Slender win over Romania will keep France grounded, says Payet

Paris, June 11 (IANS) France midfielder Dimitri Payet said the narrow 2-1 win against Romania would keep them grounded and make the team work harder in their bid to go far in the Euro football championship.

The West Ham United player assisted Olivier Giroud to score and put in a brilliant left-footer himself as France won 2-1 in their Euro opener on Friday night.

"The crowd helped -- we know how important the points were," Payet was quoted as saying by espn.in.

"Now we're able to rest up and prepare for the second game. Had we won by two or three goals that might have misled us slightly."

"The fact we won like that shows there won't be any easy matches and we have to go out and win matches."

Payet was himself surprised at the wonder goal he struck with just minutes to go in the game.

"If someone had told me that it was going to be like that tonight I don't think I would have believed it," he said.

The 29-year-old also admitted France found it difficult to break down Romania's defence.

"Yes, we were a bit timid and afraid of making mistakes in the opening quarter," Payet said.

"We came up against a side who were very good at defending."

--IANS

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