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Henry, Cisse likely to start up front for France at World Cup
(AP)
Updated: 2006-06-07 16:11 SAINT-ETIENNE, France _ Thierry Henry and Djibril Cisse are likely to lead France's attack in the team's opening World Cup match against Switzerland. France coach Raymond Domenech named the pair to start in Wednesday's friendly against China, having previously said the team facing China in France's last friendly would start next Tuesday. Cisse spent much of the season on the bench at Liverpool, but his four goals in World Cup qualifying helped Les Bleus qualify for the tournament in Germany, and Domenech has kept faith with him despite a poor performance against Mexico. David Trezeguet, third on France's all-time scoring list with 31 goals, and Louis Saha appear to have dropped down to reserve strikers for the tournament, which starts Friday "A good player can adapt to anyone around him," Domenech said prior to naming the team against China. "We have six or seven players who can play in attacking roles, none is better than the other," Domenech said. "We should approach the match against China with no apprehension." Saha has been the more impressive of the trio, offering movement and pace - qualities alien to Trezeguet against Mexico - and the technical poise lacking in Cisse's play. France has slowly picked up its form following a grueling World Cup qualifying campaign, and a sluggish 1-0 win over Mexico. Last week's 2-0 win over Denmark was the most complete performance since Domenech took over nearly two years ago, and featured a solid performance from Henry and a cameo from newcomer Franck Ribery. "I am waiting for us to confirm all the good things we did against Denmark," Domenech said. "Denmark posed us a lot of problems, and we found a lot of answers, although we could have improved some things offensively." While Ribery, who has only made two international appearances, is unlikely to get a starting role, Domenech knows the 23-year-old could come off the bench in Germany. Ribery combines close control with quick changes of direction that often leave defenders swiping at his ankles. He won the penalty against Denmark. |
