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France make history, beat Brazil 3-0 PARIS, July 12 (Reuters) - France won the World Cup for the first time after beating four times champions Brazil 3-0 on a night of drama at the Stade de France on Sunday. It started with an injury scare surrounding Brazilian striker Ronaldo and exploded with two goals from French midfielder Zinedine Zidane before halftime. France, in control for the vast majority of the match, had Marcel Desailly sent off with more than 20 minutes to play, setting the scene for a nerve-racking finale eased seconds before the end by a third goal from midfielder Emmanuel Petit. The final whistle sparked wild, nationwide celebrations. France are the first host country to win the Cup since Argentina in 1978. After a superb performance at the Stade de France, they ended with the most goals at this tournament and the best defensive record for a title-winning side in World Cup history. French coach Aime Jacquet called the victory "a fabulous joy" and playmaker Zidane said: "There’s nothing better, we’re world champions." France wasted several good scoring chances but were rarely threatened by a disappointing Brazilian side apparently demoralised by an ankle injury to Ronaldo. Organisers said the 21-year-old had only passed a fitness test 45 minutes before kickoff after visiting a hospital and then had to convince Brazilian doctors that he should play. A team sheet had already been issued by that stage without his name, to the consternation of an estimated 1.7 billion viewers watching on television. But Ronaldo rarely got a look in on the action except for a clear chance early in the second half that was brilliantly held by goalkeeper Fabien Barthez. Substitute Denilson hit the bar in the final moments but the Brazilian attack was mostly toothless. This was Zidane’s match and the quiet Juventus playmaker, who had excelled throughout the tournament yet not scored, burst through like a man unchained in the 27th minute. He found space as Petit banged in a corner, rose and crashed in a perfect header past Taffarel. His second came on the stroke of half-time, again with his head from a corner taken this time by Youri Djorkaeff. Taffarel barely saw the ball as it flew past him and, outside the stadium, France began celebrating victory . Zidane was the first player since Argentina’s Mario Kempes in 1978 to score twice in a final. Even before that, France had squandered two clear scoring chances. Petit had a goalbound shot deflected by Junior Baiano in the 42nd minute and Stephane Guivarc’h had a shot pushed wide by a diving Taffarel. France appeared to be coasting to victory when Desailly, a key figure in the absence of the suspended defender Laurent Blanc, was shown the red card in the 68th minute after a foul on Cafu, his second bookable offence. Desailly was only the third player to be sent off in a final. Blanc had been sent off in the semifinal against Croatia. Brazilian frustration was showing even before Desailly left, with substitute Edmundo shouting and urging his team mates forward with his fist. Petit put the icing on the cake when he raced 90 metres to gather a pass from Arsenal team mate Patrick Vieira before planting the ball in the corner to seal a magnificent victory. Coach Mario Zagallo praised France for their performance. "France played a brilliant game. The whole country was behind the national team. For us it will have to be another time unfortunately," he said. Former Sri Lanka Test cricketer Brendon Kuruppu has been appointed as manager of the Sri Lanka ‘A’ team which is due to meet South Africa ‘A’ team. South Africa ‘A’ team will arrive in the island tomorrow will play 3 Tests 3 one dayers and 2 three day games during their stay in Sri Lanka. Brendon Kuruppu’s appointment have been ratified by the Cricket Board Ex-Co last Saturday. Hemantha Devapriya will function as coach of the Sri Lanka ‘A’ team. Selectors have named a 25 member pool to meet the South Africans but have delayed naming the captain. (RP) PRESIDENT'S TROPHY K/O RUGBY
TOURNEY Favourites Isipatana produced fire works as they outclassed Kingswood 31-0 in their first quarter-final fixture of the on going President’s Trophy Schools Knock-out Tournament which was played at the Sugathadasa Stadium yesterday. Even the little excitement which prevailed before the game soon boiled down to nothing as the "Green Shirts" began their mission with a try as early as in the second minute of play. The try came as a double blow for the visitors who lost their linkman almost with the kick off, and when Lasantha Mallikarachchi scored close to the posts,it all pointed to an one horse race. Fly half Roshan Peiris who goaled three out of the five tries added the extra points. Isipatana skipper Shamly Nawaz crossed the line during injury time in a manner so much accustomed to him, when he forced his way over the line off a ten metre penalty. Isipatana led 14-0 at the short whistle. Isipatana back division simply looked unstoppable after the turn around and had the opposition in a state of biwilderment with many scintillating moves. They scored thrice more through Nishantha Kumara (2) and Charith Kodagoda (1) with the first being a classic example of an over lap by full back Kodagoda who initiated the try with a forty five metre burst before sending the former over the line. Referee: Roshan Deen Thurstan enter semi-final with
easy win Thurstan snatched an easy 18 points (1 goal, 1 try, 2 penalties) to nil victory over Science College, Mount Lavinia in their inter-school President’s Trophy quarter final Rugby encounter at Sugathadasa Stadium yesterday. Even though, it was a blank score sheet for Science, they put up a jubilant performance before going down to Thurstan. They managed to restrict their rivals for just eight points by the breather in which they missed with given opportunities. Science, had few more scoring opportunities in the second half which they failed to capitalise. Thurstan posted their scoring points through a superb try in the eighteenth minute through full back Dinesh Wellawala. He planted the try by the right corner flag after a superb three quarter move initiated off a line out in the opponents "22". Mohamed Rilwan missed the conversion (5/0). Five minutes later a Science player was penalised for imposing a neck tackle which resulted in a gifted penalty for Thurstan. Centre Rilwan did no mistake with the conversion which was 20 meters out. Just before the breather Thurstan were awarded another penalty for the same incident which Rilwan’s kick went astray. The scoreline stood 8/0 at lemons in favour of Thurstan. The second half produced some anxious moments, but Thurstanites dominated play. They crossed their opponents line once. Winger Asanka Peiris was the scorer for Thurstan to which Rilwan added the extra points. Earlier Rilwan put over another penalty to assure them a berth in the semi finals. |
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