Nicolas LODEIRO red carded after getting second caution
The France national football team at the 2010 FIFA World cup failed to live up to their billing by failing to get maximum points from the Uruguay national football team in Friday’s other Group A match played at Durban. Despite some good play and tantalizing intervals, the French, 1998 World Cup championns who had many big star names could only manage a 0-0 draw with Uruguay who also gave a fair account of themselves as twice World Cup winners.
France who were the pre tournament Group A favourites failed to take advantage of an earlier slip by South Africa’s Bafana Bafana and Mexico football team who drew 1-1 in the Group’s and World Cup opening match earlier at Johannesburg stadium.
France Coach Coach Raymond Domenech was forced to watch through an agonizing match in which his team missed many chances to score and survived an equal number of threats from the Uruguay team whose striking line up led by Diego Forlan was a constant threat to the French.
In the 71st minute, Domenech brought on Barcelona Striker Thierry HENRYand in the 74th minute, Chelsea winger Florent MALOUDA to improve their fortunes at goal but the experienced pair didn’t do much to change matters though Malouda and Henry’s efforts were clear on the pitch with near chances.
The Uruguay team finished with 10 men following the suspension of youngster Nicolas LODEIRO who had been introduced by Uruguay coach Oscar TABAREZ as a second half substitute.
The result leaves Group A without any clear leader or favourities although South Africa and Mexico who lead with one point and one goal apiece will fancy their chances if they can secure better results in their following Group A matches next week.