Source: Daily_Mail
France 1 Ireland 1: Luck of the Irish runs out after Gallas goal ends dream
The Republic of Ireland went out of the World Cup in controversial and heart-breaking circumstances here on Wednesday night.[LNB]Written off by everyone, not least France midfielder Lassana Diarra, who had declared the tie over with his foul-mouthed insult to Irish players after his side's 1-0 win in Dublin, Giovanni Trapattoni's team took the former world champions to extra time in the Stade de France.[LNB]And they had chances to win the second leg and head to the World Cup finals next summer before a sickening winner from Arsenal's William Gallas took France through to South Africa and left the entire Irish nation feeling cheated.[LNB] Controversial: William Gallas heads France to the World Cup finals but Ireland players are furious [LNB] [LNB]Minutes after France striker Nicolas Anelka had failed to win apenalty with a blatant dive, his captain Thierry Henry handled the balltwice in the build-up to what proved the winner. Ireland keeper ShayGiven was appealing for a free-kick even before the former Arsenal herosupplied the cross for Gallas to nudge the ball over the line.[LNB] Hand of God II: Thierry Henry confesses he cheated to rob Irish of World Cup placeIreland's dreams are dashed in Paris - All the action as it happenedAlgeria 1 Egypt 0: Yahia's cracker settles Sudan death match and secures place at 2010 World Cup finalsUkraine 0 Greece 1: Salpingidis strike fires Euro 2004 winners to South AfricaSlovenia 1 Russia 0: Dedic decider sends hosts into World Cup dreamlandGiven and his fellow centurion Kevin Kilbane led the anguished anddesperate pleas to Swedish referee Martin Hansson, chasing him to thehalfway line before he eventually agreed to consult with his linesman.But neither man had spotted the blatant handball. The protests were soheartfelt, Hansson must have known he had made a mistake but he brokeIrish hearts and awarded the goal.[LNB]The players had felt aggrieved when FIFA changed the rules of theplay-offs to a seeded draw, allowing bigger teams like France, Portugaland Greece an easier route to the finals. A month ago, Manchester Citykeeper Given had warned the two-leg play-off required a strong referee,who would be prepared to stand up to the governing body's desire to seethe stronger nations at the finals.[LNB] [LNB]Several players were still protesting to the officials after thefinal whistle as the French breathed a collective sigh of relief andgolden glitter showered from the top of the stands.[LNB]Assistant coaches Liam Brady and Marco Tardelli had to pull severalplayers away from Hansson. Trapattoni could only watch on helplessly.Ireland's 70-year-old Italian manager was knocked out of the 2002 WorldCup as boss of his own nation due to a refereeing decision for which hehas never forgiven football's governing body. [LNB]And he was equally disgusted.[LNB] Blatant: Thierry Henry handles to set up the French goal in Paris[LNB]Meanwhile, as his team-mates began their celebrations, Henry satquietly with a distraught Richard Dunne in one of the goal areas. TheBarcelona striker, one of the more dignified players of the modern era,later admitted to the hand he played in Ireland's cruel exit.[LNB]His empty words will mean nothing to those he has cheated. Themajority of the Ireland squad were in tears as they headed to the15,000 distraught supporters who have been denied a place at theAfrican party next year. Not one left the pitch with his shirt. Fewwanted to swap with the French players and most lobbed theirsweat-drenched jerseys to the green mass in one corner.[LNB]MATCH FACTSFRANCE (4-2-3-1): Lloris 7; Sagna 6, Gallas 6, Escude 4 (Squillaci 9min, 6), Evra 6; L Diarra 5, A Diarra 6;Anelka 5, Gourcuff 6 (Malouda 87), Henry 6; Gignac 5 (Govou 56, 6).Booked: Squillaci, Malouda, Govou.[LNB]REPUBLIC OF IRELAND (4-4-2): Given 7; O'Shea 7 (McShane 66, 6), Dunne 8, St Ledger 8, Kilbane 8; Lawrence 8 (McGeady 107), Whelan 7 (Gibson 63, 6), Andrews 7, Duff 6; Doyle 6, Keane 7. Booked: Kilbane, McShane, Duff.[LNB]Man of the match: Richard Dunne.Referee: Martin Hansson (Sweden).[LNB]The travelling support had burst unexpectedly into life in the 33rdminute when the Republic's record goalscorer, Robbie Keane, slottedhome his 41st international goal to complete a sweeping move involvingLiam Lawrence, Damien Duff and Kilbane, who were all heroic performerson the night.[LNB]As France reeled from that opener, Duff, Keane and John O'Sheamissed chances to put the game beyond the former world champions and,as the game headed for penalties, they paid for those misses withGallas's winner.[LNB]Although France and their ridiculed coach Raymond Domenech will nowtravel to South Africa as one of the favourites, Ireland have missedout in a play-off for the fifth time and it is now seven years sincethey reached a major finals.[LNB] Perfect start: Robbie Keane puts Ireland in front against France in Paris[LNB]Ireland had fought back from a miserable game against the French at Croke Park to produce one of their greatest performances.[LNB]For a side who had finished third in their group in the Euro 2008qualifiers under Stephen Staunton, reaching the play-offs was asignificant achievement, especially as they were paired with the worldchampions Italy and came through their group unbeaten.[LNB]Trapattoni's reign has not been without controversy, such as theinexcusable omission of Sunderland's playmaker Andy Reid and thehalf-hearted attempts to recall Stephen Ireland.[LNB]Now, a man who has won almost every club prize will feel he hasfailed. And the FAI, who paid half of his enormous £2m-a-year salary,with millionaire Dennis O'Brien providing the balance, will also feelthe pain of failing to qualify for another World Cup.[LNB]Trapattoni said: 'I have told the players they were a great teamtonight. They have shown what they can do for the future and they haveset the standard. But I am very upset for the players and for the fans.We did not deserve this. We should be going to South Africa.'[LNB] Touch battle: French midfielder Yoann Gourcuff and Ireland's Kevin Kilbane fight for the ball[LNB]Whatever he decides, at least Il Trap knows he has won the affectionof the whole Irish nation, as well as the support of the FAI.[LNB]Domenech, on the other hand, remains a figure of ridicule in France.The night started with jeers when his name was read out over the PAsystem, and it continued whenever his forlorn features came on thegiant screen. Hhis team were even booed off at half-time.[LNB] Domenech admitted he was lucky to progress. 'I am sorry for Ireland and in a way disappointed they have gone out,' he said. [LNB]'We would love to have won by two or three goals but it was not to be. We are just happy to be going to South Africa.'[LNB]France finished a distant second to Serbia in the qualifiers, andthere is little doubt where their supporters lay the blame. Not evenwinning the World Cup again in South Africa is likely to change that.[LNB] [LNB] Hand of God II: Thierry Henry confesses he cheated to rob Irish of World Cup placeIreland's dreams are dashed in Paris - All the action as it happenedAlgeria 1 Egypt 0: Yahia's cracker settles Sudan death match and secures place at 2010 World Cup finalsUkraine 0 Greece 1: Salpingidis strike fires Euro 2004 winners to South AfricaSlovenia 1 Russia 0: Dedic decider sends hosts into World Cup dreamland[LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People:Robbie Keane, Nicolas Anelka, Martin Hansson, Raymond Domenech, Lassana Diarra, Liam Lawrence, Damien Duff, Shay Given, KEVIN KILBANE, Liam Brady, Thierry Henry, WILLIAM GALLAS, Richard DunnePlaces:Paris, Barcelona, Dublin, Ireland, South Africa, Greece, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Italy, France, Croke Park
