June 13, 2006

By ROBERT MILLWARD / Associated Press

STUTTGART, Germany – Since Emmanuel Petit's last-minute strike in France's 3-0 win that sealed the World Cup championship in 1998, the French have not scored a World Cup goal, enduring a first-round elimination in 2002 and four straight shutouts, including Tuesday's tame 0-0 tie with Switzerland, which hasn't been on soccer's biggest stage for 12 years.

"We knew it would not be easy, but we managed to take two points off a direct rival," French coach Raymond Domenech said of the one point the Swiss got instead of three for a win. "I regret that we did not score when we had the chance, but we are always at the mercy of these things. The refereeing was not always understandable, even though it is top-level refereeing. It's a shame, but we have to put up with it."

Thierry Henry, who led Arsenal with 33 goals this season just ended, was particularly mediocre. He headed one good chance hopelessly too high and virtually passed two shots to Swiss goalkeeper Pascal Zuberbuehler.

So Henry also complained about referee Valentin Ivanov of Russia. Henry thought France should have had a penalty when Swiss defender Patrick Mueller accidentally stopped a shot from Franck Ribery with his left hand.

"Once again the referee didn't see it and it came at a moment in the match when we were really on top," Henry said. "I know that the rule is hand-to-ball, but if the ball hits the hand and it stops it going in, that should be a penalty."

Patrick Vieira shot high and wide from good positions and Zuberbuehler, who had expected a busy evening, made only one difficult save. The Swiss also tied the French in two qualifying games, so this was a familiar result for the '98 world champions.

"We know that team all too well," France coach Raymond Domenech said. "It's the sort of match we expected. We could have beaten them in the first half, they could have won the match in the second half.

"This was a high-level match from both teams."

Alexander Frei had a wonderful chance to get a victory for the Swiss when he leaped to meet a free kick from Ludovic Magnin. Instead of heading the ball, the striker tried to punch it home from barely 3 yards and was shown a yellow card for cheating.

Despite that miss, the Swiss, who haven't beaten the French since 1992, were celebrating on the field as if they had won.

"I can live with the draw," Frei said. "What is positive is that we won a point. It's no coincidence that in all the qualification games, the French played with one (defensive midfielder), and today with two. It's a sign that they treat us with respect."

Swiss coach Koebi Kuhn was thankful their French neighbors missed their chances.

"We have to be satisfied, since we can't change the result," he said. "I think the French also had several chances, and overall controlled the game.

"In the first half, we were far too nervous, lost the ball too often, we couldn't keep control of the ball in the zone between midfield and defense.

"But we have a point, and we're happy with that. We mustn't forget who we played against. If you look at the team of our opponent, France, it's a squad with lots of fantastic players. And I can only say, once again, they didn't beat us."

The French stars trooped off in dismay at yet another World Cup disappointment to go with the losses to Senegal and Denmark and 0-0 tie with Uruguay four years ago. They need to bounce back with victories over South Korea and Togo.

"It's like during the World Cup qualifiers again," Domenech said. "We have it all to do. South Korea will be qualified if they beat us, so we have to be ready."

Switzerland almost went ahead in the 23rd minute when Tranquillo Barnetta sent a free kick into the area. Teammates Philippe Senderos and Frei both failed to get a touch and the ball hit the post.

Fabien Barthez, one of five players who won the World Cup with France in 1998, rescued Les Bleus with a near-post block to keep out a header from Switzerland substitute Daniel Gygax in the 65th minute, and then came that late miss from Frei.

Domenech left striker David Trezeguet on the bench throughout the game and his other striker, Vikash Dhorasoo, almost scored with two minutes to go. Zidane and Louis Saha set up the opening and Dhorasoo sent a well-timed shot past the far post.

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