ACTUALITE |
03.06.2002
African Favorites Held to Draw
African favourites Cameroon were held to a 1-1 draw by an enterprising Ireland in a hard-fought Group `A` match in Japan yesterday.
Cameroon`s fans in Kenya watched in disbelief as Matt Holland cancelled Patrick Mboma`s 39th minute strike with his 52nd minute equaliser.
In a one-sided match later, Germany hammered Saudi Arabia 8-0, with four goals in each half.
Denmark saw off Uruguay 2-1 in a Group `A` match.
At 8.30 am today, the other African campaigners Nigeria face a stern test against Argentina in Group `F` clash while South Africa tackle Paraguay in a Group `B` tie today.
England take on Sweden in another Group `F` match set at 12.30 pm today and Spain meet Slovenia in a second Group `B` game at 2.30 pm.
Cameroon were disappointing in their match against Ireland yesterday. In the first half, they looked tentative and sluggish. The case of Ireland was also intriguing. Had the loss of their star, Roy Keane, and the emotional turmoil of the last ten days taken its toll?
But a different, more confident team emerged in the second half, and just seven minutes later midfielder Matt Holland put the Irish on the board with a 25-metre shot he fired past the diving Cameroonian `keeper Boukar Alioum, sending the sea of Irish fans behind the goal into a frenzy.
While Ireland came close a few more times, the match ended in a 1-1 tie.
The Irish will gladly take a draw, given all they`ve been through, particularly against Cameroon, a team they consider to be the strongest in Group E.
"I`ve had the hardest week possible, but coming into the game today was a blessed relief and it`s nice to be walking away without being beaten," said Coach Mick McCarthy.
While the Irish players admitted they started out flat - partly due to nerves - many argued that they had outplayed the Cameroonians in the second half, with numerous shots on goal. Minutes before the end, Leeds United striker Robbie Keane almost put the game away with a curling 22-metre shot that hit the base of the right post.
If anything, I thought we were the stronger team in the second half, and that`s something we can be pleased with, said Holland, who plays for Ipswich. We haven`t been beaten, that gives us a good chance of advancing in the competition.
By bouncing back, the Irish team did more than counter the Cameroonians` physical play and efficient passing. They showed that they have been able to shrug off at least some of the upheaval of the last ten days sparked by the departure of their only true world class player, Roy Keane.
Keane was sent home last week after he unleashed an obscenity-laced tirade against Coach Mick McCarthy during a team meeting, reportedly insulting his coaching abilities and his character.
The ordeal dragged on for days amid signs that Keane might apologise and rejoin the team in Japan. But after the remaining 22 players issued a statement Tuesday saying they were better off without Keane, he made it known he would not be returning.
With all that hanging over their heads, the players were eager to get out on the field here in Niigata and play soccer.
Meanwhile, Germany alerted the world they were back to their intimidating best with an 8-0 demolition of Saudi Arabia in their opening World Cup group E match.
After their premature exit from the 2000 European championships, a shaky run in qualifying and a spate of injuries today`s scoreline was totally unexpected.
"We were ready for a tough game and we certainly didn`t think we would win it that way," said captain Oliver Kahn, who had virtually nothing to do in goal.
"We couldn`t have dreamed of a better start. The two decisive aspects are the self-confidence this will give us and also the psychological factor. The other teams will have a lot of respect for us and I`m convinced more strong performances will follow."
Polls back home showed repeatedly that most fans in the soccer-mad nation feared another early exit following the shock departure from Euro 2000 after the group stage, Germany`s worst performance at a major event.
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