Domenech prepared for days of reckoning

France coach Raymond Domenech admitted judgment days were looming for his team ahead of the World Cup qualifying double-header with the Faroe Islands and the Republic of Ireland.

France are only fourth in Group Four and Domenech is well aware that any more slip-ups in the remaining four qualifying matches could mean France will not go to Germany next summer.

Domenech named his squad today for the two matches and included Zinedine Zidane, Lilian Thuram and Claude Makelele, three players he persuaded to come out of international retirement earlier this month.

Domenech admits that it is now time for his team to deliver the goods.

“There are no surprises in this team. Our objective now is to build a team spirit,” he said.

“There is no need to do any more talking because the moment of truth is coming.”

Domenech knows his fate and that of his players hinges on the four remaining World Cup qualifiers.

He said: “We need solid results because we will be judged on that basis.

“There are four decisive matches and we will soon know how good this team is, what it’s destiny is, it’s desire and what it will do over four games which will decide whether or not it will play in the World Cup.

“We have had enough talk and it’s time for action.”

For the matches with the Faroe Islands at Lens on September 3 and the Republic in Dublin four days later there will no Nicolas Anelka, Robert Pires or Benoit Pedretti, who remain out of favour with Domenech.

Gregory Coupet will continue in place of the suspended Fabien Barthez while also banned is David Trezeguet.

Returning in place of Lyon’s Sidney Govou is Barcelona forward Ludovic Giuly, who is added to the party which beat the Ivory Coast in Montpellier, a match which saw Zidane, Thuram and Makelele play their first matches for France since Euro 2004.

There remains a doubt over the fitness of Thuram but Domenech is confident the veteran of France’s successful 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000-winning sides will play.

Domenech said: “He will train with the (Juventus) squad this week and it’s possible he could play on Sunday.

“The match with the Faroe Islands is so far away that I am not worried.”

The game in Lens comes first, though, with the Republic trip four days later on September 7.