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World Cup Going Well, So Are Wars of Words
| Results of
played matches: |
| Russia 2 – 0 Tunisia |
| USA 3 – 2 Portugal |
| Germany 1 – 1 Rep. of Ireland |
| China 0 – 2 Costa Rica |
| Japan 2 – 2 Belgium |
| South Korea 2 – 0 Poland |
| Italy 2 – 0 Ecuador |
| Croatia 0 – 1 Mexico |
| Brazil 2 – 1 Sweden |
| Argentina 1 – 0 Nigeria |
| Spain 3 – 1 Slovenia |
| Paraguay 2 – 2 South Africa |
| Germany 8 -
0 Saudi Arabia |
| Ireland 1 -
1 Cameroon |
| Uruguay 1 -
2 Denmark |
| France 0 - 1
Senegal |
SEOUL,
June 6 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) – South Korea and
Japan deserved an ‘A’ mark for the organization of the tournament
so far, World Cup chief Peter Velappan said Thursday, June 6.
Velappan,
the World Cup Co-ordination Director and general secretary of the
Asian Football Confederation (AFC), said that everything from
transport to security was working well, Agence France-Presse (AFP)
said.
“We
have to congratulate Korea and Japan for their excellent organization.
Everything from the transport of people to and from the stadium to the
orderliness of the stadium has been fantastic.”
Commenting
on the non-violent behavior of the audiences, he said, “I have to
pay a special tribute to the spectators in both Korea and Japan who
have been absolutely marvelous. Their good conduct is an example to
the rest of the world.”
Velappan
pushed for the co-hosting arrangement between Korea and Japan and
after the two countries were awarded the World Cup, then FIFA
president Joao Havelange handed him the job of coordinating the work
of the two organizing committees, AFP said.
“You
caused this problem now sort it out,” he was reported to have told
Velappan. The Malaysian World Cup chief has worked hard to ensure a
smooth tournament and is delighted with the way the opening days have
gone.
“Security
has been excellent,” he said. “Tickets have been a problem but
that was out with the control of the organizing committees.
“The
ticketing situation is improving day by day. We have made some slight
changes to the sales procedure and in Kobe last night at the Russia v
Tunisia match it was close to a full house.”
Meanwhile,
Spain is getting ready to make Paraguay pay for ending their World Cup
dreams four years ago at France 98 in their World Cup Group B match on
Friday.
The
World Cup finals draw last December put Spain in the same group again
as Paraguay, after the two rivals had faced each other in the first
round - and also in the second match - at France 98.
In
France, Spain lost their opening match to Nigeria and had to get a
victory over Paraguay to retain a good chance of progressing but the
Paraguayans ended it up with a 0-0 draw.
This
time around, Spain are on the crest of a wave after winning their
first World Cup opening match in 52 years on Sunday, a convincing 3-1
triumph over Slovenia, and it is Paraguay who must go for the win
after only drawing 2-2 with South Africa in their first match, AFP
reported.
“We
can beat anyone in the world, and that includes Spain,” said
Paraguay player Santa Cruz bullishly on Tuesday, May 4, 2002.
However,
earlier this week, the Paraguayan coach Cesare Maldini admitted that
he was toying with some tactical changes although he would not make
any decisions over who will start until after training on Thursday
night.
Paraguayan
goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert is set to return after serving his
four-match ban for spitting at Brazilian defender Roberto Carlos in a
recent international, and his presence will be welcome after a
less-than convincing display by his replacement Ricardo Tavarelli, AFP
said.
Another
war of words started by Argentine legend and one-time England nemesis
Diego Maradona, who said Thursday, that England are running scared as
they prepare to face his country in Friday's crucial World Cup Group F
encounter which will have both nations glued to their television
screens.
“They
will show that the English are absolutely terrified, they are quaking
in their boots,” Maradona said.
The
eagerly-awaited showdown in the Sapporo Dome will bring England and
Argentina to a standstill as Argentine fans huddle over their
breakfast table while England fans work out how to skip a day's work -
or take an extended lunch break, AFP reported.
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