16 - 22 May 2002
Issue No.586
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Al-Ahram Weekly Online 16 - 22 May 2002 Issue No.586 |
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World Cup countdown
Death in the family
JAPAN's World Cup build-up has been marred by a death in national coach Philippe Troussier's family, after some encouraging signs from their star players in Europe.
The death of a nephew of the Frenchman in a traffic accident put a damper on the Japanese team, whose big guns looked to have struck a rich vein form in the closing stages of the European leagues last week, ahead of the start of the World Cup finals on 31 May.
The Frenchman flew to Paris from Japan's camp in Madrid Saturday for the funeral after his nephew's death the night before, according to Japanese press reports Sunday. "He seemed to be bearing up against the shock of losing someone close to him," Hideki Kato, a press officer for the Japanese Football Association, told reporters after seeing Troussier off at Madrid Airport.
The Nikkan sports daily speculated that the death could have a knock-on effect on the Japanese team. "The psychological shock suffered by coach Troussier appears to be great and it is also feared it will shake his players as well," the paper said.
The Japanese, due to co-host the World Cup with South Korea, had been enjoying a bumper week after Hidetoshi Nakata set up the goal that won Parma the Italian Cup on Friday, after Shinji Ono set up the winner in the UEFA Cup final on Wednesday.
Optimistic Eriksson
ENGLAND manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has revealed he will tell his players to believe they can win the World Cup as he looks forward to fulfilling his dream of leading a team into the final.
Eriksson, who has been careful to play down England's chances at the finals, believes that if his team gets past the first phase then anything is possible.
Although Eriksson has warned against looking beyond England's opening Group of Death clash with Sweden, he is, nevertheless, encouraging his players to adopt a positive mindset.
"If you don't believe, then you will never do it," Eriksson said. "Football is about many things but one thing is not to be afraid, no matter how important your opponent is.
"I refuse to even think about us losing the first three games. When I was a club manager and we played Real Madrid, I never thought about losing. Take that problem when it comes, not before."
Eriksson acknowledges the size of the task facing England as they prepare to do battle in a different time zone with fierce heat and humidity.
However, he insists that every possible preparation is being taken, with regard to fitness and blood tests, as well as enabling the players to deal with playing in the heat.
Africa's moment
CAMEROON's coach Winifred Schafer has said he is targeting a semi-final place for the Indomitable Lions. "The moment for an African team to reach the semi-finals has come," Schafer said in Yaounde, where the team was receiving an official send- off from the prime minister of Cameroon, Peter Musonge.
Schafer insisted the continent was behind his players. "It's Cameroon that represents Africa in the World Cup, not South Africa or Nigeria," he said. "And for us to make Africa proud we need discipline, courage, good preparation and luck."
Iya Mohamed, president of the Cameroon Football Federation, echoed Schafer's comments. "Our objective in the World Cup is to reach the semi-finals," he said. "We know this is possible because of the determination and passion of the players."
However, skipper Rigobert Song sounded more modest. Speaking on behalf of the players, Song said their priority was to do better than in the 1994 and 1998 World Cup finals when the Lions crashed out in the first round.
"We are aware of our mission," Song said. "Our spirits are high and we'll do our best to ameliorate our performances in the last two World Cup finals. We'll go as far as possible in the competition."
Djorkaeff to bow out
FRENCH midfielder Youri Djorkaeff said that he would be retiring from international football after the World Cup.
"After the World Cup, I'm going to take my bow," the 34- year-old told the daily Le Parisien.
"Lets say for me and Les Bleus that will be it. I won't have any regrets. It's also a question of age and motivation. What we've achieved is beautiful," said world and European champion Djorkaeff.
A key part of the 1998 World Cup-winning team, Djorkaeff saw his career nose-dive after leaving Inter Milan to join Bundesliga side Kaiserslautern.
But he returned to the French side for the 5-0 thrashing of Scotland two months ago after coach Roger Lemerre was impressed at his form since joining modest English Premiership side Bolton early this year.
Djorkaeff said that while he would never play in France again he had not ruled out remaining in England. "I know that I still want to play. Bolton have asked me to prolong. We will discuss it, but it will be difficult. I haven't ruled out staying in England. Whatever the case I won't return to France," he added.
Djorkaeff received his first call-up for the French squad in 1993 and was capped 78 times. He is his country's top scorer still in action with 28 goals.
(Compiled from news agencies)
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