Preview: France Vs Uruguay

France Vs Uruguay: (Group A)

2006 world cup runner-up, France is entering into 2010 world cup with low confidence due to poor performance in warm-up games. France, which qualified under dubious circumstances lost to China and drew with Tunisia in warm-up games. It is difficult to understand France game and why it is struggling despite having many world class in-form players. Like Diego Maradona (Argentina coach), France coach struggled to extract best out of their talented squad.

Both France and Uruguay qualified in last minute by beating Ireland and Costa Rica in play-offs respectively. Contrary to earlier predictions, France is no longer a favourite to top group A. No one will be surprised if France exits from group stage as in 2002.

Similarity: Uruguay defeated Costa Rica (2-1 aggregate) in a world cup play-off. France defeated Costa Rica (2-1) in a world cup warm-up game.

Match timing: June 11 at 11:50 AM IST

Venue: Green Point stadium, Cape Town.

India: Watch game on ESPN from 11:50 PM onwards.

Injuries: France missed Lassana Diarra due to injury. It is a huge blow to France. Highly rated mid-fielder may play for Manchester United from next season.

Key players:

France: Frank Ribery, Yoann Gourcuff, Patrice Evra and Hugo Lloris. But, my pick is Florent Malouda who is in very good form.

Uruguay: Diego Forlan and Luis Saurez.

Squad analysis:

France: France has everything but is struggling even against weak teams. These stars rarely play like a team. Fans lost hope on this team and coach. No team is entering into world cup with such low confidence and it will be a miracle if France reaches second round. On current form, they may exit from group stage as in Euro 2008 and 2002 world cup.

But, if these stars shed egos and play like a team, France can easily beat Uruguay.

Uruguay: This South American team is depending a lot on their star forwards. Both Forlan and Saurez are in very good form and can score against any team on their day. France has good defence and in-form goalkeeper but leaked goals even against Tunisia and China. There is more coordination in Uruguay team than in France. Uruguay crushed Israel in warm-up game.

Like Slovakia, Chile, Paraguay and Spain, there will never be a dull moment when Uruguay is playing. They always attack – that is their strength and weakness. Their attacking style of play sometimes leave gaps in defence. They leave 5-6 players in defence and defensive mid-filed . So, it is very difficult to attack and score goals. if you attack, their star forwards will decimate you.

Final analysis: Despite having world class players, France may struggle against Uruguay. Rapidly improving Uruguay may cause troubles to incoherent France defence with their top class attackers. Diego Forlan is in good form and I am betting on him. Aged France strikers may not show impact on experienced Uruguay defence.

Match result will be decided by 2 things.

1. How France defence control Uruguay star forwards?

2. How Uruguay control wingers like Ribery and Malouda?

World Cup game Prediction: Uruguay may beat France (2-1)

Low probability: France may drew with Uruguay (1-1)