Irish hearts broken in Paris

Storm surrounds Henry as luck deserts Irish in Parisian controversy

By Peter Fraser   Last updated: 20th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Irish hearts broken in Paris

Duff: Devastated after the final whistle

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Republic of Ireland's dreams of reaching the 2010 World Cup finals were shattered after they suffered a cruel and controversial 1-1 extra-time draw with France in Paris to lose their play-off on aggregate.

Robbie Keane had erased Les Bleus' one-goal advantage from the opening meeting in the first half, but William Gallas struck in contentious circumstances in extra-time after Thierry Henry had handled in the build-up to book a place in South Africa.

What was already a colossal fixture in terms of importance had been given plenty of additional stirring from the first leg, which 1998 world champions France won thanks to Nicolas Anelka's deflected 72nd minute strike at Croke Park.

Ugly scenes involving Ireland's Keith Andrews and France's Lassana Diarra after the final whistle had overshadowed the match in Dublin and suggested Giovanni Trapattoni's visiting team arrived at a packed Stade de France with additional intent.

But it was a tense opening as Ireland answered Trapattoni's calls for 'cool heads' and dictated the first half-hour, correcting the weekend's wastefulness in possession, to be rewarded when captain Keane converted Damien Duff's 33rd minute cutback.

Ireland finished the half with their noses deservedly in front on the night, with Raymond Domenech's France delivering the sort of turgid display which had been heavily criticised when they crashed out of Euro 2008 at the group stages.

The home side emerged after the interval with more intent, but it was Duff who had the best chance as he charged through and forced Hugo Lloris to demonstrate why he is beginning to carve a reputation as one of Europe's sharpest goalkeepers.

Neither side could find another goal in 90 minutes, but Gallas equalised from close range in the first half of extra-time to sneak a 2-1 aggregate win after France skipper Henry had avoided punishment when clearly controlling a free-kick with his hand.

Believe

Victory over the course of the tie spared France manager Raymond Domenech further abuse, although when the dust settles, his critics may be far from appeased.

Keane had been at pains to insist at Ireland's pre-match press conference at the Stade de France that the tie was far from over, and while his confidence was commendable, few outside the Irish camp were completely won over by his optimism.

But by the time the half-time whistle sounded, the men in green both on and off the pitch were starting to believe.

Republic keeper Shay Given was a virtual spectator for much of the half, and as the men in front of him grew in confidence, it was the visitors who started to make an impression.

Patrice Evra had already had to climb high to prevent Liam Lawrence from connecting with Duff's 18th minute cross and the Stoke midfielder, once again preferred to Aiden McGeady on the right, was in the thick of the action once again six minutes later.

He met Kevin Doyle's cross at the far post to head the ball down for Keane and only the vigilance of keeper Lloris, who rushed from his line to punch clear before the striker could pounce, spared France.

There was panic among the French defence once again with 26 minutes gone when Lawrence crossed from the right and Doyle glanced a header across the face of goal.

It was all very encouraging for the Irish, and their prayers were answered 13 minutes before the break.

Duff was gifted acres of space on the left to make his way to the goalline before looking up and picking out Keane with the perfect pass.

Reaction

The striker gleefully side-footed the ball past Lloris and into the bottom corner to set France back on their heels and blow the tie wide open.

Domenech's side attempted to respond but their reaction was lukewarm, and the home crowd, having booed both their own manager and President Nicolas Sarkozy when their respective images appeared on the stadium's big screens, repeated the dose as the teams left the pitch at the break.

Their mood would have taken a significant turn for the worse had Ireland made the most of a glorious opportunity within two minutes of the restart.

Trapattoni and his players had spoken repeatedly about France's perceived weakness from set-pieces in the run-up to the tie, and they had been disappointed not to exploit it at Croke Park on Saturday.

But they very nearly did just that when Lawrence curled a 47th-minute free-kick to the far post where the unmarked O'Shea, perhaps astonished to be given so much time and space, controlled on his chest only to volley high over.

The French response improved, and Given was called upon to make his first real save with 54 minutes gone, but Anelka's long-range effort never troubled him.

As the home side pushed men forward, they became increasingly vulnerable, and Trapattoni's troops were presented with a gilt-edged opening with 61 minutes gone.

Lawrence's defence-splitting pass put Duff in on goal, but the winger was denied by the impressive Lloris as he pulled off yet another vital stop.

Anelka glanced a header wide at one end and Keane rounded Lloris but could not get in a shot at the other as the game became increasingly frantic.

Given had to claw away an Anelka cross deep into injury time, but Ireland more than deserved their extra 30 minutes.

However, Ireland's luck deserted them 13 minutes into extra-time when Henry handled Florent Malouda's delivery before crossing for Gallas to score.

FranceTeam StatisticsRepublic of Ireland
1Goals1
01st Half Goals1
3Shots on Target2
8Shots off Target4
11Blocked Shots3
7Corners4
17Fouls23
3Offsides2
3Yellow Cards3
0Red Cards0
73.4Passing Success61.5
12Tackles29
91.7Tackles Success65.5
55.4Possession44.6
50.6Territorial Advantage49.4

Comments (139)

Ben H (West Ham United fan) says...

I think it's easy to say we need video evidence when big mistakes like these are made. I don't think video evidence is always conclusive though which is why it should stay out of football. Eg, take the Liverpool V Man Utd game - Jamie Carragher brings down Michael Owen on the edge of the box. Many people will say he should have been sent off, many will say it was only a yellow because other players would have got back. It's all about opinion which does make football more competitive and unique in that sense. I'm all for goal line technology because it's simply 'did it cross the line'. Video evidence outside of the goal could ruin the game in my opinion.

Posted 20:57 19th November 2009

Liam O sullivan (Manchester United fan) says...

I think they should definately replay the game for the dignity of football,im fed up with a game thats becoming a hotbed for cheats conmen and divers,

Posted 20:55 19th November 2009

Richard Price says...

There shouldn't be a replay....France should be booted out and Ireland should take their place. Cheats in other sports are kicked out so why not France. Ireland were much the better team and deserved it. Anelka tried a blatant dive 5 minutes earlier. For me, Henry can never now be classed as a true sporting great because he is a cheat (like Maradona).

Posted 20:55 19th November 2009

T Leydon (Manchester United fan) says...

Its almost twenty four hours since the biggest miscarriage of justice in football since the now infamous Maradona hand of God, as a proud Irish support I am still reeling from the moment when Thierry Henry handled the ball twice before crossing the ball to Gallas which lead to France scoring a decisive goal which resulted in Ireland been eliminated from going to next summers World Cup in South Africa. Henry's premeditated action to gain an unfair advantage ensuring the ball did not go out of play can be seen as nothing more than cheating. To avoid goal month instances which go unnoticed it must surely be time now to introduce goal line technology as the stakes and rewards are so high in the modern game. Its is now the duty of FIFA if they truly believe in international sportsmanship and in the interest of fair play that they organise the game be replayed, to ignore such calls and do nothing will only lead to the demise and credibility of our beautiful game.

Posted 20:30 19th November 2009

Nick Hadges (Chelsea fan) says...

who cares, Ireland fans that is unlucky but deal with it, not like they created thousands of chances during the game anyway or had any penalty claims and France were very poor. In all honesty the spirit of the game is gone and from a nuetral spectator point of view you would rather see France play who have Henry, Anelka, Ribery, Gourcoff and Malouda than Ireland.

Posted 20:26 19th November 2009

Steve Prendegast (Bristol City fan) says...

The whole thing stinks from seeding to last night. FIFA will do nothing but trundle on with their heads in the sand and keep the status quo and commercial interests happy. Gillette have said they are doing nothing about Henry. Well Im doing something - Im boycotting Gillette, that's the only thing these people understand - money.

Posted 19:53 19th November 2009

Michael Dickinson (Liverpool fan) says...

Thierry Henry should hang he's head in shame.A great player who from now on will only be remebered as a "DIRTY CHEAT" I think it's also fare to say that Henry has cast a dark cloud over football and the way this great game is run. I also feel sorry for France having to play in the World Cup with everyone knowing they cheated. When al the young kids at our local football club turned up for training today boys/girls it was sad---sad to see their little faces --One little boy who was a Thierry Henry fan said he took a poster of T.Henry of he's beedroom wall and put it in the bin--the child was crying for God sake!

Posted 19:45 19th November 2009

Darryl Pearce (Manchester United fan) says...

The most popular sport in the world and the brains trust (FIFA) cannot do anything positive about the cheating that goes on. Other popular sports have manged to use technology and have proved it works. Soccer may be one of the oldest sports around but does that mean they have to stay in the dark ages. The first time Henry used his hand could have been accidental! but the second touch was definitely not accidental.

Posted 19:13 19th November 2009

Ian Singleton says...

just another example showing that cheating pays, bring in the video replay, and make the game equal for the big and small teams.gutted for the irish,the tournement needs their fans.

Posted 18:38 19th November 2009

Bill Wild (Hull City fan) says...

Welcome to sport. The referee is the sole judge of fact. Even if you bring in video ref it is the referees decision to defer to the fourth official, so the ref IS in fact the final arbiter of fact. Imagine a situation where this is not the case especially given the proliferation of prima donnas and actors in football everyone would be wanting a re match. The whistle has gone Ireland were hard done by off course they were. Henri did his job well his team are in the world cup. I remeber the match when Maradonnas handball putEengland out I was sat in a pub full of Irishmen some wearing Argentina shirts. Not funny is it boys guess what goes round comes round deal with it. Remeber Ferguson faced a tribunal for criticizing the referee recently . Unlucky Ireland. The obvious option which remains open is to sue Henri in the courts for loss of income, Caused by his obvious and deliberate cheating.

Posted 18:25 19th November 2009

Brendan O'sullivan says...

I think two issues come to mind here: Firstly, the "benefit-of-the-doubt" which the big countries get--they almost always get the breaks. Secondly, soccer is one of the last major world sports that does not have the video replay. I'm sure, if this were in place in Paris yesterday, Ireland may now be going to South Africa. The referee would surely have overturned his decision to allow the goal once he had seen the replays. A system similar to the coach's challenge as employed in American Football could be developed. A very disappointed but not-too-surprised ex-pat.

Posted 18:20 19th November 2009

Andy Atkinson says...

Time for the FIFA technophobes to wake up to justice & integrity (or are they just like our politicians). I favour the tennis challenge system. Give sides 2 challenges per game. Upon a challenge the ref asks the players concerned 'did you dive', 'did you catch him', did you handball' etc. Player has chance to correct a challenged decision - Henry just says yes I handled it and goal is ruled out. If player denies wrong doing ref in stands checks the tapes and makes final decision. If player found to have 'deceived' ref gives him a straight red (to be followed by suitable ban) and corrects the decision - Henry goes off and Ireland get advantage. Wow - think about the potentially added drama while we wait for the verdict! Use this system to check ball crossing line. But sides only have 2 challenges as potential lifelines which are used up if challenge is overturned. Therefore games not unreasonably slowed up and we can all continue to argue about all the other minor controversies. But just imagine how many critical wrong decisions could get corrected. The only flaw in my plan is that sides may find multiple challenges upheld, undermining rubbish refs on the field. Yep..... that's why it'll never happen.

Posted 17:25 19th November 2009

Ronald N (Arsenal fan) says...

there goes the English Media being blind sided about the situation and putting all d blame on Henry just because its Ireland(a UK team)...i honestly believe that if Robbie Keane had performed the hand ball people would be saying he did what any professional footballer would have done i his position....i feel bad 4 Ireland but honestly this is simply the result of poor referring...

Posted 17:24 19th November 2009

David Black says...

I do not think there will be a replay between France and Ireland cos the result will be final as according to a FIFA rule and the FIFA will likely reject FIA's demand. This is because there will be a draw in two week's time and it would have affected the draw if the replay was to be announced, That may be why FIFA will more likely to reject the replay demand.. Tap is right to say it will be impossible to ask for a replay so close to the draw. It will be better to forget about the replay and get on with it. Also that French reporter in Oxford said the same in Sky News and he is also right - we have to gen on with it. But I think technology or officials by the goal would be needed for future game. .

Posted 17:14 19th November 2009

Michael O haloron (Liverpool fan) says...

Hang Your Head in shame FRANCE & HENRY and FIFA Ireland won that game and thank you all at Sky News for informing the world very with the great coverage you have given this cheating ...its meant to be sport and fair play this was our and utter CHEATING!!

Posted 16:50 19th November 2009

Dairmuid Mcl says...

I rang FIFA in Switzerland to lodge a complaint on how they have conducted themslves in the aftermath of last nights match. I was told to send them an email, once I told them that I work for a world wide brand and that we are considering in pulling our sponsorship of the world cup I was told to send them a fax straight away as emails are not read and that it would be looked at immediately. Why is it that they are only interested in money and not fair play as they say they are? They are a disgrace, their game is now a disgrace, and the repercussions will be immense.

Posted 16:05 19th November 2009

Irl Supporter says...

This is what blatter says on fifa web site FIFA is no longer merely an institution that runs our sport. It has now taken on a social, cultural, political and sporting dimension in the struggle to educate children and defeat poverty.May be time for them to stick to soccer

Posted 16:05 19th November 2009

Roland Shaw (Arsenal fan) says...

I strongly believe they should replay the qualify and if they do Thierry Henry should be banned from that match. My beloved ireland played with grit and determination and were robbed by what was a clear and blatant handball. How come the whole world saw the incident and the referee didnt. If there is no replay, than Fifa are not so keen on fair play.

Posted 15:59 19th November 2009

Keith Hennessy (Celtic fan) says...

Henry is a cheat, pure and simple. Must also question if FIFA wanting the 'big teams' at the World Cup played a part. Shame on you FIFA,France and Henry.

Posted 15:51 19th November 2009

Lynda Trafford (Liverpool fan) says...

If France had any decency they would pull out of the World Cup and let Ireland go, lets face it I hope all the teams who have qualified for the World Cup disrespect them like they did Ireland. We cannot say if the officials seen what Henry done but the linesman must of seen that two French players were offside so without the hand ball the goal should not have stood anyway. I would love FIFA to show they can be proffesional and say the game has to be played again on a neutral ground

Posted 15:44 19th November 2009

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