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Tough, but not impossible Senegal confident of upstaging France on debutSEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- Senegal coach Bruno Metsu gives his squad of World Cup rookies better than just an outside shot at a shocking win over defending champion France in the opener of soccer's showpiece event. Metsu said he was full of confidence on the eve of Friday's opening game against a world and European champion lineup stocked with stars. It would take a major surprise, the French-born Metsu concedes, but not a miracle. Cameroon produced a stunner in the 1990 World Cup with 1-0 win over the then defending champion Argentine lineup. Metsu said it's not impossible for his Senegalese to do the same. "France is the best team in the world and has the best players, but Senegal showed in qualifying that it can win big games and, for this reason, I'm very confident," he said. "This is a momentous game for Senegal -- it will be a big challenge to win it, but not a miracle." Senegal hasn't met any high-powered rivals in World Cup tuneups, something Metsu said he might regret later but isn't dwelling on now. "I can assure you, our game against Cameroon was a big, big test match ... I'm confident of that," he said. Not even the scent of an off-field scandal, with midfielder Khalilou Fadiga investigated earlier this week for stealing a gold necklace from a Korean jewelry store, has upset the Africans. Fadiga has been allowed to remain with the squad and is expected to take his place in midfield on Friday. Senegal defender Aliou Cisse said the team was immune to outside distractions. "This game is too important -- all other problems will be sorted out after the World Cup," Cisse said. "We're very enthusiastic. We're here to represent African football and for the dignity of Senegal." France goes into the opener without skipper Zinedine Zidane, who is sidelined with a thigh strain. The French have at recent world and European championship without Zidane and have top class players to call up as replacements. "The absence of Zidane is going to be a big problem for them, but I didn't say it's a good thing or a bad thing for us," Metsu said. "France can play well without him." Bolstering the French midfield is Patrick Vieira, the giant Arsenal midfielder who was born in Senegal. Vieira might have some inside knowledge of the African style, but that's far outweighed by the fact that the bulk of the Senegal squad plays in the French league. The occasion at Seoul's World Cup stadium has the potential to be overwhelming for Senegal: playing for the first time in the World Cup finals, in the first match of the tournament and against the reigning titlist and world No. 1. But El Hadji Diouf, who became the first Senegalese named as African Footballer of the Year when he took the honor last season, said there's "great ambiance" inside the Senegal squad. Diouf, who helped Lens to the second place in the French league, has been linked with one or two of the biggest European clubs. He has netted 13 goals in 22 international appearances, including eight in regional World Cup qualifying. The 21-year-old striker said he couldn't think about his next assignment until Senegal's biggest moments in soccer have come to an end. "I'm only thinking about tomorrow, not about my future or my next club," said Diouf, a second-generation Senegal international. "My presence here is to prove my" worth. Parallels have been drawn between the 2002 Senegal team and the Cameroon lineup that reached the quarterfinals at Italy '90 to stamp itself as Africa's greatest team. Metsu isn't afraid of the comparisons. Cameroon came up against an Argentina lineup spearheaded by Diego Maradona and had it's own great, Roger Milla, on the bench until the last 10 minutes of that match. France is without its inspirational captain, Metsu said, while Senegal has its complete attacking arsenal with Diouf in top form and destined to impress. The French have been patchy in two recent tuneups, but have a strong record in their first matches at major championships, opening the last World Cup with a 3-0 win over South Africa and the 2000 European Championship with a 3-0 win over Denmark. French coach Roger Lemerre agreed the Senegalese knew the technique and attitudes of his players extremely well, but he wasn't anticipating a repeat of the Cameroon-Argentina upset. "I have seen that match myself. Argentina didn't perform very well in that match and went on to reach the finals -- so I'm not worried."
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