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Undisputed No. 1 France wins battle of soccer heavyweights
Updated: Thursday June 07, 2001 11:17 AM
SUWON, South Korea (AP) -- Underlining its domination of world soccer, France beat Brazil 2-1 on Thursday to set up a final against Japan in the Confederations Cup. In a battle between the two biggest soccer powers, world champion France came out on top because it combined flair with better finishing, getting fine goals from Robert Pires and captain Marcel Desailly. Brazil scored on a Ramon freekick, indication enough it lacked the finishing touch to turn teamwork into goals. Coach Roger Lemerre praised the Brazilians for showing courage and tenacity against a more experienced team, saying it was only the willpower of his French lineup that allowed it to escape with a win. "Brazil continues to have the best soccer in the world," he said. Brazil's coach Emerson Leao was happy to come out of the exciting semifinal with his head high. "We lost, but with honor, because we showed tenacity." After a six-minute demonstration, France went ahead when Patrick Vieira headed a deep corner straight into the path of Arsenal teammate Pires, who struck a powerful 21-meter volley which gave Brazilian goalkeeper Dida no chance. Against the run of play, Brazil equalized with a Ramon freekick on the half-hour mark. Following an unnecessary handball by Christian Karembeu, the Fluminense midfielder curled a right-footer over the wall and found Ulrich Rame far too slow to react. France restored order in the 53rd minute when Marcel Desailly acrobatically flicked a floating freekick from Youri Djorkaeff into the far corner, finishing off the move between two World Cup final veterans. Both sides came into the prestigious match without their biggest stars and France showed enough strength in depth to briefly forget the names of Zidane, Henry or Barthez. Brazil though, could have used the finishing power of a Rivaldo, Romario or Ronaldinho in a match which turned on a few key moves. "We had to be powerful and strong," said Pires. "They proved they have one of the great teams in the world." Early on, Wiltord bedazzled the Brazil defense and Pires already had a 28-meter volley saved moments before he opened the score with a similar blast. France was overpowering, especially since it combined class with hustle. France should have doubled the score in the 26th minute when it forced a three-against-one situation, but Nicolas Anelka decided to shoot from a tight angle instead of passing to the unmarked Djorkaeff in the center. The ball went wide and it was a turning point in the match. "The beginning was great but France kept us under control," said Lemerre. Brazil had exposed Rame's hesitance already but the Ramon freekick four minutes later showed the Bordeaux goalie was a mere second choice to Barthez. Suddenly, Brazil played like a famed Selecao, and even showed more poise than the world champion French. In the second half, France took charge of the game again, and right back Willy Sagnol tested Dida in the 50th minute with a long drive. France was able to go ahead again early in the half, through Desailly. This time, Brazil immediately tried to counter. Washington capitalized on an uncharacteristic Desailly error, but Frank Leboeuf rushed back to clear his ball from the area. "All through the match, it was a great battle with Washington," said the Chelsea veteran. "I felt a great strength running through the whole team." Wiltord should have put the game away in the 74th minute, when an across-the-field move between Pires and Anelka set the Arsenal striker free in the center. He rushed his shot and France were left to battle on. Anelka often turned the Brazil defense dizzy but was sloppy on his finishing, targeting the fans behind the goal instead of Dida. With six minutes to go, Brazil almost got level when a drive from Robert was deflected by Leboeuf before going just wide. After going with youth for much of the Confederations Cup, coach Roger Lemerre went with experience in the semifinal, starting a half dozen players who beat Brazil 3-0 in the World Cup final three years ago. Brazil came to the tournament with a highly experimental and under-strength side which struggled to qualify for the semifinals with goalless draws against Japan and Canada. Leao only made peripheral changes for the semifinal. As often during the tournament, the stadium could not even be filled for a clash between the world's two biggest soccer nations, with only 34,527 fans filling the 44,000 Suwon World Cup stadium, some 50 kilometers (30 miles) south of Seoul. The two countries were going neck and neck for the world's top ranking coming into the game, with France holding a narrow 805-799 lead. France ended Brazil's seven-year reign atop the FIFA standings in May. Lineups: France : Ulrich Rame; Willy Sagnol, Marcel Desailly, Frank Leboeuf, Bixente Lizarazu; Christian Karembeu, Patrick Vieira, Robert Pires, Youri Djorkaeff (60, Eric Carriere); Nicolas Anelka, Sylvain (86 Laurent Robert). Brazil : Dida; Ze Maria, Lucio, Edmilson, Leomar; Leandro (53, Vampeta), Carlos Miguel (68, Robert), Leo; Fabio, Washington, Ramon. Referee : Gamal Al-Ghandour.
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