Football: France left in shade by spirit of the Swiss ; WORLD CUP 2006 First Edition

• Published in: Independent (London, England : 1986)
• Main Author: Steve Tongue at Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadion
• Format: Newspaper Article
• Language: English
• Published: London (UK) Independent Digital News & Media 14.06.2006
• Subjects: Henry, Thierry; Muller, Patrick; Vogel, Johann
• ISSN: 0951-9467

Replacing Streller with the deeper-lying Grygax reflected Switzerland's priorities. France's became more urgent once Vieira shot feebly wide from a good position and Senderos brought off a superb tackle to thwart Wiltord. So Louis Saha was summoned from the dug-out to replace Ribry. [Valentin Ivanov] meanwhile continued on his eccentric way by booking Zidane for taking a free-kick too quickly. Djourou was given his chance with 15 minutes to play and helped Senderos to keep the French at bay, the substitute Vikash Dhorasoo sending a final chance tantalisingly wide of the far post with a minute to play. [Thierry Henry] demonstrated the weakness of playing as a lone forward when he pulled out to the left and sent a cross into the six-yard box, where no team-mate had ventured. When Vieira made up the ground just before half-time and was waiting for an identical ball, his old colleague failed to deliver. All this occurred in the last quarter of an hour before the interval, after Switzerland had come closest of all to scoring. Vieira's foul led to Tranquillo Barnetto living up to his first name by calmly floating a free-kick beyond the dozing defenders as Senderos and [Alexander Frei] homed in. Neither managed a touch on the ball, which bounced against the far post before Eric Abidal hacked it clear. There was a bizarre incident to finish the half when [Johann Vogel] was booked by the Russian referee for not putting the ball into touch so that Henry could have treatment, even though the Frenchman was off the field and already being attended to.