16.07.2021 16:08 h

France beat South Korea in Olympics prep match

The French Olympic football team claimed a come from behind 2-1 victory against South Korea in a tune-up match in Seoul ahead of the Tokyo Games next week.

It was South Korea's second of two warm-up matches held this week, the first of which was against Argentina on Tuesday that resulted in a 2-2 draw.

Both matches were played without spectators under tightened coronavirus restrictions as a recent surge in infections grips the greater Seoul area.

After a goalless first half, South Korea won a penalty for a foul on Lee Dong-jun, which forward Kwon Chang-Hoon successfully converted in the 63rd minute.

But the visitors caught up in the 83rd minute when Randal Kolo Muani scored an equaliser after receiving a diagonal pass from Anthony Caci inside the box.

France struck again in the 89th minute as Nathanael Mbuku scored with a left-foot shot from distance.

South Korea will head to Japan on Saturday, where they will start their quest for a second Olympic medal against New Zealand on July 22.

The South Korean team won bronze at London 2012.

Romania and Honduras are also in Group B while France will face Mexico, hosts Japan and South Africa.

South Korea and France could face off in the Olympics as the top two teams from each of the four groups will advance to the knock-out stage.