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France snatch World Cup berth
(China Daily)
Updated: 2005-10-14 06:11
PARIS: France, Serbia-Montenegro and Sweden all booked their places in the
World Cup finals on Wednesday as the Republic of Ireland and European champions
Greece were left out in the cold.
France, the 1998 champions, brushed aside Cyprus 4-0 at the Stade de France
in Paris, the scene of their greatest triumph seven years ago, and topped Group
Four after Switzerland drew 0-0 with the Republic of Ireland in Dublin.
That result gave the Swiss a place in the play-offs while the Irish crashed
out.
Serbia-Montenegro beat Bosnia-Hercegovina 1-0 in Belgrade to win Group Seven,
leaving Spain, who crushed San Marino 6-0, to take their chances in the
play-offs in November.
Goals by Zinedine Zidane, Sylvain Wiltord, Vikash Dhorasoo in the first half
and a late clincher by substitute Ludovic Giuly gave France a welcome win, which
meant they finished with 20 points, two better than the Swiss.
"It's a great feeling to qualify but it's just one stage," said France coach
Raymond Domenech.
"Now we will have a little glass of champagne and then begin our preparation
for the finals."
Spain finish Group Seven in second place on 20 points, two behind the Serbs
who will be making their second World Cup appearance after France in 1998.
Mateja Kezman, on loan from Chelsea to Atletico Madrid,
was the hero of the hour in Belgrade, producing the only goal in the seventh
minute.
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