France have long way to go despite big win: Deschamps
Coach discounts team’s 4-0 victory over Norway in pre-World Cup friendly.
France’s Paul Pogba netted a first-half opener in Paris, while teammate Olivier Giroud enhanced his reputation through a second-half brace. PHOTO: AFP
PARIS:
An understrength France may have eased to a 4-0 win over Norway in a friendly at the Stade de France on Tuesday, yet coach Didier Deschamps insists that Les Bleus are not ready for the World Cup finals.
With winger Franck Ribery rested and Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema yet to join up with the squad after winning the Champions League on Saturday, Mathieu Valbuena pulled the strings for France by setting up three goals — including two for Olivier Giroud.
“It was nice, the stadium was full, we had been working very well all week,” Deschamps told reporters.
“We were determined and we put intensity into the game but it was not so simple. After a good start, we had less possession after 20 minutes. After the break, we resumed our domination.”France face Honduras, Ecuador and Switzerland in Group E at the World Cup finals.
“We are not ready yet but there is a collective desire. We cannot be at 100% now. The most important thing is to give everything the day of the match,” added Deschamps.
“We still have two weeks to prepare. Let’s not forget that our goal is June 15 (against Honduras).”
Meanwhile, second-half goals from Mix Diskerud and Aron Johannsson lifted the US to a 2-0 victory over Azerbaijan in a pre-World Cup international friendly.
The US are drawn in Group G along with Ghana, who reached the quarter-finals in the 2010 edition, Euro 2012 semi-finalists Portugal and one of the favorites for the trophy — Klinsmann’s native Germany.
Injury rules Netherlands’ Van der Vaart out
Netherlands midfielder Rafael van der Vaart will miss the World Cup through injury, Dutch media reported on Wednesday.
Van der Vaart, who plays his club football with Bundesliga side Hamburg, hurt his right calf at the Netherlands’ training camp in Portugal.
Following medical tests, Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal confirmed Van der Vaart would miss the finals in Brazil, according to Dutch magazine Voetbal International’s website.
The Dutch are in Group B at the World Cup along with defending champions Spain, Chile and Australia.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 29th, 2014.
An understrength France may have eased to a 4-0 win over Norway in a friendly at the Stade de France on Tuesday, yet coach Didier Deschamps insists that Les Bleus are not ready for the World Cup finals.
With winger Franck Ribery rested and Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema yet to join up with the squad after winning the Champions League on Saturday, Mathieu Valbuena pulled the strings for France by setting up three goals — including two for Olivier Giroud.
“It was nice, the stadium was full, we had been working very well all week,” Deschamps told reporters.
“We were determined and we put intensity into the game but it was not so simple. After a good start, we had less possession after 20 minutes. After the break, we resumed our domination.”France face Honduras, Ecuador and Switzerland in Group E at the World Cup finals.
“We are not ready yet but there is a collective desire. We cannot be at 100% now. The most important thing is to give everything the day of the match,” added Deschamps.
“We still have two weeks to prepare. Let’s not forget that our goal is June 15 (against Honduras).”
Meanwhile, second-half goals from Mix Diskerud and Aron Johannsson lifted the US to a 2-0 victory over Azerbaijan in a pre-World Cup international friendly.
The US are drawn in Group G along with Ghana, who reached the quarter-finals in the 2010 edition, Euro 2012 semi-finalists Portugal and one of the favorites for the trophy — Klinsmann’s native Germany.
Injury rules Netherlands’ Van der Vaart out
Netherlands midfielder Rafael van der Vaart will miss the World Cup through injury, Dutch media reported on Wednesday.
Van der Vaart, who plays his club football with Bundesliga side Hamburg, hurt his right calf at the Netherlands’ training camp in Portugal.
Following medical tests, Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal confirmed Van der Vaart would miss the finals in Brazil, according to Dutch magazine Voetbal International’s website.
The Dutch are in Group B at the World Cup along with defending champions Spain, Chile and Australia.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 29th, 2014.