TTM$ - indeed, long may we continue to do so
Some Game Notes, Thoughts and Plays:
SOCCER-WORLD-TUNISIA
TUNISIA OUT TO SEIZE CUP LIMELIGHT
Kobe, Japan, June 4 Reuters - Joint Tunisia coach Khemais Laabidi says his team of underdogs will be out to show what they can do on soccer's biggest stage when they take on Russia in group H on Wednesday.
Tunisia, with only one World Cup finals victory in their history, are widely expected to struggle against the Russians, co-hosts Japan and Belgium.
But asked about the tag of being the weakest side in the group, Laabidi said:
``It is certainly going to be a source of motivation. We're honoured to be here.
``For a country with a population of 10 million, one of the challenges for us is to give a good account of our country in front of the whole of the footballing world, and to show everyone that we can make the most of these matches.
``We will be giving the maximum.''
Laabidi knows his men cannot expect an easy ride from the Russians, who qualified in impressive style at the top of their group with seven wins from 10 games.
``They've got good players in all departments and we know it's going to be a difficult match'' Laabidi said.
``But we've prepared well for it, both from a psychological point of view, and also in terms of our attacking manoeuvre.''
Winless in their appearance at the 1998 finals, Tunisia's only victory was a 3-1 triumph over Mexico in 1978, when they also drew 0-0 with West Germany in the group stages.
Reuters hc
NZP
04/06/02 2233NZ
SOCCER-WORLD-USA (PICTURE)
US COACH ARENA CAN'T PICK HOLES IN PORTUGAL
Seoul, June 4 Reuters - US coach Bruce Arena has looked in vain for a weak point in Portugal, the Americans' powerful first opponents in group D, he said on Tuesday.
``I haven't been able to detect a weakness in Portugal,'' Arena told a news conference in Seoul a day before the match with group favourites in Suwon.
``The one thing that stands out with Portugal is their great attacking quality. The combination of players. It's just not one player or two players,'' he said.
Arena, who would not speculate on his starting line-up, was cryptic about his approach to heavily favoured Portugal.
``What we do tomorrow is not going to be radically different from anything we've done in the past,'' he said.
He predicted a slow start to Wednesday's match as the two sides ``feel each other out''.
``The first 15 minutes will probably be a cautious 15 minutes for both teams, and then perhaps the game will open up,'' Arena said.
Arena played down questions about whether Claudio Reyna was fit for the first US-Portugal World Cup showdown in 16 years.
``If Claudio's on the field we certainly believe he's going to help us win,'' he said, noting that many players have shown up in South Korea and Japan nursing injuries from club play.
US midfielder John O'Brien told reporters his side were keen to improve on their showing in the 1998 World Cup, where they had the worst record of all 32 teams, losing all three qualifying games.
``I think US teams more recently have been going to big tournaments hoping to prove something, whereas in the past it was always just participating was enough,'' O'Brien said.
``So I want to see our team do real well. If we do that I think the fans in America will start following the sport more and enjoying it more,'' he said.
The US team meet co-hosts South Korea on June 10 in Taegu, then face Poland on June 14 in Taejon.
Probable teams:
US: (4-1-3-2) 18-Kasey Keller; 22-Tony Sanneh, 23-Eddie Pope, 12-Jeff Agoos, 2-Frankie Hejduk; 10-Claudio Reyna; 8-Earnie Stewart, 5-John O'Brien, 17-DaMarcus Beasley; 20-Brian McBride, 11-Clint Mathis.
Portugal: (4-1-3-2) 1-Vitor Baia; 18-Nuno Frechaut, 2-Jorge Costa, 5-Fernando Couto, 23-Rui Jorge; 20-Armando Petit; 11-Sergio Conceicao, 10-Rui Costa, 7-Luis Figo; 8-Joao Pinto, 9-Pauleta.
Match officials:
Referee: Byron Moreno (Ecuador)
Linesman: Bomer Fierro (Ecuador)
Awni Hassouneh (Jordan)
Reuters hc
Germany will advance to the knock-out stage if they beat Ireland in their second group E match tomorrow in Ibaraki.
Midfielder Torsten Frings now only has the cup to worry about after learning that he will play for Borussia Dortmund next season.
``I'm relieved everything has been sorted out,'' the 25-year-old, who will leave Werder Bremen to sign a four-year contract with the German champions, said on Tuesday.
Frings had agreed to join Dortmund weeks ago but talks over the transfer fee, reported to be just under $NZ22 million, may drag on
Germany coach Rudi Voeller, who was expected to field Frings again tomorrow.
``The situation is clear, if we win, we are in the second round,'' Voeller said.
``We want to win and achieve our goal. We are fit and confident but the players know Ireland is going to be a team of a different caliber,'' Voeller said.
The Germans have no injury problems and will be relying on striker Miroslav Klose to lead their high-powered attack.
Voeller has a full squad to chose from for the third all-European game of the finals.
Marko Rehmer, who was on the bench last Saturday because of a groin injury, has been able to train normally since the game while fellow defender Carsten Ramelow was also reported to be fully fit after hurting a thigh muscle against Saudi Arabia.
Rehmer could come in for Christoph Metzelder but otherwise, Voeller is unlikely to change the starting formation he fielded against Saudi Arabia.
Michael Ballack, recapturing his best form after nursing a sore foot, will orchestrate play while Miroslav Klose, who fired the third hat-trick of his young international career last Saturday, will start up front again.
Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given should be able to play despite picking up a minor hip injury in a collision against Cameroon.
Midfielder Jason McAteer, who had to be substituted at halftime after receiving a knock on his left knee, joined in light training yesterday and could also start the match.
The Ibaraki game will be a special occasion for veteran defender Steve Staunton. The only player in the Irish squad to have featured in all the team's games from the 1990 and 1994 finals, he will win his 100th cap.
Teams:-
Germany: 1-Oliver Kahn, 3-Marko Rehmer, 5-Carsten Ramelow, 2-Thomas Linke, 22-Torsten Frings, 8-Dietmar Hamann, 19-Bernd Schneider, 13-Michael Ballack, 6-Christian Ziege, 11-Miroslav Klose, 9-Carsten Jancker.
Ireland: 1-Shay Given, 18-Gary Kelly, 14-Gary Breen, 5-Steve Staunton, 3-Ian Harte, 7-Jason McAteer, 8-Matt Holland, 12-Mark Kinsella, 11-Kevin Kilbane, 9-Damien Duff, 10-Robbie Keane.
Match referee: Kim Milton Nielsen (Denmark)
Reuters md
