France Ready To 'Die' For World Cup Spot

[Folami David]

France's under-pressure players are ready to "die" for the cause as they try to qualify for the World Cup finals by overturning a two-goal deficit against Ukraine on Tuesday, according to striker Olivier Giroud.
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Les Blues are on the verge of missing a major tournament for the first time in 20 years following Friday's 2-0 playoff, first-leg defeat in Kiev.
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No team have recovered from a two-goal deficit in a European playoff but Giroud says France can use the disappointment of a few days ago as extra motivation.
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"We are ready to die on the pitch," striker Giroud told a news conference on Sunday, ahead of the Stade de France clash.
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"I have a lot of determination and I think it will help us get into them," he added.
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Ukraine proved rock-solid on Friday as France, who have appeared at all major finals since missing out on Euro 1996, were well below par.
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"One side played a top-level match and we played just a match, like it was an ordinary game. We took a slap in the face," coach Didier Deschamps said, adding that his side were capable of doing much better.
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"This is what the top level is. The players have it inside of them and they will have to show that on Tuesday."
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Deschamps knows his players will have to do more than simply control possession on Tuesday, calling for more passion.
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"We have to be ready for a fight, to produce a non- ordinary match. We have to play the 'total match', to give everything in every department," he said.