Share
France coach Raymond Domenech has branded the Republic of Ireland “a sort of England B side” ahead of their World Cup play-off next month.
Giovanni Trapattoni is already preparing his side for “two cup finals” and is more than likely to use Domenech’s comments as a motivational tool ahead of the two games next month.
“Whoever our opponents were, I would have said the same thing, the objective is to qualify: but now it's Ireland, we just have to get on with it,” Domenech told the Irish Examiner.
“The advantage is that everyone knows them. They are a sort of England B side. They all play in the English league so all our players know them: some of our players play alongside them, while others against them. There will be no surprises. We know what to expect and we know what we have to do.
“They have not lost during the qualification period, and they only drew against Italy in their last match because of a last-minute goal.
We know they are a solid side, they're all Premier League players.
They're tough, but we are too.”
Ireland were handed arguably the toughest possible draw when they were paired with the 1998 winners and 2006 World Cup runners-up Les Blues, but they will go into the games in a confident mood after an unbeaten qualifying campaign, leaving them with good odds of World Cup Qualification.
France were denied automatic qualification from Group Seven by Serbia, who amassed 22 points to their 21.
Domenech’s men only lost only once – 3-1 in Austria in their opening qualifier in September last year.
Trapattoni’s men will host the French at Croke Park on Saturday, November 14 before trying to complete the job at the Stade de France in Paris four days later.
France were one of four seeded teams Ireland could have drawn with Portugal, Greece and Russia landing Bosnia-Herzegovina, Ukraine and Slovenia respectively.
Thu 22 Oct, 2009RSS Feed
LAST 5 POSTS BY PHIL TOMLINSON
Hammers fight to keep Cole
Krasic set to spark transfer scramble
Rams boss Clough targets Zola
Bale gets monkey off his back
Duffen’s patience running out with Brown?
Friday, November 4, 2016
Parreira, Mosimane ready to revive WC hosts SAfrica
Share
Former colleagues Carlos Alberto Parreira and Pitso Mosimane are ready to accept the challenge of transforming struggling 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa into a formidable force.
The national football association is scheduled to reveal Friday who will succeed Brazilian coach Joel Santana, fired this week after a run of eight losses from nine outings.
Santana last year replaced compatriot Parreira, who left Bafana Bafana (The Boys) after 16 months in charge to return home and aid his ill wife who has made a full recovery.
Parreira and Santana had the same assistants, Brazilian Jairo Leal and former South Africa striker and SuperSport United coach Mosimane, while in charge of a team that has slumped to a 16-year low of 85 in the world ratings.
“It is possible for me to work in South Africa again,” Parreira told the Brazilian media soon after being fired by Rio de Janeiro-based Fluminense following a string of poor results. “There is immense pressure on the national team as World Cup hosts and I know the people of that country respect me. I believe they want to retain a Brazilian system of play.”
Mosimane told local journalists that South African Football Association (SAFA) officials indicated he was being groomed to take over Bafana after the 32-nation world championship next June and July. “That has been my ambition all along, but if taking over immediately would help my country then I am available for the challenge,” stressed the former Greece-based professional.
“On the other hand, if the national association appoint Carlos or someone else I will remain totally dedicated in my role of assistant coach and give 100 percent support.” Spain (twice), Brazil, Serbia, Germany, Republic of Ireland, Norway and Iceland inflicted defeats on Bafana in a five-month spell from hell that cost 60-year-old Santana his 200,000-dollar-a-month post.
His sole success since June came at home to African minnows Madagascar, the sort of opposition that brought the South American many of his 10 victories in 27 matches since taking charge in mid-2008.
The run of losses plunged South African football into an advance state of depression with politicians, officials, coaches and players debating cures for the national-team ills.
Many fear that unless desperate measures are taken, the first African country to stage the World Cup will also become the first host nation to be eliminated after the first round.
Gavin Hunt, a South African who has coached SuperSport to two league titles in a row and been linked with the national post, labelled Santana “a disgrace” after the 1-0 loss at football lightweights Iceland last week.
Bafana have friendly fixtures scheduled against fellow World Cup qualifiers Japan in Johannesburg on November 14 and against Jamaica in Bloemfontein three days later.
The national football association is scheduled to reveal Friday who will succeed Brazilian coach Joel Santana, fired this week after a run of eight losses from nine outings.
Santana last year replaced compatriot Parreira, who left Bafana Bafana (The Boys) after 16 months in charge to return home and aid his ill wife who has made a full recovery.
Parreira and Santana had the same assistants, Brazilian Jairo Leal and former South Africa striker and SuperSport United coach Mosimane, while in charge of a team that has slumped to a 16-year low of 85 in the world ratings.
“It is possible for me to work in South Africa again,” Parreira told the Brazilian media soon after being fired by Rio de Janeiro-based Fluminense following a string of poor results. “There is immense pressure on the national team as World Cup hosts and I know the people of that country respect me. I believe they want to retain a Brazilian system of play.”
Mosimane told local journalists that South African Football Association (SAFA) officials indicated he was being groomed to take over Bafana after the 32-nation world championship next June and July. “That has been my ambition all along, but if taking over immediately would help my country then I am available for the challenge,” stressed the former Greece-based professional.
“On the other hand, if the national association appoint Carlos or someone else I will remain totally dedicated in my role of assistant coach and give 100 percent support.” Spain (twice), Brazil, Serbia, Germany, Republic of Ireland, Norway and Iceland inflicted defeats on Bafana in a five-month spell from hell that cost 60-year-old Santana his 200,000-dollar-a-month post.
His sole success since June came at home to African minnows Madagascar, the sort of opposition that brought the South American many of his 10 victories in 27 matches since taking charge in mid-2008.
The run of losses plunged South African football into an advance state of depression with politicians, officials, coaches and players debating cures for the national-team ills.
Many fear that unless desperate measures are taken, the first African country to stage the World Cup will also become the first host nation to be eliminated after the first round.
Gavin Hunt, a South African who has coached SuperSport to two league titles in a row and been linked with the national post, labelled Santana “a disgrace” after the 1-0 loss at football lightweights Iceland last week.
Bafana have friendly fixtures scheduled against fellow World Cup qualifiers Japan in Johannesburg on November 14 and against Jamaica in Bloemfontein three days later.
Ribery doubtful for Ireland playoffs
Share
Franck Ribery could miss France’s World Cup playoffs against Ireland next month because of an injury which has sidelined him for a month, France Football reported on their website Wednesday.
Ribery is suffering from tendonitis in his left knee which requires “a new period of rest of approximately one month,” the magazine reported. The midfielder visited knee specialist Professor Jean-Henri Jaeger in Strasbourg on Tuesday, it added.
The Bayern Munich player’s preparations for this season have been hampered by the injury which he aggravated further against Juventus on September 30 in a Champions League group game.
Both France and Ireland finished second in their respective World Cup groups and were drawn first out of the hat in the draw for the two-leg playoffs that will be contested November 14 and 18.
Ireland host France at Croke Park in Dublin first before the return leg at the Stade de France four days later decides which of the two teams qualifies for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Wed 21 Oct, 2009RSS Feed LAST 5 POSTS BY SOCCERNEWS
Mata recalled to Spain squad Brisbane Roar 1 Melbourne City 0: MacLaren secures third straight win Barca´s Gameiro chase like offering €5 for €60 jacket – Monchi
´Apologise to Guardiola? For what?´ – Toure´s agent Seluk Losing streak not concerning Pardew Maradona says sorry to world´s women, not journalists Share Diego Maradona apologised to the world’s women on Friday for his explicit, foul-mouthed rant which followed Argentina’s World Cup qualification, but refused to say sorry to journalists.
“I apologise to women, to my mother, to Argentinian women, to Uruguayan women and to women throughout the world. But only to them, not the others,” Maradona told TyC Sports television.
A new look for 2016, this is the Alejandro Bedoya Replica jersey will be wearing as they compete for the trophy this summer. Mix Diskerud, Aron Johannsson, Michael Bradley, Clint Dempsey and John Brooks. hope solo jerseys girl Maradona is facing censure by FIFA after his now infamous rant at the media following Argentina’s 1-0 win over Uruguay in Montevideo on Wednesday which guaranteed the country’s place at the 2010 World Cup.
Ribery is suffering from tendonitis in his left knee which requires “a new period of rest of approximately one month,” the magazine reported. The midfielder visited knee specialist Professor Jean-Henri Jaeger in Strasbourg on Tuesday, it added.
The Bayern Munich player’s preparations for this season have been hampered by the injury which he aggravated further against Juventus on September 30 in a Champions League group game.
Both France and Ireland finished second in their respective World Cup groups and were drawn first out of the hat in the draw for the two-leg playoffs that will be contested November 14 and 18.
Ireland host France at Croke Park in Dublin first before the return leg at the Stade de France four days later decides which of the two teams qualifies for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Wed 21 Oct, 2009RSS Feed LAST 5 POSTS BY SOCCERNEWS
Mata recalled to Spain squad Brisbane Roar 1 Melbourne City 0: MacLaren secures third straight win Barca´s Gameiro chase like offering €5 for €60 jacket – Monchi
´Apologise to Guardiola? For what?´ – Toure´s agent Seluk Losing streak not concerning Pardew Maradona says sorry to world´s women, not journalists Share Diego Maradona apologised to the world’s women on Friday for his explicit, foul-mouthed rant which followed Argentina’s World Cup qualification, but refused to say sorry to journalists.
“I apologise to women, to my mother, to Argentinian women, to Uruguayan women and to women throughout the world. But only to them, not the others,” Maradona told TyC Sports television.
A new look for 2016, this is the Alejandro Bedoya Replica jersey will be wearing as they compete for the trophy this summer. Mix Diskerud, Aron Johannsson, Michael Bradley, Clint Dempsey and John Brooks. hope solo jerseys girl Maradona is facing censure by FIFA after his now infamous rant at the media following Argentina’s 1-0 win over Uruguay in Montevideo on Wednesday which guaranteed the country’s place at the 2010 World Cup.
No luck for Irish in Stade de France ticket allocation
Share
Irish hopes of arriving en masse for the second leg of their World Cup playoff with France were dashed on Wednesday when the French federation allocated 10 percent of tickets for visitors to the Stade de France.
Both France and the Republic of Ireland finished second in their respective World Cup groups and were drawn first out of the hat in the draw for the two-leg playoffs that will be contested November 14 and 18.
Ireland host France at Croke Park in Dublin first before the return leg at the Stade de France four days later decides which of the two teams qualifies for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
France coach Raymond Domenech, with bitter memories of 2004 when 30,000 Irish turned up and outsang their French hosts, demanded on Monday that Ireland be limited to a quarter of the total 80,000 available tickets for the Stade de France, namely 20,000.
“We can’t have the Irish having more tickets than what they should be allowed, 20,000 – with 60,000 French fans around them,” Domenech told AFP. The French Football Federation (FFF) proved even more stingy on Wednesday when they allocated just 8,000 tickets to the Irish fans.
The FFF’s decision was in accordance with their ticket allocation policy during the World Cup qualifiers, although it appears they have also taken Domenech’s concerns to heart.
The FFF said no tickets would be sold over the internet to either set of fans, with tickets for the November 18 match going on sale from French retail outlets on Thursday.
The FFF said in a statement: “The Irish supporters are taken care of directly by their federation, with 10 percent of the total ticket allocation being allocated as was done for all the other World Cup qualifiers.
“There will be no sale of tickets over the internet.” A maximum of four tickets will be available per transaction and per person and tickets, once bought, would not be transferable.
French football officials added they would be cracking down on the re-sale of tickets at the stadium but also through the internet.
In 2004 Ireland, backed by a 30,000 strong support, held France to a 0-0 draw in a World Cup qualifier in France, although France won 1-0 in Dublin.
When asked whether playing the second leg this time at home would boost French hopes of going to the finals in South Africa next summer, Domenech added: “I don’t know, we’ll see once it’s finished.
“In any case, we need to get (French) people coming to the stadium in numbers. We don’t want a repeat of 2004 when we played at home with 30,000 Irish fans on our backs.
“The French have to jump on those tickets so the Irish don’t snap them all up. That will be a first small victory for us.”
Both France and the Republic of Ireland finished second in their respective World Cup groups and were drawn first out of the hat in the draw for the two-leg playoffs that will be contested November 14 and 18.
Ireland host France at Croke Park in Dublin first before the return leg at the Stade de France four days later decides which of the two teams qualifies for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
France coach Raymond Domenech, with bitter memories of 2004 when 30,000 Irish turned up and outsang their French hosts, demanded on Monday that Ireland be limited to a quarter of the total 80,000 available tickets for the Stade de France, namely 20,000.
“We can’t have the Irish having more tickets than what they should be allowed, 20,000 – with 60,000 French fans around them,” Domenech told AFP. The French Football Federation (FFF) proved even more stingy on Wednesday when they allocated just 8,000 tickets to the Irish fans.
The FFF’s decision was in accordance with their ticket allocation policy during the World Cup qualifiers, although it appears they have also taken Domenech’s concerns to heart.
The FFF said no tickets would be sold over the internet to either set of fans, with tickets for the November 18 match going on sale from French retail outlets on Thursday.
The FFF said in a statement: “The Irish supporters are taken care of directly by their federation, with 10 percent of the total ticket allocation being allocated as was done for all the other World Cup qualifiers.
“There will be no sale of tickets over the internet.” A maximum of four tickets will be available per transaction and per person and tickets, once bought, would not be transferable.
French football officials added they would be cracking down on the re-sale of tickets at the stadium but also through the internet.
In 2004 Ireland, backed by a 30,000 strong support, held France to a 0-0 draw in a World Cup qualifier in France, although France won 1-0 in Dublin.
When asked whether playing the second leg this time at home would boost French hopes of going to the finals in South Africa next summer, Domenech added: “I don’t know, we’ll see once it’s finished.
“In any case, we need to get (French) people coming to the stadium in numbers. We don’t want a repeat of 2004 when we played at home with 30,000 Irish fans on our backs.
“The French have to jump on those tickets so the Irish don’t snap them all up. That will be a first small victory for us.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)