France vs South Africa

In theory I watched Brazil v Ivory Coast, but I didn't really bother with it, since I had drunk several cans of lager in the afternoon, so was left sprawled on the sofa. Brazil were alright anyway, and will take some beating in the latter stages; hopefully Holland will raise their game, but I very much doubt it.

I did watch France yesterday, since much like the first SA game, my boss was at a meeting. France were simply atrocious for the first hour, and I'd have thought most of them will be lucky to play internationally again: I don't know that I would want Evra, Abidal or Anelka back in the squad, Henry is clearly done, as is Gallas, Sagna seems to have lost a great deal from his game (did he suffer a bereavement or something?), Gourcuff has shown very little, although he didn't really need to be sent off for what he did, Gignac didn't look up to much, Cisse is nowhere near international standard, Govou is rubbish ... just about the only players to emerge with any credit are Lloris (who gave away a goal yesterday), Diaby (who was also culpable) and Ribery (who has been absurdly overrated, judging by his performances, but at least he seemed to care, and looked dangerous late in the game). Everyone else has simply looked like they don't give a fuck.

Steven Pienaar looked far better playing from the right in this game, the lad up front was fairly menacing, and Tshabalala was by far the best player on the field. Overall though, it's almost impossible to assess how well SA played, since France were so poor.

So Bafana Bafana can Bafuckoff with some credit after this last performance. They've been statistically the worst hosts of all time, although their record of one win, one draw and one defeat is the same as the US in 1994, and Japan in 2002 (is that right, or have I just made that up?), but it was good to see them end with a win, although this was more a case of France losing than anything else.