The Hindu : Reward for Casillas' heroics

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jun 20, 2002

Sport

Sport - Football

Reward for Casillas' heroics

Madrid June 19. Gaolkeeper Iker Casillas will lend his name to a street in his locality as a reward for his heroics in Spain's dramatic World Cup victory over Ireland.

The town of Mostoles, which lies 15 km southwest of Madrid, will bestow Casillas with the honour after he returns from the tournament, a Town Hall spokesman told AP on Tuesday.

In Sunday's match, the 21-year-old Real Madrid goalkeeper made three penalty saves — one in the second half and two more during the shoot-out — as Spain earned a quarterfinal place by winning 3-2 on penalties.

The mayor of Mostoles, Jose Maria Arteta, compared his performance with the town's famed resistance to invading Napoleonic forces early in the 19th century. ``Just like in 1808 with the French, Mostoles and Casillas saved Spain, the leading sports daily Marca quoted Arteta as saying.

Injury worry for Metzelder

German defender Christoph Metzelder is still battling an ankle injury ahead of Friday's World Cup quarterfinal against the United States. Metzelder took a knock in the 1-0 second phase win over Paraguay and has not been able to train since. Coach Rudi Voeller said the Borussia Dortmund player would face a fitness test.

``After that we'll decide whether he can do some light work or whether we need to rest him. But the match is not until Friday so we have a little bit of time,'' Voeller said.

Metzelder has emerged as a key figure for Germany at the finals, helping to shore up the three-time world champion's defence in the absence of injured Jens Nowotny.

Italians run riot in Australia

Italian fans in Italy aren't the only ones upset about the team's shock defeat to co-host South Korea. In Melbourne, Australia, angry fans clashed with police, attacked cars and threw fireworks in a 90-minute rampage following the 2-1 extra-time loss in the round-of-16 match. One man was arrested and later charged with criminal damage to a police vehicle. Several others also were arrested and released, but were expected to be charged at a later date, police said.

In Sydney, where there was rioting after Italy's first match, police patrolling a predominantly Italian neighbourhood arrested two men for breaching the peace by letting off fireworks, but praised a large crowd for its otherwise good behaviour.

Also in Sydney, Korean revellers disrupted traffic after spilling onto one of the city's main downtown streets to celebrate their team's historic win. There were no arrests.

First fan

The Senegal President, Abdoulaye Wade, is always ready to encourage his country's national team players, and they're paying attention.

``He always uses the right words, and I guarantee you, my players don't laugh, they listen,'' Senegal coach Bruno Metsu said. After becoming just the second African team to reach the World Cup quarterfinals, Wade has already assured the players they would come back as heroes. But he added it wouldn't hurt to stay another couple of games. ``He even uses the right touch of humor,'' Metsu said.

When Metsu got a call after a recent upset, he first thought an excited supporter had gotten through on his mobile. ``I asked myself, is this a fan or the president,'' Metsu said. It turned out to be both.

Beckham's trophy

A life-size model of England midfielder David Beckham was to be unveiled on Wednesday as the centrepiece of a fine art exhibition in Sunderland, England.

The England captain is depicted as a Subbuteo figure with a plastic base and rather than holding aloft the World Cup — a pose the player has admitted to imagining — Beckham is shown proudly lifting his son Brooklyn.

``Football used to have a very bad press and four years ago Beckham was seen as a villain,'' said Matthew Chaloner, the 22-year-old creator from Liverpool. ``Now football is seen as a family game, and Beckham as a hero. I thought I'd combine the two. Brooklyn is Beckham's most precious trophy.''

The best of those left

World Cup favourite Brazil is making its 14th quarterfinal appearance in 17 tournaments, the most by any team left in South Korea and Japan. The Brazilians have won four of those World Cups.

Three-time champion Germany is next with 14 spots in the last eight in 15 tries, while England had eight in 11 attempts. Spain, the World Cup's perennial underachiever, has made the quarterfinals five time in 11 tries while the United States also reached the semifinals in the first World Cup in 1930. The U.S. has been to seven World Cups.

The other three quarterfinalists, South Korea, Senegal and Turkey, are making their first appearances in the last eight. South Korea has been to six World Cups, while Turkey has been to two. Senegal is a rookie.

Bolton signs up Okocha

Former Paris St. Germain midfielder Jay Jay Okocha, who retired from international soccer after Nigeria's World Cup elimination, has signed a two-year contract with English side Bolton.

Bolton manager Sam Allardyce said on Tuesday that Okocha would report with the rest of the squad for pre-season training. Last week, Okocha said Nigeria's disappointing performance in the World Cup — two losses and a scoreless draw with England in three games — had nothing to do with his decision to quit international play. ``I have always thought of quitting the national team after the World Cup,'' he said. ``Honestly, nothing would have stopped me from quitting after the championship.''

Okocha made his debut with Nigeria in 1993 against Sudan and was a member of its World Cup sides in 1994 and 1998.

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