Pichon keeps French flying
Sunday, May 16, 2004
Article summary
Russia 0-3 France Two second-half goals from Marinette Pichon makes it five wins from five.
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Ten goals
Pichon has proved prolific in qualifying, scoring ten goals to help Les Bleues to the top of the table. Her latest strikes came in the 78th and 86th minutes in Selyatino to wrap up a comprehensive victory after an early goal from Hoda Lattaf.
Nearly there
"Now we have our toes on the ferry for England," said France coach Elizabeth Loisel, looking ahead to the final round next year. Loisel's side are five points ahead of Iceland, who they meet in Reykjavik on 2 June. "My players followed their orders perfectly." Russia, meanwhile, are a further two points adrift of Iceland.
Three play-offs
The remaining three places alongside the four group winners and the hosts will be decided via a play-off system. The four runners-up and the two third-placed teams with the best records go through to those two-legged ties.
