France v Nigeria Match Preview

France v Nigeria Match Preview

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FIFA World Cup 2010qualification doesnt resume for France until mid-August, so as the moregeographically ableof you will have worked out from the title (hint: Nigeria isnt in Europe), France take part in an exhibition match tonight.Will the French team do their country proud tonight?Under fire French manager Raymond Domenech is likely to be grateful for tonights friendly, even if the fatigued players are not. Domenech has come in for some criticism regarding his recent squad selection, and the game tonight will provide the perfect opportunity for him tomaybe experiment witha new formation andtry some players in new positions. Francealso take on Turkey on June the fifth; a squad for both games was released a few days earlier.Thematch will take place in Saint-tienne, in eastern central France. Themost succe sfulregional club, A sociation Sportive de Saint-tienne Loire (or AS Saint-tienne for short), are one of the most accomplished teams in France, having won the French first division 10 times. Their stadium, Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, will host tonights game. Expect a lively atmosphere tonight.France- Team NewsOne of the biggest surprises Malcolm Brogdon Jersey in Domenechs 25 man squad is the selection of Chelsea winger Florent Malouda. Whats so surprising, I hear you ask? After all, Malouda is a cultured and effectual player, performing solidly- if not spectaculary- for Chelsea over the last few months. Well, after the disastrous Euro 2008 championship, Malouda and Domenech had a well publicised falling out, and many a sumed that the 28 year old had played for his country for the last time- unle s Domenech was sacked. Domenech was reportedly, and understandably, furious with Malouda after the player slammed him over his negative tactics and poor decisions. However it seems Domenech has been unable to ignore Florent Maloudas good form. Flos great club form has earnt him a shock call-upI always said that if the players werent picked, it was because their form was not good enough or others were better than them. That was Flos problem, Domenech told the French media.When players perform, they are called up. Weve been watching him.Veteran midfielder Patrick Viera is another surprise inclusion. The former Arsenal skipper turns 33 in 21 days time and with a host of young French midfielders performing well (19 year old Mou sa Si soko, 20 year old tienne Capoue and 21 year old Marvin Martin to name just three)- many were surprised at his addition. Viera told the media of his pleasure at being selected. Viera has played no 2010 World Cup qualification games so far, and didnt appear during Euro 2008. However, the inclusion of Viera and Malouda will add some much needed experience to the French midfield; surprisingly (well, at least in Vieras case) it could also add more of a goal threat to the midfield. Malaoudas 3 goals and Vieras 6 aside, the other midfielders only have one solitary goal between them.Loc Remy is set for his first ever French senior team appearance, whilst the French leagues top scorer, Andre-Pierre Gignac, is also included. Andre-Pierre Gignac celebrating one of his 21 league goals this yearTHE FULL SQUAD:Goalkeeper- Cdric CARRASSO F.C. Toulouse- 0 Games, 0 clean-sheetsGoalkeeper- Hugo LLORIS Olympique Lyonnais- 1 Game, 1 clean-sheetGoalkeeper- Stve MANDANDA Olympique de Marseille- 6 Games, 2 clean-sheetsDefender- Eric ABIDAL F.C. Barcelona- 41 Games, 0 goalsDefender-Jean-Alain BOUMSONG Olympique Lyonnais- 26 Games, 1 goalDefender-Julien ESCUDE F.C. Seville- 7 Games, 0 goalsDefender-Patrice EVRA Manchester United- 17 Games, 0 goalsDefender-Rod FANNI Stade Rennais F.C.- 2 Games, 0 goalsDefender-Philippe MEXES A.S. Rome- 11 Games, 0 goalsDefender-Bakary SAGNA Arsenal F.C.- 9 Games, 0 goalsDefender-Sbastien SQUILLACI F.C. Sville- 15 Games, 0 goalsMidfielder- Abou DIABY Arsenal F.C.- 2 Games, 0 goalsMidfielder-Alou DIARRA Girondins de Bordeaux- 18 Games, 0 goalsMidfielder-La sana DIARRA Real Madrid- 17 Games, 0 goalsMidfielder-Yoann GOURCUFF Girondins de Bordeaux- 9 Games, 1 goalMidfielder-Florent MALOUDA Chelsea F.C.- 44 Games, 3 goalsMidfielder-Jrmy TOULALAN Olympique Lyonnais- 24 Games, 0 goalsMidfielder-Patrick VIEIRA Inter Milan- 106 Games, 6 goalsForward- Nicolas ANELKA Chelsea F.C.-55 Games,12 goalsForward-Karim BENZEMA Olympique Lyonnais- 22 Games,5 goalsForward-Andr- Jaylen Adams Jersey Pierre GIGNAC Toulouse F.C.-1 Game,0 goalsForward-Sidney GOVOU Olympique Lyonnais-37 Games,10 goalsForward-Thierry HENRY F.C. Barcelona-111 Games,48 goalsForward-Loc REMY OGC Nice-0 Games,0 goalsForward-Franck RIBERY Bayern Munich-36 Games,7 goalsNigeria Team NewsRecently relegatedNewcastles Obafemi Martins will look to make up for his recent poor from by netting against Les Blues, and the speedy forward will likely be paired with veteran forward Nwankwo Kanu.FA Cup finalists Joseph Yobo and John Obi Mikel have both been called up, whilst Kalu Uche has joined up with the squad after recovering from a late injury scare. Joseph Yobo will ahve to recover from his F.A Cup heartbreakNigeria face Kenya in a crucial World Cup qualifier on Sunday, so will probably rest some players.Goalkeeper-Vincent Enyeama-Hapoel Tel Aviv- 40 GamesGoalkeeper-Austin Ejide-Bastia- 13 GamesGoalkeeper-Dele Aiyenugba-Bnei Yehuda- 7 GamesDefender-Taye Taiwo-Marseille- 27 Games, 7 goalsDefender-Obinna Nwaneri-FC Sion- 30 Games, 1 goalDefender-Danny Shittu-Bolton- 16 Games, 0 goalsDefender-Chidi Odiah-CSKA Moscow- 18 Games, 1 goalDefender-Onyekachi Apam-Nice- 1 Game, 0 goalsDefender-Olubayo Adefemi-SC Rheindorf- 0 Games, 0 goalsDefender-Chibuzor Okonkwo-Bayelsa United- 0 Games, 0 goalsDefender-Angelo Obinze Ogbonna-Torino- 0 Games, 0 goalsDefender-Uwa Elderson Echijil-Rennes- 1 Game, 0 goalsDefender-Joseph Yobo-Everton- 60 Games, 4 goalsDefender-Sam Sodje-Leeds United- 2 Games, 0 goalsMidfielder-John Obi Mikel-Chelsea- 25 Games,2 goalsMidfielder-Oluwafemi Ajilore-FC GroningenUD Almera- 2 Games, 0 goalsMidfielder-Sani Kaita-AS Monaco- 9 Games,0 goalsMidfielder-Dele Adeleye-Sparta Rotterdam MF- 0 Games,0 goalsMidfielderDickson Etuhu-Fulham- 5 Games,0 goalsMidfielder-Seyi Olofinjana-Stoke- 18 Games, 0 goalsMidfielder-Oladapo Olufemi- no club (released by Benfica)1 Game, 0 goalsMidfielder-Ayila Yu suf-Dynamo Kiev-14 Games,2 goalsMidfielder-Sone Aluko-Aberdeen- 0 Games, 0 goalsForward-Nwankwo Kanu-Portsmouth-73 Games, 13 GoalsForward-Victor Obinna-Internazionale- 13 Games, 4 GoalsForward-Joseph Akpala-Club Brugge- 1 Game, 0 GoalsForward-Obafemi Martins-Newcastle United- 22 Games, 13 GoalsForward-Peter Odemwingie- Lokomotiv Moscow- 27 Games, 5 GoalsForward-Ikechukwu Uche-Getafe- 16 Games, 5 GoalsForward-Chinedu Obasi-TSG 1899 Hoffenheim- 15 Games, 3 GoalsForward-John Utaka- Portsmouth- 35 Games, 5 Goals Forward-Michael Eneramo-Esperance- 2 Games, 1 GoalHead to Heads#1. KARIM BENZEMA v. JOSEPH YOBOThe young lyon forward has di sapointed in his recent French national team outings, and many are beginning to worry that hes not capitilising on the early promise he has shown. Neverthele s, he is still a formidible opponent for any defender. Benzema is likely to play in a direct style with Henry and Ribery playing off his shoulder. It will be Yobos job to stop Benzemas attacks and the Everton defender will have his work cut out. However Yobo has been in great form for Everton and will relish testing his strenght against Benzema.MY PREDICTION:JOSEPH YOBO.Theres no doubt that Benzema is a quality player, but I think Yobo is playing well enough to keep him quiet.#2. JEAN-ALAIN BOUMSONG v. OBAFEMI MARTINSBoumsong is not one of Frances better defenders, but Domenech seems to rate him. The former Newcastle defender will be marking a current (but probably not for much longer) Newcastle striker. Martins is a quality player but has had his head down in Newcastles last few matches and hasnt been playing well.MY PREDICTION: JEAN-ALAIN BOUMSONG. Boumsong might not be the best defender in the world, but he should be able to keep a dis-heartend Martins quiet.#3. FRANCK RIBERY v. SANI KAITAFranck Ribery is one of the best players in the world and, if you believe everything you read, could be heading to Real Madrid an a record-breaking transfer record. Monacos Sani Kaita will be tasked with ha sling Ribery and not letting him dictate the play from the middle of the park- a very hard task.MY PREDICTION: FRANCK RIBERY. Simply put, when hes in form theres very few players that can keep Ribery quiet. Sani Kaita isnt one of them.#4. RAYMOND DOMENECH v. SHAIBU AMODUWhilst tonight is only a friendly, Domenech finds himself under a constant barrage of pre sure, and the often fickle French fans will expect a win. Domenech is likely to field a strong, attacking team whilst Amodu will want to rest some key players for the forthcoming clash against Kenya. Expect Nigeria to settle for a draw.BettingFrance to win: 1/2 Draw: 13/5 Nigeria: 11:2France/France:7/5 Draw/France Sterling Brown Jersey :3/1Nigeria/France:25/1France/Draw:16/1 Draw/Draw:7/2 Nigeria/Draw:16/1France/Nigeria:80/1 Draw/Nigeria:11/1 Nigeria/Nigeria: 11/1First Goalscorer: Franck Ribery: 3/1, Thierry Henry: 4/1, Obafemi Martins: 8/1Head to Head StatsPosition in World Cup qualifying group: France: 2nd / Nigeria: 3rdGames played (games won) in qualifying: France: 5 (3) / Nigeria: 1 (0)Current FIFA World ranking: France:10th / Nigeria:30thHighest ever FIFA World ranking: France:1st (May 2001 and between Jan 02&May 02)/ Nigeria:5th (April 1994)Lowest ever FIFA World ranking: France:25th (April 1998)/ Nigeria:82nd (November 1999) Frances EURO 2000 succe s saw them top the FIFA rankings a year laterSummaryIt looks like Nigeria will play a slightly under strenght team as they face a crucial game on Sunday, but Im not predicting a walk in the park for France. Nigeria are a tough, physical side and France havent played that wonderfully in their last few outings. Im going for 3-1 France, but I think the game will be closer than the scoreline suggests. Im going for France to gotwo up thanks to Ribery and Henry goals, Martins to get one back and Sagna to make sure of the win.
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