The Hindu : Sport / Football : Thierry Henry doubtful starter against Swiss

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Friday, Mar 25, 2005

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Thierry Henry doubtful starter against Swiss

CLAIREFONTAINE (FRANCE), MARCH. 24. The last time France played Switzerland, Thierry Henry rescued `Les Bleus' with two late goals. France hopes for another star performance from the Arsenal striker in Saturday's crucial World Cup 2006 World Cup qualifier at Stade de France. The only problem for coach Raymond Domenech is that an injury doubt still lingers over Henry.

Even if Henry does recover from a calf strain in time for Saturday, will he be at his devastating best?

He trained on Wednesday and appeared to suffer no ill effects from the injury sustained against Bayern Munich on March 9.

Domenech, preparing his eighth match since replacing Jacques Santini in July, hopes to pair Henry with Juventus striker David Trezeguet — France's most potent combination sharing 58 international goals.

Trezeguet's constant niggling injuries means Domenech has only paired him once with Henry — in last month's 1-1 home draw with Sweden. The irony for Domenech is that he could now be without Henry. ``There are not many players like him,'' Domenech said. ``You can't just replace him like for like.''

France, Ireland and Israel all have eight points from four games in qualifying Group 4. Switzerland, which has played a game less, has five points but can pull level if it beats France. Topping the group means avoiding a possible playoff match.

Trezeguet well

Trezeguet's thigh injury appears to have healed, so he could add to his tally of 30 goals. He is presently second on France's all-time scoring list with Just Fontaine and Jean-Pierre Papin.

Stade de France has not been a happy place for France under Domenech's reign. The notoriously impatient crowd — which booed France after a 2-1 home defeat to Belgium shortly before the 2002 World Cup — has witnessed four straight draws and only one goal.

France has won two and drawn five under Domenech, a meagre record tempered by the loss of major stars like Zinedine Zidane and Lilian Thuram. Domenech has rebuilt the team and goalkeeper Gregory Coupet says they must now deliver. ``We have blended as a group, but we have yet to show it on the field,'' Coupet said.

Midfielder Benoit Pedretti says the Swiss will ``sit very deep'' to lure France forward in the hope of launching counterattacks. Switzerland has potent firepower in strikers Johann Vonlanthen and Alexander Frei.

``We have to be very wary of Vonlanthen's speed,'' Pedretti said. ``And we know Frei's qualities.'' Frei scored 19 goals in the French first division last season and has 14 this term. He has 16 international goals. Vonlanthen, meanwhile, troubled France in June when the teams met in a decisive group match at the European Championships. — AP

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