Vieira optimistic France can survive

France’s stand-in captain Patrick Vieira is adamant Les Bleus can still win the World Cup – but he also fears a second consecutive elimination at the first hurdle.

Vieira and his team-mates must beat Togo tomorrow by two goals in their last Group G match to be certain of progressing to the last 16 – victory y a single goal would be enough if there was an outright winner of the Switzerland versus South Korea fixture.

A defeat or a draw would mean the end for Les Bleus.

Vieira, one of six remaining veterans of the team that won the 1998 World Cup, said: “The objective is still to go all the way in the World Cup.

“The summit remains the same and we simply have to get past the different stages.”

However, Vieira, who turns 30 on the day of the match, admitted that elimination would be the nightmare scenario for France, whose defence of their World Cup in 2002 ended at the first hurdle without a win and without a goal being scored.

“An elimination would be a huge, huge, huge disappointment,” said the Juventus player. “It would be worse than in 2002.

“But we think we are stronger, in better physical shape and better prepared than in 2002.”

Vieira believes the Togo match could provide the spark that the French team has been missing.

The absence of suspended playmaker Zinedine Zidane will mean a younger midfield with both Franck Ribery and Florent Malouda likely to start alongside old hands Vieira and Claude Makelele.

“If we win and we qualify we will surprise a lot of people,” said Vieira. “This match could be the spark we need. If we score we will gain in confidence. Doubts creep in only when you are not winning.”

The absence of Zidane could see Vieira take a more central role, something he has discussed with coach Raymond Domenech.

“I feel a lot better there (in the centre),” said Vieira, whose remarks at a press conference in Hamlyn were reported by L’Equipe. “There has been a conversation and the coach has taken a decision.”