Debutants Senegal Upset Holders France 1-0 in World Cup Opener

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, May 31, 2002

Debutants Senegal Upset Holders France 1-0 in World Cup Opener

Holders France's bid to become the first nation for 40 years to win a second straight World Cup were undermined when they lost 1-0 to newcomers Senegal in the World Cup opening match on Friday.

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Senegal Beats France 1-0

Holders France's bid to become the first nation for 40 years to win a second straight World Cup were undermined when they lost 1-0 to newcomers Senegal in the World Cup opening match on Friday.

Papa Bouba Diop scored the sole goal in the 30th minute to seal the first ever World Cup victory for Senegal.

A left cross from forward Hadji El Diouf found midfielder Papa Bouba Diop who netted the ball in a goalmouth scramble with Emmanuel Petit.

Salif Diao, who plays for French first division side Sedan, said he was not surprised with the result.

Debutants Senegal Upset Holders France 1-0 in World Cup Opener

"Before the game, we all believe that we can make a good result." the 25-year-old midfielder said, "We won the game because we played better. "

Despite a lapse in attacking force due to the absence of injured playmaker Zinedine Zidanze, France proved too strong for the Senegalese in the midfield.

David Tezeguet could have opened the scoring in the 22nd minute but his right-foot shot bitterly hit the post.

Earlier, the Juventus forward wasted another chance when he failed to control a precise long pass from goalkeeper Fabien Barthez in the penalty area.

The Senegalese, making their World Cup debut, lacked the experience to maintain an equal challenge to the champions but drew encouragement from a performance which grew in confidence as the match wore on.

In injury time of the first half, Petit was shown the first yellow card of the World Cup for a scything tackle on Diouf.

France poured more forcefully after the interval and went close to leveling the score in the 56th minute. Thierry Henry rose unmarked in the penalty area but his header from a right cross by Youri Djorkaeff, Zidane's understudy, flew wide of goal.

French coach Roger Lemerre then responded to the do-or-die ultimatum by bringing on veteran striker Christophe Dugarry for Djorkaeff.

The Africans could have doubled their lead in the 64th minute when Khalilou Fadiga unleashed a powerful shot only to see his work denied by the bar.

Only one minute later, Henry replied by hitting the woodwork with a perfectly angled shot.

As the clock ticked into the final stage, France stormed a string of attacks in the half field of their opponents. The iron defense of Senegal, however, crashed the champions' last-gasp hope of grabbing an equaliser.

Captain Marcel Desailly attributed the defeat to Senegal's conservative tactics.

"We have been trying to play, but not enough quicker." the 34-year-old veteran said after the match.

"They were all in their half, waiting for us and trying to play on counter-attacks."

Despite the defeat, the Chelsea defender was full of confidence about France's qualification for the second round.

"If I don't believe it, then I would go straight back to France." he said.

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