World Cup Group A preview: Uruguay v France
Both Uruguay and France squeezed into the World Cup finals following less than convincing qualification campaigns, but that hasn’t prevented either of them from being tipped to advance into the last 16.
Tonight’s match comes hot off the heels of this afternoon’s highly-anticipated opener between South Africa and Mexico – Group A’s other hopefuls – and will grace the Cape Town stadium in the nation’s vibrant capital.
An infamous handball from Thierry Henry against the Republic of Ireland last November helped seal France’s World Cup spot in the most controversial fashion. Such was the fallout after the incident that France’s all-time top scorer even pondered calling time on his international playing career.
Seven months later, the dust is only just beginning to settle, although the Irish will never offer their hand in forgiveness after missing out on the showpiece event.
Following their disappointing showing at Euro 2008, few would have expected France manager Raymond Domenech to lead his side out at another major tournament two years later. To the disappointment of many France supporters, that’s exactly what will happen this evening.
Having surprisingly dropped Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema and Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri from his 23-man squad, Domenech will be relying on the striking prowess of Nicolas Anelka and the playmaking ability of Yoann Gourcuff.
On paper, Les Blues boast a teamsheet which commands respect. With the likes of exciting winger Franck Ribéry, dynamic left-back Patrice Evra and the sturdy presence of Hugo Lloris in goal, the only thing holding them back seems to be the unpredictable nature of their superstitious coach, who will leave his post after the finals to make way for Laurent Blanc.
Their opponents, the World Cup’s first winners from 1930, scraped through South American qualification after finishing fifth in regional qualifying and then edging out Costa Rica in a play-off.
Regardless of the inauspicious nature in which they reached South Africa, the two-time World Champions will be confident in their ability to get a result in Cape Town. They certainly have no concerns when it comes to scoring goals. With Diego Forlan - 28 goals for Atlético Madrid last season - and Luis Suarez – an incredible 49 goals for Ajax last season - at their disposal, Uruguay possess a prolific strike partnership to rival any of those in the competition.
They will certainly cause France’s centre-back pairing of Julien Escude and William Gallas a multitude of problems if they play to their strengths, although it’s their own defence who will have to hold firm to thwart the considerable attacking threat of their European opponents.
Having used four different goalkeepers in qualification, none of whom particularly covered themselves in glory, Lazio’s Fernando Muslera will don the gloves tonight, assigned the task of commanding his penalty area.
Uruguay’s coach is 63-year-old Oscar Tabárez, who led the national side out 20 years ago at Italia ‘90, is once again in charge after taking the reins for a second time in 2006. This experience will hold the South Americans in good stead, and could give them the advantage over the French in the tactical stakes.
But as France know all too well, getting off to a good start and avoiding defeat is imperative to having a good tournament. Their opening match defeat at the 2002 World Cup finals against Senegal went down in history as one of the great shocks in World Cup history. And their campaign four years later was only rescued by the mercurial talents of Zinedine Zidane.
Replacing a player of his formidable stature was also going to be the grandest task for the French. And in Ribéry they have a man capable of producing similar moments of magic. To win this evening against the tough, gritty Uruguay, France will need him and his teammates fully prepared and ready to take the bull by the horns.
With Mexico and the Bafana Bafana, both desperate to progress from Group A, a win tonight for either France or Uruguay could prove invaluable. But for the losers, an uphill struggle the size of Cape Town’s landmark Table Mountain could then beckon.
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