France convinced they can win remaining qualifiers

ALTHOUGH they lie fourth in Group Four, France remain convinced they will qualify for the 2006 World Cup finals by taking six points from their upcoming qualifiers against the Faroe Islands and the Irish.

"I have no doubt about us. I know what we are capable of," said striker Djibril Cisse. "I'm really confident for these matches."

After a training session just outside Paris, the players said they were focusing on a single goal, taking three points from each of their next two matches.

"The question is not whether we play well or play badly. It's to play to win. Nobody will remember the way we qualified once we are in Germany," said Claude Makelele.

"We are not going to underestimate anyone," the Chelsea midfielder added. "But we are not going to give anything up either. We want to be part of the World Cup finals and it's what we are going to do.

"People said that we are in a poor situation. I won't deny that but look around. Where are the other big names in Europe at the moment? They are having problems qualifying too."

Goalkeeper Mickael Landreau said the final four games should be treated alike. "There is no room to make calculations, to try to figure out what is going to happen if we draw or if we lose. We must win them all, that's it."

Coach Raymond Domenech said the squad had to play as though they were already taking part in the finals.

"Even if we manage to win the four games only 1-0, I'll be more than happy with that. But I'm not worried as we are going to prepare carefully."

Meanwhile, the German referee for Ireland's Group Four showdown with the French has sent off Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira in the last 18 months.

Herbert Fandel, a 41-year-old piano teacher from Kyllburg, flashed seven yellow cards and one red during a World Cup qualifier between Sweden and Bulgaria in March.

Like Kyros Varraras, the card-happy Greek official who lost control of Ireland's 2-2 draw with Israel at Lansdowne Road in June, Fandel enjoys elite status among FIFA's referees. He has officiated 18 UEFA Champions League matches, including the second leg of the AC Milan v Manchester United tie last season.

In February 2004 Fandel dismissed Keane for stepping on Porto goalkeeper Vitor Baia during United's 2-1 defeat in Portugal. Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann described his compatriot as "very arrogant" in November last year after Fandel sent off Lauren and Vieira in Arsenal's 1-1 draw away to PSV Eindhoven.

Seven Irish players will be suspended for the visit to Cyprus if they are booked next week: Kenny Cunningham, John O'Shea, Andy Reid, Roy Keane, Kevin Kilbane, Damien Duff and Clinton Morrison.