FRANCE 2 - 2 MOROCCO !!!

[Skouri 2]

France had better have something extra in the tank ahead of Wednesday's visit to Kiev; while they showed flashes of genius here against Morocco, they were ultimately not good enough as the Atlas Lions pulled off a fine 2-2 draw in Paris.

The visitors seemed to think little of their underdog status as they took both an early lead and a late equaliser in what was in many ways an average friendly, but in others more competitive than might have first been thought.

It was in fact the Moroccans who looked most dangerous early on, winning a corner up the right as the French began to sit back.

And France's nerves were further rattled as Mikael Landreau succumbed to a knock after an aerial challenge with Sektioui early on, but the Paris Saint-Germain 'keeper eventually recovered to resume play.

But for that early pressure, France looked comfortable at the back; the Atlas Lions, meanwhile, were somewhat nervy as they hoofed clearances down the flanks for attempted counters.

Still, Morocco were to take a shock, but perhaps not undeserved lead after a dreadful howler from Landreau.

It seemed inoccuous enough: Hadji drilled in a low drive from the left that, while full of pace, was directed straight at the goalie. But Landreau dived in only to parry the ball into the path of Sektioui, who scooped it over him for the lead after just eight minutes.

For all Morocco's dynamicism, though, their defence and midfield began to show a tendency towards bunching up, meaning that there was space for the French to exploit - had they chosen to do so.

And eventually they did so, netting with their first real chance of the game. But as luck would have it, this was also the result of a goalkeeping error.

Lamyaghri launched a poor punt straight into a crowd of defenders; reacting first, Samir Nasri threaded a ball down the right of the box towards Govou. The Lyon striker powered it into the bottom left corner off the goalie's foot, and it was 1-1.

Seconds later, the ever-ready Hadji might have equalised for Morocco as the French defence fell asleep, but his shot flashed wide.

France began to assert themselves, though, and Clerc was unlucky to see Lamyaghri tip his effort just past the post after a speculative drive.

Yet there was always the danger for the hosts that Morocco's swift attacking - and Landreau's terrible start to the game, complete with mis-placed kicks - could punish them.

But the stopper was to redeem himself somewhat with a fine save after Chamakh's beautiful free-kick seemed goalbound, only for the Parisien stopper to punch it clear from the top right hand corner.

France, meanwhile, found that goal-prompted revival all too brief. Morocco, meanwhile, seemed pleased with their work so far as they tried to camp out in the French half.

Above all, though, it was clear that it was a friendly game; while tackles were mis-timed, they were rarely, if ever vicious, and France were comfortable enough passing the ball around in their own half as the interval approached. Half-chances at either end came and went, and it was 1-1 at half time.

Once again Morocco were to start well, with Abidal having to snuff out a pass in the box to concede a corner rather than a goal.

The visitors were also improving at the back, as Khabous found out when he was effectively crowded out in the box, snuffing out what might have been a fine chance after good work by Toulalan.

Despite changes, France looked a bit sluggish at the back now - no doubt saving their energies for Kiev - and the Moroccans responded by focusing attacks down the left. The newly-composed Landreau, though, was able to snuff out the high balls into the box.

But for all Morocco's effort, France were to take a devilishly effective second goal. Samir Nasri slammed home the matchwinner fifteen minutes from time after a beautiful buildup from very little indeed.

Rothen chipped it forward from midfield and, as Anelka nodded it down to Nasri, the young Marseillais turned past both of his markers and drove a powerful shot low past Lamyaghri from the edge of the box. It was a sublime piece of teamwork ,but the finish was particularly worthy of praise.

Once again, though, Morocco attempted instant reply, and few would have grudged them it. Hadji had a free header on a near-open goal after yet another Landreau error, the 'keeper flapping at a cross only to palm it towards the head of the Nancy man.

Morocco were eager to score and, eventually, they did. It was another fine piece of teamwork as Alloudi was freed down the right by Chretien, and the former, cutting the ball back, provided a perfect assist for Mokhtari to slam home.

It was more than merited, but France coach Raymond Domenech seemed not to mind too much. Presumably he was happy enough with the run out.

Visiting coach Henri Michel, meanwhile, seemingly had a lot to prove, and he and his men went some way towards doing so tonight with a good showing in Paris. Such results put the Moroccans in fine stead for January's African Cup of Nations...

FRANCE 2 - 2 MOROCCO

0-1 Sektioui 8'

1-1 Govou 15'

2-1 Nasri 76'

2-2 Mokhtari 84'

FRANCE (Domenech): Landreau; Clerc, Thuram (Squillaci 63), Gallas (Abidal 46), Evra; Diarra, Makelele (Toulalan 46); Govou (Ben Arfa 75), Nasri, Rothen (Flamini 81); Benzema (Anelka 63).

MOROCCO (Michel): Lamyaghri; Chretien, Rbati, Ouaddou, El Kaddouri; Safri; Sektioui, Kharja (Kabous 46), Kissi (Boukhari 46), Hadji (Zairi 83); Chamakh (Alloudi 66).

Yellow Cards: None.

Referee: Ruud BOSSEN (Netherlands).

[Tarik 10]

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