France beat Bosnia 2-1 in first post-Zidane match

SARAJEVO, Aug 16 (Reuters) Midfielder Julien Faubert marked his first cap by scoring an injury-time winner to hand France a deserved 2-1 victory over Bosnia today.

Second-half substitute Faubert scored with a strike inside the box from a Thierry Henry pass when the Bosnians looked sure of holding Les Blues to another draw following a 1-1 stalemate in France two years ago.

Bosnia went ahead in the 16th minute of a fast-paced first half through 34-year-old skipper Sergej Barbarez who scored his 15th goal in his 42nd match for the national side.

Zvjezdan Misimovic hit a free kick from the left into the box where defender Emir Spahic glanced the ball past the French defence for Barbarez to slot home from five metres.

France, in their first match since the World Cup final when they lost on penalties to Italy in Berlin on July 9, equalised shortly before the interval in a move that was similar to the Bosnian goal.

Willy Sagnol sent over a free kick from the right to Henry who headed the ball back into the middle from the far post for defender William Gallas who turn it in from three metres.

''It's a good result. It's important for our confidence as we have several tough challenge ahead of us,'' said coach Raymond Domenech, who is preparing for France's opening Euro 2008 qualifiers next month against Georgia and Italy.

''I'm happy with what the old guys did tonight. Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and Willy Sagnol showed the same will they had during the World Cup and it gave some extra motivation to the newcomers,'' he said.

Bosnia begin their Euro qualifying campaign in September with games against Malta and Hungary.

REUTERS PDS PM0335