Hard to enjoy

Santini says victory still leaves sour taste after tragedy

PARIS, June 29 (Reuters) -- France manager Jacques Santini praised his players and staff after an emotional 1-0 victory over Cameroon in the Confederations Cup final was overshadowed by the memory of Marc-Vivien Foe on Sunday.

"This victory is a reward for the players and staff for three weeks of dedication but it has a sour taste when you know the circumstances in which it was won," he said.

Santini coached Cameroon's Foe at Olympique Lyon before becoming France manager and was very moved by the death of the midfielder on Thursday after he collapsed during the African champions' semifinal victory over Colombia.

"In moments like this, a handshake, a look speak louder than words. We know that a family has been deeply hurt and that someone dear to us has gone," said Santini.

France captain Marcel Desailly called for his Cameroon counterpart Rigobert Song to stand next to him on the rostrum to share the victory, earned with a 97th-minute extra-time golden goal scored by Thierry Henry.

"With all the dedication and the human aspect of what we've been through these last few days, it was not obvious to go all the way through this final.

"But in an international game, you need a winner and a loser," said Santini, whose France team retained the Cup they won two years ago in Japan.

Despite the tragic circumstances, Santini was pleased France had lived up to the challenge without key players like Zinedine Zidane or Patrick Vieira for the tournament.

He said the win had raised the country's hopes ahead of Euro 2004 in Portugal where France will defend their European title.

"We had to learn how to win without some key players and it will give young players more confidence, while older ones will start trusting the young ones for the crucial [qualifying] games to come in the autumn, but above all in Portugal," he said.

 

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