French Blues

France

Les Bleus and their many troubles; World Cup winners on home soil in 1998 and losing finalists in the last edition four years back. Unceremoniously dumped out of the 2002 World Cup without as much as a goal scored, and sneaked into South Africa 2010 with a massive slice of luck courtesy the ‘hand of Henry.’ Controversy has trailed the French team qualification for this year’s Mundial and will not just go away. The travails of Les Bleus are plenty and their fans have almost lost faith in the team. Under-fire coach, Raymond Domenech, is not a favourite with the French public and media alike.

1998 World Cup win on home soil was by default as the French were absent from the previous two editions (Italia ’90 and USA ‘94). An ageing French team got a rude awakening when they fell at the group stages in Korea/Japan 2002 (that 0-1 loss to Senegal in the opening match of that tournament is still rated as one of the biggest upset in football history). Les Bleus could not score a goal in the Far East (player fatigue and burn-out were given as excuses afterwards), with wholesome changes to the team and change of personnel at the helm, 2006 in Germany was a success although muted. France will go on to lose the in the final to Italy on penalty shoot-outs after talismanic Zinedine Zidane was sent off for that ‘infamous’ head butt on Italy’s Marco Materazzi.

There is growing discontent among the French public about the team in general and Domenech in particular. France had the luxury of the play-offs to qualify for South Africa after a roller-coaster qualifiers saw them finish behind Serbia. The French redeemed themselves in 2006 but 2010 may prove to be a bridge too far for Les Bleus with scandals flying here and there, discontent amongst the fans; that is no way to prepare for the biggest tournament in World Football. The likes of Thierry Henry and possibly Nicolas Anelka, it will be a final World Cup appearance paving the way for exciting talents like Karim Benzema, Hatem Ben Arfa to take centre stage.

France look set to slip back in the pre-1998 football wilderness if care is not taken. The French are bereft of excuses this time around and I don’t expect Mr. Domenech to manage Les Bleus in the nearest future.