October 10, 2006	Tuesday	Ramazan 16, 1427

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LONDON, Oct 9: France, England and Ireland will attempt to put right damaging weekend results when they get straight back into action amid 22 Euro 2008 qualifiers on Wednesday.

France suffered their first away qualifying defeat for 14 years when they went down 1-0 to Scotland but have the chance to replace that in their immediate memory by putting a hatful of goals past the Faroe Islands in Sochaux.

Having beaten Italy 3-1 in their World Cup final rematch last month France would have thought they were in early control of a really difficult Group B but Scotland's win, and Lithuania's draw against Italy, have shown there is still much to be done.The Faroes held out until the last minute against Lithuania on Saturday before losing 1-0 and with another mass-defence display expected, the French fans might have to be patient.

Scotland will be desperate to consolidate their famous win by getting something from their trip to Ukraine, who lost 2-0 in Italy on Saturday but who are likely to have striker Andriy Shevchenko back after illness.

The world champions were still some way from their best in that game but should continue their gradual rebuild in Georgia.

England face a much more difficult test when they take on Croatia in Zagreb, where the home side have not lost a competitive game for 12 years since splitting from Yugoslavia, having won 20 and drawn 10 of their 30 matches.

England, toothless in their 0-0 home draw with Macedonia, would still be looking good in Group E if they could end that record while the Croats, who thumped Andorra 7-0, would really start to fancy their own chances if they could grab all three points.Russia, already off the pace in the group after starting with two draws, will look to kick-start their campaign at home to Estonia.

Ireland were always up against it having been drawn alongside Germany and Czech Republic in Group D but made it even tougher for themselves by losing 5-2 in Cyprus.

With pressure already growing on new, but inexperienced manager Steve Staunton, they will need to respond at home to the Czechs in Dublin on Wednesday.

That will be no easy task against a team who made it three wins out of three by thrashing San Marino 7-0.

Germany, also boasting a perfect record after two games - and a goal difference of plus 14 - visit Slovakia, on a high themselves after thumping Wales 5-1 in Cardiff. Wales host Cyprus.

Sweden are the early pacesetters in Group F after inflicting a second successive defeat on Spain on Saturday.

The visit Iceland, with Denmark, second on four points after being held at home by Northern Ireland, expecting to get back to winning ways in Liechtenstein and Spain not in action.

Group G is already developing into a tough tussle after Bulgaria showed they were serious contenders in their 1-1 draw with the Netherlands.

They should consolidate that result by beating Luxembourg away while the Dutch, wihtout injured forward Dirk Kuyt, host Albania.

Having missed out on the World Cup, Greece have made a determined start in the defence of their European title with wins over Moldova and Norway in Group D.

They visit Bosnia, while Turkey, also on six points from two games, host Moldova.

Group A also looks like going all the way with everyone taking points off each other so far.

Serbia lead with seven points from three games going into their home game against Armenia while Finland (five from three) travel to Kazakhstan. Portugal (four from three) are in Poland.

Austria and Switzerland, automatically through as joint hosts of the tournament, meet in a friendly in Innsbruck.—Reuters