Photo Credit: Tournoi Maurice Revello Facebook
The 2023 edition of the Maurice Revello Tournament, also known as the Toulon Tournament, began this week and the action on Wednesday featured Africa’s two representatives in the competition. A promising start for the Morocco under-20 national team was undone by a late surge from Japan as the Atlas Cubs fell to a 2-1 defeat to kick off play in Group C. In the later match from Wednesday, the Ivory Coast under-23 national team played their equivalents from Panama to a 1-1 draw before winning a penalty shootout 5-3.
After a scoreless first half between Morocco and Japan, the match picked up momentum in the final half hour. Atlético Madrid players Abdellah Raihani and Salim El Jebari came on as halftime substitutions and combined for the opening goal when El Jebari won the ball on the left flank and crossed to find Raihani for a calm finish. However the Moroccan defense made it too easy for Japan to equalize ten minutes later when Kento Shiogai dribbled to the end line and crossed for Kotaro Uchino to tap in. An 82nd minute strike from Hisatsugu Ishii confirmed three points for the Japanese.
Ivory Coast earned maximum points from their opening match against Panama with a 1-1 result that was followed by a 5-3 victory in the penalty kick shootout. Chelsea striker David Datro Fofana converted from the penalty spot in the 12th minute to give the Elephants the lead but José Bernal equalized in second half stoppage time for Panama. The Ivorians were perfect in the shootout and came away with two points to seize second place in the group.
Video of the goals from both matches on Wednesday are below.
Scores
Group C
Morocco 1-2 Japan
Ivory Coast 1-1 Panama (Ivory Coast win 5-3 in penalty shootout)
Highlights
Morocco 1-2 Japan
64′: Abdellah Raihani puts Morocco into the lead
73′: Kotaro Uchino equalizes for Japan
82′: Hisatsugu