Pfister still proud despite loss

Togo coach Otto Pfister said he was proud of how his team performed in their 2-0 loss to France.

"We played really well in the first half," he said.

"The second half was more difficult because we were confronted by world class players and their class made the difference in the end.

"Most of our players don't even play in top divisions and they played a great match. I'm not at all disappointed. The pressure was clearly on France."

World Cup debutants Togo, who were already eliminated ahead of their final Group G game, resisted bravely in the first half before a two-goal collapse in the second.

Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry scored in quick succession as France finally laid to rest the ghosts of four years ago when the 1998 champions failed to get past the group stages.

"They missed a lot of passes and wasted many chances but in that second half they were really better and deserved to win," added Pfister.