France boss Didier Deschamps accepted that Brazilian referee Sandro Ricci had been the key figure as his side got their World Cup campaign off to a perfect start with a 3-0 win over Honduras on Sunday.
|Last Updated: Jun 16, 2014, 10:05 AM IST|Source: AFP
France boss Didier Deschamps accepted that Brazilian referee Sandro Ricci had been the key figure as his side got their World Cup campaign off to a perfect start with a 3-0 win over Honduras on Sunday.
On a busy night, Ricci, he awarded the first goal at a World Cup finals using goal-line technology cameras after Honduran goalkeeper Noel Valladares fumbled the ball over his own line to put France 2-0 in front.
Earlier, Ricci awarded France a penalty, converted by Karim Benzema, and sent-off Wilson Palacios for a second bookable offence before Benzema rounded off the win with a fine third goal 18 minutes from time.
However, France were fortunate not to be reduced to 10 men themselves in the first-half when Paul Pogba kicked out at Palacios.
"It is a marvellous start and was a great match for us," said Deschamps.
"We had a team in front of us in Hondurans who defended aggressively and it was difficult for us even if we hit the bar twice early on.
"The penalty and the sending off changed the game we scored three goals in the end. We could have scored more, but it is a good start for the team."
There was confusion over the new technology as replays inside the stadium first showed Benzema`s initial shot had not gone in before confirming the ball had crossed the line after hitting Valladares` hand.
"I think it is a good solution and the goal then counts. The referee gets the signal we were just worried that on the screen they showed an image that didn`t correspond to the goal," said Deschamps.
"It was only after the goalkeeper pushes the ball into the goal it is a goal. The image shown must be the one that justifies the decision of the referee."
Victory moves France above Switzerland on goal difference in Group E after the Swiss beat Ecuador 2-1 earlier.
The two European sides meet next on Friday in Salvador and Deschamps was keen to keep a lid on the reaction to a fine start for his side.
"It is a measured joy. It is satisfaction and happiness but no euphoria because it is the first match.
"The players know the road is still long and we have another difficult match in five days time."
The only sour note of the night for France was a hamstring injury suffered by Yohan Cabaye that forced the midfielder off in the second-half and could make him a doubt to face the Swiss.
For Honduras coach Luis Suarez was more frustrated. On top of losing the game, he had to answer further accusations that his side had been over aggressive.
The Colombian believes the media reaction to the Central Americans` bad-tempered friendly against England last weekend contributed to Ricci`s decisions going against them.
"Of course it changes the match to play with 10 players for over half the match," he said.
"I don`t think we crossed the line. Of course we have our own style, a strong and intense style, but we always respect the laws of the game and if we don`t then the referee will take a decision.
"In competitive games it is the first time we have had a red card. We didn`t have any during the qualifiers.
"I don`t like to complain because it is not on my nature, but there have been many comments that might have had an influence on the referee," Suarez said.
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