Group C / France vs. Saudi Arabia

SITE: Saint-Denis

TIME: Noon TV: ESPN, Ch. 34 RADIO: KWKW (1330, Spanish)

* ABOUT FRANCE: Coming off an impressive 3-0 victory over South Africa, Coach Aime Jacquet’s French team is riding an unprecedented wave of public support. The country suddenly believes that winning the World Cup is a real possibility. “You’d think we’d reached the semifinals, judging by the media reaction,” defender Marcel Desailly said. Jacquet, meanwhile, warns of overconfidence. “We have to be as concentrated as we were against South Africa,” he said.

* ABOUT SAUDI ARABIA: The Saudis lost, 1-0, to Denmark in their opener and face elimination if they lose again tonight. They hired 1994 World Cup winner Carlos Alberto Parreira of Brazil as coach to get them at least to the second round, which they accomplished in 1994, but it looks a tough proposition. Still, forward Sami Al Jaber and his teammates are not giving up. “France will have to be on its guard,” he said. “We are determined to make up for our match against Denmark.”

* OUTLOOK: Jacquet preaches patience against Saudi Arabia’s counterattacking style. “They like to sit back and let you come at them [and then] hit you hard on the break,” he said. “We have got to be patient. There’s no point in rushing headlong at them.” No, but fans at Stade de France will be expecting a repeat of the South Africa performance and might not be as patient as Jacquet wants his players to be. France by the odd goal is the call here.