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France
France through to World Cup – Henry handball sets up decisive goal – Poor performance from France
Comments(87)
If you’re only going to have 5 players play well, make sure they include at least three defenders and the goalkeeper. I’m writing in a vacuum – I did have the Setanta commentator who rightly pointed out how poor France were, but I have to say that I thought France were shocking.
Good performances: Sagna, Evra, Gallas, Lloris, Anelka
Poor: Henry, A. Diarra
Woeful: Gignac, Gourcuff
Shocking: Squillaci, L. Diarra, Domenech
Govou and Malouda had decent runs as substitutes. Govou was definitely an improvement over Gignac who he replaced.
I could almost make a category below shocking for L. Diarra, diabolical maybe, but he did win back the ball once in a while. The number of times he gave it away, and so casually, and so close to the France goal, and the woeful passing, and the countless cynical fouls – it was a meltdown.
Squillaci replaced Escude early on after Escude was injured. He took an elbow in the nose from Evra when they both went for a header, and Escude was losing too much blood to come back on. This incident wasn’t even close to one of France’s low points.
Squillaci looked low on confidence, and during his time on the pitch in the first half especially, he looked extremely vulnerable.
It was a long match, 120 minutes, and it was full of incidents, far too many to recount. We talked after the last match about Abidal nearly gifting Ireland a goal. Of course we were incensed, but it was a minor infraction compared to some of the midfield play tonight.
France are through to the World Cup, but someone needs to get a hold of a drawing board. They can’t “go back” to the drawing board, because they clearly hadn’t used one.
Gourcuff has a nice touch on the ball, and exciting movement in possession, but his passing was terrible.
France were very lucky to survive. I said I would be very surprised if Ireland outplayed France. I was surprised how poor France were. And Ireland deserved to win. But Ireland also have themselves to blame for not converting more of the many chances offered to them by France’s midfield. The goal they did score was a peach – carving France open. Even at that point, it was bad, France had a terrible start, but there was worse to come.
Henry looked like a spent force. The match was hugely frustrating, and it must be gut-wrenching for Henry to be losing his athleticism so quickly, so it wasn’t surprising that he would resort to a deliberate handball in the box, but it was a surprise that the referees didn’t notice.
Henry kept a freekick from going out for a goalkick with his hand, and we all know how much motor control we have with those digits, and that wonderful opposable thumb – it was no wonder that he was able to place the ball perfectly on his right boot to cross to Gallas who nodded in the goal.
That was very lucky for France. They might have gone through anyway, on penalties.
For such a bizzare match, the referee did impressively well for most of it. Obviously he and his assistants screwed Ireland over by not calling Henry’s handball, and for not giving L. Diarra a couple yellow cards for countless cheap fouls; and Malouda didn’t deserve his yellow; but they got so many things right, like ignoring dives; but that handball was a big miss.
It was such a mixed night, because performance-wise, I think it was a new low for the Domenech era, but at the same time, obviously, it’s the night that France secured passage to the World Cup.
I’m so glad France will be going to South Africa.
I hope they never play that poorly again.
Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 87 comments.
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Dumbenech will not be fired. And people need to grow the hell up. Is a shirt tug that prevents a goal any less of a cheat than Henry’s act? Don’t think too hard. It’s more of a cheat when you consider the dictionary definition of the word, by which Henry’s rash act in the heat of the moment is not a “cheat,” again by definition.
The ref should have caught it. He didn’t. Henry fessed up. Banning him? Is the anti-France sentiment really that virulent? The reactions are illogical.
Further, who is to say that Ireland would have won? People are somehow presuming that at the end of extra time, Ireland would have won the penalty kicks phase. But without Trezeguet there to his the crossbar, who knows?
I know that it won’t stop, but it isn’t as if victory was stolen from Ireland. Thankfully, FIFA has already quashed all of the replay talk, though I wouldn’t mind. Abidal would be healthy, then Duff wouldn’t be running around so freely, causing a ruckus.
Posted from 
United States
Qu’on arrête d’en faire un plat”, a commenté jeudi Jean-Pierre Escalettes, interrogé au sujet de la main de Thierry Henry sur le but du nul (1-1) qui a qualifié de l’équipe de France pour le Mondial 2010. Le président de la FFF a par ailleurs confirmé Raymond Domenech dans ses fonctions.
by eurosport
i did sign petition
your right he will not be fired, yes we will go to SA,yes we will get out asses handed to us, yes for the first time i won’t be that upset cause I expect it, at least one good thing i will NEVER have to see his face again ,and yes that worth not winning
Laurie, I’m listening to it as well.
Lizarazu presses him: “What happened tonight? No tonight, what was that?”
Another questioner chimes in, “What the hell happened to Les Bleus tonight? They couldn’t play anything.”
Doms: “It’s the emotion that counts, let’s have a party.”
Obviously Lizarazu’s emotions, like mine, are frayed.
My French isn’t great but I listened to the interview and got about two-thirds of it. Enuf to be astonished at Domenech’s tone deafness. Geezus.
Posted from United States
I’m not going to read through all the comments, but the article was fair and objective. Keep up the good work.
Posted from United States
Ryan, I think you’ll find that we’re a realistic bunch. There’s no gloating here, I don’t think. We’re shocked that the team played so poorly and heartbroken that the handball is going to be what France and Henry are remembered for. Ireland played a great game; they came out with passion and shocked an unprepared France.
I really wish both sides could have gone through to South Africa. Eventually I will probably be happy France made it. For now, it’s hard to celebrate.
I wish Domenech was gone.
Posted from United States
Hi All,
Jez, lots of people going off the wall here, but general comments above are right. Happened many times before where teams are hard done-by, but does beg the question of a television official such as in rugby?
As a long time French NT supporter I too am dismayed about our performance and the way we won. I feel the pain of the Irish as we felt the same in 82 when the stakes were higher. As some of you will recall Patrick Battiston was blatantly assaulted by Schumacher, potentially costing us a place in the final. This will always happen.
Domenich must go for us to have any hope in SA.
BTW Joburg is my home town!
Posted from 
Canada
I was thinking, imagine if Giovanni Trapattoni was France’s coach? It would be wonderful.
wow, my video on the france goals got 27k views on its first day!
you say ” I hope France never play that poorly again ” I hope no country plays that crookedly again ” But to realise that I’d have to be on Mars as long as FIFA is running the show.
Posted from 
Ireland
I watched Setanta, Sky Sports and TF1 all at once and all agreed that France had no game plan. Even with Santini I did not feel as frustrated and angry as I felt on Wednesday. Gourcuff, L.Diarra and Gignac are merely victims of a headless team who happens to win games mostly thanks to talents such as Ribéry. Domenech’s attitude towards Lizarazu proves once more that he has no respect for both the Irish or his own team’s fans. He cannot accept advice nor criticism. After 27 loyal years of being a France supporter I’m hanging my shoes. I feel like a woman who has been forced to go through 9 months of labor (Domenech’s contract) when her only wish is to abort. I could not imagine such a terrible ending to my never-ending love for football.
Posted from 
Israel
In all fairness, Laurent Blanc said also:
“Let’s not act so noble. It’s easy for you guys (journalists) to say you have a bad taste in your mouth (with a whiny tone) but admit it: you’re happy we’re in the World Cup”.
Let us also remember that we have been as well victim of a robbery earlier: the Lloris red card and PK awarded to Serbia in Belgrade. We can go back and look at all the other calls that didn’t go our way – they were numerous (most recently PK calls in both Ireland legs).
Besides getting back TiFranck, I hope France builds itself a defense. If it weren’t for bad defensive performances (from Mexes and Escudé and a few other mistakes) this campaign would have been done without having to play the barrages in the first place.
Posted from 
France
France lack decency;
You cannot teach fair play.
Unfortunately football is becoming a political game.
France won the game by a stupid man’s decision.
France does not deserve to qualify to WC 2010.
France sucks big time.
French football team will be hated in europe and in south africa next year.
Not a good image for the young football players and fans.
I thought “fair play” in sport was to form decent honest humans to treat others with respect in daily life…
Henry should have stopped the match as captain and earned a penalty in compensation for his “fair play” towards Ireland.
The game was soiled and Henry is no longer a role model for football.
To avoid a brewing “war”; both teams should go to Joburg!
Posted from France
McDonalds – a sponser of the World Cup 2010 are concerned to be sponsers of France – in case their fries become known as Cheat Fries – article on http://www.ratsass.tv/cheats
Posted from Ireland
Excellent commentary here:
http://arsenal.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=516781
Excerpt: “The FAI this week begged and pleaded with FIFA to ‘uphold the integrity of the game’ by giving them a replay. Strangely enough, when Ireland beat Georgia at Croke Park earlier in the Qualifying campaign courtesy of some incorrect officiating, I don`t recall them offering Georgia a replay. When Damien Duff dived for a penalty in the 2002 World Cup I`m not sure I recall the same media or FAI uproar. I`m also not sure why the FAI have demanded Thierry Henry apologise for his handball on Wednesday night, yet have somehow not asked Robbie Keane to do likewise- Keane, you will remember was twice penalised for deliberate handball in the match. Is it only intent to cheat when you get away with it?”
If Ireland are so pure and morally superior to France, then why didn’t the FAI offer to replay their game v. Georgia?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jf9fx4ipF4Q
Keane deliberately catches the ball with his hand and somehow gets a penalty.
Posted from United States
I’m sorry, I can find little consolation in the above, Sandrahn …
… it would have been better had we lost than win like that.
1993 turned out to be a blessing, of sorts … perhaps had gone out on Wednesday, we could have had a fresh start.
But now, I just don’t see an upside …
1. Undeserved progress to the WC through blatant cheating on the part of one of France’s all-time-great players.
2. We look a terrible side of dubious morality that everyone will be hoping gets its comeupance.
3. At least another year of Domenech (and Escalletes) …
4. A lasting stain on the legacy of Thierry Henry.
Posted from Canada
Sandrahn, good article exposing hypocrisy.
What was that penalty call? Never seen something like that! Wow.
Posted from France
Keep it simple:
Ireland would be going to the World Cup if
the Assistant Referee and Center Referee were in their correct position (Can someone tell me why the center referee was standing closer to the kicker on a free kick in such an important game?? and the AR needs to be much closer to the goal line when Henry handles the ball — look where he is standing when Henry handles the ball !!! — Maybe they need to be in better physical shape
the Irish coaching staff and players should have held up the restart of game until they showed the center referee a video of the handball. A referee can overturn a call easily before the restart of play.
The powers that be could also have showed the infamous handball on the stadium screen like they did with Zidane and the ref subsequently gave him a delayed red card because of the video. (I think the game was played in France so this might be asking the French to be too honest)
In the future, get with the 21st or 20th century and allow officials to view replays of videotape clips. Its not like they score many goals in World Cup matches.
Posted from United States
Some good points Mike. It’s ridiculous that they refuse to use video to make correct decisions.
The Irish donkeys were beaten by the French donkeys.
I know which team I’d prefer to see at the WCF and it doesn’t have Robbie Keens in it.
Posted from 
United Kingdom
France has lost her honour.
Thank you, Hemry. Thank you so much.
It will stick to your hands as long as you live.
Olympiakos vs Arsenal Live Stream UEFA Champions League
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Posted from 
Bangladesh
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[Comment edit: This part comes after what Jeff translates a couple of comments below this one.]
More from the interview. (Rough translation. I still have issues when people are talking over each other, and Domenech will NOT let Lizarazu speak here.)
Lizarazu: I am happy, but I’m not going to have a party. I’m happy about qualification, but I’m not going to celebrate out of respect for the Irish.
Domenech, somewhat coldly: “I understand, but for all who are happy that France has qualified for the World Cup, I am going to participate in the party. Thank you and good night.” Then he hangs up.
Posted from
United States