Soccer Roundup: Duff is ready for French

The French, meanwhile, have injury worries of their own with Liverpool forward Djibril Cisse, star of Les Bleus’ 3-0 romp over the Faroe Islands last weekend, and defender Lilian Thuram both limping.
Irish boss Brian Kerr reported on the FAI web site that Duff (ankle) and Holland (ribs) came through the Republic’s penultimate workout unscathed after both sat out last weekend’s practice.
“Damien got through the session so it looks like he will be okay. We had 23 players fit and training,” said Kerr, adding that Holland had been given the all clear on his rib injury.
Clearing another minor distraction ahead of arguably the biggest game of his two and a half-year reign, Kerr rubbished newspaper reports that he’d clashed with Roy Keane over the squad being given the night off last Friday.

DEAD HEAT
Ireland go into the French encounter – the most eagerly anticipated match in Dublin since the Dutch were humbled 1-0 four years ago — in a statistical tie with the 1998 World Cup winners in the standings after the weekend fixtures.
France’s 3-0 result over the Faroe Islands in Lens along with another surprising road effort by Israel in Basel where they tied Switzerland 1-1 left the top three sides in Group 4 level on 13 points.
The Swiss, however, knocked Ireland out of first place on goal difference and with Cyprus next on their schedule today, the Alpine nation could move two points clear if there are no winners in Dublin.

CISSE FACTOR
Steve Finnan’s Liverpool compatriot Djibril Cisse stole the limelight from attacking partner Thierry Henry by claiming a putative hat trick against Faroe. It was a pyrrhic effort though, as he limped off with an ankle injury that could keep him out today.
The speedy Cisse headed in the opener (13th), then fired a shot that deflected off defender Suni Olsen for number two (19th), before he cracked a spectacular volley past goalie Jakup Mikkelsen (76th).
Still, Cisse and Co. were guilty of missing numerous chances that could have yielded a basketful of goals.
French skipper Zinedane Zidane had a 57-minute run before coach Raymond Domenech decided to preserve his midfield general’s 33-year-old legs for the likely duel with Roy Keane and the Irish midfield.

ROAD WARRIORS
Israel’s tie in Basel saw them complete their fixtures against Group 4’s big guns – France, Ireland and the Swiss – undefeated. The Israelis drew all their games against the trio, including 1-1 and 2-2 draws with the Republic in Tel Aviv and Dublin, respectively.
More significantly, though, they remain in strong contention for their first World Cup finals appearance since 1970, especially if any of the top three slip up.
This is because Israel (2-0-6, 12) are almost guaranteed six points from their last two matches — both against the Faroe Island — at home today and in the North Atlantic on October 8.
That would give them 19 points, a tally France, Ireland and Switzerland, who all play each other in the next two rounds, can only match by winning twice.
In Basel, Alexander Frei pounced on a defensive error to put Switzerland ahead in the 5th minute. But Adoram Keisi nodded in a free kick 15 minutes later for the equalizer.

NORTHERN IRELAND WIN
Stuart Elliot and substitute Warren Feeney struck in the second half as Northern Ireland beat Azerbaijan 2-0 in a Group 6 tie in Belfast to end a four-year run without a competitive victory.
Elliott whipped in a free kick on the hour mark, while Feeney, whose father Warren and grandfather Jimmy were also capped by the North, converted an 85th minute penalty.
It was the North’s first win in 10 matches and improved their stats in Group 6 to 1-3-3 (6 pts) ahead of today’s Belfast visit by second place England (6-0-1, 19), who edged Wales 1-0 in Cardiff on Joe Cole’s strike (54th).
Northern Ireland coach Lawrie Sanchez said the victory over the former Soviet republic had eased the pressure on the squad before the England game.
“We’re not expected to beat England,” he told reporters, adding that his team could now relax and possibly sneak a win.
Realistically, though, his aim is to ensure that the fourth-placed North finishes above Wales and bottom side Azerbaijan, who both have two points.
Today, Wales are away to Poland, 3-2 victors over Austria at the weekend, while Azerbaijan host the Austrians.

BRAVEHEART
Italian substitute Fabio Grosso (75th) canceled out Kenny Miller’s early goal (13th) for Scotland to deny the Tartan Army a famous win in Glasgow.
The Group 5 fixture ended in a 1-1 draw and revived Scottish hopes of a playoff berth ahead of today’s tussle with second place Norway (12) in Oslo.
The Scots (7) go into the match needing a win to cut the deficit to two points. Italy (14) are away to Belarus while Slovenia (9) play in Moldova.