The Hindu : Sport / Football : France tops Group B

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Monday, Jun 04, 2007
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France tops Group B

PARIS: France tops the European championships qualification Group B after a 2-0 win over Ukraine in Paris on Saturday but Italy is hot on its heels following a 2-1 win over the Faroe Islands.

While France's second half performance, in which goals from Frank Ribery and Nicolas Anelka earned it a deserved three points, exuded panache, World champion Italy was a shadow of its normal self.

France had taken its time to get into the match, but, in terms of possession, it was well on top against a Ukrainian side which clearly lacked the finishing ability of injured Andrei Shevchenko.

Just after the break, Anelka shot wide of the left hand post as France started brightly and a period of French domination preceded the goal by Ribery in the 57th minute. The 24-year-old, winning his 17th cap, outpaced Ukraine's defence and rounded the goalkeeper to sidefoot home into an empty net.

With 19 minutes to go, Anelka made the match safe. In an impressive piece of individual skill, he jinked the ball up into the air before firing home from an acute angle on the left.

Italian coach Roberto Donadoni was left far from impressed with his side, which moved above Ukraine into second place in the group, with France the new leader.

AC Milan striker Filippo Inzaghi scored a brace in torrential rain to give the Italians a 2-0 lead in the match played in Rome, despite the Faroes being the home side.

But Rogvi Jacobsen gave the hosts hope of a shock result with a goal 13 minutes from time.

Portugal wins

In other games new Manchester United recruit Nani scored the opening goal as Portugal won 2-1 in Belgium to cement its place in the top two in Group A.

The results: Group A: Poland 3 bt Azerbaijan 1; Portugal 2 bt Belgium 1; Serbia 2 bt Finland 0; Armenia 2 bt Kazakhstan 1.

Group B: Italy 2 bt Faroe Islands 1; France 2 bt Ukraine 0; Lithuania 1 bt Georgia 0.

Group C: Bosnia-Herzegovina 3 bt Turkey 2; Greece 2 bt Hungary 0; Norway 4 bt Malta 0.

Group D: Germany 6 bt San Marino 0; Wales 0 drew with Czech Republic 0.

Group E: Croatia 1 bt Estonia 0; Israel 2 bt Macedonia 1; Russia 4 bt Andorra 0.

Group F: Sweden 3 bt Denmark 0; Iceland 1 drew with Liechtenstein 1; Spain 2 bt Latvia 0.

Group G: Albania 2 bt Luxembourg 0; Bulgaria 2 bt Belarus 0; Romania 2 bt Slovenia 1. — AP

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