Zidane a concern for France ahead of Danish encounter

By Johnny Gill May 29, 2006, 14:52 GMT

Lens, France - After grinding out a morale boosting but far from convincing win over Mexico, France look to step up a gear in another World Cup preparation match against Denmark on Wednesday.

A number of questions arose from Saturday's 1-0 win over defensive-minded Mexico, the first of which being the form and fitness of Zinedine Zidane who failed to make an impact in his 100th appearance for France.

'Fitness has always been my problem and it always will be right to the end,' said the two-goal hero from the 1998 World Cup final. 'To be physically 100 per cent, I have to play regularly which is my objective right now.

Florent Malouda's crushing left-foot shot was enough to separate the sides on Saturday but coach Raymond Domenech who was roundly booed on the announcement of his name at the Stade de France and now has just over two weeks left to get matters right before their opening match against the Swiss in Stuttgart on June 13.

'The next few matches take us closer to the competition and we are expecting better performances, We must get better and better with each match but the players are hungry for success and will be ready for the World Cup and hopefully a run to the final,' said Domenech.

Denmark who failed to qualify from a group including Ukraine, Turkey and Greece are experienced campaigners and will again provide a stern test for Domenech and his embattled troops.

The two teams met at the 2002 World Cup when Morten Olsen guided his side to a 2-0 win which sent the then reigning champions packing after the first round.

Another talking point from the Mexico match was the reaction of the Parisian crowd who whistled not only Domenech but Vikash Dhorasoo, Djibril Cisse and Fabien Barthez.

'I don't understand it,' said Thierry Henry who was rested Saturday but should see some action in Lens. 'That would never happen in England. Whether you win or lose, the fans show their support. I have never seen that in seven years and it was very strange, almost incomprehensible,' he added.

Dhorasoo was the main victim, possibly for his inclusion in the squad in place of Ludovic Giuly or Robert Pires. 'The fans whistling destabalised me,' said the PSG playmaker. 'If the World Cup was being played in France, it would be a problem but that is not the case. What bothered me was that my family were in the stadium and it affected them,' he added.

France are next in action on June 7 with a match against China at St. Etienne.