Domenech: Ireland tough but predictable
But he also issued a warning to any French players who believe the hard work has been done in their mission to reach the World Cup finals.
His players are now level on points with Switzerland at the top of group four, but second on goal difference, and they face the Swiss next month in Berne, before finishing their qualifying campaign against Cyprus.
“There are weaknesses in our game,” said Domenech. “We have a lot of things to improve and we can do better.
“The Irish were tough to control but they were predictable. However the Swiss have a more varied game so we will have to be more concentrated and united than ever.
“It will be less easy to get organised against the Swiss than it was against the Irish.
“We had to win that match, but I’m already looking towards the next game,” said Domenech, who had failed to win over the critics since replacing Jacques Santini.
“The next match in Switzerland will be a new step but this success in Ireland will give us confidence and that’s important.”
Coming after a 3-0 win over the Faroe Islands, Domenech believes the 2000 European champions have been given a new lease of life since Zinedine Zidane came out of international retirement.
“There’s a real team spirit. We saw it before the match during training sessions. We saw it in the dressing room before walking out onto the pitch. It’s a team who have taken their destiny in their hands.
“If he (Henry) scored it’s because there was a team behind him. For the first time they gave a war cry when they came back to the dressing room. They weren’t euphoric, but they had the satisfaction of work well done. But I repeat - only half the job is done.
“We’re still in the same situation, we have to win in Switzerland in October otherwise we’ll have problems. We have to win there to remain masters of our destiny. I repeat - let’s not get carried away.
Victory over Switzerland in Berne in a month’s time should be enough for Domenech’s men to secure qualification as their last match is against Cyprus at the Stade de France on October 12.
Domenech will spend the coming month travelling around Europe to see his internationals play with their respective clubs.
“The French team is always above the clubs, that’s why there is a permanent contact between me and the players,” said the French coach.
“I will spend next month watching Champions League matches. I will also study Switzerland’s game carefully to find the right way to confront them.”
Goalscorer Thierry Henry believes the group is still wide open.
“This group is still not finished yet,” Henry said. Henry is right to be cautious because Ireland can still win their final two games, against Cyprus in Nicosia on October 8 and then Switzerland at Lansdowne Road four days later.
That should be enough to clinch a play-off place because the French still have to face the Swiss the same night Ireland are in Cyprus, albeit without Roy Keane, Andy Reid and Clinton Morrison.
