All to play for in the semifinals
26 September 2000
This tournament has been so open and difficult to forecast that each of the
four teams going into Tuesday's semifinals know that they have a chance of a
gold medal.
In Melbourne, Cameroon are hoping to continue the strong African tradition
in the Olympic tournament with a victory over current favourite, Chile.
The Cameroonian's Olympic campaign began ingloriously when they forgot to
bring footballs to their first training session. A fortnight later, though,
they stand on the verge of an Olympic medal.
A second-place finish in Group C saw them paired with superpower Brazil in a
quarterfinal in Brisbane last Saturday. But, after their gutsy nine-man
victory against the South Americans, the Cameroonians know that they are
capable of seeing off Chile.
Suspension has robbed them of Geremi NJITAP FOTSO and Aaron NGUIMBAT for the
match, but Cameroon coach Jean-Paul AKONO has promised his team will go
forward at every opportunity against the tournament's top scorers.
Despite the Africans' monumental effort against Brazil, Chile will start the
game as favourite. With legendary striker Ivan ZAMORANO commanding in the
air, ably supported by in-form Rodrigo TELLO and Reinaldo NAVIA, the
Chileans have looked impressive in netting 11 goals in their four matches to
date.
No complacency from Spain
In the other semifinal, Spain plays USA at the Sydney Football Stadium. The
United States has already enjoyed its best Olympic tournament and will not
be fazed by taking on the 1992 gold medallist.
A solid rather than spectacular team, USA breathed a sigh of relief after
its penalty shootout victory against Japan in the quarterfinal.
On the verge of elimination until Pete VAGENAS' 90th-minute penalty
conversion to make it 2-2, the United States can equally be guaranteed to
fight until the final whistle against the highly rated Spaniards.
Spain has shown glimpses of brilliance in its games so far, but is yet to
fire on all cylinders. Nonetheless, its 1-0 quarterfinal win against
under-21 European champion Italy and the pedigree of players such as XAVI,
GABRI and JOSE MARI suggests the Spaniards may yet emulate their 1992
achievement.
Spanish coach Inaki SAEZ RUIZ says there will be no room for complacency in
this match as the USA has already proved it has the ability to upset any
team it meets. SAEZ RUIZ also makes no secret that he wants to repeat the
glory of 1992 when Spain won the gold medal at the Barcelona Games.
This clash, between one of the European giants and one of the minnows of
world Football, will bring together the impressive skill and technique of
Spain against the tenacity and enthusiasm of the USA.
If the USA is to cause an upset, it will have to nullify the brilliant
prompting of Spain's XAVI in midfield. XAVI has been the outstanding
midfield general of this tournament and his combination with Barcelona
teammate GABRI has produced the goals that mattered most for his side in
this series. Gabri was also a member of the team that won the Under-20 World
Championships in Nigeria last year.
USA coach Clive CHARLES has his team well organised, highly motivated and
playing to its limit. Goalkeeper Brad FRIEDEL of Liverpool has a wealth of
experience in big-time games. Everything indicates that FRIEDEL will have to
earn his keep in this clash.
The defeated team in each semifinal gets a shot at the bronze medal when
they face each other on Friday. The ultimate prize will be played for on
Saturday in the Olympic Stadium
ONS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, visit:
http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/aam.html
AAM Website: http://www.danenet.wicip.org/aam
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
