Player Ratings: Faroe Islands 0-1 France

FAROE ISLANDS

Mikkelsen – 8.5 – The Faroe Islands’ goalkeeper was in excellent form all evening, making two particularly fine saves from Gignac in the second half. Handled everything very well and couldn’t have done anything about the goal.

Naes – 5.5 – Had a difficult evening on the right side of the right side of the defence, where France directed many of their attacks. Struggled to cope with Malouda and Evra but stuck gamely to his task.

Bo – 6.5 – Several good blocks but will have been disappointed to have been so easily turned by Gignac for the only goal of the game. Also wasted the home side’s best chance, completely messing up a header from a free kick.

Gregersen – 7.0 – Enjoyed a positive start to the match before being withdrawn after less than 40 minutes.

Davidsen  – 7.5 – The left-back played solidly, rarely allowing Nicolas Anelka to pose a great threat during the first half. In the second period, he was a little more exposed, but he remained pretty solid.

Lokin – 7.0 – Little more than a defensive actor in the first half, he improved in an attacking sense in the second period, frequently creating worry in the French defence as time ticked away.

Danielsen – 6.5 – Strong in defence, he produced a tenacious and energetic performance in the middle of the park. An important lynchpin in the centre of the park.

Benjaminsen – 7.0 – An exceptionally tenacious presence for the Faroe Islands, who got forward to support the strikers when the chance presented itself to him. Tussle with Toulalan around half-time proved that he’s not afraid to mix it.

Olsen – 7.5 – The most offensive of the central midfield three, in truth he rarely received possession, but he was still the Faroe Islanders’ most dangerous threat as his set pieces were delivered with consistent danger.

Samuelson – 7.0 – Dogged on the right hand side of the home midfield, he started to show more attacking endeavour in the last quarter of the game. Not afraid to shoot, but his accuracy was lacking.

Holst – 6.0 – Withdrawn early, but threatened in the short time he was on. Nearly found an opening when he pressured Sagna under a long ball, but Evra shut him out.

Substitutes

Petersen – 7.0 – Came on just prior to half-time but settled into the rhythm of the match very quickly indeed.

Edmundsen – 6.5 – Replaced Holst prior to the interval and worked hard in the offence. Showed a couple of very nice touches but produced little.

Borg – n/a – Played only a few minutes of the match but nearly headed a vital late equaliser.


FRANCE

Lloris – 6.0 – Had little to do, and started in a very nervy manner, with a couple of poor clearances. Settled down and looked composed after the opening ten minutes.

Sagna – 6.0 – Could have done a little more offensively and was not always at his best at the back, losing a couple of battles with Lokin. On the other hand, he was always an outlet and his delivery was at times dangerous.

Escude – 6.5 – Was certainly the better of the two French central defenders, dominating in the air and acting in a more composed manner on the ground.

Gallas – 5.0 – Anything but a captain’s performance from the Arsenal man, who endured something of a nightmare first half, allowing players to run off him and gifting Bo and Benjaminsen free headers, which both could have proved costly.

Evra – 7.0 – Despite missing a penalty in the Community Shield for Manchester United at the weekend, the left-back’s enthusiasm and confidence were not in question. Frequently got forward to good effect, sending some dangerous balls into the box that could have yielded a goal.

Diarra – 6.5 – The Real Madrid man was sloppy in possession on a couple of occasions, but he was not afraid to throw his frame about to break up Faroese attacks.

Toulalan – 6.0 – Asked to play in a more offensive manner than he tends to, Toulalan found himself in a couple of shooting positions and came close to scoring. Defensively, though, he was not at his best, being drawn into a tit-for-tat encounter with Danielsen that was only going to benefit the hosts.

Anelka – 6.5 – Very quiet first half that was not helped by scooping an early chance over the bar. Moved into the centre during the second period after starting on the right, and was dominant in the air, with a couple of clever knockdowns creating chances for others.

Gourcuff – 7.0 – Definitely not at his best but a couple of moments of brilliance. A delightful chip, when he seemed poised to shoot, picked out Malouda, who headed just wide, and then a hugely intelligent header to Gignac nearly set the striker up for his second. Had a goal ruled out for offside.

Malouda – 7.5 – One of France’s shining lights on the left, the home defence did not know how to pick him up. Got by his marker frequently in the first half and set up the only goal by cutting inside, showing clever variation to his game. His influence waned in the second period and he was replaced by Ribery.

Gignac – 8.0 – The outstanding French player, Gignac showed imagination and strength. He was the only Frenchman to consistently get into scoring positions and struck home only moments before half time with a well taken goal. Might have had a couple more had it not been for Mikkelsen.

Substitutes

Ribery – 7.0 – Perked up the French attack in the final quarter with his pace and direct running. Bayern Munich won’t have been happy to see him on the park, though.

Robin Bairner, Goal.com