Calm Domenech opts for vigilance

FAMOUSLY, an emotional Raymond Domenech once proposed to his then girlfriend on live television after a dramatic France match.

There was no fear she’d be asked, on Saturday night, to renew her vows as the message from the eccentric Les Bleus head coach was clear: this game isn’t over yet.

“I feel the same as before. We are only half-way through. I don’t know what’s going to happen but I feel determined. The objective here is to qualify,” he said.

“There are 180 minutes. We have done 90 minutes; we have 90 minutes still to go. The Irish team is very much able to play, to impose themselves and react and we must be vigilant. Obviously, I’d prefer to be 1-0 up but the only satisfaction at this point is to qualify.”

Ireland were inspired by a memorable atmosphere in Drumcondra in the first half but Domenech was pleased his charges took control in the second. “I wasn’t especially satisfied about the performance because I preferred the second half where we were more ourselves. There were a lot of high balls and that wasn’t our game. It’s up to us to impose ourselves so the second half was definitely better.”

Renowned for looking to astrology before international games, it was, in fact, a referral with his brightest star that prompted rumour to whirl around Croke Park as a supposed bust-up between the manager and Thierry Henry warmed Irish hearts before kick-off. Domenech offered a typically cryptic explanation.

“I speak with Henry before every match. He is the captain. We always have discussions and this time I saw the light,” he said.

Patrice Evra, meanwhile, says he is confident Les Bleus can close out the tie despite the fact Ireland have enjoyed a better record away from home, this campaign.

“We need to finish the job,” he said. “We are confident but now it’s just half-time. Wednesday is about only one game and the French want to go to the World Cup. We need to win, we are not thinking about a draw. I want to win on Wednesday and go to the World Cup.”