CASABLANCA.

Morocco, June 5: France 98 talisman Zinedine Zidane ensured world champions France avoided an embarrassing pre-Euro 2000 defeat at the hands of Japan, scoring one equaliser and having a big hand in the other to ensure a 2-2 draw, reports AFP.

France eventually prevailed 4-2 in a penalty shoot-out after efforts from Japan's Junichi Inamoto and Hiroshi Nanami struck the woodwork and will play Morocco or Jamaica in the final of the Hassan II Tournament.

But Japan, coached by Frenchman Philippe Troussier. were the more inventive side and constantly gave France coach Roger Lemerre food for thought a week before bis team's Euro 2000 opener with Denmark at Bruges. Belgium.

First Zidane's neatly-taken goal on the hour cancelled out a first-half opener from Hiroaki Morishima.

Then Zidane linked up well with Nicolas Anaika to set up an easy goal for Youri Djorkaeff alter 73 minutes just (hue minutes after a superb volley from Akinori Nishizara had given Japan a 2-1 lead.

But with France's many striking options failing to sparkle the suspicion remains that the World Champions are havily dependent on Zidane in the creativity department.

Lemerre tried to take the positives from the match, saying: "The draw is just as I expected. Japan s organisation was excellent. I was expecting it to be difficult but not as difficult as this. The Japanese have made enormous progress in their technical ability, and allied to their attitude, are a model.

"We France must prove our humility. Individually we failed. But fortunately once again we have shown our ability to come from behind."

Troussier. a long-tune friend of Lemerre. said: "Our biggest win today was in Roger Lemer-re’s analysis of the match even if the first question asked me by the Japanese journalists was 'you have lost again, what are you going to do?'

"We must respect that we progress in stages and two years away from the World Cup (that Japan will co-host with South Korea) tonight was an important stage. This draw allows us to go forward a stage together. What we are still lacking is the ability to finish it off.” concluded Troussier. under fire in the Japanese press.

In the match itself after what was a fairly sterile opening France made the early running with Robert Pires doing well to take the ball to the byline but David Trezeguei was unable to direct his header on goal.

A lot of France's best work was coming down the left flank with full-back Bixente Lizarazu linking up with Sylvain Wiltord. Pires and Zidane but often the final ball was poor after good approach work.

Then Japan almost took a shock lead when Hidetoshi Nakata, who plays for Italian Serie A side AS Roma threw himself at the ball but saw his header sail over the bar of new Manchester United goalkeeper Fabien Barthez.

Zidane shot wide from dislance in the next French foray but then Japan took the lead after some dreadful play in the heart of the France defence.

Emmanuel Petit. Lizarazu and Marcel Desailly overcomplicated matters in defence and Inamoto took the ball, playing in Cerezo Osaka star Morishima, who headed the ball in at the second attempt after his first effort was parried by Barthez.

France coach Roger Lemerre introduced two more France 98 players Djorkaeff and Christophe Dugarry after the break but Japan were looking dangerous on the break.

Nanami missed an opportunity’ to net a second and then Nakata wriggled paM two challenges but failed to test Barthez with his shot

Finally Frame equalised after an hour.

The Japanese defence was caught napping as Zidane raced on to a long hall from Petit. Japan keeper Seigo Narazaki came haring out of his goal and Zidane flicked the ball over his head before tucking the ball away into the unguarded net.

But Japan went back ahead with a fabulous strike.

Nanami, who plays for relegated Italian Serie A side Venezia, crossed and Nishizara composed himself before volleying superbly past the flailing Barthez.

Lemerre then introduced Anelka and almost immediately the move paid dividends.

Again the credit must go to Zidane who won the ball in midfield but fed the Real Madrid striker whose centre was a formality for Djorkaeff

Another substitute Frank Leboeuf had to scramble a dangerous ball off the line and Barthez had to produce the save of the match as Japan finished strongest and came perilously close to a clincher.

But Anelka too was foiled fit the last minute of normal tune.

Zidane was given a rousing reception as he was replaced by Thierry Henry in the last minute and seemed to enjoy playing in North Africa - U>e Marseille-born playmaker's parents are from Algeria.

There was still time for Barthez to make a good save from Nakata.

At the end of the match French midfielder Petit seemed to be in considerable distress

'Right at the start of tbe( match I fell badly on my back he explained. "Then right at the; end of the match when 1 went w head the ball 1 felt a crick in nO net k Since then it has been hin ting. I don't know if it is a vertebra or a rib. he said.

No diagnosis was immediately available but Euro 2000 rules provide for player to be added to the squad should 3 medically certified injury rule a player out.

Jamaica were due to pla' hosts Morocco in the second match of the night.