Soccer: Uruguay holds France to scoreless draw

BUSAN, South Korea - France's World Cup hopes were left hanging by a thread on Thursday as, playing with 10 men for almost an hour after Thierry Henry was sent off, they were held to the tournament's first 0-0 draw by Uruguay.

The defending champions, who lost their opening group A game to Senegal, must now beat Denmark by two goals in their final match to be sure of reaching the second round and avoid becoming the first defending champions to be eliminated in the first round since 1966.

Denmark and Senegal lead the group on four points apiece, with Uruguay ahead of France on goals scored on a point each.

Despite losing Henry for a two-footed lunge on Marcelo Romero the French, again without injured playmaker Zinedine, created several chances as they dominated the last half hour but could not find a way through.

Uruguay, who lost their opening game 2-1 to Denmark, also missed some great opportunities and must now beat Senegal to create a possible log-jam in the group on four points.

It all went wrong for France from even before kick-off when Zidane, who missed the 1-0 defeat by Senegal with a torn thigh muscle, was not even named among the substitutes.

After 16 minutes they lost centre back Frank Leboeuf to a groin injury, coach Roger Lemerre bringing on Vincent Candela at right back and pushing Lilian Thuram into the middle.

Despite their problems, France looked lively in the opening period with David Trezeguet twice denied good opportunities by tight offside decisions and Sylvain Wiltord dangerous on the right.

The next blow, however, was the worst as Henry was sent off for an uncharacteristic over-the-top challenge.

Two minutes later Urugauy went desperately close to opening the scoring when Thuram deflected an Alvaro Recoba shot, forcing Fabien Barthez into an excellent reaction save with his feet.

Uruguay keeper Fabian Carini was also nearly called into action when Emmanuel Petit's free kick hit the outside of the post in the 34th minute.

Petit ended the first half with a booking, his second of the tournament, ruling him out of the Denmark game.

Recoba missed a glorious chance for Uruguay in the 52nd minute when after Barthez had charged out and missed the ball, the striker shooting into the side netting with the empty goal gaping.

Sebastian Abreu also wasted two good chances while Carini denied Trezeguet as the game swung from end to end.

France continued to press and Carini saved well from Johan Micoud and Vieira.

- REUTERS

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