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Trezeguet the culprit as France slip up
March 31, 2005
Israel 1-1 France
For the second time in four days, Israel netted a late goal to take a point against one of the favourites for Group Four, but French fingers will be pointing at striker David Trezeguet, who recklessly got himself sent off minutes after putting his side ahead.
Trezeguet had opened the scoring after five minutes of the second half, a goal which – given France’s record of keeping five straight clean sheets in the competition before their trip to Israel – looked set to put Raymond Domenech’s side in a dominant position of Group Four.
However, the Juventus star was dismissed by German referee Markus Merk just five minutes after his goal, shown a straight red card for a perceived headbutt on Tal Ben Haim.
After his own personal failings against Switzerland at the weekend, when he missed one gilt-edged opportunity with three minutes remaining, Trezeguet, handed the burden of responsibility in the continued absence of Arsenal star Thierry Henry, had vowed to deliver in Tel-Aviv.
When he headed Sylvain Wiltord’s cross past Israel keeper Dudu Awat in the 50th minute, Irish manager Brian Kerr – in attendance at the Ramat-Gan Stadium – could have been forgiven for thinking that the Group Four tide had turned France’s way.
However, Trezeguet gave the home side hope soon after when he retaliated to a crunching challenge from Ben Haim and was sent on the long walk to the dressing-room.
Israel, who had been unable to threaten greatly over the course of the first hour, sensed their opportunity, and both goalkeeper Fabien Barthez and the woodwork came to the rescue of France as the home side pressed.
On 77 minutes, a close-range drive by midfielder Avi Nimni – recalled to the side as one of three enforced changes from the team that drew with Ireland at the weekend – was brilliantly touched behind by the Olympique Marseilles keeper, and from the resultant corner, substitute Omri Afek’s header hit the crossbar.
But the pressure told on 83 minutes, when Walid Badir evaded his tracker to get on the end of a far post cross and head past Barthez.
The goal sent the Ramat-Gan wild for the second time in the space of a few days, and there is no doubt that belief is growing in the Israeli camp that they can stump their better fancied opponents and steal into next year’s World Cup finals.
Ireland must deal with that sense of optimism next – Avraham Grant’s side visit Lansdowne Road on June 4th.
Israel: Awat, Ben Haim, Gershon, Saban, Katan, Keise, Nimny, Badir, Tal (Afek, 66), Benayoun, Balali.
France: Barthez, Sagnol, Boumsong, Gallas, Givet, Pedretti, Vieira, Malouda, Diarra, Wiltord (Dhorasoo, 90), Trezeguet.
Referee: M. Merk (Germany).
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