Titi Henry is a sensible man and he will be tagged by this incident for a long time, or at least until he does something grander on a big stage. Hopefully his performance at the World Cup will re-validate his excellent reputation in the twilight of his magnificent career and all will be forgiven, but for now he committed the crime that 80 million Irish people around the world and three Swedes have the impossible task of coming to terms with. Henry showed a bit of remorse, not a lot, but he cannot claim with a straight face that the hand ball was inadvertent. The only question is what to do about it now?
Reaction to the infraction has been also largely cultural. Around the world fair play takes various forms, often the end justifying the means. Henry is fundamentally honest, too honest to be labeled a cheat, but cheating is how France clinched its spot in South Africa. The incident overshadowed bigger problems for France, who failed to create any meaningful penetration, despite the incredibly rich pool of talent at every position. Why was Benzema, the most technical French player in the prime of his career, not used in a vital World Cup qualifier? Incomprehensible. France can shine at the World Cup only if the French federation recognizes the fatal flaws of Domenech’s system and replaces him immediately. With Domenech at the helm, odds are France will have a very difficult time getting out of the first round.
Uruguay should have had an easier path to the World Cup after winning in Costa Rica, but there was nothing easy about the last 15 minutes of the game in Montevideo. Costa Rica’s equalizer caused enormous anxiety among the Uruguayan people, but in the end they resisted to salvage the necessary result to advance. The five minute interruption stemming from the clash between Costa Rica’s reserve players and the Uruguayan media had a negative, possibly determinative, effect on the Tecos’ momentum. Uruguay will bring to the World Cup a very talented team and should be able to make a nice impression.
It was not meant to be for Ukraine, who will rue too many missed opportunities over the two games against Greece. All of the home support was insufficient to push the players to concentrate and complete the mission. Greece returns to the World Cup under the magical touch of its German coach Rehhagel, who instills the tactics and the mental confidence for his players to succeed. Nor was it meant to be for Bosnia under similar conditions, to the collective relief of the people of Portugal, South Africa, as well as FIFA and Nike.
Congratulations to little Slovenia, a country of 2 million presently euphoric people. In front of VIPs from both countries, including Russian PM Medvedeev and Chelsea oligarch Abramovich, Russia made a poor impression on the field and finished the match with nine players. A glorious accomplishment for the Slovenes, a bitter exit for Russia who will remember for a long time the late goal allowed in Moscow in the first leg. Guus Hiddink will be pleased to say bye bye to the Russian experience, after enjoying success for the most part. If his work has any lasting impact, Russia will be able to bounce back. But the beautiful football exhibited last summer at the Euros was not to be found this time.
Finally, the devastation and the exuberance of a few days ago traded places, as the people of Algeria, Paris and Marseille celebrated wildly Algeria’s victory over Egypt, a victory that returns the Fennecs to the World Cup for the first time since 1986. Egypt is inconsolable, though Algeria revealed itself as a technical team that will surprise many in South Africa. 50 plane loads of Algerians made the trip to Khartoum for the match.