Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has to get these problems fixed before Brazil reaches the knockout round with contenders Italy or the Czech Republic likely opponents. Even Ghana, should it sneak through, might take advantage.

Parreira skirted the team's problems by saying the most important thing was to reach the second round. Maybe he knows better performances are just around the corner, but even the superconfident Brazilian fans appear worried.

Over in Leipzig, Thierry Henry scored the French team's first World Cup goal since a 3-0 victory over Brazil in the 1998 final. But Les Bleus contrived to give South Korea a 1-1 draw to follow their inept 0-0 tie with Switzerland.

There are similar signs now, and Raymond Domenech's players have no one to blame but themselves. Although Patrick Vieira's header appeared to cross the line before being cleared ¡ª the referee said no ¡ª the French too often tried to usher the ball into the net instead of being direct and decisive.

Henry missed three chances against the Swiss and squandered two more against the Koreans simply because he didn't go for goal sooner or with more power. The Korean equalizer nine minutes from the end by Manchester United's Park Ji-sung seemed like a punishment the French deserved.

When Zinedine Zidane walked off the field to be substituted, the French star threw down his captain's armband and barely acknowledged the coach as he went past him. Zidane knew he would miss the final group game against Togo because of suspension and, if France doesn't qualify for the second round for the second World Cup in a row, that's the sad end of a famous career.

If his French teammates want to give him another game, they'd better realize this is a World Cup, not a goal of the month contest.