WORLD VIEWS
FRANCE
From L’Equipe on the violence in the streets:
“And among these English are hooligans who are violent and destructive. The Old Port was transformed [Sunday] night into a battlefield. Hooliganism is a problem in society. This violence isn’t free. It costs the price of the alcohol, which these young people drink until they’re unconscious and doesn’t soothe them.
“These eruptions have been controlled inside the stadiums. Outside, except for stifling fundamental liberties, an ideal solution doesn’t exist. The danger is on each street corner, in front of each bar where a supporter of a rival team passes. . . .”
Also from L’Equipe, a column responding to French Coach Aime Jacquet’s statement that the team played better than “certain press” said it would:
“Know this, dear Aime Jacquet, that ‘certain press’ is one which dares to say what it thinks, instead of following the parade of flatterers, and which looks for nothing but to play its part, without hatred and fear, and without this supposed dishonesty which I defy anyone to find even a bit of. Know, too, that you will gain a lot (and the team with you) to be the coach of all the French and not just your zealous supporters.”
ISRAEL
Maariv newspaper, Jerusalem:
“In a soccer match, one should support one of the teams or it’s a waste of time. Yesterday, we [Israelis] had a difficult dilemma [in a game between Iran and Yugoslavia.] The Iranians hate us and the Yugoslavs are now against the entire world. By the end of the game, it became clear, though, that the Iranians won’t go up to the next stage and the Yugoslavs can forget about the Cup. Perhaps this is what both deserve.”
SOUTH AFRICA
The Sowetan, Johannesburg:
“Despite [South Africa’s] crushing defeat on Friday, controversial national coach Philippe Troussier will keep his job until his contract expires at the end of the World Cup. . . .
“Regarding the belief in some circles that Troussier--because of his nationality--may have been less than enthusiastic to ensure a [South African] victory against France, the SAFA president said, “We assumed Philippe was a professional and if there was going to be a clash of interest, he would have indicated to the panel that interviewed him.”
ARGENTINA
Clarin newspaper:
“Our worst fear was realized. . . . We barely bested a rival [Japan] with minimal tactical skills [only Nakata and Nanami showed some knowledge] and meager offensive ambitions.
“Victory is the only thing that counts, optimists would say. Fine. But empty victories are dangerous because they produce the happiness of relief.”
VIETNAM
Hot News, a special daily newspaper supplement published by the Vietnam News Agency:
“In the match against a strong Argentina team with a lot of good players, Japan showed fans that Asian football will gain success in coming years.”
Correspondents Helene Elliott in France, Batsheva Sobelman in Jerusalem, Dean E. Murphy in Johannesburg, David Lamb in Hanoi, Sebastian Rotella in Buenos Aires contributed to this report.
