France drawn against Ireland in play-offs

France must get past Ireland to reach the 2010 World Cup finals after they were drawn together yesterday for next month's two-legged European play-offs.

Portugal, who scraped into the play-offs by winning their last three Group One fixtures to seal runners-up spot, face Bosnia, Euro 2004 champions Greece tackle Ukraine and Russia will play Slovenia.

Bosnia, runners-up to Spain in their qualifying group, are attempting to reach their first major finals while Slovenia are looking to repeat their feat of reaching Euro 2000.

France, the 1998 world champions, 2000 European champions and beaten World Cup finalists in 2006, will have the advantage of playing the second leg on home soil against an Ireland side coached by Giovanni Trapattoni.

While France, the highest ranked team in the play-offs at nine, will be favourites, the pressure will be on coach Raymond Domenech who came under fire during a qualifiying tournament in which they were outshone by group winners Serbia.

He will be wary of an Ireland side who went through a qualifying group containing world champions Italy and Bulgaria without losing a match.

"We wanted to avoid Ukraine," French Football Federation (FFF) technical director Gerard Houllier told France Info radio.

"Ireland are competitive and tricky to play but we must not overrate them. It's a slight advantage to play the return leg at home but the first leg is often the most important one because it either gives you confidence or ruins your hopes."

Football Association of Ireland chief executive John Delaney said he expected a tight tussle.

"I've spoken to the manager, Giovanni Trapattoni, he's quite relaxed about it," Delaney said.

"We don't lose games on many goals, we don't win games on many goals. I wouldn't expect that pattern to change."

Portugal, Greece and Russia, the other seeded nations in a draw performed at FIFA headquarters in Zurich by midfielder Steven Pienaar of World Cup hosts South Africa, will have to play the second legs away.

"Russia are clear favourites in our two matches and I am worried about the conditions we will have in Russia," said Slovenia coach Matjaz Kek.

"But mainly I hope my players will be well prepared in the middle of November because this time the matches are decisive."

Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz said Bosnia would be tough opponents for his side.

"Reputation has no weight or significance in these circumstances," Queiroz said.

"We have to prepare well to play against an excellent side that has a very dangerous attack."

Queiroz's Bosnian counterpart Miroslav Blazevic conceded Portugal would be favourites but did not rule out an upset.

"To be honest, I think the Portuguese are favourites. But it is not always the favourites that win," he said.

The first legs take place on Nov. 14 with the returns on Nov. 18.