Ace striker says job far from done for France as they look to book World Cup berth against Ireland today
Ace striker says job far from done for France as they look to book World Cup berth against Ireland today
Thierry Henry believes the hard work is still to come for France as they look to book their place in next summer's World Cup at the expense of the Republic of Ireland.
Raymond Domenech's men take a 1-0 advantage into the second leg of their play-off at the Stade de France today, courtesy of Nicolas Anelka's goal on Saturday in Dublin.
Even a draw at home to the Irish would now be good enough to send Les Bleus to South Africa, but Henry insists there is absolutely no room for complacency.
The Barcelona forward is eager to make sure the hard work his side have put in during a qualifying period in which they have had things far from their own way does not go to waste.
"The hardest thing will be to finish the job," the former Arsenal man said at France's Clairefontaine training base.
"The plain truth is that when we get on the field it will be 0-0. We will approach this match as if it was a one-off.
"We said right away there were 90 minutes still to play. We've been fighting to qualify for the last two years. The Irish will not give up."
Indeed, the visitors will take hope from the fact that during qualifying France could only draw with Romania and left it late to beat Lithuania at home.
Saturday's match at Croke Park was marked by a series of furious confrontations on the pitch.
The bust-ups were sparked by Lassana Diarra's comments to Keith Andrews which he has since denied making suggesting that the Republic's dream was at an end.
Henry also gave his view on the subject claiming he does not believe the Irish will be intent on revenge.
"As I said on English television, I do not expect anything," he said. "They are a team that will play, as they usually do, to their abilities and aggressively in the proper sense."
France will be without defender Eric Abidal with a thigh injury, with either Julien Escude or Sebastien Squillaci in line to replace him.
