France struggle after loss of Vieira

Faroe Islands 0 France 2

Anything other than a convincing display against the part-timers from the north Atlantic would have set the alarm bells ringing just three matches in to the post-Zinedine Zidane era under new coach Domenech.

So the stakes could not have been higher after France's failure to score against Israel at the Stade de France on Saturday, with Domenech insisting only a win would suffice.

But after goals either side of half-time from Ludovic Giuly and Djibril Cisse handed France the vital three points to keep the wheels on their 2006 World Cup campaign Domenech was far from happy.

"In future we have to show more determination in these type of games. That worries me," said the coach.

"To progress in this type of competition we have to be more committed in attack, in defence. This is different to a league match or a Champions League game. The Faroe Islands showed us what it's like at this level."

Domenech, who took over from Jacques Santini after France's failed Euro 2004 bid, added: "I was a little concerned in the first quarter of an hour and again at the start of the second half when Vieira was sent off."

His opposite number Henrik Larsen said: "We weren't expecting to win but all the same we played really well. It's never easy for the big teams to come and play us at home."

Cisse who was forced to skip Euro 2004 due to suspension was instrumental in the first goal just after half an hour.

The Liverpool striker, who had come on as an eighth minute substitute for Manchester United's Louis Saha, flicked the ball back to Robert Pires who unleashed a shot from outside the 18-yard box.

Faroe Island's goalkeeper Jakup Mikkelson got his fingers to it but was unable to keep hold of the ball offering the lurking Giuly the chance to slot it into the left hand corner of the goal.

As half time approached Thierry Henry watched in anguish as a header from a corner from the left struck the post. France were down to 10 men in the 55th minute when Vieira was sent packing by Scottish referee Craig Thomson.

The Arsenal skipper, who was picking up his second yellow card, was booked after falling to the ground in the box but replays appeared to show he was kicked in the process.

He was only the 20th player to be sent off when playing for France and he cut an unhappy figure as he handed the captain's armband to Henry, who was to hand it on to Pires a few minutes later when he was replaced by Vikash Dhorasoo.

Vieira reflected: "As he gave me the yellow card the referee realised it was my second one, he had to send me off. But the other player touched me."

French nerves looked decidedly shaky until Cisse added France's second goal in the 73rd minute the former Auxerre attacker only having to tap in after a fine cross from the right from Giuly who was set up by a long ball from Pires.

The Faroe Islands had claims for a penalty after Gael Givet handled the ball turned down in the second half.

And they went close to puncturing French morale with five minutes left when Gregory Coupet in goal did well to stop a header from Julian Johnsson.

FAROE ISLANDS: J Mikkelsen; S Olsen, P Thorsteinsson, J Roi Jacobsen, O Johannesen; R Jacobsen (A av Flotum 75), J Johnsson, C Bech Jorgensen (danielsen 83), F Benjaminsen, Ja Borg, J Frederiksberg (J Petersen 69)

FRANCE: G Coupet; W Gallas, S Squillaci, G Givet, P Evra; P Vieira, B Pedretti, L Giuly, R Pires; T Henry (V Dhorasoo 64), L Saha (D Cisse 9)

Referee: Craig Alexander Thomson (Scotland).