揭幕战Senegal shock champions
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Senegal shock champions =============France 0 - 1 Senegal================ World and European champions France were sensationally beaten 1-0 by African minnows Senegal in the opening match of the 2002 World Cup in Seoul this afternoon. The multi-talented French side were humiliated by Papa Diop's scrambled effort after 30 minutes and though they piled forward for the remainder of the contest there was no way through the Senegalese defence. It was the most stunning start to a World Cup since nine-man Cameroon defeated Argentina 12 years ago and could have massive implications for England. Sven Goran Eriksson's men know the top two teams in their Group F will take on the qualifers from pool A in the last 16. Tournament favourites France were expected to comfortably advance in top spot, but that already looks unlikely. Senegal's victory was based initially on the impressive efforts of striker El Hadji Diouf, whose pace was too much for the ageing French defence, then on a rearguard action which kept their illustrious opponents at bay even though David Trezeguet and Thierry Henry both struck the woodwork. Senegal's victory was even more ironic given the former French colony are in the interesting position of having a complete squad of French-based players while the holders' line-up contained only one man, former Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf, who earns his living at home. ---------------------------------------------- Man of the Match: 21-year-old Senegal centre forward El Hadji Diouf played alone up front, creating trouble with every flick and run, and making the Frenche defence - especially Leboeuf - look very old, slow and half-hearted. Midfield playmaker Cisse sprayed balls around in the first half, and was solid as the French applied pressure in the second. Strange this natural worldbeater was turned down after a brief trial at West Ham! Moves of the Match: David Trezeguet hit the post for France early on. Fadiga smacked the bar for Senegal at 1-0 with a fantastic dribble and rocket. And Thierry Henry also hit the woodwork with great control and a curling effort that would've saved France's blushes. Moan of the Match: The fact that alleged ITV expert Gazza admitted he'd "never heard of Senegal" in-between his bumbling mispronunciations. And that was just the French team. Cool fact for the boozer: A starting line-up all based in France beat a starting line-up with just one member who plays his football for a French team. |
