Soccer-France ready for Croke Park "hell" in World Cup playoff

By Bertrand Boucey

CLAIREFONTAINE, France, Nov 10 (Reuters) - France expect a raucous welcome from the Croke Park crowd when they play Ireland in a World Cup playoff on Saturday, but they say they will not be intimidated.

"It is part of the context but it is a pleasure to play in a stadium with a heated atmosphere," midfielder Alou Diarra told reporters on Tuesday.

"I am not afraid. We have a lot of respect for this team but we do not fear them."

Defender Patrice Evra told French sports daily L'Equipe his Manchester United Irish team mate John O'Shea had promised him "hell at Croke Park."

The Croke Park stadium, originally used for Gaelic games, has been hosting soccer matches since 2007 and has a capacity of 82,300.

Sevilla defender Julien Escude said France would not be intimidated, urging his team mates to win the game mentally even before putting a foot on the pitch.

"The outcome of the game can hang on an exchange of looks, attitudes," he told reporters.

"We must tell ourselves that we will not lose, that nothing will happen to us because we will be fully prepared.