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French romp past South Africa 3-0
Debutante nation barely challenges Cup host
Posted: Saturday September 26, 1998 12:09 PM
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Bixente Lizarazu of France (left) beats Benedict McCarthy of South Africa Stu Forster/Allsport |
MARSEILLE, France (CNN/SI)
-- If the French keep playing soccer like this, the World Cup trophy may
not leave the country when the final is played on July 12. The host
nation opened World cup play with an impressive 3-0 win over South
Africa that had the fans in Marseille rocking the stadium and dreaming
of France's first World Cup title.
Olympic Marseille hero Christophe Dugarry redeemed himself after a
slew of weak performances with a goal and an assist as France put on the
most dominating performance so far in the World Cup.
"We are really confident now," said coach Aime Jacquet.
France now can build on this performance ahead of Thursday's second
match against Saudi
Arabia, which lost to Denmark 1-0
Friday. For South Africa, the crushing loss means it needs victories.
"We must beat Denmark now," said coach Philippe Troussier.
France's opening night in its favorite soccer city produced everything
the fans hoped for. Native son Zinedine Zidane led with authority
throughout the night, and Dugarry emerged from a bad slump with France's
first goal and an assist on the second. The two friends combined well
throughout the evening and provided the flavor that the crowd of 60,000 at
the Velodrome stadium wanted.
The South Africans were just flat, their defensive posture overwhelmed
by wave after wave of attacks.
"The door is wide open now," said French coach Aime Jacquet.
Goals by Dugarry and Thierry Henry, combined with an own goal by
Pierre Issa, silenced the critics and sent the crowd into continuous roars
despite the howling winds that beat on this Mediterranean port throughout
the evening.
"We knew we could count on the Marseille crowd," said Jacquet. "It was
good soccer in very tough conditions."
South Africa's latest chapter in its sporting history, following
almost three decades on the sidelines of international soccer because of
apartheid, never had any shine.
"We played against one of the best teams in the world," said
Troussier.
But defender Mark Fish said his team must be more attack-minded.
"We just have to play our natural way, the way that got us to the
World Cup," he said. "We cannot defend for 90 minutes."
The 3-0 score was by far the most decisive match in the World Cup so
far. South Africa got its only chance in first half injury time when Issa,
yet another Olympic Marseille player, rose above Laurent Blanc to meet a
free kick from David Nyathi, but his glancing header went just the wrong
side of the post.
The only French worry was that for 78 minutes only a single goal
separated the two. In defense, France towered over the opposition and
outmuscled it every time.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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