WORLD CUP - SPORTS NOTES: USA - Senegal Shock Soccer World

James Loving - National Radio Text Service

Friday June 7, 2002

The USA's 3-2 win over Portugal was as shocking to Americans as it was to the rest of the soccer world. ESPN/Star sports soccer analysts criticized the Americans for not knowing the game and playing handball and not football.

Though the sport is new to Americans the USA teams performance showed that Americans could learn the game, adapt, and accompany that with tremendous heart and a competitive spirit. This team also has talent but not like the other countries that have the highest paid so called best in the game. Though the game is still new to the US they are developing young skillful players through their university system.

Many on the squad have played at UCLA and Virginia Universities. Coach Bruce Arena formerly coached the Virginia squad to six NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) titles. Future stars such as Landon Donovan are developing without college experience. The Americans proved that you can win without being the best or highest paid but focusing on helping and supporting each other and PLAYING AS A TEAM.

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SENEGAL appears to be the Cinderella team of the 2002 World Cup. After a brilliant 1-0 victory over defending champion France the side played gallantly in a 1-1 draw against Denmark. They played tough in the last 15 minutes of the contest down to only nine men.

Though out-manned Senegal continued to force the action in attacking the Danes. The Africans play the exciting brand of football in the tournament thus far with an aggressive attacking style and strong defense. Their players are quick, strong, intelligent, physical, and talented. They are excellent with their feet controlling the ball. Should they win the tournament would not surprise me. They have an excellent side.

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GERMANY showed in it's 8-0 smashing of Saudi Arabia in their opening match that they are the masters of headers. MIROSLAV KLOSE was brilliant and after two matches leads the tournament with four goals including his hat trick against the Saudi's. A 1-1 result against Ireland indicates the Germans have their work cut out for them if they are to go far into the tournament.

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With RIVALDO being handed a slap on the wrist fine of US $6,000 for acting you must question why such a small price to pay for such a costly loss in manpower to Turkey that lost the match 2-1. In today's game sports stars are turning themselves into film, television and commercial celebrities.

Can you fault Rivaldo for his acting? His performance could turn into extra dollars as an actor. Forget the game, today's sports is turning into an MTV video or audition for their aspirations to become actors…. Ask the stars of the NBA. Of course this is an acerbic point of view.

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SOUTH KOREA'S strong 2-0 win over Poland proved how far Asian soccer has come. When I saw Korea lose to Thailand 2-1 in the 1998 Asian Games on a golden goal it was the greatest sports event I had ever seen. Thailand accomplished the feat playing with only nine men. The emotion of the Thai crowd was something out of a movie that was surreal.

The problem at that time is Korea was pathetic in their stalling and diving tactics and not deserving of their former World Cup participants recognition and respect. It was one of the worst displays of sportsmanship I have ever seen. Hopefully this World Cup success will have them focus more on playing the game and not acting it.

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JAPAN made a strong showing in their 2-2 draw with Belgium earning them, there first ever World Cup point. Their impressive performance indicated the gap is narrowing with the ability for Asian squads to compete with the rest of the world's soccer powers.

It was just two years ago that there was talk of letting coach PHILIPPE TROUSSIER go. Fortunately for Japan they didn't and the team responded to his coaching.

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ITALY appears to be the strongest team in the tournament. They are the most cohesive unit with a quick, strong, aggressive, intelligent style. As a team they appear to function and think as one.

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