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| June 18, 2006 | Sunday | Jumadi-ul-Awwal 21, 1427 |
Goal-shy France prepare for probable elimination
LEIPZIG, June 17: France must end a worrying goal drought on Sunday against South Korea or face the prospect of another early exit at the World Cup.
After a lacklustre 0-0 draw with Switzerland in their Group G opener, France have not won a match or even scored a goal in the World Cup finals since beating Brazil to lift the trophy eight years ago.
The French were sent packing in 2002 after failing to win or score a goal in the group stage and are now closing in on Bolivia's unwanted record of five finals games without a goal.
Coach Raymond Domenech's ageing team looked sluggish against the Swiss and will have to step up a gear against the speedy and super-fit South Koreans.
The surprise 2002 semi-finalists fought back from a goal down to beat Togo 2-1 in their opening match and are bullish about their chances against Les Bleus.
“It will not be easy but we have to win,” said France striker Thierry Henry. “They (Korea) were in the semi-finals last time but they're not as defensive as Switzerland and they should allow us more space.”
“We have to keep relying on that organisation we have, that's a basis, but at the same time we need to add some imagination to make life difficult for our opponents,” Domenech said.
France should welcome back midfielder Florent Malouda, who missed the first match for unknown reasons but has since resumed full training.
Domenech, who decided to field Henry as a lone striker against Switzerland, could revert to two up front with Louis Saha expected to get the nod.
Defender Lilian Thuram should be picked to match Marcel Desailly's national record by winning his 116th cap.
South Korea's Dutch coach Dick Advocaat is expected to give striker Ahn Jung-hwan a start ahead of Cho Jae-jin after he came off the bench to score the winner against Togo.
Forward Lee Chun-soo, who scored a marvellous free kick to put Korea on level terms with the Africans in the Group G opener, said France hold no fears for the 2002 semi-finalists.
On paper, France have more talent but could struggle against the lively Koreans, who are fitter now than they were four years ago when they beat Portugal, Italy and Spain on the way to the last four.
Probable teams:
FRANCE (4-3-1-2): 16-Fabien Barthez; 19-Willy Sagnol, 15-Lilian Thuram,
5-William Gallas, 3-Eric Abidal; 4-Patrick Vieira, 6-Claude Makelele, 7-Florent Malouda; 10-Zinedine Zidane; 14-Louis Saha, 12-Thierry Henry.
SOUTH KOREA (4-3-3): 1-Lee Woon-jae; 22-Song Chong-gug, 4-Choi jin-cheul, 6-Kim Jin-kyu, 12-Lee Young-pyo; 7-Park Ji-sung, 17-Lee Ho, 13-Lee Eul-yong; 14-Lee Chun-soo, 9-Ahn Jung-hwan, 11-Seol Ki-hyeon.—Reuters
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