Paraguay Spoils Scolari’s Farewell Game in Brazil
Luiz Felipe Scolari’s farewell game in charge of the Brazil team that he coached to its World Cup triumph in June ended in disappointment Wednesday when the world champions were upset, 1-0, by Paraguay in Fortaleza, Brazil.
A goal by Nelson Cuevas in the 28th minute was all the visitors needed to spoil the Brazilians’ celebration and hand them their first loss in 15 matches and their first in four years at home.
An out-of-shape Ronaldo lasted only 33 minutes before being taken out of the game as Scolari used all 21 available players.
Meanwhile, teammate Rivaldo said he might quit the Brazil team unless Scolari’s yet-to-be-named successor assures him a role in the 2006 World Cup.
Italy Also Beaten
Italian soccer, already beset by a World Cup ouster at the hands of South Korea, financial problems that are crippling many teams, and a television dispute that has caused the season’s start to be delayed by two weeks, suffered another blow Wednesday when Italy was upset, 1-0, by Slovenia.
In a game in Trieste that was interrupted three times--twice by smoke bombs thrown onto the field by Slovenia fans and once by a Slovenia fan running across the field--Coach Giovanni Trapattoni’s team looked no more organized than it had in South Korea and Japan.
A goal by Sebastian Cimirotic in the 32nd minute was enough to give Bojan Prasnikar an unexpected victory in his debut as Slovenia’s coach.
Germany Held to a Tie
Bulgaria wasn’t impressed by the fact that Germany finished second in the World Cup, and it took the lead twice before settling for a 2-2 tie in Sofia.
Dimitar Berbatov put Bulgaria ahead, but a penalty kick by Michael Ballack leveled the score.
Bulgaria again went in front on a penalty by veteran Krassimir Balakov, but Arne Friedrich, making his debut for Germany, scored on a 25-yard shot to spare Coach Rudi Voeller any embarrassment.
“In the first half, we had certain problems in defense,” Voeller said. “The younger players showed impatience and nervousness [but] I am satisfied with their diligence and they showed they have a future.”
France Struggles On
France’s hopes of putting a dismal World Cup behind it evaporated in Tunis, where the 1998 world champions were held to a 1-1 tie by Tunisia, spoiling the debut of new Coach Jacques Santini.
The French, despite fielding a lineup that included such players as Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry, were again lethargic and have now failed to win in their last four games.
Mickael Silvestre gave France the lead by heading in Zidane’s cross in the 18th minute, but Ali Zitouni scored the tying goal 20 minutes later and France had to work hard to fend off a possible defeat.
“We will obviously need some more time to work as there were huge discrepancies in the form of the players tonight,” Santini said.
Spain Tied Up
Spain, under new Coach Inaki Saez, dominated Hungary in Budapest but managed only a 1-1 tie at Ferenc Puskas Stadium after Hungarian midfielder Vasile Miriuta scored in the 72nd minute, canceling out Raul Tamudo’s headed goal in the 55th minute.
Saez was pleased with his team’s performance but not with giving up the tying goal. “After we scored, we were all trying to get in on the act and we got caught,” he said.
Scotland Sets Record
Slumping Scotland lost its record fifth consecutive game when it was beaten, 1-0, by Denmark at Hampden Park in Glasgow on a ninth-minute headed goal by Danish striker Ebbe Sand.
“The result is very disappointing for me and also the performance,” said Scotland’s German coach, Berti Vogts, whose future in the position is beginning to look uncertain.
In their 130-year international soccer history, the Scots have never before lost five in a row.
Irish Death Threat
Northern Ireland and Cyprus played to a 0-0 tie in front of a small crowd in Belfast, in a game that had no importance other than to highlight the sectarian strife that still divides the country.
Neil Lennon, the Glasgow Celtic midfielder who was to have captained Northern Ireland, withdrew from the match after a Belfast newspaper received a death threat against him from a paramilitary group.
Lennon, 31, is Catholic and has been the target of similar threats before from Protestant sympathizers.
Jim Boyce, the President of Northern Ireland’s soccer federation, blasted “the moron or morons who made this threat” and said politicians were to blame.
“I blame the politicians for everything that is going on,” he said. “This is a consequence of all that has been going on on the streets of Belfast every night. These politicians play the blame game and never take any responsibility.
“Players of both religions did the country proud on the pitch tonight, but once again Northern Ireland is hitting the headlines for all the wrong reasons.”
Argentina Keeps Bielsa
Argentina’s soccer federation announced that Marcelo Bielsa will return as coach despite the national team’s worst World Cup performance in more than three decades.
Bielsa, 47, agreed to a new contract--at a lower salary--that will last through the South American qualifying matches for the 2006 World Cup in Germany and will be automatically extended if Argentina qualifies.
A Foreign Concept
For the first time in the 114-year history of the English league, foreign players outnumber British players at the highest level of the game.
According to figures released Wednesday, of the 220 players who started for the 20 teams that kicked off the English Premier League season on Saturday, 103 were British and 117 were from 38 other countries.
Baresi Quits Fulham
Franco Baresi, whose string of honors included a World Cup victory with Italy in 1982 and six Italian league championships with AC Milan, resigned as director of football at Fulham.
Baresi, 42, said the position was not what had been advertised in June, when he agreed to work alongside French Coach Jean Tigana at the English Premier League team.
Wolff Under the Knife
Chicago Fire and United States World Cup team forward Josh Wolff underwent reconstructive surgery on his right knee at St. Joseph Hospital in Chicago.
Wolff tore his anterior cruciate ligament in a game against the Kansas City Wizards Aug. 14. Wolff, 25, will be sidelined for up to six months, the Fire said.
