World Cup 2006 Qualification thread

[Inter4]

The last time France qualified for a WC was for the WC 1986 ......

I can't say it too often: Deschamps was France and France was Deschamps. Since he left, the team lost its top quality. We can drool about Zizou all we want, but he is an artist, not a leader.

May I add: France is nothing without Zidane

Seriously, when he was not playing for the national team, France was suffering. As soon as he came back, they started winning again.

 

[Stapel]

May I add: France is nothing without Zidane

Seriously, when he was not playing for the national team, France was suffering. As soon as he came back, they started winning again.

I hope you realise this is miles besides the truth.....

 

[Inter4]

Prove me wrong and I'll agree with you.

 

[antonio]

Zidane was much more important. They still had leaders like viera and plenty of other expeirenced players but without Zidane they created nothing.

 

[Volum]

FIFA rankings are as valuable as fried poop.
And Brasil was stage winner anyway, even if they lost 1000-0.

But it was a magic moment!

 

[Marla_Singer]

Zidane was much more important. They still had leaders like viera and plenty of other expeirenced players but without Zidane they created nothing.

I agree however Zidane alone isn't enough. He has to be backed up by an efficient defensive midfielder who can give him balls. That was the case with Deschamps at the Juventus, or with Makelele at the Real.

Zidane's return isn't the only one which is important. And I'm pretty sure that he wouldn't have joined back the team without Makelele to back him up. Thuram's return is also very important as a central defencer such as him considerably solidifies the whole defence.

Anyway, all this to say that before the return of those 3 guys, it's clear that France played very poorly... mostly because most players are totally unexperienced. It's clear the team is better but as I see it, it's essentially a transitory team. Zidane, Thuram and Makelele's returns are important because they may succeed to qualify the French team for the World Cup (which isn't done yet). This can give experience to the rest of the team once they'll be definitly retired.

Playing a world cup is very important for players selected in their national team. Maybe that with the experience they could get in Germany (if they're qualified, which is far to be done), the younsters of the French team will be able to become performant for the euro 2008 or the WC 2010.

 

[SonicX]

FIFA rankings are as valuable as fried poop.
And Brasil was stage winner anyway, even if they lost 1000-0.

They sure are worthless.
I wouldn't rank Serbia & Montegro below Finland ...
I wouldn't rank Belgium below Bahrain and Zimbabwe either

Mexico and USA on 5 & 6

 

[naervod]

As much as I like being 6th, those rankings are a complete joke. Wasn't there another site that had better versions of the rankings, that alot of people agreed were more accurate? I remember someone posting it here a long time back but don't have it.

 

[Marla_Singer]

As much as I like being 6th, those rankings are a complete joke. Wasn't there another site that had better versions of the rankings, that alot of people agreed were more accurate? I remember someone posting it here a long time back but don't have it.

The key issue over here is that it's actually impossible to rank different nations which never meet each others. As such, I don't believe any ranking could be accurate. Indeed, it's not because Italy has won 1-0 against the Faroe Islands when Finland has won 4-0 against the Faroe Islands that it means Finland would win against Italy.

Knowing the uncertainty of football, the only efficient way to determine a ranking is a championship where all teams meet each other twice, home and away. Even in the World Cups there's a big part of chance, but anyway, that's part of the game !

 

[Stapel]

Prove me wrong and I'll agree with you.

WC 2002
EC 2004
Both with Zizou (though not all the time in 2002), both crappy.
I yet have to see France getting their EC2000 form&style one again!

Zidane is a brilliant player, but not the type that lifts the level of the entire team.

 

[antonio]

wc 1998
ec 2000

Both with Zizou aswel both brilliant.

I agree however Zidane alone isn't enough. He has to be backed up by an efficient defensive midfielder who can give him balls. That was the case with Deschamps at the Juventus, or with Makelele at the Real.

Zidane's return isn't the only one which is important. And I'm pretty sure that he wouldn't have joined back the team without Makelele to back him up. Thuram's return is also very important as a central defencer such as him considerably solidifies the whole defence.

Anyway, all this to say that before the return of those 3 guys, it's clear that France played very poorly... mostly because most players are totally unexperienced. It's clear the team is better but as I see it, it's essentially a transitory team. Zidane, Thuram and Makelele's returns are important because they may succeed to qualify the French team for the World Cup (which isn't done yet). This can give experience to the rest of the team once they'll be definitly retired.

Playing a world cup is very important for players selected in their national team. Maybe that with the experience they could get in Germany (if they're qualified, which is far to be done), the younsters of the French team will be able to become performant for the euro 2008 or the WC 2010.

I dont think Thuram is as important. Makalele is he igives defensive cover and feeds the more ofensive players. France havn't conceeded many just haven't scored many either. There backline isn't star studded but its realiable and has depth. Thuram is a great additon to it though.

 

[Stapel]

wc 1998
ec 2000

Both with Zizou aswel both brilliant.

Both with Deschamps..... That was my point!

And Zizou was not present at the quarters and semis in 1998.....

The French team in 2000, was, imho, absolutely stunningly brilliant. Far better than in 1998, if you ask me.

 

[kryszcztov]

And Zizou was not present at the quarters and semis in 1998.....

Wrong. He was. He got a red card during the 2nd match against Saudi Arabia, and wasn't there against Denmark (3rd match) and Paraguay (1/8 final), but got back for the 1/4 final against Italy (what a match ! that was close).

Anyway, Stapel, you're not the only one to think that Deschamps was so important, many do in France. Also you're right that France hasn't successfully qualified for the WC since 1986 (what I said in another thread), this is why I dread the next matches.

FYI we have already drawed twice against Israel. I still can't understand why a country in the continent called Asia plays its matches in the European zone. I'd love to see a match like Israel-Iraq.

 

[jeriko one]

Also you're right that France hasn't successfully qualified for the WC since 1986 (what I said in another thread), this is why I dread the next matches.

France would have qualified for WC 94 but they conceeded a last minute goal. So one can not say they are bad in qualifiers. Maybe they lose concentration towards the end. So you have every right to fear the next matches.

 

[willemvanoranje]

Maybe they lose concentration towards the end.

that's when the Germans start..

 

[Stapel]

Wrong. He was. He got a red card during the 2nd match against Saudi Arabia, and wasn't there against Denmark (3rd match) and Paraguay (1/8 final), but got back for the 1/4 final against Italy (what a match ! that was close).

Yup..

I overtyped myself. What I meant to say is that despite Zizou's return agaisnt Italy, there still was no brilliant team at that moment.

 

[Stapel]

France would have qualified for WC 94 but they conceeded a last minute goal. So one can not say they are bad in qualifiers. Maybe they lose concentration towards the end. So you have every right to fear the next matches.

Not conceeding last minute goals is exactly what it is about......

 

[classical_hero]

I wonder how many goals Australia will get past Solomon Islands so be the winner of the Oceania Group and fight to play off with the Fifth ranked South American Team. At least it is something to get off from talking about France. I'm sure Australia could beat them.

 

[willemvanoranje]

we just heard they have to play an Asian team I think

 

[Dell19]

Is that a new announcement in the last week as otherwise its a south American team?