France coach pleads for time

It was less the will to do well than the lack of inspiration which kept the former world and European champions scoreless in their opening 2006 World Cup Group Four qualifier at the Stade de France on Saturday.

"You can say whatever you want about the result," Domenech said. "But you can't blame the players themselves. They tried everything they could to snatch the win.

"It didn't pay off tonight but more than the outcome it's the way we played which gives me some reason to be satisfied.

"We are building a new team. It takes time. Nobody can rewrite history and nobody can make the past come back.

"Zidane, (Lilian) Thuram and the others are not with us any more and we now have to learn to live without them. It's no use clinging to the past."

Even if he did not say so directly, Domenech looked upset by the boos of the Paris crowd as his proteges strolled off the pitch on Saturday.

Disappointed by the performance of their team, the fans also chanted Zidane's name for the last 10 minutes.

The result is even more frustrating after France dominated for most of the game and squandered three clear chances.

FOUR YEARS

A win would have been of some help as it would have boosted the morale of a team lacking in confidence and looking for some reference points.

The switch from the 3-5-2 set-up back to the traditional 4-4-2 during the second half gave Israel more room in midfield but the French defence remained efficient and solid.

"It's one of tonight's satisfactions," Domenech said. "The defenders kept their position well and the team never appeared off balance."

After the victorious 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 campaigns, France are no longer one of the European giants and the 2004 generation seem to be in a situation similar to that of 1994.

It took Les Bleus four years and a semi-final at Euro 96 to build a side capable of reaching the top of the world.

In 1994, France were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Romania in a qualifying match for the European championship and then coach Aime Jacquet rated it as a rather good result.

This raised some eyebrows but looking at it now, he was right because the team which avoid losing to the Romanians was one of the weakest he ever coached.

Domenech, a close friend, is keen to emulate Jacquet and Saturday's match confirmed he will have to be patient.

"We are going forward step by step," he said.