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French romp past South Africa 3-0
Debutante nation barely challenges Cup host
Posted: Friday June 12, 1998 05:52 PM
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The French celebrate after a South African own goal put France ahead 2-0 (AP) |
MARSEILLE, France (AP) -- Christophe Dugarry, whom many think
only made the team because of his friendship with Zinedine Zidane,
scored one goal and caused trouble for South Africa for the final
63 minutes Friday night, leading a 3-0 victory for the host French
in the World Cup opener for both teams.
Dugarry, who only came on in the 27th minute after starting
starting forward Stephane Guivarc'h went down with appeared to be
an injured leg, back-headed a corner from Zidane in the 34th minute
to open the scoring.
The goal drew roars from the crowd, which included French Prime
Minister Lionel Jospin and French organizing committee president
Michel Platini, and was especially sweet for Dugarry.
The 26-year-old forward played the last half season for
Olympique Marseille and struggled after transferring from FC
Barcelona. French coach Aime Jacquet was harshly criticized in some
quarters for his inclusion of Dugarry on the team, with many saying
only his close relationship with Zidane earned him a place among
the 22.
Dugarry's goal was the finale in a series of chances the French
created in quick succession. Only a minute after coming on, Dugarry
broke in on South African keeper Hans Vonk unmarked, only to have
the South African keeper come quickly off his line to snuff out the
threat.
Dugarry also was involved in the second goal, laying off a ball
for a Youri Djorkaeff, who hit a falling, slow roller at Vonk from
inside the penalty spot.
Vonk appeared to easily have the shot covered, but a sliding
attempt to clear the ball by Dugarry's Marseille teammate Pierre
Issa's bunced over Vonk and landly softly in the goal.
The French capped the rout when Thierry Henry stole the ball outside
the top of the penalty area, drove down the right and chipped over
a sliding and advancing Vonk in the second minute of second-half
injury time.
Dugarry celebrates after scoring the first goal for France (AP) | |
The French were clearly dominant after the first 15 minutes,
rarely giving keeper Fabien Barthez any work. The game started slowly with South Africa limited to one
legitimate chance in the entire half: Brandan Augustine's free kick
from 25 yards that was blocked by Emmanuel Petit.
But Zidane created two chances in the first 17 minutes on free
kicks.
His first from 25 yards in the second minute skidded wide of
the right post and his second went over the bar.
A strong wind that blew toward the South African goal seemed to
hurt the World Cup debutante's clearances and long pases from the
back. But even with the wind, the South Africans rarely threatened.
One of South Africa's few dangerous moments came in the 20th
minute when Barthez had to come out to the top of the area to chest
away a bounding through ball. After getting to the ball, he
collided with Benedict McCarthy and was knocked off his feet before
the ball was cleared from danger.
Lineups
France: Fabien Barthez; Lilian Thuram, Laurent Blanc, Marcel
Desailly,Bixente Lizarazu; Didier Deschamps, Zinedine Zidane,
Emmanuel Petit (Alain Boghassian, 74th minute); Youri Djorkaeff
(David Trezeguet, 83rd), Stephane Guivarc'h (Christophe Dugarry,
27th), ThierryHenry.
South Africa: Hans Vonk; Willem Jackson, Pierre Issa, Lucas
Radebe, Mark Fish; David Nyathi, John Moshoeu, Quinton Fortune,
Brendan Augustine (Helman Mkhalele, 57th), Benni McCarthy (Shaun
Bartlett, 88th), Philemon Masinga.
Referee: Maurizio Rezende, Brazil.
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