from their trip in Denmark, on Tuesday. Starting the match in a 4-5-1 organization, Alexander Tettey played the whole game.

Finally, Ghana also took a great step forward the 2012 ACN, by easily beating Swaziland (2-0), thanks to goals scored by Asamoah Gyan (9’) and Agyemang-Badu (77’). Called on the last minute, John Boye was finally not used by his selector, who preferred a defense composed of Jonathan Mensah and Isaac Vorsah.