France can go all the way, says Vieira

CLAIREFONTAINE, France, May 30: France have learned from their failure at the last World Cup and Patrick Vieira believes they can go all the way at Germany 2006.

''We're not the favourites, that's Brazil, but we're strong outsiders with the team we have,'' Vieira told reporters today at France's training camp outside Paris.

''I believe we can go all the way.'' Defending champions in 2002, France disappeared from the tournament in the first round without winning a match or scoring a goal. Vieira says a poor mood in the squad had played a role.

''I don't want to talk about the past too much but I can say things are different,'' the Juventus midfielder said.

''There is an excellent atmosphere in the team. This is a new group with many new players. We're starting a new adventure and we all believe it will be a great one.'' The 29-year-old appeared relaxed despite the scandal that has engulfed Italian football and Juventus, champions for the past two seasons, in particular.

''Of course I'm concerned, like all the other players,'' he said.

''We all want to know what will come out of all this but we don't know any more than you do.'' Vieira is satisfied with France's preparations, which started with a 1-0 friendly win over Mexico on Saturday and continue with warm-up games against Denmark tomorrow and China on June 7.

''Physically, we're much better than we were before the 2002 World Cup and tactically, things are starting to fall into a place,'' he said.

A defensive midfielder, Vieira said he was particularly pleased with France's defence which looked extremely reliable against Mexico.

''That's one of the reasons why we can do well,'' he said.

''To go far, the first thing to do is not to concede goals.

We must do that, bearing in mind that we have gifted players up front who can decide a match at any time.'' Playmaker Zinedine Zidane looked sluggish against Mexico but Vieira is not concerned.

''By watching him train and seeing how motivated and focused he is, I can tell you that I'm not worried at all,'' Vieira said of Zidane, who will retire after the World Cup.

''He will be ready, believe me.'' France start their World Cup against Switzerland on June 13 in Stuttgart. They then face South Korea and Togo in Group G.

REUTERS