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Le treble Tricolores on course for third international title
Updated: Friday June 08, 2001 12:00 PM
YOKOHAMA, Japan (AP) -- Now, Japan is the only nation standing in the way of France's triple -- the World Cup, European Championship and Confederations Cup. And Les Bleus fully realize Sunday's final in Yokohama won't be anywhere as easy as the 5-0 romp over Japan at the Stade de France in March. "Japan already achieved more than it expected and can play without pressure," said coach Roger Lemerre after the tournament's co-host beat Australia 1-0 to reach the final. "They are dreaming about what they could not have dreamed a year ago," said defender Frank Leboeuf. "But we will make sure to deny them." France successfully defended its world No. 1 ranking with a 2-1 win over closest challenger Brazil in its semifinal Thursday and, considering the way it plays, is a heavy favorite to win the Confederations title. "I wanted this final. Japan in front of its own public," said Robert Pires, who has been an inspirational leader in midfield while adding a couple of great goals. He opened Thursday's score against Brazil with a spectacular right-foot volley from 21 meters out. Lemerre had long said he wanted to play Japan in Japan, if only to give his largely inexperienced squad a tough test of playing in front of a hostile crowd ahead of next year's World Cup. And if the motivation to play for a prestigious title was not enough for the Japanese, France added the element of revenge. They highlighted the Japanese excessive sense of respect when they last met. The result was a lack of aggressiveness in midfield, allowing the French to show off their sweet skills with ease. "It's part of Asian soccer. The marking is not that raw, not that athletic," said Pires. It's unlikely coach Philippe Troussier will make the same error again. "They'll increase the pressure and think of the defeat," said defender Bixente Lizarazu. To make the playing field a bit more level, many of France's top stars, including Zinedine Zidane, Thierry Henry and Lilian Thuram did not show up for the tournament because of club commitments or injury. The muggy weather could also help Japan. Unfortunately, Japan will be without its star player Nakata, who is returning to Italy this weekend to finish the season with his club AS Roma. "Nakata has contributed to a lot of Japanese victories," said Lemerre. But a team on a role is often hard to stop, with or without its star. Japan beat Olympic champion Cameroon and Canada before holding Brazil to a goalless draw to advance as group winner into the semifinals, where it wrestled its way past Australia. But taking on France is a tall order under any circumstance. Despite a 1-0 loss against Australia, when Lemerre fielded a B-team, France has been growing in the tournament and has an 11-2 goal difference over four games. Youth has blended in well, and France can confidently look forward towards defending its world title next year.
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