RSS
ATOM
advertisement
Irish Angle: After Blaming Thierry Henry, Consider Our Own Deficiencies
We would do well to bring our own failings into focus instead of making a pariah of Thierry Henry...
|
Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £100 in free bets! |
|
Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
Sign up with Paddy Power for a free bet up to £50 |
Nov 19, 2009 6:30:44 PM
Let the witch-hunt begin... Throw away your Gillette razors, kick in the windscreen of the closest Clio you can find and never again put Reebok shoes on your feet.
Thierry Henry is a fraudster, huckster, cheat and charlatan and he is the only reason why the Republic of Ireland will not be playing at the World Cup next summer.
Except he's not.
Ireland have another element to blame for their upcoming summer of friendlies. It may be tough to admit it and see through the fog of resentment but a lack of firepower in Paris and not enough conviction in the second half of the first-leg in Dublin have also counted against us.
It is very easy in hindsight to identify a turning point of the World Cup European zone play-off in Saint Denis on Wednesday night. For even the most myopic of French observers and every Irishman within sight of the pitch or a TV, Les Bleus took the initiative and the upper hand when their captain displayed a flagrant lack of scruples and shovelled the ball onto his own volley before crossing for William Gallas to score.
But events both before and after that blemish on Henry's reputation could have rewritten the destiny of the tie, in some sort of Donnie Darko styled alteration of a parallel universe.
Damien Duff really should have given Ireland a two-goal advantage on the night just after the hour mark when his finish lacked anything close to conviction.
Robbie Keane, too, was guilty of passing up a career-defining chance when immortality beckoned; rounding Hugo Lloris is difficult at the best of times and on this occasion it was also ill-advised. How many Irishmen and women internally pleaded for their captain to dink the ball over the onrushing goalie's head?
The fact that the tie even got as far as the 103rd minute was a damning indictment of the finishing skills on display from the visitors, despite, paradoxically, one of their finest ever away performances in all other departments.
To a man, each fulfilled the system perfectly. Keith Andrews looked immense, bossing Lassana Diarra around like an ugly wife with low self esteem. Liam Lawrence was David Beckham-esque with his slick hair, white-boots, dubious tattoos and unerring dead-ball delivery and work rate.
Kevin Doyle worked the channels and caused Squillaci and Gallas problems, except in the one area that counts. His first half headed chance might have been dispatched by a striker in scoring form. Trapattoni's men should have been well and truly out of sight before Titi's intervention.
Perhaps that is the one underlying reason for discontentment. The 'if onlys' are tough to swallow, even more so when a brazen act of cowardice decided the fate of these World Cup-chasing teams.
Keith Andrews: A Man Maligned, But Showed His Worth
Speaking of chasing, that is exactly what the Irish got in their own backyard last Saturday, from 21:00 - 21:45. An effervescent first-half display gave way to a lethargic, inept and nervous half of football in which France could have had at least three goals. The reactions of Andrews and company at the final whistle best illustrated Irish frustrations with themselves after a recognisably dismal showing.
Ireland had little, if any, right to still have genuine interest in the tie by Wednesday, a fact acknowledged by the bookmakers' overwhelming endorsement of French progress. But we are an irrepressible team. Some observers would have been buoyed by the one-goal deficit; arguing that we would have lost any advantage gained in Dublin on the plane on the way over, such are the jitters that usually accompany an Irish lead. However, France sagged meekly for a 90 minute duration of the game on Wednesday, played our game, but Ireland could not kill them off.
When extra-time rolled around, Ireland did look like a spent force, playing out time with neither ambitions to score nor composure in the pass.
Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka roused the French from their dross slumber and showed the Irish team of that which they are truly capable. Shots, breakaways, an attempt to win a penalty kick; by the time Malouda floated the fateful ball for Henry, the Irish were on the ropes after France's best, and only, spell of the game.
There is no guarantee that Ireland would have survived the onslaught, no guarantee that they might have won the tie on penalty kicks. Conversely, France may not have scored either and Trap's men would have deserved a shot at spot-kicks. However, in a turnaround to the preceding 90 minutes, the Irish were ripe for the plucking in over time.
And now, not only because of Henry, we are out. Sidney Govou should have put it beyond, in the words of Jay-Z, reasonable doubt in injury time and then perhaps we wouldn't have had pop the puss-filled zit that will scar the face and stain the shirt of France's captain from here on in.
Was it out of character? Ask Ricardo Carvalho and Carles Puyol, who were both on the end of Thierry's gamesmanship at the 2006 World Cup. I have no problem saying it; Thierry Henry is a cheat. But the greatest injustice is that we allowed his boorishness to become the reason we missed out.
Peter Staunton, Goal.com
Thierry Henry is a fraudster, huckster, cheat and charlatan and he is the only reason why the Republic of Ireland will not be playing at the World Cup next summer.
Except he's not.
Ireland have another element to blame for their upcoming summer of friendlies. It may be tough to admit it and see through the fog of resentment but a lack of firepower in Paris and not enough conviction in the second half of the first-leg in Dublin have also counted against us.
It is very easy in hindsight to identify a turning point of the World Cup European zone play-off in Saint Denis on Wednesday night. For even the most myopic of French observers and every Irishman within sight of the pitch or a TV, Les Bleus took the initiative and the upper hand when their captain displayed a flagrant lack of scruples and shovelled the ball onto his own volley before crossing for William Gallas to score.
But events both before and after that blemish on Henry's reputation could have rewritten the destiny of the tie, in some sort of Donnie Darko styled alteration of a parallel universe.
Damien Duff really should have given Ireland a two-goal advantage on the night just after the hour mark when his finish lacked anything close to conviction.
Robbie Keane, too, was guilty of passing up a career-defining chance when immortality beckoned; rounding Hugo Lloris is difficult at the best of times and on this occasion it was also ill-advised. How many Irishmen and women internally pleaded for their captain to dink the ball over the onrushing goalie's head?
The fact that the tie even got as far as the 103rd minute was a damning indictment of the finishing skills on display from the visitors, despite, paradoxically, one of their finest ever away performances in all other departments.
To a man, each fulfilled the system perfectly. Keith Andrews looked immense, bossing Lassana Diarra around like an ugly wife with low self esteem. Liam Lawrence was David Beckham-esque with his slick hair, white-boots, dubious tattoos and unerring dead-ball delivery and work rate.
Kevin Doyle worked the channels and caused Squillaci and Gallas problems, except in the one area that counts. His first half headed chance might have been dispatched by a striker in scoring form. Trapattoni's men should have been well and truly out of sight before Titi's intervention.
Perhaps that is the one underlying reason for discontentment. The 'if onlys' are tough to swallow, even more so when a brazen act of cowardice decided the fate of these World Cup-chasing teams.
Keith Andrews: A Man Maligned, But Showed His Worth
Speaking of chasing, that is exactly what the Irish got in their own backyard last Saturday, from 21:00 - 21:45. An effervescent first-half display gave way to a lethargic, inept and nervous half of football in which France could have had at least three goals. The reactions of Andrews and company at the final whistle best illustrated Irish frustrations with themselves after a recognisably dismal showing.
Ireland had little, if any, right to still have genuine interest in the tie by Wednesday, a fact acknowledged by the bookmakers' overwhelming endorsement of French progress. But we are an irrepressible team. Some observers would have been buoyed by the one-goal deficit; arguing that we would have lost any advantage gained in Dublin on the plane on the way over, such are the jitters that usually accompany an Irish lead. However, France sagged meekly for a 90 minute duration of the game on Wednesday, played our game, but Ireland could not kill them off.
When extra-time rolled around, Ireland did look like a spent force, playing out time with neither ambitions to score nor composure in the pass.
Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka roused the French from their dross slumber and showed the Irish team of that which they are truly capable. Shots, breakaways, an attempt to win a penalty kick; by the time Malouda floated the fateful ball for Henry, the Irish were on the ropes after France's best, and only, spell of the game.
There is no guarantee that Ireland would have survived the onslaught, no guarantee that they might have won the tie on penalty kicks. Conversely, France may not have scored either and Trap's men would have deserved a shot at spot-kicks. However, in a turnaround to the preceding 90 minutes, the Irish were ripe for the plucking in over time.
And now, not only because of Henry, we are out. Sidney Govou should have put it beyond, in the words of Jay-Z, reasonable doubt in injury time and then perhaps we wouldn't have had pop the puss-filled zit that will scar the face and stain the shirt of France's captain from here on in.
Was it out of character? Ask Ricardo Carvalho and Carles Puyol, who were both on the end of Thierry's gamesmanship at the 2006 World Cup. I have no problem saying it; Thierry Henry is a cheat. But the greatest injustice is that we allowed his boorishness to become the reason we missed out.
Peter Staunton, Goal.com
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £100 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power for a free bet up to £50 |
|
Thank you for your comment!
Please enter your name
Please enter your location
Please share your comment!
123 Comments
Advertisement
Live!
Champions League LIVE!
Join Goal.com for all the Champions League action as we bring you the latest team news, press conferences and analysis. Contact us on Twitter @goal_intl with any questions...
Hosted by Stephen Crawford & Adam Scime
Hosted by Stephen Crawford & Adam Scime
2/15/12
And with that, we're going to call it a night, folks.
We've had two tremendous matches today, so lets hope the intensity keeps up in the next clashes!
Until next time, this is LIVE commentator Stephen Crawford signing off.
From everyone here at Goal.com, thanks for joining us!
We've had two tremendous matches today, so lets hope the intensity keeps up in the next clashes!
Until next time, this is LIVE commentator Stephen Crawford signing off.
From everyone here at Goal.com, thanks for joining us!
2/15/12
All this focus on the Arsenal and Milan game should not take away from another cracker earlier tonight between Zenit and Benfica. The Russians came from a goal down to lead 2-1 in the closing minutes before Oscar Cardozo levelled things for Benfica, but it wasn't over there as Roman Shirokov won the game for Zenit in the 88th minute.
Here's the thoughts of Benfica coach Jorge Jesus, who felt his side deserved a point from the game.
Here's the thoughts of Benfica coach Jorge Jesus, who felt his side deserved a point from the game.
2/15/12
Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny bemoaned his side's luck tonight but refused to give up. Here's some of his quotes:
"They were the better team on the night and that's the story of the day.
"We have to keep fighting, pick ourselves up, get the confidence back and challenge in the other competitions and in the second leg of this tie too.
"They punished us on every occasion; they scored some quality goals and they deserved to win."
Full story HERE
"They were the better team on the night and that's the story of the day.
"We have to keep fighting, pick ourselves up, get the confidence back and challenge in the other competitions and in the second leg of this tie too.
"They punished us on every occasion; they scored some quality goals and they deserved to win."
Full story HERE
2/15/12
Another Milan player who was willing to share his thoughts after the match was Mark van Bommel, who has urged caution ahead of the second leg in London.
“The score made it look like it was an easy game, but it certainly wasn't.
(Strange... it looked pretty easy from where I was sitting, but hey.)
“I do not think it's over yet. I remember a clash between Milan and Deportivo la Coruna when Milan was also ahead by four goals, and in the end Deportivo eliminated Milan.
“I went into the Arsenal dressing room after the match to speak to Robin van Persie. I had agreed with him to swap shirts – my sons are big fans of his and he brought two for them. They will be delighted.
Van Bommel went on to talk about a possible move to PSV in the future, but was quick to point out his terms for the move.
“I've spoken with PSV, but we don't have an agreement yet. The club has to decide what they want.
“If Louis van Gaal turns out to be the new coach, I won't go.”
“The score made it look like it was an easy game, but it certainly wasn't.
(Strange... it looked pretty easy from where I was sitting, but hey.)
“I do not think it's over yet. I remember a clash between Milan and Deportivo la Coruna when Milan was also ahead by four goals, and in the end Deportivo eliminated Milan.
“I went into the Arsenal dressing room after the match to speak to Robin van Persie. I had agreed with him to swap shirts – my sons are big fans of his and he brought two for them. They will be delighted.
Van Bommel went on to talk about a possible move to PSV in the future, but was quick to point out his terms for the move.
“I've spoken with PSV, but we don't have an agreement yet. The club has to decide what they want.
“If Louis van Gaal turns out to be the new coach, I won't go.”
2/15/12
Next up is the Milan maestro Clarence Seedorf. He only managed 12 minutes on the pitch, but watching from the sidelines he was delighted at how his team mates had dominated the game.
"Tonight everything went in the right direction and we did a very good match. You don't start a match thinking to win 4-0, but at the end i think we deserved it coz we played very well."
"Tonight everything went in the right direction and we did a very good match. You don't start a match thinking to win 4-0, but at the end i think we deserved it coz we played very well."
Inside Goal.Com
-
Champions League Player Ratings: AC Milan 4-0 Arsenal
Goals from Kevin-Prince Boateng, Robinho and Zlatan Ibrahimovic handed the Italian side a victory that all but seals their progression to the next round of the competition
-
Champions League Player Ratings: Zenit 3-2 Benfica
Goal.com casts a studious eye over the performers at the Petrovsky Stadium as a late goal settles a thriller in the Russian's favour and sets up enthralling second leg
-
Serie A Player Ratings: Parma 0-0 Juventus
The Bianconeri missed a great chance to go back to the top of Serie A, but they caused the home side plenty of problems thanks mainly to Andrea Pirlo
-
Messi breaks Champions League knockout record
The Argentine, still only 24, is level with current record holders Raul and Andriy Shevchenko, but can surpass the two European greats with a solitary strike at Leverkusen tonight
-
Should 'Vanishing Spray' be introduced globally?
The spray, which has been designed to stop defensive walls from encroaching closer than 10 yards to the ball at free-kicks, is set to be discussed at next month's IFAB meeting
Advertisement
Advertisement
