CLAIREFONTAINE, France (AP) -The attacking flair France showed to rally back from two goals down against Romania to draw its World Cup qualifier on Saturday may have saved coach Raymond Domenech's job.
An impressive performance in Tuesday's friendly against Tunisia would further enhance Domenech's immediate career prospects ahead of a meeting of the French football federation on Wednesday at which his future is expected to be discussed.
And after the 2-2 draw against Romania, some federation members are softening their stance towards the unpopular coach.
"There is something dynamic about this team. It's evolving in a positive way," FFF board member Christian Teinturier told Monday's edition of sports daily L'Equipe. "I'm waiting for Wednesday, where we'll do a more in-depth analysis. But obviously I don't see things the same way I did."
Following on from France's group-stage exit from the European Championship, a second defeat in qualifying would certainly have ended Domenech's fraught reign after a 3-1 loss to Austria on Sept. 6.
The draw in Constanta, and a 2-1 win over Serbia on Sept. 10 means France only has four points from three qualifiers so far. But the way France came back against Romania seems to have renewed optimism at the FFF.
Domenech says the speculation over his future ahead of the FFF meeting is a distraction, but he is concentrating on the team.
"I wouldn't say I'm above it. It does concern me because it concerns the French team. But it's not my priority," Domenech said. "My priority is preparing matches."
Domenech wants his team to show "desire, attacking play and team spirit" against coach Humberto Coelho's Carthage Eagles - which beat the Seychelles 5-0 in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday.
Several French players, including Thierry Henry and Franck Ribery, have backed Domenech, but French fans roundly booed him against Serbia at Stade de France.
Domenech's main concern is his leaky defense.
France has conceded 14 goals in its last six games, going from a defensive team that couldn't score to an attacking team that can't defend. Five of the six goals France has conceded so far in its World Cup qualifying campaign have been as a direct result of freekicks or corners.
"We have to solve this problem. But we don't have much time," France midfielder Jeremy Toulalan said.
