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We’re Playing? We’re Playing!!

October 14th, 2008 | By: Laurie | 26 Comments »

I almost missed this game! In my mind it was tomorrow with the WC qualifiers. Thank you, thank you, thank you to Jean Pierre for leaving the comment about the “game tonight.” As it was, I only missed 25 mintues.

Good stream is here. In Arabic. http://iraqgoals.com/en/ch2.html Or it was a good stream — it just cut out on me. Hoping it comes back.

The score at the half was 1-1. I saw the replay of the goal and it was ugly. HUGE errors by both Boumsong and Mandanda. But we came back on the sweetest goal ever — give-and-go interplay between Gourcuff and Henry, with Henry making the shot.

Like Saturday, our offense is looking good and our defense shaky. Rod Fanni has been capped — Sagna is injured. Abidal and Boumsong are still in central defense. And it’s every bit as ugly as it was Saturday. If we can find the right backline and the right goalkeeper, we could be a real threat. And Gourcuff is looking more and more like the real deal.

If you’re watching the game, leave comments. also leave links to working streams. Mine still isn’t back yet.

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Comments

Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 26 comments.

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By Laurie | October 14th, 2008 at 3:08 pm

Titi again! 2-1!!!!!

Posted from United States

By Laurie | October 14th, 2008 at 3:18 pm

Goal Benzema!!! 3-1!!!

Posted from United States

By Laurie | October 14th, 2008 at 3:19 pm

Also, I found a good stream in French: http://static.mogulus.com/grid/PlayerV2.swf?channel=Boudir_TV

Posted from United States

By Inara | October 14th, 2008 at 3:19 pm

I’m just tuning in, but the stream isn’t working for me.

How is the defense looking?

And Mandanda hasn’t been very good lately.

Posted from United States

By Inara | October 14th, 2008 at 3:21 pm

I don’t understand why Domemench won’t try Lloris for at least one game. For one thing, Lloris is a lot better in the air. Maybe Mandanda is just going through a period of low confidence, but if he keeps this up, it might be time for something different.

Posted from United States

By Laurie | October 14th, 2008 at 3:21 pm

Lloris is down playing with the U21s for this game, but I agree with the premise of your comment.

Posted from United States

By Michel-Olivier | October 14th, 2008 at 3:24 pm

starting 11?

Posted from United States

By Laurie | October 14th, 2008 at 3:28 pm

i think it was

Mandanda,
Fanni-Boumsong-Abidal-Clichy
Ribery-A. Diarra-Toulalan-Henry
Gourcuff
Benzema

At least that’s who was on the field.

Since then Ribery was subbed off for Ben Arfa and Benzema just went off for Sinama-Pongolle.

Posted from United States

By Michel-Olivier | October 14th, 2008 at 3:30 pm

@ Laurie
thanks

Posted from United States

By Inara | October 14th, 2008 at 3:33 pm

Yeah, I know Lloris was sacrificed for the U21 game, but I don’t think he would have played today had he been available anyway because Domenech also plays Mandanda in friendlies (understandable because he needs the experience himself).

Posted from United States

By Laurie | October 14th, 2008 at 3:34 pm

Benzema just made Ribery laugh so hard he had to spit out his juice to keep it from going up his nose.

Posted from United States

By Laurie | October 14th, 2008 at 3:35 pm

All the spark seems to have gone out of this game. It was really fun for awhile, but now they’re just going through the motions.

Posted from United States

By Laurie | October 14th, 2008 at 3:36 pm

Inara, of course you would have known about Hugo. Silly me.

Posted from United States

By Laurie | October 14th, 2008 at 3:44 pm

Henry off for Malouda, and Toulalan gets the armband. Good choice!!

Posted from United States

By John | October 14th, 2008 at 4:42 pm

Boumsong got eaten alive by Jemmaa!!!! I think his head is still spinning.

Posted from Costa Rica

By Zizoued | October 14th, 2008 at 4:43 pm

another “unimportant” goal by Benzema. The guy did zilch apart from the goal, and remains an epitome of selfishness. I truly wonder why he is hyped as he is. Of course, he’s a good player in club football. But he consistently fails for Les blues. A bit like young Anelka. I hope he doesn’t disappoint as much as Anelka for the NT. Besides, Teary tried to join Ben Arfa and Benzema for celebration, the prats refused it.

I thought the whole attack was passive and static apart from Teary. Benzema’s pathetic faint-hearted passes/ Gourcuff showed some poor touches and tried too much to be a Zidane (seriously flopped except for couple of good controls, the roulettes, and other Zizouesque turn failed), but he got assists (second one was a failed shot which was rolled in by henry), I think he should forget the comparisons and play to his ability than trying too much. Ribery showed some promise, but he too seemed so selfish and didn’t contribute to the team. Toulalan is hardworking, unrelenting, and master of midfield!

Overall, there is lot to improve by the whole team. Looked vulnerable against a poor side! If Domenech plays Boumsong again, shoot the c**t point blank! I hope he is sacked by the next game.

Posted from United States

By Zizoued | October 14th, 2008 at 4:44 pm

Teary - thierry henry (I don’t like him all that much, hence that nickname)

Posted from United States

By John | October 14th, 2008 at 4:45 pm

————Mandanda———–
Fanni–Boumsong–Abidal—Clichy
——Diarra——Toulalan——
————Gourcuff————
Ribery——-Henry—–Benzema—

Posted from Costa Rica

By John | October 14th, 2008 at 5:21 pm

Love that Ben Arfa doesn’t even want to look at Benzema after he scores,even though Henry tries to put the two of them together.

Posted from Costa Rica

By John | October 14th, 2008 at 5:22 pm

That CB pairing is a disaster.

Posted from Costa Rica

By jeff | October 14th, 2008 at 9:22 pm

Zizoued - Really appreciate your comments. I didn’t see the game today, but I haven’t seen too much of Gourcuff trying to be like Zidane. I think he has his own style. He seems like a big guy, with just enough skill, but mostly a willing runner with a lot of enthusiasm; who has just happened to slot into the team brilliantly.

I was a Toulalan doubter at one point, but he’s doing so well now that I’m a little embarrassed.

By jeff | October 14th, 2008 at 9:24 pm

Oh, and I had no trouble breaking the nickname code.

By Jean Pierre | October 15th, 2008 at 6:18 am

toulalan makes funny tackles so 2 yellow cards now
i missed the ”game day” thread lol

Posted from Netherlands