S Africa shows style but bows out
Source: Agencies |
June 23, 2010, Wednesday
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Print Edition
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SOUTH Africa heaped more pain on scandal-hit France yesterday but its 2-1 win was not enough to save itself from becoming the first host to go out of a World Cup at the opening stage.
Uruguay topped the group with seven points, while Mexico went through over South Africa on goal difference. France finished at the bottom with just one point.
South Africa's unwanted record as the first hosts to exit at the start was tempered by an uplifting final performance from Bafana Bafana (The Boys) that left their vuvuzela-blowing fans smiling in Bloemfontein's Free State stadium.
Buoyant from the off and playing with a fluency not seen in its other two games, South Africa scored twice in the first half before France got a consolation goal.
The host also recorded its first triumph over a major footballing power with first-half goals from Bongani Khumalo and Katlego Mphela.
"I am proud of the boys. They made this country proud. They proved their good progression," South Africa's Brazilian coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said.
For France, runners-up at the last World Cup and winners in 1998, it could hardly have been a worse tournament. It will return to a savaging from the French public and media after not only coming bottom of a group it was favorite to win, but also creating an unseemly side-show with its protests at the expulsion of striker Nicolas Anelka.
Revolt leader and captain Patrice Evra was left out of the side yesterday, and France looked shell-shocked even before Yoann Gourcuff was sent off after 25 minutes.
Their implosion has brought soul-searching at home, with some saying it reflected deep weaknesses of materialistic modern society. Team sponsors have begun running for the door.
France, which brought on forward Thierry Henry, showed effort in patches and pulled a goal back after 70 minutes when Franck Ribery suddenly sparked into life with a clever run that set up an easy tap-in for substitute Florent Malouda.
"Like everybody we're sad and disappointed even if in that game I saw a bit of what I expected from that team, some heart, generosity and solidarity," France coach Raymond Domenech said.
"This is not the time to analyze what happened," the outgoing coach said. "This team has true potential. There were extraordinary moments and there will be more. The France team will never die. They will carry on."
Uruguay topped the group with seven points, while Mexico went through over South Africa on goal difference. France finished at the bottom with just one point.
South Africa's unwanted record as the first hosts to exit at the start was tempered by an uplifting final performance from Bafana Bafana (The Boys) that left their vuvuzela-blowing fans smiling in Bloemfontein's Free State stadium.
Buoyant from the off and playing with a fluency not seen in its other two games, South Africa scored twice in the first half before France got a consolation goal.
The host also recorded its first triumph over a major footballing power with first-half goals from Bongani Khumalo and Katlego Mphela.
"I am proud of the boys. They made this country proud. They proved their good progression," South Africa's Brazilian coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said.
For France, runners-up at the last World Cup and winners in 1998, it could hardly have been a worse tournament. It will return to a savaging from the French public and media after not only coming bottom of a group it was favorite to win, but also creating an unseemly side-show with its protests at the expulsion of striker Nicolas Anelka.
Revolt leader and captain Patrice Evra was left out of the side yesterday, and France looked shell-shocked even before Yoann Gourcuff was sent off after 25 minutes.
Their implosion has brought soul-searching at home, with some saying it reflected deep weaknesses of materialistic modern society. Team sponsors have begun running for the door.
France, which brought on forward Thierry Henry, showed effort in patches and pulled a goal back after 70 minutes when Franck Ribery suddenly sparked into life with a clever run that set up an easy tap-in for substitute Florent Malouda.
"Like everybody we're sad and disappointed even if in that game I saw a bit of what I expected from that team, some heart, generosity and solidarity," France coach Raymond Domenech said.
"This is not the time to analyze what happened," the outgoing coach said. "This team has true potential. There were extraordinary moments and there will be more. The France team will never die. They will carry on."
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