Sports
France and Portugal face nervy final steps
Bosnia’s Senijad Ibricic (R) is challenged by Portugal’s Liedson during their Lisbon match.
Bosnia’s Senijad Ibricic (R) is challenged by Portugal’s Liedson during their Lisbon match.
A 1-0 victory in Dublin put France on the verge of qualification for the 2010 World Cup but the final step toward South Africa could still be a treacherous one in Paris today.
Injuries have disrupted France’s preparations for the second leg of their playoff against Ireland who will arrive fuelled by a sense of injustice as they fight to keep their World Cup dreams alive after just missing out to world champions Italy.

French anxiety will be shared by Portugal when they take a 1-0 advantage to what will be a hostile second leg in Bosnia while Guus Hiddink’s Russia could also be in for a raw night in Slovenia when they travel with a 2-1 lead.

With Euro 2004 champions Greece drawing 0-0 at home to Ukraine on Saturday all four of the remaining European slots for the South Africa tournament are still up for grabs on what promises to be a nerve-tingling night today.

18.11.2009
REUTERS/AP  LONDON