Lens (France), May 30 (DPA) After a morale boosting yet far from
convincing win over Mexico, France look to step up a gear in another
World Cup preparation match against Denmark Wednesday, but Zinedine
Zidane's form is indeed a cause for worry.
A number of questions arose from Saturday's 1-0
win over defensive-minded Mexico, the first of which being the fitness
of Zidane who failed to make an impact in his 100th appearance for
France.
'Fitness has always been my problem and it always will be right to the
end,' said the two-goal hero from the 1998 World Cup final. 'To be
physically 100 percent, I have to play regularly which is my objective
right now.'
Florent Malouda's crushing left-foot shot was enough to separate the
sides on Saturday. But coach Raymond Domenech, who was roundly booed on
the announcement of his name at the Stade de France, now has just over
two weeks to get matters right before their opening match against the
Swiss in Stuttgart on June 13.
'The next few matches take us closer to the competition and we are
expecting better performances. We must get better and better with each
match but the players are hungry for success and will be ready for the
World Cup and hopefully a run to the final,' said Domenech.
Denmark, who failed to qualify from a group including Ukraine, Turkey
and Greece are experienced campaigners and will again provide a stern
test for Domenech and his embattled troops.
The two teams met at the 2002 World Cup when Morten Olsen guided his
side to a 2-0 win, which sent the then reigning champions packing after
the first round.
Another talking point from the Mexico match was the reaction of the
Parisian crowd who whistled not only at Domenech but also Vikash
Dhorasoo, Djibril Cisse and Fabien Barthez.
'I don't understand it,' said Thierry Henry, who was rested Saturday
but should see some action in Lens. 'That would never happen in
England. Whether you win or lose, the fans show their support. I have
never seen that in seven years and it was very strange, almost
incomprehensible.'
Dhorasoo was the main victim, possibly for his inclusion in the squad
in place of Ludovic Giuly or Robert Pires. 'The fans whistling
destabilised me,' said the PSG playmaker. 'If the World Cup was being
played in France, it would be a problem, but that is not the case. What
bothered me was that my family were in the stadium and it affected
them,' he added.
France are next in action on June 7 with a match against China at St. Etienne.
© 2006 DPA | 
