World

World Cup Champs Are In A Bind

By Pete Brush

June 7, 2002 / 10:35 AM EDT / CBS

Yet another bit of drama as the World Cup completed its first week. The world champions failed to gain a win against testy Uruguay, settling instead for the first scoreless tie of the World Cup.

Forced to play a man down for 65 minutes after Thierry Henry was ejected Thursday, France came close to scoring several times at Busan, South Korea. But without injured star Zinedine Zidane, it couldn't solve goalkeeper Fabian Carini, and now France must beat Denmark on Tuesday or else go home.

"We still have great moments ahead of us," French goalkeeper Fabien Barthez promised. "We have to play right until the end."

Also Thursday, Senegal tied Denmark 1-1, but outplayed them for much of the game in Daegu, South Korea. The Africans finished with 10 men after Salif Diao was ejected for a hard tackle that brought his second yellow card of the game.

Senegal needs a tie in its final group game against Uruguay to advance to the second round in its first World Cup.

"The players had a great match and it was a big achievement," coach Bruno Metsu said. "In the second half they showed all their talent and teamwork. It's a big victory for Africa."

Another African team also won Thursday. Cameroon edged Saudi Arabia 1-0 at Saitama, Japan, making the Saudis the first team eliminated from the tournament. Although the Saudis were eliminated, they performed more professionally Thursday than in an 8-0 loss to Germany. The only goal was scored by Samuel Eto'o in the 65th minute as he sidestepped two defenders. If Cameroon beats Germany on Tuesday, it will advance.

Meanwhile:

The United States team, fresh from a stunning win over Portugal on Wednesday, was turning its focus to the future. Next up is co-host South Korea on Monday in Daegu, where it should be hot and humid. The Koreans, showing more offensive spark than usual, beat Poland 2-0 in their first game. Veteran defender Jeff Agoos got a ribbing from teammates Thursday for an embarrassing own goal in the winning effort. But the veteran player displayed a sense of humor. "I got an e-mail from a friend of mine before the game and he said 'I feel you're going to get a goal'," Agoos said. "I'm going to tell him to be more specific for the next one."

More than 7,000 police officers — both riot troops and plainclothesmen — are being dispatched to Sapporo as a precaution against possible hooligan violence during the Argentina-England game Friday. Officers will have netguns and hand-held water cannons. A citywide ban in alcohol is being considered.

One day after he was hit for a $7,000 fine for faking injury against Turkey, Brazil star Rivaldo was warned by FIFA that further sanctions would come from any more theatrics.

The ticket mess in Japan led to the creation of special telephone lines to purchase seats for games. "Our people have been working without sleep to make sure fans can get through to these lines and on to the (FIFA) Internet site," Junji Ogura, tournament director for the Japan World Cup Organizing Committee (JAWOC), said. "Creating a phone system is not an easy task."