France Coach Worried About Switzerland

France is wary of Switzerland. Switzerland is making itself ready for evaluation matches against strong clubs, and Togo still remains secretive. Korea’s Group G opponents in the 2006 Germany World Cup are feeling tension as they put spurs to their training.

France-

Team France manager Raymond Domenech expressed his concern about the Swiss at an interview yesterday at the Alps resort town of Tignes, where the French squad is training.

“Everybody is worried about this match. We know them and they know us very well. They know what they will have to do to avoid defeat or even to beat us," he said.

Domenech has a point. The clashes between the two teams in the European qualifiers ended in two draws. "There will be two parts to our stay here," said Domenech. "The first is about getting to know each other. The second will be some light training sessions,” and added, “"It`s important to get a peaceful atmosphere inside the squad.”

On another note, the French team doctor announced that he will no longer disclose the team’s injury list.

Switzerland-

The Swiss squad scheduled evaluation matches against Cote d`Ivoire on May 28, Italy on June 1, and China on June 4. Switzerland’s evaluation match against Cote d’Ivoire is designed to boost its readiness against Togo; the Italy match is to prep for France; and the China match is for Korea. Cote d’Ivoire is thought to be a surprise contender in the upcoming World Cup. Italy has been traditionally strong. Swiss coach Kobi Kuhn still has not picked his goalie, keeping his players on the edge. It is a worrisome variable that Alexander Frei and a few others have not still recovered from injury. The Swiss is projected to try out various players in upcoming evaluation matches.

Togo-

Togo, with its coach Otto Pfister out due to a cold, continued its training in the city of Bingen. The team doctor said he advised Pfister to stay home. Togo’s main striker Emmanuel Adebayor joined the national team training camp yesterday. Togo scheduled practice matches against Club Bayern on May 23, Augsburg on May 28, Bayern Munich’s second string team on June 2, and finally FC Bingen on June 6.

Won-Hong Lee bluesky@donga.com