FRANCE 98 – Match Summary n°6
France got their World Cup campaign of to a flying star with a 3-0 win over tournament newcomers South Africa at a wind-battered Stade Velodrome here on Friday. The lack of a truly world-class striker had been seen as France’s weak spot, but against a heavily-packed South African defence they showed they have plenty cutting edge throughout the team.
South Africa, playing in their first World Cup finals, barely managed a shot on goal all game and victory against Denmark in Toulouse on Thursday is now imperative. South Africa’s French manager shrugged off the defeat, saying: ” This is exactly the position I expected us to be in. Realistically, we always felt our best chance of reaching the next stage was by beating the Danes and Saudi Arabia. The French victory was deserved but I think the score flattered them. We lost quite heavily, but we showed great spirit and in that respect I don’t see the match as a defeat. ” ” We tried to show we weren’t here just to defend. I did stiffen the midfield but France turned in a fine performance-they are a quality side. “
Booing at the draw here in December raised fears that the Marseille crowd would embarrass the French by not throwing their full support behind the team. But the concerns proved unfounded as the team emerged from the tunnel to be met by a deafening wall of noise. The biggest problem for the players turned out to be the wind as the area’s notorious ‘Mistral’, which had reached speeds of up to 120 kmh during the day and forced the abandonment of the pre-match curtain raiser, making passing difficult.
Despite the difficult conditions and the tightly packed, well-drilled South African defence, France’s quality all round the pitch as they cruised to an ultimately comfortable win. The goals came from local Marseille hero Christophe Dugarry, a first half substitute for knee victim Stephane Guivarc’h, an own goal by Pierre Issa and Thierry Henry.
French coach Aime Jacquet said he was delighted by his team’s performance. ” I thought we were tremendous for two reasons. Firstly, the terrible wind made it very difficult for us to play. We found it very difficult to impose ourselves on the game in those conditions. The fact that we managed it in the end was a great credit to us. Secondly, we were playing a very good South Africa side who made us dig very deep. They were very disciplined defensively but in the end our spirit and desire to win was stronger. But this was just the beginning and we must now set off down new avenues. “
South African defensive midfielder Mark Fish said the Bafana Bafana (Boys) must play more attacking football if they are to reach the second round. ” We have to get forward and attack. If the front men and the midfield can do that then we will score goals as well as take the pressure off the defence. France have the all-round quality to win the tournament. It’s early days but they are the best team I’ve seen so far. I saw Brazil against Scotland and they did not loook as good as France. “
South Africa defender David Nyathi said the mood in the South African dressing room afterwards was not depressed. ” We always knew France on their home soil would be the most difficult of our group games, “ he said. ” We tried our best, but in the first half the wind was against us and they were very solid defensively. The manager told us that it is not the end of the world and coming so far as a new international football nation just six years is fantastic. “
French skipper Didier Deschamps said he was proud of his side’s performance.” When the national anthems were playing it was a really poignant moment and it really geed us all up. We mustn’t lose our way now. We have made a good start but it’s only one match. It’s good for our confidence but we have to turn our thoughts to the next game now. We had spent two years working up to this, so it’s mission accomplished as far as June 12 goes. But nothing more, “ said the Juventus midfielder.