- Title: SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - France optimistic ahead of World Cup
- Date: 7th June 2010
- Summary: KNYSNA, SOUTH AFRICA (JUNE 6, 2010) (REUTERS) STREET SCENE IN KNYSNA FRENCH FLAG WIDE OF RESORT WHERES FRENCH SQUAD WILL BE BASED SECURITY CHECKPOINT THE FRENCH SQUAD BUS FRENCH SQUAD PLAYERS ON THE PITCH PLAYERS WARMING UP COACH RAYMOND DOMENENCH ON THE PITCH MORE OF THE PLAYERS WARMING UP GOALKEEPERS HUGO LLORIS AND STEVE MANDANDA WARMING VARIOUS OF THE PLAYERS TRAINING FRENCH FORWARDS THIERRY HENRY, FRANCK RIBERY AND MATHIEU VALBUENA WARMING UP MORE OF THE SQUAD ON THE PITCH EXTERIOR OF THE FRENCH MEDIA CENTRE VARIOUS POLICE WITH DOGS SEARCHING THE PLACE FRANCE'S SQUAD MIDFIELDER ALOU DIARRA ENTERING PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRANCE'S SQUAD MIDFIELDER ALOU DIARRA SAYING: "We realise the work that we have to do, we are not pessimistic we are optimistic, and confident of ourselves in the first game. We have good teams in our group and our goal is not to beat China but to be ready when we play again Uruguay, and this is our first target." ALOU LEAVING CAMERAMEN FRANCE'S SQUAD MIDFIELDER YOAN GOURCUFF AT PRESS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRANCE'S SQUAD MIDFIELDER YOAN GOURCUFF SAYING: "It's not me who chose the hotel and it's not a holiday for us, we are preparing for the World Cup, I think all the teams are in good hotels and good conditions." GOURCUFF LEAVING
- Embargoed: 22nd June 2010 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: South Africa
- Country: South Africa
- Topics: Sports
- Reuters ID: LVA7E0LHK4EYV30DSA0A524GD9MI
- Story Text: The French World Cup squad held their training session in the southern town of Kynsna on Sunday (June 6) a day after their arrival.
The squad arrived in George, South Africa early on Saturday morning (June 5), just hours after slumping to a surprise 1-0 defeat by China in their last warm-up match on Friday (June 4), but midfielder Alou Diarra dismissed the result as meaningless ahead of their opening World Cup match against Uruguay in Cape Town next Friday (June 11).
"We realise the work that we have to do, we are not pessimistic we are optimistic, and confident of ourselves in the first game," he said. "We have good teams in our group and our goal is not to beat China but to be ready when we play again Uruguay, and this is our first target."
The French squad have also come under criticism from the French Junior Sports Minister Rama Yade, who said that the team have picked a World Cup hotel which is far too luxurious.
Described as "a sanctuary of privacy and indulgence" on it's website (www.pezula.com), the Pezula Resort boasts a secluded beach and stunning views of the Indian Ocean and the Knysna Lagoon.
"It's a very nice hotel," France playmaker Yoann Gourcuff told reporters on Sunday. "It's not me who chose the hotel and it's not a holiday for us, we are preparing for the World Cup, I think all the teams are in good hotels and good conditions."
Knysna, a resort with a population of around 36,000 people, lies on the banks of a lagoon and is surrounded by forests. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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