France had a fairly disappointing qualifying campaign which saw them off the pace for the majority of time and have to settle for 2nd place behind Serbia. They were drawn against the Republic of Ireland in the two legged play off match which is by no means a certainty.

The new France 2010 World Cup shirt is predominately dark blue with numerous red and white diagonal stripes running centrally on either side of the shirt. Manufacturers Adidas place their white logo centrally below the white V neck collar. Adidas also include their three traditional white stripes down the shoulders along with a single red stripe to represent the French national flag. The national badge with a single gold star representing that 1998 World Cup triumph is situated in the top left of the shirt.

The French national team have underperformed in recent times with manager Raymond Domenech coming in for much of the criticism after a poor qualification campaign. The French finished behind Serbia which saw them pitted against the Republic of Ireland in a play off. The tie went to extra time where Theirry Henry scored a massively controversial goal after using his hand to control the ball before setting up William Gallas for the winner. The team have been drawn against hosts South Africa, Uruguay and Mexico in the group stage of the 2010 World Cup.

The new France 2010 away shirt is predominately white with numerous red and blue thin horizontal pinstripes that run throughout the body. Manufacturers Adidas place their navy blue logo centrally below the gold and navy blue V neck collar. One red and two navy blue stripes also run down the shoulders and sleeves. The gold national badge is situated in the top left of the shirt with a single gold star above to represent their 1998 World Cup victory.

Surely in such a modern game, with such high stakes and a nations dream on the line, the adoption of a video replay cannot be anything but absolutely necessary. In Rugby it works to great affect, delivering an answer in about 90 seconds. In tennis the hawk eye can tell the umpire within a split second whether or not the ball hit the line or missed.

Not only do I feel that this technology must be brought into use, I also feel that Thierry Henry must be retrospectively punished. I don’t care if it seems harsh, he deliberately handballed in order to keep the ball within play and cross to Gallas, who could hardly miss from two yards. This outrageous goal crushed Ireland’s valiant attempts to reach South Africa. But what was arguably even more proposterous is the fact that on Wednesday Henry stated “it was a handball, but I didnt do it deliberately”. He even repeated himself when pressed by a journalist. Yet today he is quoted as saying the following. “I had to exploit what could be exploited”. Or in everybody else’s terminology “I cheated because I could, and I got away with it”.

In order to send out a strong message to the cheats who adorn football, and an even stronger message to the children who idolise them, Henry must be banned for the group stages of the world cup next summer. Or else we face a situation where cheats thrive and children follow suite. Henry, your reputation will be forever tainted. Consequently your team must may the price.

French manager Raymond Domenech’s career will probably be remembered for the amount of criticism he attracted. Domenech doesn’t seem to go a week without some newspaper or magazine slagging off his managerial ability, and thus probably wanted to see his French side stuff the Faroe Islands, just so the media would get off his back for a day or two. However if Domenech knew anything about his opposition, he must have known that a 6-0 drubbing was a highly unlikely result. The Faroe Islands are a tough opposition these days and they are slowly making progress under Brian Kerr. True, they will never reach the French teams level of professionalism and skill, but the small country is beginning to make opposing teams understand their international worth.

They made France value their worth for 42 minutes. France found it tough too break their opposition down and looked as if they would be heading into the break level. However Andre-Pierre Gignac broke into the box and finished neatly, slotting the ball past the Faroese keeper. The Ligue One top scorer finished calmly, unlike most of the other French attacks which were nervy and rash. The team’s final product was poor, and Domenech must have been relieved when Gignac broke the deadlock.

Despite Gagnac breaking the Faroese defense, he had not broken their hearts. Keeper Mikkelsen was in fine form and made a number of impressive saves whilst the minnows went close to scoring on a few occasions; Jann Peterson watched his neat effort land on the top of the French goal and Benjaminsen had a good chance with a header following a French defensive lapse. Unfortunately for the home side he was unable to convert.

France seemed to wake up in the closing stages of the game and could have built on their one-nil advantage; Gignac smashed home a shot which was well saved and Franck Ribery went on a marauding run eventually rolling the ball to Gourcuff. He finished calmly but turned in disappointment to see the offside flag waving high in the air.

The small crowd were denied a Hollywood ending when Jakup Borg’s effort went wide late on, but the home side will be pleased with their performance nevertheless. They have come on great strides under Brian Kerr and the team has a good future ahead. France meanwhile are struggling and their jerky, inconsistent performances have got both the coach, and country, worried.

Take the Faroe Islands lightly at your peril. Ever since Irish manager Brian Kerr was appointed head coach in April earlier this year, the Islanders have put embarrassing drubbings like their 8-1 defeat to Yugoslavia or their 7-0 loss to Norway behind them. Kerr has transformed the side into a tough unit, difficult to break down and battling for every ball. So far in this campaign they have amassed only one point from possible fifteen, but they have conceded just seven goals and nicked a point off Austria, demonstrating their rapid improvement under Kerr.

But they don’t have a hope in hell of getting a result against France, right?

Wrong. France have had a relatively shaky campaign and currently lie in second place in group 7, eight points behind Serbia (though France do have two games in hand). Les Blues were humbled 3-1 by Austria, the same team Faroe Islands got a point of, and also failed to beat Romania. Under pressure manager Raymond Domenech also has a number of injuries to deal with; influential winger Franck Ribery is out whilst his most likely replacement, Samir Nasri, is also injured. Nasri’s Arsenal teammate Gael Clichy is another absentee, as is Jean-Alain Boumsong. Thierry Henry is not in the squad after failing to recover from his Achilles injury.

He might be a fantastic footballer, but I think it’s safe to say that Franck Ribery won’t be getting any of David Beckham’s modelling contracts anytime soon.

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Reported Arsenal target Patrick Viera has been left out of the squad, with his place likely to be taken by Lassan Diarra. (The gloriously named) Rod Fanni will start in defence but won’t play in front of ‘keeper Yohan Pele, who is injured and thus left out of Domenech’s squad.

Fortunately Brian Kerr has no real injuries to deal with. Nearly all of his squad are part-time footballers, though he is able to field a few professionals, one of these being Manchester City’s young goalkeeper Gunnar Nielsen. He probably won’t feature though, as Kerr favours the more experienced Jakup Mikkelsen.

The game probably won’t be a particularly skillful, sexy encounter but should be fascinating nevertheless. Whilst many fans and pundits still remain ignorant to the threat the Faroe Islands possess, Raymond Domenech will be fully aware of his oppositions potential and will in no way take them lightly. Faroe Islands won’t qualify for the World Cup, but remain the joker of the pack in group 7, and France will have to be at the peak of their game to emerge with three points.

PREDICTION: FAROE ISLANDS 0 vs. FRANCE 3

The French manager, Raymond Domenech, has never been the post popular man in France and this result will do nothing to improve his already tarnished reputation. The French team he fielded contained a number of first team players, but they looked lethargic and tired for long periods of the match and failed to pressurise the Nigerians who looked comfortable throughout. Few expected a strong Nigerian team ahead of their crucial qualifier against Kenya but all of their players staked a claim for a first team place with this surprise victory.

The only goal of the game came in the 32nd minute when Club Brugge striker Joseph Akpala took advantage of some poor French defending. A long pass came from deep in the Nigerian midfield and Akpala collected the ball on the wing. He then commenced to show Julian Escude a clean set of heels before running into acres of space and firing a low, powerful shot into the corner of the net. Domenech has previously stated the need for a solid French defense and you can imagine his agony when watching the goal as the French defenders let Akpala run and fire a shot in relative ease.

The goal came as a great blow to Les Blues as, up to that point, they had looked the better of the two teams. Promising youngster Karim Benzema had fired over from 20 yards and then nearly found the net with a header from Franck Ribery’s freekick; fortunately for Nigeria Enyeama held on.

After Akpala’s opener, French number one Mandanda found himself the busier of the two ‘keepers, being forced into action to deny both Peter Odemwingie and Ikechukwu Uche.

Most probably anticipating the frosty French reception the next day if France lost, Domenech switched his team around at the interval but this failed to have the desired attack with Les Blues failing to find the equaliser, despite good chances for both Ribery and defender Rod Fanni. Loic Remy went closest, however, with a fierce drive that rattled the crossbar.

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Head to Head’s

#1. KARIM BENZEMA v. UWA ECHIEJILE

With Everton’s Joseph Yobo absent, it was down to Uwa Echiejile to stop the young Lyon forward. Whilst the defender managed to keep the youngster from scoring, Benzema was allowed to roam the Nigerian final third freely, with Echiejile seemingly powerless to resist his pace and power. If Benzema had put on his shooting boots, the Lyon man could have scored a hatful.

THE WINNER: KARIM BENZEMA. Despite not scoring, Echiejile failed to stop Benzema seizing the ball and shooting. Benzema fired over in the 2oth minute and was able to direct a dangerous header towards goal in the 20th.

#2. ROD FANNI v. PETER ODEMWINGIE

Rod Fanni put in a solid performance and contributed well to the French attack when possible. However Odemwingie looks to be a very promising player for the Nigerian national team and, when he’s eventually paired with Obafemi Martins, Nigeria could have one of the best attacks in African football.

WINNER: PETER ODEMWINGIE. The forward had some very good chances and looked lively throughout.

#3. FRANCK RIBERY v. SEYI GEORGE OLOFINJANA

Olofinjana was given the hard job of keeping Franck Ribery quiet, and on the whole he succeeded. Ribery managed to produce a few shots and crosses but ultimately failed to dominate the game in his usual fashion. A disappointing night for the Munich man.

WINNER: SEYIGEORGE OLOFINJANA. Controlling Ribery was more of a team effort, but Olofinjana still put in a good performance.

#4. RAYMOND DOMENECH v. SHAIBU AMODU

Domenech really should be worried by his side’s poor performance. He fielded a strong side which fell to an under-strengh Nigerian team, but credit given where credit’s due- Amodu’s tactics were spot on. His team managed to keep both Ribery and Benzama quiet, whilst his teams attacking pace made Nigerian counter attacks very deadly.

Conclusion

Many will simply dismiss this a poor friendly showing, and hope that France put this defeat to the back of their minds. However, with their poor recent qualification showings, Domenech has admitted to the press that he is feeling the pressure and even confided in one friend that he was “beginning to fear even the Faroe Islands”. Expect a new French manager come the 2010 World Cup; that is, if France get there.

FIFA World Cup 2010 qualification doesn’t resume for France until mid-August, so as the more geographically able of you will have worked out from the title (hint: Nigeria isn’t in Europe), France take part in an exhibition match tonight. 

Under fire French manager Raymond Domenech is likely to be grateful for tonight’s friendly, even if the fatigued players are not. Domenech has come in for some criticism regarding his recent squad selection, and the game tonight will provide the perfect opportunity for him to maybe experiment with a new formation and try some players in new positions. France also take on Turkey on June the fifth; a squad for both games was released a few days earlier.

The match will take place in Saint-Étienne, in eastern central France. The most successful regional club, Association Sportive de Saint-Étienne Loire (or AS Saint-Étienne for short), are one of the most accomplished teams in France, having won the French first division 10 times. Their stadium, Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, will host tonight’s game.

France- Team News

One of the biggest surprises in Domenech’s 25 man squad is the selection of Chelsea winger Florent Malouda. What’s so surprising, I hear you ask? After all, Malouda is a cultured and effectual player, performing solidly- if not spectaculary- for Chelsea over the last few months. Well, after the disastrous Euro 2008 championship, Malouda and Domenech had a well publicised falling out, and many assumed that the 28 year old had played for his country for the last time- unless Domenech was sacked. Domenech was reportedly, and understandably, furious with Malouda after the player slammed him over his “negative tactics” and “poor decisions”. However it seems Domenech has been unable to ignore Florent Malouda’s good form.

“I always said that if the players weren’t picked, it was because their form was not good enough or others were better than them. That was Flo’s problem,” Domenech told the French media.

“When players perform, they are called up. We’ve been watching him.Veteran midfielder Patrick Viera is another surprise inclusion. The former Arsenal ’skipper turns 33 in 21 days time and with a host of young French midfielders performing well (19 year old Moussa Sissoko, 20 year old Étienne Capoue and 21 year old Marvin Martin to name just three)- many were surprised at his addition. Viera told the media of his “pleasure” at being selected. Viera has played no 2010 World Cup qualification games so far, and didn’t appear during Euro 2008. However, the inclusion of Viera and Malouda will add some much needed experience to the French midfield; surprisingly (well, at least in Viera’s case) it could also add more of a goal threat to the midfield. Malaouda’s 3 goals and Viera’s 6 aside, the other midfielders only have one solitary goal between them.

Loïc Remy is set for his first ever French senior team appearance, whilst the French league’s top scorer, Andre-Pierre Gignac, is also included.

THE FULL SQUAD:

Nigeria Team News

Recently relegated Newcastle’s Obafemi Martins will look to make up for his recent poor from by netting against Les Blues, and the speedy forward will likely be paired with veteran forward Nwankwo Kanu.

FA Cup finalists Joseph Yobo and John Obi Mikel have both been called up, whilst Kalu Uche has joined up with the squad after recovering from a late injury scare.

Nigeria face Kenya in a crucial World Cup qualifier on Sunday, so will probably rest some players.

Head to Head’s

#1. KARIM BENZEMA v. JOSEPH YOBO

The young lyon forward has dissapointed in his recent French national team outings, and many are beginning to worry that he’s not capitilising on the early promise he has shown. Nevertheless, he is still a formidible opponent for any defender. Benzema is likely to play in a direct style with Henry and Ribery playing off his shoulder. It will be Yobo’s job to stop Benzema’s attacks and the Everton defender will have his work cut out. However Yobo has been in great form for Everton and will relish testing his strenght against Benzema.

MY PREDICTION: JOSEPH YOBO. There’s no doubt that Benzema is a quality player, but I think Yobo is playing well enough to keep him quiet.

#2. JEAN-ALAIN BOUMSONG v. OBAFEMI MARTINS

Boumsong is not one of France’s better defenders, but Domenech seems to rate him. The former Newcastle defender will be marking a current (but probably not for much longer) Newcastle striker. Martins is a quality player but has had his head down in Newcastle’s last few matches and hasn’t been playing well.

MY PREDICTION: JEAN-ALAIN BOUMSONG. Boumsong might not be the best defender in the world, but he should be able to keep a dis-heartend Martins quiet.

#3. FRANCK RIBERY v. SANI KAITA

Franck Ribery is one of the best players in the world and, if you believe everything you read, could be heading to Real Madrid an a record-breaking transfer record. Monaco’s Sani Kaita will be tasked with hassling Ribery and not letting him dictate the play from the middle of the park- a very hard task.

MY PREDICTION: FRANCK RIBERY. Simply put, when he’s in form there’s very few players that can keep Ribery quiet. Sani Kaita isn’t one of them.

#4. RAYMOND DOMENECH v. SHAIBU AMODU

Whilst tonight is only a friendly, Domenech finds himself under a constant barrage of pressure, and the often fickle French fans will expect a win. Domenech is likely to field a strong, attacking team whilst Amodu will want to rest some key players for the forthcoming clash against Kenya. Expect Nigeria to settle for a draw.

Betting

France to win: 1/2 Draw: 13/5 Nigeria: 11:2

France/France:7/5  Draw/France:3/1  Nigeria/France:25/1

France/Draw:16/1  Draw/Draw:7/2  Nigeria/Draw:16/1

France/Nigeria:80/1  Draw/Nigeria:11/1  Nigeria/Nigeria: 11/1

First Goalscorer: Franck Ribery: 3/1, Thierry Henry: 4/1, Obafemi Martins: 8/1

Head to Head Stats

Position in World Cup qualifying group: France: 2nd / Nigeria: 3rd

Games played (games won) in qualifying: France: 5 (3) / Nigeria: 1 (0)

Current FIFA World ranking: France:10th / Nigeria:30th

Highest ever FIFA World ranking: France:1st (May 2001 and between Jan 02&May 02) / Nigeria:5th (April 1994)

Lowest ever FIFA World ranking: France:25th (April 1998) / Nigeria:82nd (November 1999)

Summary

It looks like Nigeria will play a slightly under strenght team as they face a crucial game on Sunday, but I’m not predicting a walk in the park for France. Nigeria are a tough, physical side and France haven’t played that wonderfully in their last few outings. I’m going for 3-1 France, but I think the game will be closer than the scoreline suggests. I’m going for France to go two up thanks to Ribery and Henry goals, Martins to get one back and Sagna to make sure of the win.

Raymond Domenech on France’s qualification group.

The quote above is probably one of the only things to emerge from Raymond Domenech’s mouth that has been met with nods of agreement from all four corners of France. The Lyonnaise manager took the national team management position in 2004, after Jacques Santini moved to the English Premier League team Tottenham Hotspur. The French immediately struggled in qualification for the 2006 World Cup finals, but Domenech eventually led the French to the World Cup, and in turn the grand finale- a mouthwatering match against Italy and a prestigious last game for the influential French captain Zinédine Zidane. Unfortunately for Domenech, the game ended in heartbreak, as the Zidane-less French crashed out on penalties- watching in sickening agony as the Italians paraded the FIFA World Cup trophy around the Olympiastadion.

Despite the misery, however, fans and pundits alike were shocked and encouraged with France’s trip to the final. Alas; any credibility that Domenech had won was lost at the Euro 2008 tournament, where France crashed out in the group stage, finishing last in their group below Romania, Holland and their 2006 nemeses Italy. After this poor showing, it was expected that Raymond Domenech would either resign or collect his P45, however the 57 year old clung onto his job and began preparing for the 2010 World Cup qualification campaign. The process started well, with France drawn into a seemingly easy group. It seemed that fate had handed Les Blues an excellent opportunity to avenge their poor Euro 2008 showing…

MATCH #1.

AWAY TO AUSTRIA.

BRIEF REPORT.

France began their qualifying campaign in Vienna, on the sixth of September 2008. Austria lie 69 places behind France in the official FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings- but it seemed no one had told this to the Austrians. It took Austria just 8 minutes to go in front- Janko was able to convert when the French centre backs William Gallas and Phillipe Mexes mis-judged an Austrian cross. And, 33 minutes later, Austria scored a second- a horrible sense of deja-vu sickening the French. For once again an Austrian cross bamboozled the French defenders who let Aufhauser direct a header towards goal, though William Gallas got the final touch. France’s spirits were raised in the second half when Sidney Govou fired home but an Austrian penalty not long after secured a win for the Austrians.

WHERE IT WENT WRONG.

France went into the game with a few injuries to key players- most notably to experienced defender Lilian Thuram (who must have been beside himself when he saw Austria’s first two goals) and to Les Blues’ star player Franck Ribery. Govou did well in his absence, but it’s hard to see Domenech ever dropping Ribery.

France’s defending was dismally poor- Gallas and Mexes never looked overly comfortable and Mexes was at fault for the penalty. Thuram was missed.

STAR PLAYER.

SIDNEY GOVOU.

The speedy winger fired home his tenth goal for France, though his effort failed to win the French any points. He looked dangerous when running at defenders though is unlikely to break into the first team as a wideman- Franck Ribery has that position covered and is arguably one of the best wingers in the world.

VILLAIN.

WILLIAM GALLAS.

The defender had been struggling at Arsenal and seemed to carry some of his club form with him to the international stage. Was at fault for both the first goal, where he failed to track the flight of the ball, and the second, when his deflection saw the ball ricochet into the net. Not a night to remember for the Arsenal skipper.

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MATCH #2.

It was expected that, come the end of the World Cup Qualification process, both France and Romania would be at the top of the qualification tree. However, both of the favourites had suffered shock defeats in their opening games (Romania were stunned by their visitors Lithuania 3-0) and thus needed good results in their second games. Romania nervously emerged victorious against the Faroe Islands- winning by just one goal to nil. France meanwhile hosted Serbia, and you could have forgiven the notoriously fickle French crowd for jeering at half time as the French headed down the tunnel at 0-0. However Thierry Henry scored in the fifty-third minute and substitute Nicolas Anelka doubled France’s advantage, putting France in the driving seat. Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic gave Serbia a glimmer of hope when he scored in the seventy-fifth minute, but France held on, scoring their first points of the campaign.

WHERE IT WENT RIGHT.

France were markedly improved during the second half, and Serbia simply couldn’t cope with France’s speed and skill. The defence looked stronger, and Serbia didn’t seem as spirited as the Austrians who humbled France in the first game.

STAR PLAYER.

Captain Thierry Henry led the French offensive and terrified the sloppy Serbian defence. The Barca man also teamed up well with Anelka in the second half.

VILLAIN.

Not really a villain, but Benzema was a disappointment and was hauled off at half time. The next day, a number of French papers voiced fears that Benzema is not developing into the player many thought he would be.

MATCH #3.

AWAY TO ROMANIA

BRIEF REPORT.

A rapid Romanian brace stunned France and, if it wasn’t for a spirited French comeback, could have placed France’s World Cup position in serious doubt. It took just five minutes for Florentin Petre to put Romania in front and they scored again when Dorin Goian found the net in the sixteenth minute. Les Blues snatched a goal back in the thirty-sixth minute when Frank Ribery netted, leaving the French a goal behind as they headed in for half time. The French were much more dangerous in the second half and Yoann Gourcuff smashed home the equaliser from 30 yards. Both Henry and Ribery could have scored late on in the second half, but Romania shut up shop and thoroughly deserved their share of the points in this clash.

WHERE IT WENT WRONG/RIGHT.

France were abysmal in the opening stages, looking poor at the back and toothless up front. Romania took full advantage of this and capitalised on France’s lethargy, and could have scored more than two in the first half. However France improved after Ribery snatched a goal and could have won it in the second half, due to some excellent attacking play.

STAR PLAYER.

Frank Ribery. The winger has been linked with all sort of clubs and it’s not hard to see why. A threat throughout, the player could have won it late on.

VILLAIN.

Jean-Alain Boumsong struggled in England whilst playing for Newcastle and looked out of his depth in the opening stages. It’s a wonder Domenech still plays him.

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 MATCH #4.

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MATCH #5.

At the beginning, they were tipped as potential winners, but their chances of success began deteriorating ever since they disappointed in the preparation friendlies against South American countries. I wish all French supporters who have been viewing this blog better luck in future competitions. You have a team with amazing players, but unfortunately, they did not combine together to achieve success this summer.

Regarding Italy, I must say the truth…I really hope your success does not last long and hope you will be eliminated against Spain or against Holland. You are NOT the best team in Euro 2008. Portugal, Spain and Holland are the teams to look out for, and the teams which deserve glory this year.