Anelka admits WC fear

Frenchman desperate to be on plane to South Africa

Last updated: 10th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Anelka admits WC fear

Anelka: Holds World Cup dream

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Nicolas Anelka admits the Republic of Ireland are good enough to end his dream of appearing in a World Cup finals.

The Frenchman has endured a World Cup hoodoo throughout his career having missed out on making his country's squad for the 1998, 2002 and 2006 finals, despite being a regular on the international scene.

France play Ireland at Croke Park on Saturday in a World Cup play-off first leg with Anelka desperate to represent his country in South Africa.

However, the 30-year-old accepts Giovanni Trapattoni's side are capable of upsetting the odds and prolonging his World Cup nightmare.

"Maybe it's written in the stars that I won't be at the World Cup finals," he said.

"It will be a crazy atmosphere (on Saturday), a real battle for us.

"We know we have to stop them at set-pieces."