SANDBAGGING, AFTER THE FACT
Oh, so it was supposed to happen this way.
The French team was just lying low to fool people before the World Cup and spur criticism from all sides, which it would obliterate with a 3-0 victory over South Africa in its opener.
Right.
“Before the start of the World Cup, [Coach] Aime Jacquet’s plan was to take us out of the spotlight for us to be forgotten, and then put us back in the public eye,” said midfielder Alain Boghossian. “To see a team like France supported like we were in Marseille is a great feeling for us. We pulled together to push forward, score our goals and play attractive football.”
Said teammate Christian Karembeu: “To win by three goals is incredibly exciting, but I’m afraid that our fans will be let down if we win our next match, 1-0.”
WELL, IT WAS A STANDING OVATION
An Italian TV station accused Italy’s Alessandro Del Piero of not celebrating the tying goal scored by teammate Roberto Baggio in Italy’s 2-2 tie with Chile.
Del Piero, who missed the game because of a pulled leg muscle, said that wasn’t even close to the truth.
“I didn’t like that,” he said. “They filmed me four minutes after Roby’s tying goal. Maybe I should have kept my arms up for four minutes, but you know, that’s tiring. . . . I feel hurt by such attacks and not only for the team but for the sake of the jersey I wear. But I know those on the bench and those who were next to me know how I reacted.”
IT’S NOT SISTINE CHAPEL, BUT . . .
According to the French sports daily L’Equipe, Baggio is so religious he has an altar in his room at the team’s hotel in Senlis so he can pray each morning for as long as he wants.
WE WOULDN’T MIND THIS IN U.S.
The president of Tunisia, Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, gave a free afternoon off to all government workers on Monday so they could watch the country’s World Cup team play England at Marseille. Workers are due for another half-day off next week, when Tunisia plays Colombia.
THEY’D WIN WITH JORDANNAIRES
Brazil will make a lineup change for its game today against Morocco at Nantes, substituting Leonardo for Giovanni in midfield.
But for Bebeto, it doesn’t make any difference who helps set up scoring chances for him and Ronaldo.
“Scoring goals isn’t new to me,” Bebeto said. “I have always been a striker, as is Ronaldo. From now on, it’s him and me, we’re ready to help Brazil whether or not there is a chance in the midfield.”
