Source: Daily_Mail
Henry: Hot reception in Dublin will be like a Champions League night
France skipper Thierry Henry has likened his nation's World Cup play-off showdown with the Republic of Ireland to a Champions League tie. [LNB]The 32-year-old and his team-mates arrived in a rainy and windswept Dublin ahead of tonight's first leg at Croke Park under intense pressure to belatedly book their place in next summer's finals in South Africa. [LNB]However, after a difficult qualifying campaign, which saw Serbia pip the 1998 winners to the automatic berth from Group Seven, the ex-Arsenal ace knows they can take nothing for granted. [LNB] Turn back time: Henry is hoping for a repeat performance of the last time he played in Dublin when his single goal secured a World Cup qualifier win in Dublin[LNB]He said: 'South Africa is still very far away for us. We will start our preparation when we get there. [LNB]'To get there we have to go through these matches. It's a bit like the Champions League, but we must do our best straight away. [LNB] Even victory against Ireland may not be enough to save France's lame duck, Raymond DomenechNow we'll 'B' at our best! England's reserves? Irish are not smilingRichard Dunne insists Ireland will be ready for Thierry Henry and France after banishing bad memories of Barcelona star's wonder goal 'We will see on Saturday how the land lies.' [LNB]Henry's goal in Ireland four years ago clinched a qualifying victory at Lansdowne Road and he would happily settle for a repeat this time around. [LNB]However, he is well aware that things have changed since then with the French arguably not as strong as they once were and Ireland having enjoyed something of a resurgence under veteran Italian manager Giovanni Trapattoni. [LNB]Henry said: 'We played Ireland in 2005, our team has changed, their team has changed. We will have a better idea after the match. [LNB]'I was maybe the difference on the scoreboard in 2005 but we played the game we should have played as a team.[LNB]'Maybe it was not one of the best games you could have seen, but we came back home with the three points.[LNB] On the ball: Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka watches France skipper Henry prepare for their first leg World Cup play-off tie against the Republic of Ireland[LNB]'As always, it doesn't matter who scores. I did here but that was four years ago, so it is quite a long time ago. [LNB]'I don't know what is going to happen but in these kind of games, always small details can make things happen and change the course of a game. [LNB]'Whoever it can be, that will do for me.' [LNB] While the French squad is packed with talent, Henry and his team-mates are wary of the Trapattoni factor, which saw the Republic push world champions Italy all the way before they had to settle for second spot in Group Eight. [LNB]The Barcelona forward added: 'We all know the reputation of Trapattoni and the respect we have for him. [LNB]'I don't know how he will prepare his team, but the respect is there.' [LNB] Even victory against Ireland may not be enough to save France's lame duck, Raymond DomenechNow we'll 'B' at our best! England's reserves? Irish are not smilingRichard Dunne insists Ireland will be ready for Thierry Henry and France after banishing bad memories of Barcelona star's wonder goal [LNB] Explore more:People:Thierry Henry, Nicolas AnelkaPlaces:Barcelona, Dublin, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Ireland, South Africa, France, Lansdowne Road, Croke Park
