Les Bleus have World at feet
MARTIN O’NEILL believes France have every chance of winning the World Cup after seeing them dispose of Ireland last night.
Olivier Giroud and Nabil Fekir scored before half-time but Colin Doyle endured a Loris Karius-style howler dealing with the latter. But O’neill saluted the big keeper for overcoming that error to pull off a string of good saves to keep the scoreline respectable.
“Doyle showed bit of mettle and character and made a really good save after the goal conceded at the end of the first half,” he said.
Of France, O’neill continued: “They’re very strong and
individually they’ve got a lot of talent - they’re one of the favourites for the World Cup.”
Ireland lost to Les Bleus in the last 16 of Euro 2016 and O’neill believes they have kicked on again and got even stronger.
He added: “I don’t want to put pressure on the coach but they’re an excellent side. They have improved on two years ago and are better equipped than they were back then.”
Ireland were outclassed in every department but Derrick Williams, Shaun Williams and Shamrock Rovers ace Graham Burke all made their debuts.
And Burke might have nabbed a consolation goal at the death having gone close as the heavens opened again.
“Naturally he was delighted to get a call to come on, it was great news for him, his club and maybe a boost for the League of Ireland too,” said O’neill
“I think he deserved that opportunity to get on to the field. It should be a big boost in confidence to be in that company even if it wasn’t for long.
“But I thought we were naturally second best against a world class team. That was to be expected. I think it was a really, really tough game for us.
“That was also to be expected but I’m pleased we’ve taken this fixture on.
“If you’re trying to aspire to something, that sort of quality the French possess, while we are a great distance off that, I think the players can learn.
“We’ll look at the performance again at our leisure in the next 24 or 48 hours and pick out the things we can improve on.
“Although we defended very strongly, we conceded two bad goals. Our use of the ball can improve.
“But if you think a young League of Ireland player comes on in the game, it’s big experience for him and Derrick Williams – a number of Irish players wearing the shirt for first time.
“It was a great lesson for us tonight in what we are trying to achieve.”