FIFA World Cup 2010: Poetic Justice for France in the World Cup
“Justice Poitique” was the headline of Irish Examiner and another newspaper had “Final act for Les Miserables” on its front page. They all referred to inglorious exit of French football team from 2010 World Cup. France received poetic justice when they were eliminated from World Cup amid humiliating defeat by host nation and surrounded by controversies.
France, who reached the World Cup in South Africa after ousting Ireland in the most controversial manner, as Henry scored the decisive goal with the hand, which he later accepted. So, a point and one goal in three games, this was what last World Cup’s finalist could offer. It is example of poetic justice as France exits World Cup unceremoniously. France’s performance in this edition of World Cup has drawn parallels with their pathetic performance in the 2002 World Cup.
The fate of Group A was to be decided on Tuesday, when Mexico faced Uruguay and France faced hosts South Africa. Mexico and Uruguay were both on the top of the table and they need just a draw to go through. On the other hand, nothing less than a miracle was required for France or South Africa to proceed to the next round. However, that miracle didn’t happen for Raymond Domenech’s team.
Mexico and Uruguay battled out in Rustenburg. Both teams needed only a draw to proceed to the next round. Therefore, it was obvious that both teams played with little cautiousness. In case of draw between these two Latin American countries, both France and South Africa were to be eliminated irrespective of their match’s result. It was interesting to see that Mexico’s coach employed the same attacking tactics that he employed in the previous matches. According to Mexican forward Pablo Barrera, Mexico played the match with the objective of getting three points. Mexico opted to attack and win the match as supremacy of Group A would have allowed them to avoid Argentina in the second round.
Meanwhile, Uruguay was determined to grab three points and finish top of the group. Talking to reporters before the match, Uruguayan defender Diego Godin said, “Mexico will be a difficult rival just as all the teams in the World Cup. They play good football, but we have the weapons to destroy their game and we know how to cause them damage.” In addition, they did successfully as Ajax’s Sauraz scored the winning goal for two-time World Champion as they topped the group. They now will face South Korea in next round.
On the other hand, host South Africa was determined to grind some respect and consolation in their last outing in the World Cup. The Bafana Bafana and controversy-ridden France were head to head in Bloemfontein, knowing that even a win could not change their World Cup fortunes. South Africa’s coach Carlos Alberta Parreira was optimistic of host’s chances before the match. He said, “Mathematically, if Uruguay or Mexico, there is a winner there and there is a winner here of two goals difference, it would be possible.”
Despite winning against dispirited France, they failed to qualify as Mexico went ahead on basis of goal difference. South Africa became the first host nation to crash out of World Cup. Talking to media after the final match, Parreira said, “The group was very tough. I think it would be sad. It would be a disappointment but I do not consider it as a failure. I’ve participated in a number of World Cups in various capacities and I have never witnessed such a great number of what one might call shocking results.”
However, South African Captain Aaron Mokoena has praised the South Africans fans for their support for Bafana Bafana. “The fans have been incredible. They’ve been absolutely supportive to the team and that’s what we needed.”
French Football Federation (FFF) would have a mighty task of rebuilding team that has been marred by controversies and player revolt. France’s new coach Laurent Blanc will have its hands full when he will resume control of his team. With Anelka and Henry out in retirement, he will have to build a new looking squad.
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