Tuesday, 22nd June 2010
No Tears in Irish Beers
 
France vs South Africa
in Bloemfontein.
Judgement day for the hosts, South Africa, and former World Cup
Winners, France.
More than enough has been written about the turmoil in the French camp
and we all know that the hosts have never failed to qualify for the Second Round.
France couldn't do anything with Nicolas Anelka and Patrice Evra on
the field, so this is a chance to see how they get on without them.
It took twenty minutes for the deadlock to be broken; as Hugo Lloris
missed a punch on Siphiwe Tshabalala's corner and Bongani Khumalo rose high to head the
ball home and keep the hosts Bafana Bafana on course for a journey to the Second Round.
Then drama in the 26th minute as Oscar Ruiz produced a red card to
Yoann Gourcuff, for pushing his forearm into the face of MacBeth Sibaya while going up for
a high ball. It looked like a harsh call; one that Djibril Ciss� thought was directed at
him initially, for an over-head kick.
With a man advantage, South Africa just needed to look for goals and
hope for a result in the Mexico vs Uruguay game. In the
37th minute, Katlego Mphela bundled the ball over the line to heap even more misery on
France and offer a little more hope for the home fans.
Moeneeb Josephs was reminded that France were still there, when he was
called on to make a save shortly after.
Half-time: 0:2
Six minutes after the re-start, Tshabalala threaded a ball through for
Mphela; who side-footed the ball on to the crossbar.
Before the hour, Hugo Lloris had to make another fine save to deny the
lively Mphela.
After South Africa had put some entertaining passes together, Mphela
broke into the French penalty area but the angle was tight and he fired into the
side-netting.
Then, with twenty minutes to go, France substitute Florent Malouda
nipped in on a pass from Franck Rib�ry to score the goal that could have burst the South
African bubble.
Despite the hopes of a nation behind them, South Africa became the
first hosts not to make the Second Round.
Final Score:
France 1 South Africa 2
 Goalscorers:
0:1 Bongani Khumalo (20 mins)
0:2 Katlego Mphela (37 mins)
1:2 Florent Malouda (70 mins)
Man of The Match:
Siphiwe Tshabalala - Instead of going for goal himself he was happy to provide the
service.
Teams
 France:
1 Hugo Lloris; 22 Ga�l Clichy, 17 Sebastien Squillaci, 5 William Gallas, 2 Bacary Sagna;
7 Franck Rib�ry, 19 Abou Diaby, 18 Alou Diarra, 11 Andre-Pierre Gignac; 9 Djibril Ciss�,
8 Yoann Gourcuff.
 South Africa:
1 Moeneeb Josephs; 3 Tsepo Masilela, 20 Bongani Khumalo, 4 Aaron Mokoena, 5 Anele
Ngcongca; 8 Siphiwe Tshabalala, 6 MacBeth Sibaya, 23 Thanduyise Khuboni, 17 Bernard
Parker; 9 Katlego Mphela, 10 Steven Pienaar.
Referee:
Oscar Ruiz (Colombia)
 Substitutions:
46 Mins (France) - Florent Malouda on for Andre-Pierre Gignac
54 Mins (France) - Thierry Henry on for 9 Djibril Ciss�
55 Mins (South Africa) - 2 Siboniso Gaxa on for 5 Anele Ngcongca
68 Mins (South Africa) - 18 Siyabonga Nomvete on for 17 Bernard Parker
78 Mins (South Africa) - 11 Teko Modise on for 23 Thanduyise Khuboni
82 Mins (France) - 10 Sidney Govou on for 18 Alou Diarra
 1 Yellow
Card:
71 Mins - Abou Diaby (France)
 1 Red Card:
26 Mins - Yoann Gourcuff (France)
Mexico vs Uruguay.
Previous Encounters:
As former hosts themselves, France beat South Africa (3:0) in Marseilles at France 1998.
The French also won their 1997 friendly in Lens (2:1) but drew a blank
in the Year 2000, Johannesburg friendly.
2010 World Cup Finals - Knockout Stage.
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