Troubled France face upbeat Mexico

JOHANNESBURG: France tackle Mexico today in a crucial Group A Polokwane showdown desperate for a win that would raise morale and open their doors to the last-16.

The French have looked anything but potential finalists as they played out a goalless draw against 10-man Uruguay.

It has placed coach Raymond Domenech in a position he knows only too well - under public and media pressure - and even the weather has not been kind to the man who will be replaced by former star Laurent Blanc after the World Cup. However, a win over Mexico and they would have one foot in the second round ahead of their final group fixture against South Africa.

Meanwhile, Mexico midfielder Andres Guardado, whose deep cross created the equaliser in a 1-1 draw against South Africa, believes the Central Americans can be the “revelations” of the tournament.

“There are always lots of surprises in football and though no one probably gives us a chance of getting through to the next round or the quarter-finals, we remain confident,” said Guardado. And although criticising the underachieving French has become popular, left-side midfielder Guardado from Spanish club Deportivo la Coruna said, “How can you underestimate a team that boasts footballers like Yoann Gourcuff, Franck Ribery and William Gallas and reached two of the last three World Cup finals.”

Published in the Express Tribune, June 17^th, 2010.