France has secured a spot in the fifa world cup in controversial circumstances, yesterdays game was an emotionally charged and highly spirited game which saw France euphoric as they qualified and Ireland absolutely shattered. Ireland took the early lead 1-0 after a Robbie Keane strike, just over the 30 min mark. Ireland was highly charged and eager to make their mark, and that’s what they did.
Ireland’s only goal pushed the game into extra time, with the game going down to the wire. During the extra time period, William Gallas equalised and secured Frances entry to the fifa world cup. The goal was highly controversial with Thierry Henry appearing to and later admitting to handling the ball as so it would not go out and then cross it to Gallas. The Irish were furious and the French full of jubilation. It was a fantastic spectacle to watch and it’s a pity it ended the way that it did.
This Saturday France and Ireland will do battle for qualification into the 2010 fifa world cup to be held in South Africa next year. The first leg will be held in Dublin on the 14th of November, and then the second leg 4 days later on the 1u8th. France has had a particularly poor qualifying campaign, winning only two games from five, they eventually finished on 2nd in the group stages 1 point behind Serbia. Missing out on automatic qualification has mounted pressure on the coach and team.