Disciplined Ukraine push France towards edge of Cup oblivion

FRANCE are in serious danger of missing out on the World Cup finals for the first time in two decades after losing 2- 0 to Ukraine in Kiev in their play- off first leg yesterday.

Roman Zozulia gave the home side a deserved lead in the 61st minute and Andriy Yarmolenko scored from the penalty spot with eight min- utes left after Laurent Koscielny had brought down Zozulia inside the area.

Arsenal defender Koscielny was then sent off following a clash with Oleksandr Kucher at the death, before the Ukrainian defender was also dismissed as tensions between the teams spilled over.

Nevertheless, Ukraine were worthy of their win and, having denied France an away goal, are now favourites to go through to their second World Cup finals.

France, meanwhile, run the very real risk of missing a major tournament finals for the first time since the 1994 World Cup in the US unless they can turn the tie around at home next Tuesday.

‘‘We have to congratulate them. They are in a favourable position. It is up to us to recover and try to turn it around,’’ France coach Didier Deschamps said.

It was a hostile environment for France, in front of a boisterous home crowd at the 70,000-seat Olympic Stadium in Kiev and in temperatures as low as 2C.

Deschamps made just one change to the team beaten Finland 3-0 in the final game in their qualifying group last month, with Mathieu Valbuena being replaced by Loic Remy in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

But there were no surprises in Mikhail Fomenko’s team, with all eyes on the tricky duo of Yarmolenko and Yevhen Konoplyanka on the wings.

France won 2-0 when the countries last met in Donetsk during Euro 2012, but a repeat scoreline always appeared unlikely with Ukraine having improved considerably since Fomenko took over as coach at the end of last year.

Their defensive solidity was evident on Friday, by containing a France side fresh from scoring 13 goals in their last three outings.