HAMELIN, Germany, June 21 - Patrick Vieira turns 30 when France play Togo in their final Group G match on Friday and wants some Thierry Henry goals as a present.

France's Thierry Henry (12) celebrates his goal against South Korea during their Group G World Cup 2006 soccer match in Leipzig June 18, 2006. [Reuters]

"A player like Thierry Henry is capable of making a difference by scoring at any time and I believe he can win it for us," Vieira, who played alongside Henry at Arsenal before moving to Juventus, told reporters on Wednesday.

"The fact that we played together for a long time means I know where to find him on the pitch," Vieira added. "I have to concentrate on that because that can make us win the match."

France, who started with draws against Switzerland and South Korea, need to beat Togo by two clear goals in Cologne to make sure of advancing to the knockout stages.

"So far we've been playing with the handbrake on," Vieira said of France's sluggish start.

"We have a defence we can rely on which is a solid basis but maybe we've been playing too defensively. Now we must race the ball forward a little bit more and make sure we put Thierry Henry in a position to score."

France's most prolific striker with 34 goals, Henry has scored their only one at this World Cup, in Sunday's 1-1 draw with South Korea.

The 28-year-old, however, has not looked the player he is for Arsenal and France need more from him to avoid another early exit after leaving the 2002 finals without a win or a goal.

RARELY TOGETHER

Henry should receive some help on Friday with coach Raymond Domenech expected to pair him with Juventus marksman David Trezeguet up front.

The two are among the world's most lethal strikers at club level but, surprisingly enough, rarely start together for France.

Page:

1

2