Sport
Anelka: We will play to win
- Share
- Tweet /home/eastcork/public_html/wdir/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 68
https://www.cobhedition.com/wdir/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/0002c0c710dr.jpg&description=Anelka: We will play to win', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
France striker Nicolas Anelka has warned his team-mates they cannot afford to defend the 1-0 advantage they hold over the Republic of Ireland in their World Cup play-off second leg.
Anelka gave the French a fortunate lead after his deflected second-half shot separated the teams following a closely-fought first leg in Dublin on Saturday night.
As a result Raymond Domenech’s side will be firm favourites to qualify before next summer’s World Cup finals when the teams resume hostilities in Paris, although Anelka remains wary.
The 30-year-old Chelsea striker, who has never been picked in a France World Cup finals squad, believes they must attack their visitors if they are to confirm their place in South Africa.
‘We will play to win on Wednesday because that’s the only way we can play freely, and we also want to give the fans something good at Stade de France,’ Anelka told the French football Federation’s website.
‘Of course it’s good to score away from home, it’s a play-off so it’s very important.
‘It’s satisfying because we wanted to come here and show that we could get a good result. But we shouldn’t get carried away, anything can happen.’
Anelka admitted France failed to find much fluency during the first leg at Croke Park.
‘We couldn’t get going and develop our game. We talked among ourselves and told each other what we had to do,’ he added. ‘We didn’t play very well in the first half.’
Domenech will again be without Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby for Wednesday night’s match with the calf injury that also forced him to miss the first leg.
The 23-year-old was ruled out of the match today, less than 24 hours after Jeremy Toulalan and Eric Abidal’s absences were also confirmed due to injury.
France have already been without star winger Franck Ribery, who was arguably their best player during a stuttering group qualification campaign, for the play-off with the Irish.
Should France qualify it would be the fourth consecutive occasion they have reached the finals – a run that includes their 1998 success on home soil and their appearance in the final in Germany three years ago.
-
Announcements2 weeks ago
JOB OPPORTUNITIES Watersedge Hotel are currently hiring for the following positions
-
Local News2 weeks ago
Landmark Partnership: Cruise Ireland and Cruise Britain Join Forces to Boost Cruise Tourism
-
Events & Entertainment2 weeks ago
Sarah Browne Exhibition at the Sirius Arts Centre
-
Local News2 weeks ago
Spike Island’s After Dark Tours return: Explore the haunting history of iconic prison island once dubbed “Ireland’s Hell”
-
Local News23 hours ago
Cyclists of all abilities encouraged to join Fort2Fort Charity Cycle 2024Saturday, 8th June
-
Local News24 hours ago
Crosshaven RNLI Assist Two on Disabled Yacht
-
Announcements23 hours ago
Cobh Youth & Social Projects CLG have the following vacancies
-
Local Soccer1 week ago
Cobh Wanderers face College Corinthians in 1st Round of Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup
-
Events & Entertainment23 hours ago
SIRIUS ARTS CENTRE: COMMISSION: Aikaterini Gegisian