The Hindu : Americans pull off a coup

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jun 06, 2002

Sport

Sport - Football

Americans pull off a coup

SUWON (South Korea) JUNE 5. The United States recorded one of the most memorable upsets in World Cup history, claiming the scalp of strongly favoured Portugal with a 3-2 win in a thrilling Group D match on Wednesday.

The Americans, underdogs ahead of the game and featuring six players making their World Cup debuts, tactically outsmarted and outpaced the Portuguese side which featured some of Europe's top players but failed to reproduce its renowned flair.

``It's a great way to start the tournament,'' U.S. coach Bruce Arena said. The Americans still have to face co-host South Korea and Poland in the group.

The win recalled America's unexpected victory over England at the 1950 World Cup and helped erase memories of a miserable appearance in the 1998 tournament in France when it returned home with a last-place finish.

``In the modern era, you could argue this is the best victory the U.S. has ever had,'' Arena said of Wednesday's result. The outcome could also spark greater interest in soccer's showcase tournament in the United States, where other sports have wider appeal.

Portugal clawed back from an early deficit but mostly was unrecognisable, appearing tense and accident-prone in the first half-hour when the Americans wrought most of the damage by opening a three-goal lead.

The Portuguese — who came back from two goals down to beat England 3-2 in the European championship two years ago — were hoping for a late fight back but appeared tired and short of ideas.

``We were partly to blame for the early goals we gave away,'' Portugal coach Antonio Oliveira said.

But it was the Americans' sure-footed defence which ensured they held onto their advantage.

Anthony Sanneh shackled world player of the year Luis Figo on one flank and Frankie Hejduk blocked Sergio Conceicao, a midfielder with Internazionale of Italy, on the other. That choked off the supply of possession to Pauleta and Joao Pinto up front.

In the centre, AC Milan maestro Rui Costa was supposed to orchestrate the Portuguese attack but he was playing a different tune. He repeatedly mishit passes and held the ball too long.

``Faster! Faster!'' coach Oliveira shouted from the bench.

``Some teams will surprise us, and this was one of them,'' Oliveira said after the game.

``The U.S. has been preparing for this for the past six months. We just came together a couple of weeks ago,'' Oliveira said, referring to the long European club season. ``I don't think we're yet at the same level of fitness as the U.S.''

The first goal by John O'Brien after just four minutes stunned the Portuguese. The second goal, a deflection off defender Jorge Costa from a cross by Landon Donovan after 28 minutes, deepened the anxiety which already was spoiling the Portuguese game; and after the third goal by Brian McBride on 36 minutes Portugal looked about to fall apart.

U.S. goalie Brad Friedel was barely tested in the first half. The U.S. team was weakened by the absence of captain Claudio Reyna and star attacker Clint Mathis because of injury.

The jubilant American supporters among the 37,000 crowd chanted, ``Overrated, overrated!'' at the Portuguese.

``It was a very bad result,'' Figo said. ``We made some basic mistakes.''

Goalie Vitor Baia, who didn't feature in Portugal's World Cup qualifying campaign due to a long injury layoff and was a surprise selection, made a blunder to give away the first goal when he palmed the ball down to Donovan's feet.

Baia, a 32-year-old former Barcelona goalie who has made 76 appearances for Portugal, almost gave away another early goal as Portugal's defence wavered. Defenders Fernando Couto and Beto also surrendered possession deep in their own half in the first 30 minutes.

Beto pulled one back for Portugal just before the interval and in the second half Portugal upped the pace.

In a role reversal, Portugal suddenly was the underdog and the mostly Korean crowd rallied to its support, roaring ``Portugal!'' and ``Figo!''

As Portugal poured forward, Pauleta fired a cross into the American penalty area and Jeff Agoos, trying to intercept the ball, pushed it into his own goal to make it 3-2.

The scene was set for a thrilling final 20 minutes, but the Portuguese couldn't keep up the pace. Nor could they find a way through.

The teams:

Portugal: Vitor Baia, Nuno Frechaut, Rui Jorge (Paulo Bento 68th minute), Jorge Costa (Jorge Andrade 73), Fernando Couto, Armando Petit, Luis Figo, Rui Costa (Nuno Gomes 79), Joao Pinto, Pedro Pauleta, Sergio Conceicao.

United States: Brad Friedel, Anthony Sanneh, Eddie Pope (Carlos Llamosa 79th minute), Jeff Agoos, Frankie Hejduk, Pablo Mastroeni, John O'Brien, DaMarcus Beasley, Earnie Stewart (Cobi Jones 45), Landon Donovan (Joe Max-Moore 74), Brian McBride.

Referee: Byron Moreno (Ecuador) — AP

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