ACTUALITE |
20.05.2002
Will it be third time unlucky for Cameroon skipper Song?
YAOUNDE
Tough-tackling Cameroon skipper Rigobert Song will be looking to avoid an unwanted hat-trick of World Cup red cards in Japan and South Korea.
A no-nonsense centre-half who takes no prisoners, Song`s robust style has not gone down well with referees - he is the only man to have been sent off at two World Cups.
The first red card came on his debut for the `Indomitable Lions` at the 1994 tournament, when as a nervy 17-year-old he clattered into a Brazilian opponent to earn instant dismissal.
Another red against Chile at the 1998 World Cup earned Song further notoriety. "Rigobert is a strong, highly competitive defender and a bubbly character," said Song`s former boss at Liverpool, Gerard Houllier.
"He is not someone you have to push into the fight. He is the sort you have to calm down and soothe."
But though Song admits he is anxious to avoid an unwanted hat-trick at this year`s World Cup when Cameroon face Germany, Ireland and Saudi Arabia in Group E, he is unlikely to curb his uncompromising style.
"I will play as I always play," Song said. "You can`t call me a dirty player. I play hard but fair," he said.
Now older and wiser, Song has developed into an inspirational captain for Cameroon, leading the west Africans to back-to-back Nations Cup triumphs in 2000 and 2002.
Yet Song`s success at international level has not been matched in the club game. In recent seasons he has drifted around Europe, unable to settle at clubs in England, Germany and Italy.
His happiest period in club football came at French side Metz, where he stayed for four years from 1994 to 1998.
But subsequent transfers to Italian side Salernitana and Liverpool went sour, with Song hastily offloaded after being branded clumsy and suspect under pressure.
It was a similar story at West Ham, who he joined in November 2000, following the departure of Rio Ferdinand to Leeds.
Song maintained he was harshly treated by the Hammers, saying he suffered from constant comparisons to the skilful Ferdinand.
Sure enough, Song`s stay at Upton Park was short-lived and this season he has been loaned to FC Cologne, relegated from the Bundesliga.
His limpet-like man-marking skills are reported to have attracted admiring glances from other clubs in Germany though as yet his future is undecided.
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