Former World Champs seal 2010 WC berth with Gallas' controversial late strike
Former World Champs seal 2010u00a0WC berth with Gallas' controversial late strike
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So glad it's over! France's William Gallas exults at the end of the World Cup 2010 qualifier against Republic of Ireland pics/afp |
In the first 15-minute spell France had an appeal for a penalty turned down after striker Nicolas Anelka tumbled to the turf under pressure.
Five minutes later France skipper Thierry Henry, who had moments earlier been denied a free kick after falling to the ground 25 yards out, won the match for the hosts when his angled pass amid a goalmouth scramble was met by the head of William Gallas.
Henry's pass, however, came after the ball appeared to make contact with his hand prompting a rash of immediate protests by the Irish players to referee Martin Hansson.
Hansson waved away appeals, allowing France to qualify and thus avoid a repeat of their humiliating failure, at the hands of Bulgaria, to qualify for the 1994 World Cup finals.
Gallas was non-committal on the goal circumstances.
"It all happened so quickly. I received the ball from Thierry. It happened so quickly that I couldn't see (if the ball hit his hand)."
A clearly relieved French coach Raymond Domenech said France had had to scrap to the end.
"It was hard, laborious and indeed miraculous," he told French television.
"I was sure we would make it though. My forecast was 1-1!"
Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger candidly told broadcaster TF1 that "France never found their game. We lacked cohesion. "We went through thanks to a refereeing error and thanks to poor Irish finishing!"
French President Nicolas Sarkozy said: "It's fabulous we're really glad to get through. Qualification is important as it's a major event," Sarkozy told TF1.
Ireland and captain Keane had the lion's share of the chances and they will be kicking themselves having last qualified for the 2002 World Cup where they got to the second round.
Damian Duff and Liam Lawrence had already shown their ability to carve openings in the French defence and it was Duff's cutback from deep on the left side of the French area which found Keane, who drove home first time to beat Hugo Lloris in the France goal.
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