France - 1 Bosnia-Herzegovina - 1: A new-look France side, shorn by the retirements of several players after Euro 2004, were held to a disappointing draw by Bosnia-Herzegovina in Rennes last night.
The French, who started the game with four uncapped players after the retirements of Zinedine Zidane, Bixente Lizarazu, Marcel Desailly and Lilian Thuram, went in front courtesy of a close-range shot from striker Peguy Luyindula in the seventh minute.
But Bosnia equalised on their first clear chance when midfielder Mirsad Beslija slotted home a cross from Elvir Baljic seven minutes from the interval.
Thierry Henry also had a penalty saved by Kenan Hasajic in the 18th minute, and the Bosnia goalkeeper proved his side's best player, providing several dramatic saves in the first half.
Les Bleus seemed more willing than their unimpressive opponents but were ultimately disappointed in their first match since the retirement of the players who had guided them to World Cup glory in 1998 and the European title in 2000.
"There were things which worked and others which didn't tonight," said coach Raymond Domenech. "I'm happy with the will and the enthusiasm the guys showed tonight.
"It was a match to experiment, to see where we were standing. It's the reason why I made four changes at the break."
France open their European Group Four qualifying campaign for the 2006 World Cup finals on September 4th against Israel.Ireland, Switzerland, Cyprus and the Faroe Islands are also in the group.
Bosnia are in Group Seven with Belgium, Serbia and Montenegro, Lithuania, San Marino and Spain, who they play on September 8th in Zenica.
Meanwhile, a defensive Israel lost 1-0 to Croatia who made hard work of victory. Defender Josip Simunic provided the winner with a superb 29th-minute header from a Marko Babic free kick. The Faroe Islands beat fellow minnows Malta 3-2, while Ireland's first opponents, Cyprus, defeated Albania 2-1.
FRANCE: Barthez; Gallas, Squillaci (Givet 46), Abidal; Mendy, Mavuba (Govou 46), Pedretti, Evra (Pires 46), Rothen; Henry (Cisse 46), Luyindula.
