Gilles Sunu & Oguzhan Özyakup Scouting Reports

The UEFA European Under 17 Championship’s got under way this afternoon, with Gilles Sunu’s France taking on The Republic Of Ireland in the opening game, while Arsenal’s other representative new signing Oguzhan Özyakup was also involved as his Dutch side took on Turkey.

Gilles Sunu started and played 59 minutes as France came from behind to beat Ireland 2-1. After Murphy put the Irish ahead it seemed an upset was on the cards, however goals from Yannis Tafer and a late winner from Alexandre Lacazette saw them grab the points.

In the second game Oguzhan Özyakup started from the bench as Holland took on the hosts Turkey in a terrific end to the first day of the Tournament. Goals from Karataş,Demir, Albayrak in either half saw them romp to a 3-0 win. Özyakup played 3 minutes and could start in the next game against Serbia.

Scroll down for full match reports on both players.

Gilles Sunu wearing the number 10 shirt, started as a right attacking forward in a 4-3-3 formation, which boasted Lyon wonder kid Clément Grenier, and Chelsea starlet Gaël Kakuta. This attacking prowess meant that France were one of the favourites to win the tournament.

So to the game, and both sides started in an attacking manner exchanging shots and chances, as France started to control the early play, Irelands ability in the air and on the break could prove decisive.

Sunu and Grenier has early chances with shots, but Ireland then worked the French keeper as Brady’s corner left Mfa Mezui scrambling across his line. Kakuta had several efforts but France failed to get out of second gear, and the lack of a target man was harming Francis Smerecki’s side, who were then left shell shocked as Ireland stuck first.

Cunningham raced down the flank and pulled the ball back for Murphy to tap home from close range, to give the Irish a surprise lead. Gilles Sunu’s shot towards the end of the half ended a disappointing first period.

Half Time – France 0-1 Ireland

Chelsea’s Gaël Kakuta and Sunu were linking up well, and after some superb close control Gilles floated an excellent cross in to the area. However nobody was willing to attack it and Ireland cleared.

Lyon’s Clément Grenier playing just behind the forwards was excellent throughout, and after he clipped the ball over the back line, Sunu flicked the ball forward with the outside of his boot. Just as he was about to pull the trigger Irish keeper Gerard Hanley dived on top of it.

Ireland saw little of the ball throughout the game, but were playing on the break and looked a threat via set pieces. On 56 minutes Grenier was replaced with Yannis Salibur.

Kakuta then worked France’s best chance, after he cut inside and poked Gilles Sunu in on goal he steadied himself and flicked it straight at the keeper, then to the disbelief of the crowd France’s best player Sunu was taken off and replaced with Alexandre Lacazette.

The equaliser would come however, as Yannis Tafer burst in from the wing held off the challenges and fired the ball in to the net with a powerful left footed drive. The French had now stepped up and were looking like winning the game, Chelsea’s Kakuta who was fantastic all game had the next chance after skipping inside and blazing a deflected effort over.

Then with the final kick of the game Alexandre Lacazette who replaced Gilles Sunu, volleyed home the winner high in to the roof of the net, to snatch the three points away from Ireland who battled well all game.

Full Time – France 2-1 Ireland

In other news Serbia’s Danijel Aleksić will excite all scouts after his double saw of Scotland, Match Report

In the days late kick off Oguzhan Özyakup’s Holland took on the country of his descent and hosts Turkey. Oguzhan did not start this game, but was named on the substitutes bench wearing the number 18 shirt.

Turkey started at a fantastic pace and the impressive Töre worked an early opening as the Turks set about getting the opening goal. That was exactly what they did as Karataş jinked inside and smashed his team in front, after controlling Çek’s long ball. A much deserved goal from the Turks who played controlled, elegant and composed football on the break.

As the half drew to a close the Dutch stepped up and created several excellent chances, with Rodney Sneijder shooting from range and then after good work from Geoffrey Castillion, van Rhijn blazed wide.

Half Time – Holland 0-1 Turkey

Özyakup spent the half time break warming up on the touchlines, and taking shots along with the other subs at the back up keeper Mulder. But disappeared on to the bench as the teams came out for the second half.

Turkey started brightly again and after some excellent one touch football, Karataş leaped highest but flicked his effort over. Then after pulling the Dutch out of position, left back Çek was put through on goal and instead of passing to Karataş, he pulled the trigger and Zoet made an excellent save.

Töre was next to work an opening, after chesting down the ball he struck a left footed drive with Zoet was forced to tip down. Töre was excellent all game, and one i think the watching scouts will do well to watch.

Then came two changes for both sides, Mokthar was introduced for Holland and went and partnered Castillion in attack, but it seemed that creating chances was the problem for the Dutch meaning Özyakup seemed the ideal change.

Then Holland fired back Cabral tricked his way down the flank, and floated a stunning cross into the area which Castillion threw his frame at. However it rolled across the face of the goal and out.

As the game drew to a close the pace drained away from the encounter, and the flowing passing football drained away. But there was time for another goal after excellent work from Töre, he rode two tackles and then spotted Albayrak who strolled into space, took his time and with his left foot slotted the ball under the keeper to win the game.

With 15 minutes left Oguzhan Özyakup was brought on wearing white boots, and took his place as a holding midfielder. Oguzhan’s job would be to spray the passes around and try and work a way back.

His first touch was to take control in midfield and roll past two players before playing a left footed pass to Castillion. But Turkey would get the third goal, Töre raced down the flank and pulled the ball back for Demir to head home with his first touch.

Half Time – Holland 0-3 Turkey

Special praise goes to the Turkish right back Karayer who was brilliant all game, and Töre who was at the heart of everything good. In the other game Spain beat Switzerland 2-0 thanks to a double from Sergio Garcia.

Article By – J.Sanderson