France 5-0 Faroe Islands
|
Match Stats
|
|
France
|
Faroe Islands
|
|
Shots (on Goal)
|
24(15)
|
0(0)
|
|
Fouls
|
5
|
4
|
|
Corner Kicks
|
9
|
0
|
|
Offsides
|
2
|
0
|
|
Time of Possession
|
70%
|
30%
|
|
Yellow Cards
|
0
|
1
|
|
Red Cards
|
0
|
0
|
|
Saves
|
0
|
10
|
|
Match Information
|
Stadium:
Auguste-Bonal, France
Attendance: 19,314
Match Time: 20:00 UK
Official(s):
Sorin Corpodean (Referee)
Augustus Constantin (Linesman)
George Vidan (Linesman)
Miklos Nagy (Linesman)
|
Updated: November 9, 2006, 7:33 PM UK
PARIS, November 9 (Friendly) - France coach Raymond Domenech once again took everyone by surprise with a squad selection that included 19-year-olds Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain for next week's friendly with European champions Greece.
Higuain plays in Argentina with River Plate but was born in Brest and Domenech has given the player the chance to commit his future to Les Bleus although he admits the youngster may instead commit to the Albiceleste.
Domenech told a press conference: "Gonzalo Higuain is French. A few days ago he said he was interested in playing for France so I give him the opportunity to show what he can do.
"I have seen him play, the River Plate coach (Daniel Passarella) has said good things about him and my friends in Argentina told me enough for me to call him up.''
Domenech continued: "I am preparing France's squad for the future and I can't tell you if Gonzalo will play or not, we will see.
"It is a friendly game against Greece so if Gonzalo prefers Argentina, then no problem, he can do that. FIFA's rules are clear.
"As for Benzema it's good what he can do at such a young age.''
Benzema has impressed for club side Lyon this season.
France will use the occasion to honour the players that won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 while Domenech hopes France will gain revenge for their defeat to Greece in the Euro 2004 quarter-finals.
"France-Greece is important,'' said Domenech. "Even the fiesta before the game to say thank you to the 1998 and 2000 players.
"The essential is a win and we are playing to win. In my mind, I am thinking ahead to Euro 2008 which is why the Greece game is important. It's not fun but serious.
"Greece have beaten France in Euro 2004 in the quarter-final which is a bad memory for me,'' said Domenech who at the time was France under-21 boss when Jacques Santini coached the national team.
"It took a long time to forget that defeat but things are different now,'' said Domenech who led France to this year's World Cup final where they lost to Italy on penalties.
Patrick Vieira is likely to win his 100th cap against the Greeks and Domenech said: "Patrick Vieira's 100 caps is fantastic.
"He can go far and even beat Lilian Thuram.''
Thuram, a 34-year-old team-mate of Vieira's in the 1998 and 2000 sides, is still playing for France for whom he has won a record 125 caps.
The squad is also notable for the inclusion of Manchester United's Patrice Evra who has not played for Les Bleus for two years and the exclusion of Juventus pair David Trezeguet and Jean-Alain Boumsong.
France 5 - 0 Faroe Islands