Comments on: Murder on ‘Main’ Street

By: Peter

Peter — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:43:51 +0000

A blatant handball, yes, but where was the defending on Gallas who is standing unmarked almost in the goal…another case of my least-favorite thing in football, when defenders stop and put their hands up when they think its offsides instead of playing to the whistle…the hand up doesn’t do s**t for the ref, play to the end and this may not have happened

By: Anonsters

Anonsters — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:34:35 +0000

Yeah, I don’t buy the Ireland deserved to go through bit, either.

But they did deserve a chance to play the 2nd period of ET at 1-0 and possibly have a shot at penalties.

By: ü75

ü75 — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:27:51 +0000

Besides, without watching the match, I’m sure there were at least a dozen times the Irish team got away with a non-call yesterday. It happens in every match, and the key is not to get beat by it. That’s where they failed.

(Not that there was much any of them could have done in the half-second between the hand ball and the goal. Best case is that Given maybe could have not focused on Henry’s hand and instead where the ball was going, but even that is a reach.)

By: ü75

ü75 — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:22:17 +0000

I can’t remember if it was pointed out above, but Trap seems to be the only one associated with the Irish team that acknowledges that if that goal was disallowed, the most likely outcome for the Irish was a cointoss–PKs. There’s way too much whinging out there that assumes the team was already through without the goal. The game was in ET for a reason.

By: Clemantona

Clemantona — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:11:15 +0000

Ok, here’s what i’m conceding:
1. it’s obvious he cheated
2. it’s obvious FIFA and the lot made this seeding nonsense with the sole aim being to favor teams like france and portugal
3. it’s obvious that Ireland didn’t deserve this end and played incredibly well and France were lucky in both goals over both legs
4. it’s obvious this was one of the most catastrophic no-calls i’ve ever witnessed

but what i’m getting tired of is hearing that Ireland “deserved” to go through.

Game 2 stats per ESPN:
16 shots 8 on target vs 5 shorts and 2 on target
7 corners vs 4
even amount of possession (53 vs 47)

Game 1 stats also favor France

Ireland deserved to not have it end like this but neither team “deserved” to go through based on their play alone

By: Defoe's a Yiddo

Defoe's a Yiddo — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:41:23 +0000

I agree with ned here. Dont let Henry get off with the “I told the ref” He celebrated the goal like he did nothing wrong. He should have been embarrassed. Ginola speaks some sense

Former France international David Ginola on BBC Radio 5 Live: “I’m very embarrassed by the situation. I don’t feel very proud to be French this morning. The Irish played very well and they deserved to go through as much as France, maybe more. I’m very surprised Fifa haven’t mentioned anything about it – the whole world saw the handball. This is a pure injustice. Everyone in France, the press and everyone, says there should be a replay.”

By: Norfolk Ned

Norfolk Ned — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:36:43 +0000

NOOOOOO Cheating is cheating. Deliberate. Its outrageous. Told the ref? Looks like he celebrated when i saw the replay.

By: James T

James T — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:56:48 +0000

He should have… I mean, if he honestly did tell the Irish players at the time, why wouldn’t he tell the ref?

I hate to do this, but let’s not forget the number of gilt-edged chances fluffed by Keane and Duff in the 2nd half. They could have buried the tie long before extra time. That said, doesn’t excuse Henry of his rather blatant handball. It had to be intentional, didn’t it? He slaps the ball out of the air so it lands at his feet!

By: Anonsters

Anonsters — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:37:11 +0000

Reading the Irish papers, and seeing other Henry quotes about, it appears that he admitted to the Irish players that he did handle the ball (although he claims he didn’t mean to; let the replay be the judge of his intent, it’s clear). Nevertheless, one suggestion, I think from Trap, that merits attention: why didn’t the referee just ask Henry whether he handled the ball?

Would Henry have told the ref. the truth, given the situation there?

By: Georger

Georger — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:08:08 +0000

;)