France fail to fire against Tunisia (FIFA.com) Sunday 30 May 2010

France's preparations for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ suffered a reality check on Sunday when the 2006 finalists had to come from behind to snatch a 1-1 draw against non-qualifiers Tunisia.

France turned up in Rades on the back of Wednesday's confidence-boosting 2-1 win over Costa Rica in Lens. Like in that match France's top scorer Thierry Henry found himself on the bench with manager Raymond Domenech preferring to start Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka.

Hugo Lloris was back in goal after having ceded his place to Steve Mandanda who failed to advertise his claims against Costa Rica. The rest of the side was the same as Domenech stuck with his new 4-3-3 formation.

The match was a personal milestone for Domenech, who drew level with former manager Michel Hidalgo's record of 75 matches in charge of the national side. The 58-year-old Domenech, who succeeded Jacques Santini after UEFA EURO 2004, is stepping down to be replaced by Bordeaux coach Laurent Blanc after the FIFA World Cup.

Les Bleus fall behind
France failed to assert as they had done last Wednesday and were behind by as early as the sixth minute when lax defending resulted in Isaam Jemaa tapping in past Lloris. Tunisia had the French backline on the rack two minutes later when Ben Khalfallah charged goalbound unchallenged down the centre in a one-on-one with Lloris but the danger petered out after he elected to pass to his left with the move petering out.

France, notably with a searing shot from Franck Ribery which skimmed just wide of the near post, had their chances but went into the break trailing. Domenech tinkered with his second half cast list, introducing Henry on the left and debutant Marc Planus for Ribery and Eric Abidal.

France got their much sought after leveller in the 62nd minute when William Gallas headed in Yoann Gourcuff's floating 30m free-kick from close range, a welcome fillip for central defender Gallas who is back in FIFA World Cup contention after a calf injury. The Arsenal back and Gourcuff were two of the few bright points of France's performance.

France have one remaining warm-up, against China in Reunion on Friday, before their FIFA World Cup campaign opens on 11 June against Uruguay.

French Profile Team For World Cup 2010 Africa

France has a history quite sweet on the way the World Cup. As one of 13 contestants first World Cup held earlier in 1930, France only six times fail to reach the final round.
France filled with great talents who deserve to be in recorded history. Michel Platini (now UEFA President),
brings the Rooster on four ranked on the World Cup 1982 Spain. and third in the World Cup 1986 Mexico.
In addition, there are Lilian Thuram who has the most caps with France. Similarly, Didier Deschamps, Laurent Blanc, Fabien Barthez and Bixente Lizarazu.
French hero is Zinedine Zidane. With Zidane, France underwent periods of golden era in the late 90s. Despite the failed step into the World Cup finals in 1994 in the United States, Les Bleus pay for it with perfect when lifting the trophy in front of the French public, four years later.

France eventually won the world title after defeating Brazil 3-0 with a crushing score. Two goals scored by Zinedine Zidane (27 ', 45 +1'), while Emmanuel Petit to score the winner at the end of matches.
Zinedine Zidane as FIFA Best Player of 2000, when he led France to win Euro 2000.
Zidane's decision to end his career in 2006 ago, after the incident butt Marco Materazzi in the World Cup finals in Germany, became the France early setback.
Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland and then to witness declining quality of the French game. Appear unconvincing throughout the competition, the French ultimately failed to step into the finals after being ranked at the bottom in Group C.
The participation of  France in the World Cup in 2010 was not achieved easily. Rooster stumbled in qualifying and could only finish as runner-up in European Zone Group 7 under Serbia. France must undergo play-off match against the Republic of Ireland. Not only that, the certainty of France qualify for the finals also marked the controversy related to Thierry Henry's handball in the second leg play-off. A William Gallas scored during extra time of birth after Henry looks to handball and give 2-1 aggregate victory. Colored by the faction tensions have time to The Boys in Green are demands for rematch, France still cruised into South Africa. France entered in Group A with host Bafana Bafana, the South American seed Uruguay, and Mexico.

Associations: Federation Francaise de Football
Nickname: Les Bleus
Uniform   : Blue-White
Captain   : Thierry Henry
Coach     : Raymond Domenech