World Cup notebook
06/26/2002
From Wire Reports / The Dallas Morning News
Ballack praised for foul
that forced suspension
SEOUL, South Korea – Germany is sure to miss Michael Ballack, its only
goal-scorer in successive wins over the United States and South Korea.
But he was praised for the foul on Tuesday that earned him his second
yellow card of the tournament's knockout stages – meaning that he will
be suspended for Sunday's final.
German coach Rudi Voeller called it a "tactical foul" that "was utterly
necessary." Voeller said Ballack "placed himself at the service not only
of the team, but the whole of Germany."
Four minutes before he scored the game's only goal, Ballack pulled down
Lee Chun-soo, who had gotten away from Torsten Frings and Carsten
Ramelow.
Ballack, who cried after the game, called his suspension "just about the
most bitter thing that can happen to a soccer player."
German sheds yellow
card, just in time
SEOUL, South Korea – A yellow card given to German striker Oliver
Neuville for a foul in the quarterfinals against the United States has
been transferred to teammate Jens Jeremies, FIFA announced Tuesday.
German officials argued that referee Hugh Dallas had wrongly shown the
card to Neuville.
Neuville picked up a yellow card Tuesday that would have resulted in his
suspension from Sunday's final.
Schedule
WEDNESDAY'S SEMIFINAL
(at Saitama, Japan)
Brazil vs. Turkey, 6:30 a.m., ESPN; Ch. 23 (Spanish)
SATURDAY'S THIRD-PLACE GAME
(at Daegu, South Korea)
South Korea vs. Brazil-Turkey loser, 6 a.m., Ch. 23 (Spanish)
SUNDAY'S CHAMPIONSHIP
(at Yokohama, Japan)
Germany vs. Brazil-Turkey winner, 6 a.m., Ch. 8; Ch. 23 (Spanish)
FIFA reportedly to try
new referee system
SEOUL, South Korea – Following a series of controversial calls, FIFA
says it will experiment with a fourth official next year at four world
championships – including the Women's World Cup.
Sportinformation, a Swiss news agency, said the official would work
behind the goals but did not explain how one person would cover both
ends of the field.
Briefly ...
German goalkeeper Oliver Kahn has gone four straight games without
allowing a goal. ... Turkey's players vowed to shave their heads if they
reach the final. ... Turkey has consumed one ton of cheese in the World
Cup. The Turkish media has dubbed the players the "Cheese Monsters."
