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Group C / South Africa vs. Denmark

By HELENE ELLIOTT
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SITE: Toulouse

TIME: 8:30 a.m. TV: ESPN2, Ch. 34 RADIO: KWKW (1330, Spanish)

* ABOUT SOUTH AFRICA: The South Africans were overwhelmed by France in their opener, 3-0, but the good news is that forward Benni McCarthy, who injured ligaments in his ankle, is healing quickly. Even so, he’s doubtful for this game.

* ABOUT DENMARK: Defender Marc Rieper’s goal was the extent of Denmark’s offense in its 1-0 opening victory over Saudi Arabia. Playmaker Michael Laudrup and his younger brother, Brian, are capable of stealing the show in any game.

* OUTLOOK: Under coach Bo Johansson, Denmark abandoned its old defense-first style and went to an attacking game. The Laudrups are capable of dominating with their skills, but they have little support. Without McCarthy, South Africa will lose much of its speed and its biggest scoring threat. Striker Philemon Masinga, who injured his leg against France, is also questionable, leaving South Africa thin offensively.

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Helene Elliott

Helene Elliott was with the Los Angeles Times’ Sports department from 1989 to 2024, first as a staff writer and then, starting in 2006, as a columnist. She became the first female journalist to be honored with a plaque in the Hall of Fame of a major professional sport as the 2005 winner of the Hockey Hall of Fame’s Elmer Ferguson Award, awarded to writers “who have brought honor to journalism and to hockey.” A native of Brooklyn, N.Y., and graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, she has covered 18 Olympics.

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