The France team beat South Korea (4-2) in their first TQO preparation match. In Copenhagen, the Blues had to work hard to launch the qualifying campaign for the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games.
Before heading to Riga and Latvia for the TQO, the French ice hockey team is in training in Copenhagen. In Denmark, the Blues have two preparatory matches in the program. And they won the first one. This Friday night at the Rodovre Centrum Arena, Philippe Bozon’s players got the better of South Korea (4-2). To win, they needed to work. At the start of the second third, the Blues were led by two goals (0-2).
It’s over at the Rødovre Centrum Arena ?
Led 2-0 at mid-match, the France team showed character to finally win 4-2 against South Korea ??
? @atexier99, @ timbozon94, @Damienfleury10 & @hugo_gallet #ObjectifJO #Blue Mission #BravoLesBleus pic.twitter.com/5eKJs2Ptuw
– France Hockey teams (@Hockey_FRA) August 20, 2021
Jinhui Ahn and Sangwook Kim scored the first two goals of the night. Alexandre Texier’s teammates have distinguished themselves offensively but they have long been defeated by Matt Dalton. When the French found the loophole, they quickly caught up. Alexandre Texier then Tim Bozon scored to allow the Blues to equalize before the last 20 minutes. Captain Damien Fleury took advantage of a French numerical superiority to give the advantage to the France team from the first seconds of the final third. At the end of the match, Hugo Gallet validated the French success. As soon as they arrived in Denmark, the Blues proved that they had resources. They will be able to confirm it this Saturday with a duel against the Danes. Then it will already be time to go to Latvia. In Riga, Pierre-Edouard Bellemare’s teammates will face Hungary, Italy and Latvia in an attempt to qualify for the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games.