Related News
Diaby gives French hope with Vieira-like display
Source: Agencies |
June 12, 2010, Saturday
|
Online Edition
Online Edition
FRANCE are still looking to unearth a new Zinedine Zidane, but they at least seem to have found the next Patrick Vieira.
Abou Diaby was a ray a hope in France's lackluster 0-0 draw with Uruguay in their World Cup opener yesterday, stepping out of the shadow of Vieira, who is now in the twilight of his career and did not make the squad.
A surprise starter against Uruguay, the powerful 24-year-old midfielder was his side's best player by a long way and now seems an automatic choice for coach Raymond Domenech.
Diaby, who had been convincing when he came on in France's three warm-up games, treated the France fans to a performance reminiscent of Vieira.
The lanky frame and the ability to win the ball and advance it up the field with calm authority brought to mind Vieira in his pomp.
Diaby, who plays for Arsenal in the role once filled by the former France captain, is now ready to do the same for the 1998 World Cup winners.
"I tried to do my job but I really wanted us to win this game," Diaby told reporters in Cape Town, putting aside his own display to admit it was two points dropped by France.
"Personally I think I can do even better."
Diaby, who has had a decent season for Arsenal and earned warm praise from his club manager Arsene Wenger, knew his hour might come in South Africa for two reasons.
Fellow holding midfielder Lassana Diarra has been ruled out of the finals by illness while Domenech's new, more attacking 4-3-3 formation suits Diaby.
"He's an interesting player, both defensively and in attack, and he did not disappoint me," Domenech said after Diaby advanced his case to be a regular starter.
One man alone, however, is not enough to spark a French renaissance, and Diaby realizes Les Bleus, who next face Mexico and then World Cup hosts South Africa in Group A, need to translate possession into chances.
"We're lacking something in the last 30 meters," he said. "That's something we'll work on during the rest of the competition and I think we will get better."
Abou Diaby was a ray a hope in France's lackluster 0-0 draw with Uruguay in their World Cup opener yesterday, stepping out of the shadow of Vieira, who is now in the twilight of his career and did not make the squad.
A surprise starter against Uruguay, the powerful 24-year-old midfielder was his side's best player by a long way and now seems an automatic choice for coach Raymond Domenech.
Diaby, who had been convincing when he came on in France's three warm-up games, treated the France fans to a performance reminiscent of Vieira.
The lanky frame and the ability to win the ball and advance it up the field with calm authority brought to mind Vieira in his pomp.
Diaby, who plays for Arsenal in the role once filled by the former France captain, is now ready to do the same for the 1998 World Cup winners.
"I tried to do my job but I really wanted us to win this game," Diaby told reporters in Cape Town, putting aside his own display to admit it was two points dropped by France.
"Personally I think I can do even better."
Diaby, who has had a decent season for Arsenal and earned warm praise from his club manager Arsene Wenger, knew his hour might come in South Africa for two reasons.
Fellow holding midfielder Lassana Diarra has been ruled out of the finals by illness while Domenech's new, more attacking 4-3-3 formation suits Diaby.
"He's an interesting player, both defensively and in attack, and he did not disappoint me," Domenech said after Diaby advanced his case to be a regular starter.
One man alone, however, is not enough to spark a French renaissance, and Diaby realizes Les Bleus, who next face Mexico and then World Cup hosts South Africa in Group A, need to translate possession into chances.
"We're lacking something in the last 30 meters," he said. "That's something we'll work on during the rest of the competition and I think we will get better."
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
