WORLD CUP NEWS

World Cup Results: France 0-2 Denmark; Champions out of World Cup!; Senegal 3-3 Uruguay; South Americans mount furious comeback but fall short; Ireland 3-0 s. Arabia; Irish through to second round, and more… June 12, 2002 - STM Staff

France 0-0 Denmark
Incheon, South Korea

No, this is not a misprint. The 2000 European Champion and 1998 World CUP Champions have been eliminated from the World Up with a 2-0 loss to Denmark in the final game of Group A play in Incheon.

The reigning champions were humbled yet again, this time by a hard working Danish squad that is showing shades of the team that won the European Championship in 1992.

Les Blues become the first defending champion to be eliminated in the first round since brazil took an early exit at England 66'. Denmark on the other hand ensured themselves a spot in the second round and go through as group leaders.

Players, coaches, and fans alike are searching for answers after the French squad totally destructed in their three group matches. The French lost two and tied won, without scoring a single goal. (Puts the USA's plight in 1998 in France into to sharp focus doesn't it.

Beginning with their shocking 1-0 loss to Senegal in the first game of the world cup, France was on a downward slope with no end in sight. -- French Head Coach Roger Lemerre told reporters that he couldn't explain his side's incredible implosion. -- Denamrk took the lead in the in the 22ndminute when Rommedahl scored his first goal of the tournament. Jon Dahl Tomasson snuck in behind the French backline in the 66th minute and beat French GK Barthez to create an insurmountable lead for the Danes. The goal was his fourth of the tournament.

Amazingly the Danes played what amounted to a 6-3-1 formation, presenting a very defensive front to the French, ala Italy in any game they play. Despite this defensive posture, France were unable to find a goal, but managed to hit the posts a couple of times for good measure.

Ziziou was a shade of his former self, looking tired and injured after a long domestic and European campaign with Real Madrid in Spain. France were not without their chances in front of goal, with Desailly, Zidane, and Trezeguet coming close on a numbers of occasions.

Juventus forward David Trezeguet described it best when he told reporters, "It's the end of a beautiful story."

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Senegal 3-3- Uruguay
Suwon, South Korea

There is one lesson that is glaringly apparent from this World Cup: No lead is safe. Period.

Uruguay (0-1-2) overcame a three-goal first half deficit to score the unanswered goals in the second-half to earn a 3-3- draw with Senegal (1-0-2) in the final match of Group A play for both nations.

The upstart Senegalese have now wrapped up the second spot in the Group A and will advance to the second round in their first ever World cup appearance.

The Senegalese came out with all gins firing in the first half, and seemingly attacked at will against a normally solid defensive side. The South Americans were on their heels from the opening whistle and looked overmatched against the Lions Teranga.

Despite their furious comeback, Uruguay fell short of their goal, which was a win, and ticket into the second round. Uruguayan Head Coach Victor Pua's side had a chance to win the match in the dying seconds but a missed place header ensured the tie for Senegal and tears for Uruguay.

Forward Pape Bouda Diop scored a brace in the 36th and 38th minutes to lead his team to victory yet again. Khalilou Padiga opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 20th minute.

But the Senegalese showed their inexperience and youth in the second half, allowing the Uruguayans to get back into the match right after the kick-off. Morales scored just one minute after the break. Manchester United forward Diego Forlan added another in the 69th minute and Recoba scored the dying goal in the 88th minute from the penalty spot.

The final minutes of the match were hotly contested, but eventually the whistle blew and Uruguayans were left to ponder their elimination on the plane ride home.

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Germany 2-0 Cameroon
Shizouka, Japan

The big boys are falling like tress in the Pacific North West Headlands in this World Cup and now Cameroon has joined growing list of World Cup favorites to be eliminated in the first round.

Germany beat Cameroon 2-0 their final match of Group E play, which ensures the number one spot in the group for Germany and an early exit for the Indomitable Lions.

The leading candidate for the Gold Boot award scored yet again, as Miroslov Klose scored in the 79th minute for his fifth goal of tournament to give the Germans a solid 2-0 lead. Marco Bode scored Germany's first goal in the 50th minute, after dominating much of the first half play.

Germany seem to be running on all cylinders after a poor qualification campaign almost saw them go the way of the Dutch. Klose is the surprise package of the tournament scoring five goals in just three matches. With Bayern GK Oliver Kahn in goal, Germany looks very hard to beat.

Cameroon take an early bow, much tot he chagrin on CAF officials who had predicted big-time play from Cameroon in this World Cup. Nigeria has also been eliminated leaving only Senegal (qual.) and South Africa (2nd place GB) to represent the African continent.

Cameroon played some attractive football, but were not able to put together to strong halves of soccer. Multiple coaching changes in the past 12months have not helped Cameroon's cause, and individualism on the pitch has been a killer.

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Ireland 3-0 Saudi Arabia
Yokohma, Japan

The end of this World Cup could not have come sooner for Saudi Arabia who will return home to a war-torn Middle East and growing unrest. Not all World Cups are joyous.

After being spanked by Germany 8-0 in their opening match, the Saudis have managed to loss their final two games (1-0 vs. Cameroon) and now a 3-0 defeat at the hands of the Irish.

Irish eyes are smiling just one week after the country was put into serious turmoil over the sending home of team captain and cult-hero Robbie Keane after a bust -up with players and coaches forced Mick McCarthy's hand.

Everyone all but wrote off the Irish when Keane left, but McCarty has pulled his team together. They have showed tons of hearts and determination in all three of their matches. So Cheers! Here's to the Green and White of the Emerald Isle.

Leeds' United forward Robbie Keane gave the Irish an early lead when the strong striker scored his second goal of the tournament in the 7th minute.

Gary Breen added another in the 61st, his first of the tournament. Blackburn winger Daemon Duff put the icing on the cake in the 87th minute to cap of a convincing win for Ireland.

Ireland will now qualify for the second round as second-place finishers in Group E, behind group winner (and clear World Cup favorites) Germany.