France coach Raymond Domenech  is pleading for players to turn out in huge numbers on Wednesday night in the second playoff game against Ireland. His side leads 1-0 after the first leg

"We need the support of the fans from the first to the last minute," Domenech said. "The fans have a real part to play."

More than 6,000 French fans showed  at Croke Park in Dublin on the first leg which was music to the ears of Domenech

"We heard them as if they were 100,000 strong. It was very pleasing to see them there among the mass of green," Domenech said on a video on the  French football federation's Web site.

"The players saw it, as they were all grouped together in one stand, and they made a lot of
noise," he said

French media say about 25,000 Irish fans have tickets; almost one-third the capacity of the venue.

"It is not logical to have 25,000 Irish fans. We're playing for a place in the World Cup finals," France defender Patrice Evra said.

Domenech also dismissed suggestions France would play defensively and protect their one-goal lead.

"You have to play normally, our strong point is scoring goals. We have to cause them problems," he said. "We shouldn't forget who we are and what we are capable of doing."