France still in contention, says Barthez

France goalkeeper Fabien Barthez urged his team mates not to let their heads drop after two draws left the 1998 champions in danger of another early World Cup exit.

"Everybody in the team has to realise that we are here to live fantastic moments and that we must do everything not to have any regrets," Barthez told reporters on Monday.

France, who had started their Group G campaign with a dull 0-0 with Switzerland, drew 1-1 with South Korea on Sunday in Leipzig and now need a comfortable win over Togo on Friday in Cologne to make sure of surviving the group stage.

"We were very disappointed after the match but we're still here and we're still among the teams who can win the World Cup," Barthez said. "Our fate remains in our own hands. It's absolutely not over yet."

The shaven-headed Barthez, a prominent figure in the France team which lifted the World Cup in 1998 and won the European championship two years later, said he did not fear a repeat of the 2002 fiasco, when Les Bleus were sent packing without a win or a goal from the group stage.

"We are not afraid of that," the 34-year-old said. "We should not be afraid of anything. We must believe in ourselves and focus on winning the next match. We must not think about anything else."

France should not dwell on a header by midfielder Patrick Vieira which appeared to cross the line in the 32nd minute of Sunday's game but was not given as a goal, Barthez said. That would have put the French 2-0 ahead.

"Going on and on about it would not help," the France keeper said. "All I have to say about that is I believe there should be more (assistant) referees. Two of them can't see everything. The pitch is too big."

France should also accept the fact that Zinedine Zidane will miss the Togo match through suspension after being booked for the second time in the tournament on Sunday.

"He won't be there, full stop," said Barthez, who is a close friend of Zidane.

"There's no room for feelings in this type of competition. We must concentrate on playing our game and winning the match. Zizou's absence must not be a factor."