Paris: A deflected goal in Ireland and a handball in

20/11/09

Sporty India Updated

Paris: A deflected goal in Ireland and a handball in France were enough to help the French reach the World Cup, but Raymond Domenech’s team looks far from convincing and the coach even admitted it was “miraculous” to squeeze through.

France will be in South Africa next year in its fourth consecutive World Cup, but many questions remain whether Domenech’s team has what it takes there after being outplayed by Ireland in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw.

“It was difficult, arduous and sometimes miraculous,” Domenech said. “It was a victory by the skin of our teeth.”

Make that the palm of Thierry Henry’s hand.

France needed an extra time goal from Arsenal defender William Gallas, but in the build up to the goal veteran striker Henry clearly handled the ball — twice — before toe-poking it up to Gallas to head in from one yard out.

Gallas’ goal made it 1-1 on the night and sent France through 2-1 on aggregate after Nicolas Anelka scored in the second half at Croke Park on Saturday with a shot that deflected past goalkeeper Shay Given to give France a 1-0 win.

The Irish players were furious — and with reason.

Henry, a close friend of San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker, patted the ball down like a basketball player before remembering to use his feet. Henry and his former Arsenal teammate Gallas were also offside on the initial free-kick.

“Allow me a little moment of happiness,” Domenech said, claiming he didn’t see that incident — even though he was outraged Anelka was not awarded a penalty earlier in extra time.

Portugal through

In Zenica, a 56th-minute strike by Raul Meireles was enough to break Bosnian hearts and send 2006 semifinalists Portugal through to the finals.

The Portuguese, once again without the injured Cristiano Ronaldo, had won a hard-fought first leg 1-0 courtesy of a close-range header by Bruno Alves on Saturday and again had to be on their mettle.

Meireles took a pass from Manchester United star Nani and slipped a low, precise shot past Kenan Hasagic in the Bosnian goal to settle the tie.

“These marathons are only over after the final whistle and I want to thank my players for showing such spirit,” said Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz.

Bosnia, trying to reach the World Cup for the first time, had midfielder Sejad Salihovic red-carded late in the game, a decision which caused the match to come briefly to a halt with one of the linesmen appearing to have been struck by an object thrown from the crowd.

Guus Hiddink, who famously took South Korea to the 2002 semifinals, will be missing from South Africa after Slovenia beat his Russian side 1-0 in Maribor to qualify on the away goals rule.

Striker Zlatko Dedic, who plays his club football for Bochum in Germany, scored the only goal just before the break.

Russia had won the first leg 2-1 in Moscow on Saturday, but Nejc Pecnik’s goal two minutes from time gave Slovenia hope for Wednesday’s return leg and it seized the chance to reach its first finals since 2002.

Hiddink’s side ended the match with nine men after Alexander Kerzhakov and Yuri Zhirkov were both red-carded.

Greece books berth

In Donetsk, Greece beat Ukraine 1-0 to book a World Cup finals place for the first time since 1994.

Panathinaikos striker Dimitris Salpingidis netted the only goal of the match for the 2004 European champion following Saturday’s 0-0 draw in the first leg in Athens.

“I’m proud of my players,” said Greece manager Otto Rehhagel.

“It was really tough to contain Ukraine’s attacks throughout the match but we did our best and luckily we managed to do it and achieve the desired result.”

The results:

At Donetsk: Ukraine 0 lost to Greece 1 (Salpingidis 31). Greece qualifies 1-0 on aggregate.

At Zenica: Bosnia 0 lost to Portugal 1 (Meireles 56). Portugal qualifies 2-0 on aggregate.

At Maribor: Slovenia 1 (Dedic 44) bt Russia 0. Aggregate 2-2; Slovenia qualifies on away goals.

At Paris

France 1 (Gallas 103) drew with Ireland 1 (Keane 32). France qualifies 2-1 on aggregate.

African Group C: At Khartoum: Algeria 1, Egypt 0. Algeria qualifies.

CONCACAF-South America Playoff: Second leg: Uruguay 1 drew with Costa Rica 1. Uruguay qualifies 2-1 on aggregate .