Football World Cup 2010

[BaaBaa.]

But just consider the French team (and I know I am biased), take Anelka out and what have they got?

I don't understand how Benzema doesn't get a game!

Our boy Ngog could get a game in that side, he's been asked if he wants to play for Cameroon, upfront with Eto'o but I hope he bides his time and waits for France.

Not exactly the days of Zidane and Desailly is it?

[BaaBaa.]

Saying that, they've got two great fullbacks in Sagna and Evra, Gallas is a good CB when he's got his head together, Nasri is potentially superb, Ribery is one of the best wingers in the world and Flamini could still be in the squad.

Add Henry and Anelka and they aren't exactly mugs.

[caller]

Add Henry and Anelka and they aren't exactly mugs.

Play like crap though!

[PeteC]

I don't understand why they would need an entire replay. Just reset the clock, void the French goal, red card Henry, give Ireland the penalty shot and continue on from there. Maybe makes too much sense. Pete

[BaaBaa.]

Add Henry and Anelka and they aren't exactly mugs.

Play like crap though!

A bit like Engerland, on paper we've easily got the best back 4 in world football, 2 of the best attacking mids in Lampard and Gerrard, still shite though.

Bookies have got Brazil but on paper Spain should absolutely walk it.

Bookies go: Brazil, Spain, England, Argies.................

I don't really rate this Brazil side, they've got Kaka and Maicon but Spain beat them in every departmant bar fullbacks.

Torres, Villa, Alonso, Iniesta, Xavi, Fabregas, Busquets, Mata, Senna, Puyol, Ramos, Silva, Pique, Casillas, Reina.

It's fantasy stuff and easily the strongest squad in world football.

[JimmyGreaves]

Replay, about as likely as rocking horse shit.

[Randy Cornhole]

In the end of the day its only a game who gives a toss anyway.

There are more important things to worry about in life other than a bit of bladder on hand action...

[Lung Per]

I think you've got an American lassie there LP. Looks like American football on the TV in the background. King of Prussia is a town in Pennsylvania and there is a Hooters restaurant there. My Mom and Dad used to live close by. Pete

Thank you, my friend. I am perfectly aware of this. In the U.S., girls of Irish descent are still called Irish, Jewish descent Jewish, Hispanic (stricken by censorship). etc etc etc. Please be advised accordingly and have a nice day now, you hear.

[BaaBaa.]

In the end of the day its only a game who gives a toss anyway.

There are more important things to worry about in life other than a bit of bladder on hand action...

Looking forward to the World Cup Randy?

[STEVE G]

Now they've successfully knocked out Ireland, why don't they just disqualify France?

[redzonerocker]

Replay, about as likely as rocking horse shit.

i think thats about right !!!!
not because platini & blatter are in charge but because of the extra problems it could bring into the game.
replaying games because of offside goals or an infringement in the build up to one scored?? where would it end?
the recent sunderland/liverpool game was a prime candidate for a replay, there was a clear breach of the rules yet it's just been put down to a referee's error

the accusations of cheating are a bit over the top imo
would any player own up in henry's position??? he's not denying he handled the ball & gained an unfair advantage but he correctly states that it is purely down to a refereeing error & that's exactly what it is

in the ref's defence & in real time, before all the multi angled tv replays, was there a clear indication of the offence???
i think not & from the ref's position it would probably have been impossible.
cue the video ref!! within a minute, the goal is disallowed, free kick to the irish & henry is booked
i've never been overly keen on the extra technology but with high profile errors becoming so commonplace, maybe it is time to implement it.

[JimmyGreaves]

Well no replay.

Let's hope that this incident now brings in video replays to decide these incidents as it's getting well out of hand!

Slainte

[JimmyGreaves]

Good grammar above. I love these posts without the edit button arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[Bamboo Grove]

An interesting point of view from an Irishman and ex-Ireland player, a bitter one though. From BBC

Roy Keane has lambasted the Republic of Ireland's attempts to get their controversial World Cup play-off match against France replayed.

The Republic appealed to Fifa after their 2-1 aggregate defeat by France on the basis that the winning goal came after a blatant Thierry Henry handball.

But Ipswich boss Keane said: "They can complain all they want but France are going to the World Cup - get over it.

"France were there for the taking and Ireland didn't do it. Same old story."

The Irishman, who made 65 appearances for the Republic as a player, continued: "If I'd been there in the dressing room after the game, I wouldn't be talking about the handball. I'd focus on why the defenders didn't clear it. They should've cleared it.

"I'd be more annoyed with my defenders and my goalkeeper than Thierry Henry. How can you let the ball bounce in your six-yard box? How can you let Thierry Henry get goal-side of you? If the ball goes into the six-yard box, where the hell is my goalkeeper?

"These are skills and lessons you learn as a schoolboy.

"Ireland had their chances in the two games and they never took them. They had chances at Croke Park (in the first leg) and they had chances on Wednesday.

606: DEBATE
Is Roy Keane right?

"They didn't take them, but it's the usual FAI (Football Association of Ireland) reaction - 'we've been robbed, the honesty of the game...' It's rubbish."

And Keane pointed out that controversial decisions went Ireland's way in the qualifying campaign, not least a harsh penalty award against Georgia which helped them to clinch a 2-1 qualifying win in February.

"There was one match against Georgia where Ireland got a penalty and it was one of the worst decisions I've ever seen which changed the whole course of the game.

"I don't remember the FAI after the game saying we should give them a replay."

Keane's antipathy towards the FAI stems back to the Pacific island of Saipan in 2002 when he left the team's pre-World Cup training camp, complaining that the facilities were sub-standard.

Despite the efforts of the media, Keane and manager Mick McCarthy failed to resolve the conflict and Keane missed the World Cup.

[BaaBaa.]

He certainly shoots from the hip does Roy Keane. I don't really agree with what he's saying but he's the one ex-united player who has grown on me since he left that shower.