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World Cup Opens with African Knock-out to Title Holders
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Senegalese Papa Bouba Diop scored the historical goal |
SEOUL,
May 31 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) – World Champions France
crashed to a shock 1-0 defeat against African debutants Senegal as the
World Cup kicked off with one of the greatest upsets in the
tournament's 72-year history in the South Korean capital Friday, May
31, 2002.
Before
the France-Senegal opening game, the opening ceremony for the 17th
World Cup tournament highlighted peace and communication between
co-hosts and eternal rivals Japan and South Korea.
The
spectacular show in the 64,677-capacity Seoul World Cup Stadium saw a
merging of the two nations' flags to symbolize the
multi-million-dollar cooperation between the east Asian neighbors to
stage football's month-long extravaganza, Agence France-Presse (AFP)
reported.
The
South Korean and Japanese leaders raised their hands together at the
ceremony in a new attempt to instill goodwill into their relations.
South
Korean President Kim Dae-Jung and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro
Koizumi jointly declared the tournament open after an address from
FIFA President Sepp Blatter in a well-organized ceremony.
Dae-Jung
said in a speech to the crowd at the Seoul Stadium that he hoped the
world's biggest sporting event would bring a new era of friendly ties.
The
show, entitled "From the East", began with a burst of color
as hundreds of dancers and musicians wearing traditional Korean dress
marched on to the turf, followed by troupes of drummers.
A
grand drum symbolizing Yin and Yang, the Asian view of the world, was
erected as children wearing the jerseys of the 32 competing nations
mingled with the dancers and Korean and Japanese pop singers performed
the official local song of the World Cup, AFP said.
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World Cup opening ceremony
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The
ceremony concluded as footballs dropped from the roof of the stadium,
making way for the first of the tournament's 64 matches to begin.
FIFA,
football's international governing body, awarded the 2002 finals to
the Asian countries partly in a bid to end decades of rivalry. Japan
occupied the Korean peninsula for 35 years up to 1945 and elderly
Koreans still express resentment at their brutal treatment.
South
Korea wanted Japan's Emperor Akihito to attend the opening ceremony,
the first by a head of the Imperial family since the occupation, in
what would be a major gesture of reconciliation.
Japan
rejected the idea fearing demonstrations in Korea would embarrass the
emperor, according to diplomats.
After
the end of the ceremony, Senegal, fielding a side made up entirely of
France-based players, secured their stunning win against France,
thanks to a 30th-minute goal from midfielder Pape Bouba Diop in the
Group A clash.
However,
it was a desperate night for France, who struggled to produce their
normal free-flowing game in the absence of injured star playmaker
Zinedine Zidane.
Shell
shocked French coach Roger Lemerre, who could now face an uphill
battle to make it out of the group with matches against Uruguay and
Denmark to come, was gracious in defeat, praising Senegal's defense.
"They were well organized at the back and we couldn't break them
down," Lemerre said.
"They had a counter attack and they scored. That's what can
happen in these games.
"But it's not all over for us. There are two matches to go and we
can go though with six points. But we still have it all to do."
Delighted Senegal coach Bruno Metsu said he would try to keep his
team's feet on the ground in the wake of the win.
"We had some luck today, we are very happy with this," he
said. "It's like a dream - not a miracle though.
"We are past one step but there are two games to come. We have to
confirm this result and again play at this level against Denmark and
Uruguay.
"It is the biggest moment ever for our team and a big moment for
the World Cup. This is a big encouragement for all coaches who like me
have had difficulties in their career."
Senegal goal hero Bouba Diop admitted he had been delighted to score
against the French, joint tournament favourites to lift the
tournament.
"It gave me great pleasure to score the goal and beat the world
champions," he said.
For his part, African footballer of the year El-Hadji Diouf, who had
been outstanding throughout, dedicated the win to Africa.
"I
think that the whole of Africa will be celebrating this result,"
said Diouf, who earns his living with French club Lens.
"I think that if we carry on like that we have a good chance of
progressing."
Senegal’s
mega-weight surprise is not the first major upset in the 72-year long
World Cup history though.
In 1990, Argentina faced the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon as reigning
champions in the tournament-opener in Italy. However, the champions
slumped 1-0 to an Omam Biyik goal - even though the Africans finished
with only nine men.
In 1982, Again the Argentines flop as defending champions on day
one, losing 1-0 to Belgium in Spain on a goal from Erwin Vandenbergh,
the first goal in the opening match for 20 years.
Also, in1982, the Algerians stunned the Germans in a first-round group
match with Rabah Madjer and Lakhder Balloumi both on target - but the
Germans went through eventually after they and neighbors Austria
contrived to produce a narrow German win in a later encounter - enough
to take both through the opening phase.
In 1966, the North Koreans were given no hope whatsoever against the
Italians (Azzurri). But Pak Doo Ik scored a sensational goal on a
cross-shot to floor the Italians at Ayresome Park, Middlesbrough,
England, whose fans cheered the goal to the rafters.
Back in 1950, England had previously not bothered with the World Cup
assuming they were the best team on the planet. However, the Americans
had other ideas and Joe Gaetjens - actually from Haiti - hit a late
winner to stun the watching crowd at Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
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