Group A Discussion - South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France

[Eddie]

Yes, but they're also terrible (even by current French standards).

[philipl]

Eddie, what do you make of these reports that the French players have revolted against their manager and are walking out of the World Cup?

Oops, just seen that Anelka has been sent home.

Ah well he only gets a three day jump on his compatriots!

[neekoy]

Jesus they are a mess, nothing though for the pride of playing for one's country and the ability to put an ego aside for one month. Idiots, all of them.

[Amo]

Jesus they are a mess, nothing though for the pride of playing for one's country and the ability to put an ego aside for one month. Idiots, all of them.

But enough about England...

[HemelRover]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8750302.stm

Incredible!

[Rovermatt]

Something like this has been brewing for years. Domenech is a shockingly inept coach (the team got to the final four years ago in spite of him and under the leadership of the finest player of the last twenty years) and things are now coming to a head. One can only imagine the scale of the egos in the French camp. The natural emotionality of the French and the manager's deep unpopularity meant that this outcome was perhaps inevitable.

[Tim Southampton Rover]

Anelka has retired from international football.

Sky Sports just showed the unbelievable scenes at the French training camp.

[JAL]

Interesting listening to JOhn Terry talking about his colleague Nicolas Anelka and saying there might be a few in the England camp being sent home when they air their views this evening with Capello.

[RoyRover]

The French are a disgrace. The egos that these people carry is just unreal. They really think that they can do what they want. They forget that they are representing their nation, which is far more important than an personal grievances they may have. The ring leaders of this should never be allowed to play for France again. However, I imagine that after this not many of them will want to.

[neekoy]

I think the "ring leaders" being Anelka, Malouda, Henry, Gallas and probably Govou have all played their last major tournament anyway, I have always loved watching French football but from the handball goal to now this it has really soured me.

[Billy Castell]

Where did the FFA dig Dominech from anyway? Surely they'd have worked out he's a loon, with all that astrology nonsense.

[American]

Predictable headline in the Irish Independent:

The French are Revolting!

[Billy Castell]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8752637.stm

The French threatening strike action? That's a new one.

[Iceman]

i hope we thrash them

[Billy Castell]

You'll be even more popular today Iceman. I think everyone wants to see Henry and co. in tears.

[Foxxx]

Mexico v Uruguay today should be a good match, neither team will want to finish 2nd im sure, as a date with the Argies awaits. My money is on Mexico.

[Tim Southampton Rover]

It's great to see the South African team singing and dancing their way onto the pitch. It will be a shame if they don't make it through to the next round today.

[Iceman]

Going to be very difficult. I thought, if we had lost 1-0 instead of 3-0 to Uruguay, then we might have stood a chance. Hope we just win today.

[Tom]

It's great to see the South African team singing and dancing their way onto the pitch. It will be a shame if they don't make it through to the next round today.

Yeah I love that, great spirit it's a shame they will likely go out

[Tim Southampton Rover]

Iceman, what's the overall opinion of South Africa so far in this World Cup? Have the fans been disappointed or did you expect to go out in the first round?

If South Africa do go out today, I think they become the first team to host the World Cup and go out in the first round.

Goal!!!!

Hope for Bafana Bafana

[Tim Southampton Rover]

Wow, red card

Things are going from bad to worse for France.

Pretty sure it was Gourcuff sent off for an elbow.

I've been really disappointed with him this tournament. He came into the World Cup with so high expectations and he's disappointed in every game.

[DE.]

Another shocking red card IMO. Possibly a yellow, never a red. The French are going to find it hard to get anything from this now.

[Iceman]

Tim, there was great optimism going into the world cup. We unfortunaley just lack quality in certain areas.

[Tim Southampton Rover]

South Africa have scored again. Brilliant!

Awful defending by France.

[DE.]

France are absoloutely dreadful, somehow they're managing to embarrass themselves even more than they already had. They might as well not come out for the second half