Latest News Network: Cricket Latest | Premiership Latest | Euro Cup Latest | Champions League Latest | UEFA Cup Latest | Stock Market Latest
World Cup 2006 Match Results | World Cup Stadiums Video Latest News Network: Cricket Latest | Premiership Latest | Euro Cup Latest | Champions League Latest | UEFA Cup Latest | Stock Market Latest |
Test your football knowledge in our World Cup Quiz
Group G Match Preview - France v South Korea, Malouda Replaces Ribery, Jung-Hwan In For Jae-JinSubmitted by Matt Vance on Sun, 18/06/2006 - 16:18.
France face South Korea in Match 3 of Group G at the Zentralstadion, Leipzig, with an intriguing game in prospect following the results in their previous matches. France were distinctly underwhelming in their sterile 0-0 draw against Switzerland, whilst South Korea only just managed to overcome Togo, who gave a plucky performance in their first World Cup game. France will have to show much more bite if they are to have any hope of reaching the knockout stages, and in an attempt to rectify the problem coach Raymond Domenech is expected to change to a 4-4-2 formation with Manchester United's Louis Saha partnering Arsenal star Thierry Henry in attack. Henry is under no illusions as to the task ahead: "It will not be easy but we have to win,” he said. "They [Korea] were in the semi-finals last time but they're not as defensive as Switzerland and they should allow us more space." Domenech will have midfielder Florent Malouda available after he missed the Switzerland match following an emergency operation. France go into the match having not scored at the World Cup since Emmanuel Petit's decisive goal against Brazil when they won the trophy in Paris eight years ago. South Korea's Dutch coach Dick Advocaat maintains huge respect for a France team many commentators have suggested are past their best, and he is expecting a tough encounter: "We have heard a lot of stories about France but that team has so much quality. In principle, if they play the way they can play, it will be very difficult for us," Advocaat said. "Hopefully France has not a good day and we have a very good day. That is what I hope.” “It is quite simple,” he added. “Everybody expects that France will win, so there is no reason for our team to be nervous. They just have to go out and play their game." Striker Lee Chun-Soo, who scored in their triumph against Togo with a sweetly taken free-kick, feels they have nothing to fear against the 1998 World Cup winners. "France are a team with big name players but we are used to playing against famous defenders with big reputations, it's not a big change for us,” he said. MSV Duisburg striker Ahn Jung-Hwan, a substitute in the first game, is expected to start for South Korea after scoring the winner against Togo. Cho Jae-Jin is thought to be the player who makes way for him. France (probable): Barthez, Sagnol, Thuram, Gallas, Abidal, Vieira, Makelele, Malouda, Zidane, Saha, Henry. South Korea (probable): Woon-Jae, Chong-Gug, Jin-Cheul, Jin-Kyu, Young-Pyo, Ji-Sung, Lee Ho, Eul-Yong, Chun-Soo, Jung-Hwan, Ki-Hyeon. Referee: Benito Archundia (Mexico) in favorites | email this page
|
Visitor Menu Free Membership Site Links About Worldcuplatest Interesting Sites FIFA World Cup |