By Kenneth Tan/Red Sports
Match Review
France continued their unconvincing form by getting their World Cup campaign off with a goalless draw against Uruguay.
Starting in an attacking 4-3-3 formation, France dominated the majority of the first half but struggled to break down a tight Uruguay defence.
They could have taken an early lead on six minutes when Franck Ribery got down well down the left flank before crossing into the box to an unmarked Sidney Govou. However, the latter somehow failed to make contact just in front of goal.
A Yoann Gourcuff free kick 12 minutes later looked to be heading towards the top left corner before Uruguay goalkeeper Nestor Muslera tipped it around the post.
Uruguay’s solitary goalscoring opportunity in the half was created by Diego Forlan whose shot from outside the box was palmed away by French keeper Hugo Lloris.
France continued with their attacking approach into the second half but was foiled yet again by Uruguay’s defensive wall as their shots were either blocked or went wide of goal.
Instead, it was Uruguay which went closer to scoring the opener. A long throw from the left by full back Alvaro Pereira was flicked on towards an unmarked Diego Forlan in front of goal but the latter volleyed wide of the left-hand post.
France threw on Thierry Henry and Florent Malouda for the ineffectual Nicholas Anelka and Yoann Gourcuff for the final 20 minutes in order to get the winner. The odds appeared in their favour when Uruguay substitute Nicolas Lodeiro was sent off for a second bookable offence after a rash challenge on France full back Bakary Sagna’s shin.
Sensing the opportunity to win, France piled forward in the closing stages. They had a penalty shout on 88 minutes when Thierry Henry’s volley flicked off the hand of Mauricio Victorino but the referee waved his appeals away.
They then had one last opportunity three minutes into injury time when Abou Diaby was brought down at the edge of the box, but Henry’s poor free kick came off the head of an Uruguay defender and was duly cleared.
The result means all four teams from Group A are tied on a point each after their opening matches. The next Group A fixtures will see France taking on Mexico while Uruguay take on hosts South Africa.
Mohd Asyraf Akbar of VJC. (Photo 1 © Les Tan/Red Sports)
Next, our Group A pundit Victoria Junior College’s Mohd Asyraf Akbar provide us his post-match opinions. He is a France supporter.
Asyraf Says:
The game ended in a disappointing 0-0 draw with both teams putting on strong defensive displays, as they looked more determined not to concede than to score. To be honest, there were very few key moments in a very frustrating 90 minutes for the French team. Although they dominated possession, they just lacked the creativity to crack open a tight Uruguayan defence. Franck Ribery and Nicolas Anelka were especially disappointing as they were unable to formulate any ideas and were totally shut out by the Uruguayan defence,
Uruguay had two decent chances in the game, both falling to Diego Forlan. The striker, who was my man to watch, was justly named Man-of-the-Match as he led his battling team by example from the front today, pressing and creating chances for himself, but he was just unable to beat France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris who was on-form.
France’s key player, Patrice Evra had a lacklustre performance, earning himself a yellow card within the first 20 minutes. He was disappointing in attack on the left wing, and was unable to inspire his team to victory against a very defensive Uruguay team.
The biggest highlight of the game was probably Nicolas Rodeiro’s sending off in the 81st minute. The substitute came on in the 63rd minute and earned two yellow cards, the 2nd for a studs-up tackle on Bacary Sagna. The youngster’s head hung low and he was reduced to tears as he left the pitch.
There was a bit of irony too, in the closing moments of the game as Thierry Henry appealed for a handball after his shot bounced off the turf and hit Maurzio Victorino on the arm. But the referee ignored his calls; the man probably had some Irish family ties..
2010 World Cup Fixtures, Groups, Results
| GROUP A | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
URUGUAY  | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | +4 | 7 |
MEXICO  | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 4 |
SOUTH AFRICA  | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 4 |
FRANCE  | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 1 |
For the World Cup fixtures list with Singapore broadcast timings as well as group tables and the list of CCs with free screenings, go to: http://redsports.sg/2010-world-cup-fixtures-groups/
Leave A Comment