European World Cup flops look to bright new dawn
Pirate Irwin
France and England had World Cup campaigns to forget and on Wednesday
both set out on what they hope is the first step in restoring their
battered images in friendlies against Norway and Hungary respectively.
Another European giant, Italy, are also in action, facing Ivory Coast
on Tuesday in what is new coach Cesare Prandelli's first match in charge
following their humiliating title defence in South Africa, bowing out
bottom of their group. The two finalists are also in action with world
champions Spain travelling to the United States to play Mexico while the
Dutch will also be hoping to salvage their reputation after the
over-physical strategy they deployed against the Spanish in a dour World
Cup final.
One member
However, the Dutch have just one squad member from the World Cup
travelling to meet Ukraine.
Argentina, still managerless after Diego Maradona was forced out,
meanwhile take on Ireland in Dublin.
It is France, however, who have the most to make up after a
catastrophic and farcical appearance in South Africa which saw Nicolas
Anelka sent home for a foul mouthed outburst at coach Raymond Domenech,
a players strike because of that punishment and then Domenech's sullen
refusal to shake South African coach Carlos Alberto Parreira's hand
after their final match. Domenech's successor Laurent Blanc has the
chance to erase memories of that hapless campaign and the iconic 1998
World Cup winning defender has moved quickly by leaving out all of that
squad from the one to take on Norway in Oslo.
"What happened in South Africa cannot be rubbed out," said Blanc.
Very careful
"It is a scar. But if we're going to sanction players, take
disciplinary action against them, then I think you have to be very
careful.
"I became coach to achieve one objective and I hope I will have all
the forces at my disposal. It is important that we don't shoot ourselves
in the foot before trying to reach our objective, which is Euro 2012.
"There is only one way that we can erase the memory of South Africa and
that is winning."
Blanc, who has not ruled out a recall for Anelka in the future, has
been able to revive the international careers of some of those left out
of the World Cup squad such as AS Roma defender Philippe Mexes and
Arsenal midfielder Sami Nasri.
Golden opportunity
Mexes has often failed to replicate his club form for his country but
Blanc said he had had a chat with him and laid it on the line to him
that this was a golden opportunity to prove himself on the international
stage.
"I told him (Mexes), 'the train has passed once. Make sure you climb
on board if it comes by a second time'," said Blanc.
England at least scrambled out of their group only to be humiliated
4-1 by Germany and were not without dressing room discord but former
captain John Terry's declaration that he would be leading a mutiny
against coach Fabio Capello ended in ridicule for the Chelsea defender
as he was left marooned by his so-called 'angry' teammates.
Scepticism
Yet Capello has as much to prove from now on as Terry as once
unquestioned fawning over the Italian has given way to deep scepticism
from all corners. Many observers believe that had he not signed a new
contract prior to the World Cup finals he would have been sacked.
Capello himself has accepted as much.
"I would have understood if the FA decided to sack me. This is not a
good period for me but I am looking forward. It is our job. When you win
you are the best and when you lose, nothing," Capello said.
The former AC Milan, AS Roma and Real Madrid coach has selected
Arsenal youngsters Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs in his squad and
ditched players such as Shaun Wright-Phillips and Aaron Lennon.
Friendly matches usually count for little but for the French and the
English they will feel like the most important matches of the year - a
chance to start back on the road to redemption. PARIS, AFP
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