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France frustrated by resilient Swiss

Saturday, 26 March 2005

By Roger Brown

[1] France missed the opportunity to go top of FIFA World Cup qualifying Group 4 after a 0-0 draw against Switzerland as the Republic of Ireland and Israel also drew.

France pressure

[2] Draws with Israel and Ireland, who like the French now have nine points from five games, in their previous home games had put pressure on the hosts going into this match. To make matters worse, they were without the injured Thierry Henry in attack.

Early chances

[3] On a wet evening in Paris, a frantic first half saw chances for both sides. Patrick Vieira had a shot deflected just wide in the second minute and two minutes later France goalkeeper Fabian Barthez had to come off his line to parry an effort from Daniel Gygax. Then, a powerful long-range shot from Philipp Degen had Barthez diving at full-stretch. The action soon switched back to the other end and Ludovic Giuly saw an effort parried at close range by Switzerland goalkeeper Pascal Zuberbühler

France chances

[4] In the 21st minute, a Vieira header was cleared off the line by Johann Vogel. The rebound fell back to the captain but he fired high and wide. Then France striker David Trezeguet had two excellent chances. On 24 minutes he shot wide from a William Gallas cross when his marker slipped and two minutes later he failed to connect with a Giuly cross with the goal gaping. France were starting to take a grip on the game and, on 31 minutes, it was Sylvain Wiltord's turn to test Zuberbühler.

Visitors dangerous

[5] Switzerland had a couple of great chances just before the break. The visitors won a free-kick in a dangerous position on the left and when the ball was swung in, France defender Willy Sagnol connected with the ball, forcing Barthez to make a save. A minute later another Swiss move saw Gygax flick the ball on to Cabanas who shot low and hard but Barthez saved.

France disappointment

[6] Just after the restart, Wiltord controlled a Benoît Pedretti through-ball on his chest but shot straight at Zuberbühler. On 52 minutes, Wiltord struck a curling shot wide while eight minutes later a free-kick from Pedretti sailed just over. Then, midway through the second half, Trezeguet failed to connect properly with a Giuly cross when in a good position.

Trezeguet miss

[7] Ten minutes later Trezeguet again found himself unmarked only to spurn the chance. Vieira also went close in the dying minutes but it was not to be France's night. They will hope for better in Israel on Wednesday night, when Switzerland, with six points from four games, receive Cyprus.

Switzerland's Benjamin Huggel (left) vies with Gaël Givet