Argentina is going to face France in the opening match of Rugby world cup 2007. The match will be held in 7 September. It is interesting that Argentina is going to play the opening match of rugby world cup third time in a row. In the last world cup tournaments, Argentina faced the host teams in the opening match of the competition. The only problem of playing the first match is pressure because rugby fans want some thing special from the first match and the opening match always gets extra focus.
Now, ahead of the opening match against France, the Argentine players are confident to play well and they do not repeat the performance of last two world cup tournament. In 2003, Argentina faced Australia in the first match and lost by 24-4. Four years earlier in 1999, France lost to Wales in the opening match by 23-18. So, it seems that opening match performance of Argentina is not so good. However, the opening match experience of Argentina will be an advantage it the upcoming opening match against France.
Argentina coach Marcelo Loffreda has said that they have analyzed the opening match of last two world cup. So, the mistakes they have done in those two matches, they will not repeat in the upcoming match.
Guardian reported:
"We gave away five penalties in the opening 20 minutes for going in early and that was a result of anxiety," Loffreda told reporters on Wednesday after naming his team for Friday's match.
"It's going to be very important how those opening minutes are played, when I think Argentina could become dominant.
"France are clearly the favourites, the whole setting will favour them but that could play against them.
With the France vs Argentina match, the home fans are really excited and they are expecting to see France as the winner of the match. It is true that France is one of the best rugby playing counties in the world. On the other hand, Argentina does not have any good track record in the history of rugby world cup. However, the most important thing is that Argentina is improving gradually which and they becoming stronger. So, France should not take Argentina lightly. Otherwise, the Rugby world cup 2007 may start with upset. Now, let us see what will happen in the opening match of the 2007 Rugby world cup.
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