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Still all to play for

June 19th, 2006 | By: Chriso | 11 Comments »

Let´s look at the positive´s, Les Bleus scored a World Cup goal at last so that monkey´s off their backs. Now its just a matter of turning score draws into wins and the bandwagons rolling again.

Going into the last group game with Togo they know exactly what result guarantees they qualify, a 2-0 win.
If the Koreans and Swiss draw their game and finish with five points each and France has five after beating Togo, 2-0 will put them ahead of Korea on goal difference.
A French win and any other result in the Korea/Swiss game will also see France into the knockout round.

Togo might be on the beach in their minds by the time Friday´s game arrives, so even with Zidane and Abidal suspended France do have an excellant chance of going through if they can just get a little more ruthless in front of goal.

Both Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira are upbeat about the teams chances, Vieira saying ´the spirit is good, we are still alive and we just have to hold our heads up high and work really hard,´ and Henry claiming ´there’s no tension, anger or nervousness in the camp.´
Lets hope so because the chance is there but its the last one for getting out of Group G in this World Cup.

Tags: France, Patrick Vieira, Thierry Henry, Togo

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Comments

By David | June 19th, 2006 at 9:32 pm

POSITIVE!

Spirit isn t fantastic, getting old the team is not the best we ever had and there is a little feeling of malaise around the squad. Of course this draw with SK is a disappointment. However I am optimistic, there are tremendous talents and great potential, some of the best players in the world and one of the greatest nation of football.

The game versus Korea revealed potential and great improvement from the lousy Swiss match. When we get fast and more aggressive then we can impose our style. Henry got good support from the midfield and Malouda is definitely bringing speed and movements (sth we totaly lacked at the first game), that’s why we scored so fast. One also must point out that we have been denied an obvious goal (damn, bring on cameras to back up referees! Second big mistake after a PK was denied to Henry vs the Swiss) which would have helped a lot in securing a victory. In second half Ribery was swift and efficient this time, it seems like he broke through the first game related inhibition.

Two draws, it’s a slow and unfortunate start.

We are more talented than any team in this group but that doesn t mean that we can afford playing rubbish, let’s put these two draws behind us and look forward to getting out of this group G by beating Togo. We are masters of our destiny, VICTORY and next is the round of 16.

Be proud France, Allez les Bleus!!!

By sil27 | June 20th, 2006 at 7:52 am

Can someone pls tell me if France beats Togo 1-0 and Korea draws with Switzerland why France will not pass the group? If I am not mistaken both France and Korea would be +1 and Switzerland +2. So why Korea passes and not France? On what criterion would be France out?Thanks to all for your contributions.

Posted from Malta

By Alessandro | June 20th, 2006 at 10:06 am

If you tie in points and Goal average, then the team that scored more (overall) would go through.

By sil27 | June 20th, 2006 at 10:43 am

Oh I see. Thanks Alessandro.

Who do you think shall play instead of Zidane and Abidal? Silvestre and Dhirasoo with Trezeguet & Henry upfront? Ribery shall come in as a reserve I think.

Sorry to say but may be we do better with this time.

Posted from Malta

By sil27 | June 20th, 2006 at 12:43 pm

Please note that if France beats Togo 2-1 and Korea draws 0-0 with Switzerland , Switzerland comes first and there is toss for second place between France and Korea. this is what I got from the homepage of the France Football Federation

“France – Togo : 2 – 1
Corée – Suisse 0 – 0 = Suisse 1re, tirage au sort pour la qualification entre France et Corée ” Is this true? If yes, this is unfair!

Posted from Malta

By sil27 | June 20th, 2006 at 1:53 pm

If we perform an easy win next Friday against Togo anything could happen. Italy, after all, won the title in 1982 after drawing their first three group matches.We ned to score an early goal as we did against Korea.

However, our big problem still is that we rely heavily on players clearly past their prime, starting with Zinedine Zidane. The coach must have built a team based on young blood which is common in France. Ironically Zidane shall not be playing next Friday which happens to be his 34th birthday!!!

Posted from Malta

By Frenchboy | June 20th, 2006 at 6:32 pm

I cant believe that Frances world cup fate cuold be decided by a coin toss.
We’ve gotten rip off 2 games in row, first with the handball in the box, then the header that clearly went in.

Posted from United States

By VH supporter des bleus | June 20th, 2006 at 8:13 pm

It seems that we ran out of luck … Les bleus have been in situations before where they turned things around at the last minute. we have a very good team on an individual level. Now they finally stat playing better together.
I’m not sure that this is too little too late i think this is a great opportunity for the team to bound and grow through this pain. They can defeat any team when they stay united.

I still belive in this team. If we french expats are not beleiving in it, who will…

Allez les Bleus on est tous avec vous…

Do it for Cisse, for Zizou, do it for you….

Posted from United States

By shuai | June 21st, 2006 at 9:50 am

and for us….

Posted from France

By Julian | June 22nd, 2006 at 1:49 pm

The Bangkok expat community would be delighted to see France through and most importantly, we would love to be able to say to all the abnoxious English expats here (not all of them, just the majority) ‘ See I told ya!’ I’m not French, however my heart is with Les Bleus! C’mon guys show us your true potential and let’s onoce more enjoy some quality products of the famous French ‘Centres de formation’!

Posted from Thailand