05 September,2017 09:14 AM IST | Paris | PA Sport
Striker Giroud admits disappointment after star-studded France are held to 0-0 draw by minnows Luxembourg; but says team focussed on qualifying
France's forward Olivier Giroud dribbles the ball during their World Cup qualifiers against Luxembourg in Paris on Sunday. Pic/AFP
France's forward Olivier Giroud dribbles the ball during their World Cup qualifiers against Luxembourg in Paris on Sunday. Pic/AFP
Olivier Giroud admitted there was "a lot of frustration and disappointment" among the France squad but insisted they remained focused on World Cup qualification following Sunday's 0-0 draw with Luxembourg.
Didier Deschamps' star-studded side headed into Sunday's qualifier on the back of Thursday's 4-0 mauling of Holland, but were held to a shock goalless draw in Toulouse by the minnows placed 126 below them in the FIFA world rankings.
Inspiring goalkeeping
A combination of the woodwork, inspired goalkeeping from Jonathan Joubert and indifferent finishing made for a fruitless evening for Les Bleus - who would have ensured a top-two finish in Group A with a win. "There is a lot of frustration and disappointment," Arsenal striker Giroud said. "We have to be realistic, efficient. We had to open the scoring in the first half and make things easier for ourselves.
"We're going to have to win the last two games to go to the World Cup. It's never easy to qualify." France remain top of their pool - one point ahead of Sweden and four clear of Holland - with two games to play, against Bulgaria and Belarus next month.
'Disappointed, not downed'
Paris St Germain forward Kylian Mbappe told Canal Plus: "There is a great disappointment because we had the opportunity to consolidate our first place and to keep a considerable lead on the other contenders. Now we have not managed to score. We are disappointed but not downed. We will get back to work in our clubs and come back to qualify in the last two games."
