France Finish a Thoroughly Disgusting Day
France beat Brazil 1-0. TH-12 finally played like TH-14, and managed the goal to get past the reputed, best team in the world. Guess that’s why they have to play the matches. To ruin my day.
All three of France’s fans are probably over the moon. At least there were 3 before the tournament started. There will be 3 million of them now.
Zidane was fabulous. If he think’s he’s over the hill, then 90% of the players in the world ought to quit as well. Maybe he’s angling for an MLS spot.
I think it was a good match. I was still a bit gutted over the first result of the day, though. I certainly didn’t want it to end. Especially not 1-0 to France.
France held Brasil to under 10 shots total. Amazing result.
In this tourney we have seen the importance of good coaching.
The Ecuadorian coach who got his team to believe in itself pushed his troops to the final 16.
The German coach whose use of unconventional methods clearly has his team prepared for the mental and physical challenges of such a pressure pot tourney.
And finally, I thought the French coach did a fantastic job of keeping his players focused 100% on how to beat Brasil. Not once all evening did the French stop concentrating on keeping Brasil out of advantageous situations. There were 5 or 6 occasions in which Brasil stole a pass from France and tried to move to the attack in advantage. Each time, the French player was aware of the situation and fouled the Brasilian player with the ball to stop play and let his mates get back.
I heard a comment on italian TV that I thought was apt. The Latin American teams play absolutely beautiful football and it is a pity that they have such bad coaches. Argentina are out thanks to pityful coacing and Brasil was clearly unprepared for France.
Much of the italian press are now calling the French odds on favorites to win.
I think that is a bit of “trying to avoid giving a jinx” to the good guys but on the other hand the parallel to italia 1982 is also interesting. the French are clearly gelling at the right time as a team. The win against Brasil was untainted and 100% merited by the French. If anything the ref tried to give Brasil a “hand” several times. He could have called a penalty shot for France when Ronaldo handed a ball in the scoring area but he did not and he gave Brasil a free kick near the end of the game because he said Thuram tripped Ronaldo but replay showed that Thuram did not so much as touch Ronaldo. Ronaldino nearly put that free kick in, god help us.
Zidane was simply incredible. He looked like his old self for 90 minutes. Can a 34 year old keep this up two more games.
I really really really do not like Scolari so I hope France keep this up and knock out Portugal but in spite of the Italian press, I cannot imagine France taking Italia, if they get past Germany. I could see France beating Germany however.
should be interesting.