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Anelka to start with Henry as France takes on Costa Rica
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-11-08 09:18
PARIS, Nov 8 (Reuters) - Coach Raymond Domenech took fans by surprise when he
included controversial striker Nicolas Anelka in his squad for France's two
friendlies this week.
For the 26-year-old, who has scored six goals in 28 international
appearances, returns when Domenech has little need of an additional striker.
France sealed their World Cup finals place last month after making heavy
weather of their qualifying campaign, winning only five of their 10 games and
often struggling to score.
The Fenerbahce player might have been more useful when the team were without
leading scorers David Trezeguet, who missed France's last six games through
suspension or injury, and Thierry Henry, who was injured against Ireland in
September.
But with Juventus's Trezeguet and Henry of Arsenal back and in excellent form
for their clubs, it is hard to see where Anelka will fit in the build-up to the
World Cup next year.
Anelka, excluded after rejecting a late call-up from former coach Jacques
Santini for a friendly late in 2002, is in the 23-man squad for games against
Costa Rica in Martinique on Wednesday and World Cup hosts Germany in Paris on
Saturday.
Trezeguet, with 31 goals from 59 caps, struck twice in Juventus's 2-1
Champions League win over Bayern Munich last week to lift his personal tally to
106 goals for the Serie A side. He will miss the Costa Rica game because of the
travel involved.
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