Match 34|France vs. South Africa|22-06-10|Pre-match discussion

I don't think Sagna and Abidal were responsible for the disaster and I keep them because I don't see RVR or Planus stronger than them. As for Valb', he didn't convince me at all. Putting Rib as a pure, strict winger is a kind of a punishment for him.

And I don't trust Diarra. Not in this system.

 

Emmex:

 

South Africa should win... We are so ********ed, all the more after the earthquake we are living this morning in Lequipe (main sport newspaper in France).

Maybe Domenech should put Henry on the field. This is our greatest player, even after the handball shame. We will regret such a major player for a long time.

We can say whatever we want about his arrogance, but Henry doesn't behave like a schoolboy in the team.

 

Based on what I've seen, the French look kind of frazzled, disorganized and aimless.
They probably are very good individually - otherwise, they wouldn't be on the national squad - but do not seem to gel very well as a team.
Mexico got a little bit lucky to not lose to South Africa, which does not bode well for Les Bleus.

 

just saw on espn that Nicolas Anelka has been dismissed from the team for arguing with the manager during halftime last game against mexico...things appear to be really going south for the french right now.
This whole competition has been so mismanaged by them it is crazy.

 

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-...elka-kicked-team-official-says?cc=5901&ver=us

Anelka is no longer part of the French squad. Wow. I bet the DT sure wishes he took Benzema right about now...

 

Well, it could be good for France, maybe Henry or Cisse (or gasp, both!) will see the field.

Seriously, the French do seem to be deteriorating, and some seemed not to mind too much (though everyone handles things differently).

I would like to say props to Evra, not for his play, which hasn't been great, but the tear during the anthem showed that some French players DO care when they wear the shirt, and Evra is certainly one.

 

According to sports.fr Ribéry and Gallas would be put away and the lineup for the last match reorganized around Gourcuff... I hope Toulalan becomes captain after that. Evra looks like the impotent sheriff to whom the godfather of the city could offer a friendly drink.

 

I am going to go on a limb here and say that this match I think that it could go either way to be quite honest, but since France with all of their distractions and dissention within their own team within the ranks, I see this match playing into the favour of the South Africans.

South Africa will win this match 2-0 at the most, 3-0 if they are lucky enough, and then it would put them in a favourable position to qualify for the Round of 16 keeping the trend going of host countries always making it to the 2nd Round

 

even if South africa manages to pull a miracle and score 3 goals on France with no returns, they still need Mexico to beat Uruguay 3-0 for them to advance. There are more chances of France beating SA 4-0 and Mexico beating Uruguay 2-0, but it still a long stretch for both France and SA.

I see Mexico beating Uruguay, but not by enough to see France or SA going through.

My guess is, this is either going to end in a tie, or SA will take advantage of France's need to win and take advantage of a counter and score to end the tournament with some dignity. I don't think Parreira actually thinks they can beat the french by a large margin.

 

one thing's for sure...this match has the potential to be one for the ages.

 

Hopefully the hosts close with a win.

 

Or Uruguay winning by a 2 goal difference, then both charruas and bafana bafanas go through the second phase.

 

Evra has been dropped from the starting lineup and Diarra is captain. Cisse is starting in place of Anelka.

 

France to advance by beating SA.