England’s Goalkeeper on Hot Seat
Newspapers in England Thursday called for the ouster of national team goalkeeper David Seaman after another weak display by the 39-year-old Arsenal player in Wednesday’s 2-2 tie with Macedonia.
“The time has come to recognize that Seaman’s vulnerability to long-range shots is a serious problem,” the Guardian said in an editorial calling for Seaman’s removal. “This year, the slow drip of spectacular errors has become a deluge.”
Said the Daily Mirror, which also called for his replacement, “His legs are leaden, his movement hesitant, his positioning suddenly unsure.”
England’s Coach Sven Goran Eriksson, however, reiterated his support for Seaman, who has played 75 times for his country.
Portugal Coachless
Agostinho Oliveria stepped down as caretaker coach of Portugal, amid speculation that the Portuguese soccer federation would appoint Fernando Santos as the new coach.
Santos, formerly coach of FC Porto, quit Thursday as coach of Panathinaikos in the Greek league, with newspapers in Portugal predicting that he could take charge in the country that will host the European Championship in 2004.
Capurro Plays On
Costa Rica and Ecuador played to a 1-1 tie in a friendly international in San Jose, Costa Rica, Wednesday night, but the result was not the real news.
Luis Capurro, a 41-year-old defender, was sent into the game by Ecuador 11 minutes from the end to earn his 98th cap for the South American team. Capurro made his national team debut against East Germany in 1985, and Ecuador’s soccer federation has promised him that he will be permitted to reach the coveted 100 mark.
Costa Rica, playing under interim coach Rodrigo Kenton while awaiting the arrival of the recently appointed Steve Sampson, took the lead on a left-footed shot by midfielder Steven Bryce in the 53rd minute. Ecuador tied it 30 minutes later when Carlos Tenorio scored.
Japanese on Tour
Japan announced that it would play two games in South America in March, one of them possibly against world champion Brazil. Also on new Coach Zico’s planned schedule are the four-nation Kirin Cup in Japan and the eight-nation FIFA Confederations Cup in France.
