international football

France coach Raymond Domenech selected rookies Franck Ribery and Pascal Chimbonda in his World Cup squad on Sunday, however, Robert Pires and Nicolas Anelka missed out.
Strikers Djibril Cisse of Liverpool and Louis Saha of Manchester United, and Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre were also included in the 23-man squad for the June 9-July 9 World Cup.
Ribery, a 23-year-old winger, and 27-year-old defender Chimbonda have never played for France.
"I still can't believe it,'' Ribery said. "It is like a dream for me. Everyone dreams of playing alongside Zinedine Zidane. It's such an honor.''
Arsenal midfielder Pires, who last played for France in October 2004, had hoped for a recall after Domenech recently praised him.
Anelka also missed out on the 1998 and 2002 World Cups. He looked certain to be included after recent impressive performances in France's friendlies against Costa Rica, Germany and Slovakia.
Domenech also said at the squad announcement that Marseille's Fabien Barthez will be his first-choice goalkeeper, ahead of Lyon's Gregory Coupet.

Goalkeepers....
Fabien Barthez , Gregory Coupet, Mickael Landreau.
Defenders....
Eric Abidal, Jean-Alain Boumsong, Pascal Chimbonda, William Gallas, Gael Givet, Willy Sagnol, Mikael Silvestre, Lilian Thuram.
Midfielders...
Vikash Dhorasoo, Alou Diarra, Claude Makelele,
Florent Malouda, Patrick Vieira, Zinedine Zidane.
Strikers....
Djibril Cisse, Thierry Henry, Franck Ribery, Louis Saha, David Trezeguet, Sylvain Wiltord.