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Togo's Coach Keshi Confident In World Cup GROUP G - Togo Face France, Switzerland & Korea RepublicSubmitted by Scott Harkness on Sun, 11/12/2005 - 00:23.
In Group G, the former World Cup champions France have been drawn alongside Switzerland, South Korea, and World Cup Finals newcomers Togo. World Cup debutantes Togo are being optimistic about their side's chances of progressing from its World Cup group, and in doing so, hoping to repeat Senegal's 2002 shock victory over former World Cup winner’s France. The tiny West African nation of Togo, saw off very strong African sides, including Cameroon and Senegal, to qualify for the finals in Germany next year. Togo’s ‘Sparrowhawk’s’ coach Stephen Keshi is ecstatic about the chance to play the former World Cup winners. "I am very pleased to be facing France. They are a side who know very well how to play football, and we have come to the World Cup to learn," Keshi said on the government's website. "Don't ask me now whether we can do what Senegal did in 2002. We will see all that in June," he said. "We respect everyone in our group but we are not afraid. We have a lot of players who are developing in Europe." France, who, as holders of the World Cup title were unexpectedly knocked out in the group phase in 2002, are wary of what could look like a comfortable draw. Coach Raymond Domenech will be familiar with Switzerland, who were in the same qualifying group as the French, but is less familiar with the debutantes Togo and South Korea. "We think we are in a good group but we had the same feeling in 2002," Olympique Lyon and France goalkeeper Gregory Coupet said. "South Korea are not an easy team but they will not be playing in the same environment, they won't be at home. However, it doesn't mean we don't have to take them seriously." French striker Nicolas Anelka, who is hoping to be called up for the France squad next Summer said of the draw: “We might be luckier than Argentina but what happened in 2002 can happen again.” And when the striker was asked of his main threat in the group he said: “Who do I fear? South Korea… I've played against them with a youth selection. They are getting stronger and stronger, they never give up and they are very disciplined.” The Korean Republic, who were the joint hosts of the World Cup 2002 alongside Japan, qualified with ease from the Asia Zone. The Korean’s have a hugely experienced trainer behind them in former Scotland coach, Dick Advocaat, who agreed to coach South Korea until after the 2006 World Cup finals, and replaced his compatriot Jo Bonfrere in September. All the teams in the group should also not be complacent of Switzerland, who gained entry to the finals by beating the former World Cup quarter finalists, Turkey, in the play-offs, and who held France to a 0-0 draw in Paris, and drew 1-1 with the French in Bern in the group stages of the qualifiers. Swiss coach Koebi Kuhn has established a strong squad, with some good young players emerging, and who can take on any team on their day. in favorites | email this page
( categories: Group G | France Team News | Switzerland Team News | South Korea Team News | Togo Team News | World Cup 2006 )
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