France looking to qualify through Switzerland

Salvador (Brazil), June 19 (IANS) With both of them having won their opening FIFA World Cup games in Group E, France and Switzerland will take to Arena Fonte Nova here Friday in what can be described as the toughest match in their group.

France, the 1998 World Cup winners, and Switzerland, the co-hosts of Euro 2008 with Austria, are eyeing to secure their qualification with a win, to avoid any possible surprises caused by Ecuador, reports EFE. Group E features Switzerland, Ecuador, France and Honduras.

France (Les Bleus) will enter probably their first test in the tournament when they face Switzerland. The Didier Deschamps side will have to prove its worth after a credible performance against Honduras.

The Swiss, on the other hand, are exultant with their last second goal which sealed their win against Ecuador. German coach Ottmar Hitzfeld took credit for the victory after his subs Admir Mehmedi and Haris Seferovic scored the two goals that secured the win for La Nati.

Switzerland has not defeated France since 1992 when the Swiss grabbed a 2-1 win in a friendly match. France and Switzerland actually met in the 2006 World Cup first round, when they drew 0-0. France later qualified to the final but lost to Italy on penalties.

--IANS/EFE

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