Evra - We must qualify

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Last updated: 11th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Evra - We must qualify

Evra: Biggest match ever

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France international left-back Patrice Evra insists it would be a 'scandal' if Les Bleus failed to qualify for the World Cup.

Raymond Domenech's side have to beat Republic of Ireland in a two-legged play-off to make South Africa next summer following a below-par qualifying campaign.

Evra, who knows many of Ireland's stars well, insists tackling Giovanni Trapattoni's men over two legs is bigger than any of the UEFA Champions League finals he has played in.

The 28-year-old will come up against Manchester United colleague John O'Shea at Croke Park this weekend and he has revealed he has been the source of many-a-joke so far.

Scandal

"It would be a scandal if France don't qualify for the finals," said Evra. "It's now or never.

"This play-off is bigger than the three Champions League finals I've played in.

"France loves those games in which the first issue is one of the physical combat.

"Many players in our county have that fighting spirit.

"You can talk about tactics, whatever you want - the trick is to have the fighting spirit. Without it, you can not win this match.

"But John O'Shea has promised us hell at Croke Park. I have had the mickey taken out of me a lot."

Stars

Meanwhile, Evra's international colleague Bacary Sagna believes Robbie Keane will be one to watch during the two games.

Sagna recently came face-to-face with the Spurs ace in Arsenal's 3-0 win at Emirates Stadium and the full-back insists France must be on their guard against the Irish skipper.

"Keane is one of the stars of the Ireland team," said Sagna. "He is a complete striker, clever and very smart. A true goalscorer.

"He is very quick and knows how to lose defenders. I played against him recently when we beat Tottenham and it went well.

"The games won't be alike but I hope the result will be the same for us.

"A lot of the players are regulars in the Premier League and if our championship is the best in Europe, then Ireland have a very good team."