The France coach Raymond Domenech was hanging on to his job by a thread last night after his side crashed to a 3-1 defeat away to Austria in their opening World Cup qualifying match. Domenech was fortunate to survive the axe following Les Bleus' dismal Euro 2008 campaign this summer, and there is speculation he was given a minimum points requirement of five from the first three qualifiers from the French Football Federation (FFF).
He can now only get a maximum of six points after the Austrians made the most of France's defensive vulnerabilities in Vienna to record their first victory over them in 38 years. But Domenech came out fighting, saying: "Qualification plays itself out in a series of matches. Nobody said it would be easy, especially not me. "This team is younger, there are battles to have and we must get to the right level."
Domenech was given backing by the FFF president Jean-Pierre Escalettes, who said: "Domenech has set off with the challenge to secure qualification for France. It has started badly; let's hope it finishes well." It started badly also for the newcomer Phillippe Mexes, who was at fault for two of the goals. The defender said he was to blame for the humiliating defeat but added that the players stood by embattled coach Domenech.
The Roma player said: "I accept responsibility for my mistakes. What happened was more my fault than the coach's fault. All the players trust him." Austria's lone striker Marc Janko beat Mexes to Andreas Ivanschitz's whipped free-kick to score the first in the eighth minute. The second goal was almost an exact replica of the first. Sebastian Prodl headed Ivanschitz's free-kick straight at William Gallas, the ball popping up for Aufhauser to force home the rebound from six yards, with his finish deflecting in off Gallas.
Sidney Govou halved the deficit in the 61st minute with a turn and shot following Patrice Evra's cross, but there was to be no fairytale comeback. Ivanschitz slotted home a 73rd-minute penalty after Mexes was penalised for rugby-tackling Janko at a corner and the game was over. @Email:sports@thenational.ae
