Austria 2 France 2, August 19th 1998

The new world champions achieved a draw in Vienna last night with only six minutes remaining.

More eccentric defending from Frank Leboeuf had put the home side into the lead in the 76th minute of this friendly before a capacity crowd. Leboeuf's bundling challenge on substitute Christian Mayrleb gave Austrai a penalty that was powerfully converted by striker Ivica Vastic.

The French side were rescued in a game they came close to losing when an angled freekick from substitute Youri Djorkaeff, playing the second half in place of World Cup hero Zinedine Zidane, found the head of Alain Boghossian on the run at the far post and the ball found the gap at the post and went into the net.

France had taken the lead when new striker Lilian Laslandes rose ahead of a standing defence to head the ball into the far corner past goalkeeper Franz Wohlfahrt. Wohlfahrt was playing as a substitute from the 21st minute when AS Roma goalkeeper Michael Konsel left the national side to go into retirement, receiving a warm recepption from the home fans.

Those fans enjoyed a better showing against Roger Lemerre's new charges than many had endured during the recent World Cup. After conceding Austria mounted a spirited display and their tackling game in midfield worked well to regain the initiative from the new heads of the football aristocracy. They were able to sustain pressure as the half ticked on and equalised in the 42nd minute when they looked at their most powerful.

Impressive striker Mario Haas, taking over from the retired Anton Polster, received a smooth pass into the penalty area by Ivica Vastic and slapped it into the net low past Lama with his left foot.

The game was set up for an excellent second half but the break came at the wrong time for the home side and disturbed their momentum. France were able to recover and resume a more technical phase of play that saw them plant the ball firmly in midfield under the guidance of Didier Deschamps until loose defending led to the Austrian penalty breakthrough.

It remains to be seen whether Laslandes is allowed to follow up his effective display with a place in the attack that will play in the European Championship qualifiers which begin for France on September 5th. Austria may well choose their entrance into the same part of the competition on the same day to revert to the negative and physical style that got them through to the World Cup Finals and stayed with them throughout their tournament.