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Senegal shoot for first game shock

Senegal are cheered as they get a feel for the stadium

SEOUL, South Korea (CNN) -- Defending champions France and Senegal kick off the World Cup on Friday with the African outsiders confident of causing an upset.

A buzz was in the air as Senegal took the field in Seoul's World Cup Stadium for their final training session on Thursday.

And if the players were daunted by the imposing 65,000-capacity venue, they were not showing it. Several hundred onlookers in the stands cheered and clapped as they ran out.

Senegal's hopes have been boosted by an injury to France's $64 million midfielder, Zinedine Zidane. The world's most expensive player and twice FIFA's world player of the year injured his thigh during last Sunday's 3-2 friendly against South Korea.

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France were also scheduled for a run-out at the stadium, built especially for the tournament, but changed their training venue at the last minute.

The loss of "Zizou" is a major blow for France -- and the tournament organizers. But his teammates are confident they can win without the 29-year-old Real Madrid midfielder.

"Zidane is not out of the competition so the chance we have is the same chance as before. We have 22 very good players. We hope he can play in 10 days," said defender Bixenter Lizarazu..

"Zidane is very important to us, but without Zidane ... we can win games too."

France are hot favorites to win on Friday and top Group A, which also includes Denmark and Uruguay. But coach Roger Lemarre is aware that first round opening match shocks can happen, like when Cameroon beat Argentina in 1990.

"I saw that match. Argentina did not perform very well but they went on to the finals. So I'm not worried," he said at a press conference on Thursday.

Applause for the underdogs

Senegal, beaten by Cameroon on penalties in February's African Cup of Nations final after going through the tournament undefeated and conceding just seven goals, are out to impress.

The former French colony also has a side that can claim to be more "French" than the world champions as 21 of their 23-man squad played for French clubs last season.

They are also coached by Bruno Metsu -- a Frenchman.

"They know the French players' way of thinking, techniques and sports culture very well, so it likely will be the same as a French league game," said Lemarre.

Senegal defender Aliou Cisse played down any feelings about the French connections.

"It is just a match. Even if Senegal was France's colony, many Senegalese are in France, many French are in Senegal, we use the same language, so there is no problem," he said.

But Cisse was quick to play up his team's chances. "We have confidence in our performance. Senegal is able to do big things," he said.