Playoff of little interest to Colombia

LYON, France (Reuters) -- Colombia captain Ivan Cordoba said his team had lost all interest in the Confederations Cup after the death of Cameroon's Marc-Vivien Foe in their semifinal on Thursday.

Foe collapsed and died towards the end of the game in Lyon which Cameroon won 1-0, sending the Colombians into a third-place playoff with Turkey on Saturday in St Etienne.

Asked about the emotions in the Colombian camp after the tragedy, skipper Ivan Cordoba told Reuters on Friday: "It was something very powerful for all of us, something no one expected.

"After the match, when they told us he was dead, I think at that moment all motivation for continuing in this tournament disappeared.

"Winning now is of little importance after having lost a player like Foe. But because of the things that happen in life and the fact that these fixtures are scheduled, we have to finish this tournament."

As for Saturday's game, he said: "We'll try to do what we can. But it will be very difficult to produce really entertaining football because I don't think even the people watching will be expecting that after what has happened.

Deeply moved

"Everybody feels deeply moved by this."

Cordoba, speaking after Colombia's training session, said Foe's death had particularly hurt Colombia midfielder Giovanni Hernandez, who was injured when lightning struck a practice session with his club in October 2002, killing two team mates.

"I think this has hurt him more than the others because he was injured by the lightning at Cali, he was in hospital. These are things that make you think very long and hard.

"You just don't think that you could die playing sport, like this lad [Foe] has."

As for Saturday's game, Cordoba said: "Everyone will try to pay homage to him. Because he was a player who gave a lot to football and world football has lost a great player. Everybody is sad."

Colombia defender Mario Yepes echoed Cordoba's views, saying: "This competition is already over for me.

"We will try to have a good game, but finishing first, second, third or fourth is not important in this tournament." Asked about the effects of Thursday's shock on his team, coach Francisco Maturana said: "Time is a healer. At the beginning, there are things that you just can't accept."

Cameroon play holders France in Sunday's final in Paris.

 

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