GROUP B
 
		P	W	D	L	F	A	PTS
Spain		3	3	0	0	9	4	9
Paraguay	3	1	1	1	6	6	4
South Africa	3	1	1	1	5	5	4
Slovenia		3	0	0	3	2	7	0

Qualify For The Second Round


12 JUNE 2002

SOUTH AFRICA			2-3		SPAIN
McCarthy 30					Raul 3, 55
Radebe 52					Mendieta 45

Arendse came off his line to cut out a through pass but he dropped the
ball under pressure from Raul, 0-1. Arendse made up for his mistake with
two superb saves from Mendieta and arguably the save of the World Cup
from Morientes. Nomvethe headed on Fortune's cross and McCarthy volleyed
under Casillas. Mendieta restored Spain's lead on the stroke of half time
with a supeb free kick. Radebe punished Romero's sucidal header back
accross his own box from a corner to equalise. Raul put Spain back in
front with a great header from an oustanding cross by Joaquin. Helguera
and Luis Enrique had chances to increase Spain's lead. Nomvethe should
have been sent off for a murder attempt on Helguera.

Can't see Spain struggling against a mediocre Ireland side unless of course
they revert to type and choke.

"I thought we did well throughout the tournament, showing lots of guts
and spirit. It's the name of the game. We gave three silly goals, so we
were punished, but we gave our best shot." - Jomo Sono

"Well, we were already in the round of 16. It would have been very
different to be first or to be second. We now have more time to rest.
From now on, it will be sudden death. Spain will play to win."
Jose Antonio Camacho

Assists : Nomvethe, Mendieta (won free kick), Joaquin


SLOVENIA			1-3		PARAGUAY
Acimovic 46					Cuevas 65, 84
						Campos 72


Paredes got himself a second yellow card after just 22 minutes for a stray
elbow on Acimovic. Acimovic received the ball from a throw in, dribbled
past two players and either shot or attempted a cross, Chilvert screwd
up and the ball rolled under him into the net.

Acimovic came within inches of increasing Slovenia's lead with an
excellent effort from the edge of the box which bounced off the crossbar.
Cuevas scored four minutes after coming on as a substitute. His first
almost identical to Acimovic's opener but this time the 'keeper was
blamless. Campos hit a well placed shot into the corner. Ceh was sent
off for a stupid challenge on Arce. Cuevas scored the second goal
Paraguay needed to ensure a place in the last 16 with an awesome strike.
He dribbled past two defenders and hit a vicious left foot shot into the
roof of the net.

If Paraguay come out of their defensive shell they are capable of giving
Germany plenty of problems. Chilavert is past it.

"Football is a game to suffer and our team suffered a lot. But we had a
fight. We had difficulties especially after Carlos Paredes  was sent
off, but our team is in good physical condition. We played well and had
a good result. It was a good match." - Cesare Maldini

"Tonight's match has clearly showed the possibilities for Slovenian
football. I don't want to dwell on the past losses or other controversial
issues. Personally, it was a good match because I scored tonight's only
goal for my country. I believe that Slovenia will be able to give great
plays in the future." - Milenko Acimovic

Assists : Novak (throw in), Arce (throw in), Cuevas, Santa Cruz
Red Cards : Paredes 22 (Paraguay), Ceh 81 (Slovenia)


8 JUNE 2002

SOUTH AFRICA			1-0		SLOVENIA
Nomvethe 4

Nomvethe scored with a superb header from an equally superb Fortune
free kick. Benni McCarthy then gave a performance that makes him the clear
favourite for worst striker in the World Cup. He missed a hat-trick of easy
chances. Arendse saved McCarthy from a lynching with a magnificent point
blank save from  Nestija Ceh's header. Substitute Buckley missed another
great chance for South Africa on the counter attack.

South Africa are through to the next round if they avoid defeat by 2 clear goals
in their final match against Paraguay.

"I am proud of them. These kids, that's what I call them, even though there
are some older ones. They played well. We looked at the books and tapes a
million times. We were always looking for chances. The boys did great. It's our
first win in the World Cup." - Jomo Sono

"I am proud of my team. I think my team today played a good game. I think
South Africa were a better team because they scored after a free kick. So it
was a disappointment for my team, but I am proud of my team and that's it."
Srecko Katanec

Assist : Fortune (free kick)


7 JUNE 2002

SPAIN				3-1		PARAGUAY
Morientes 53, 69					Puyol 10 (og)
Hierro 83 (Pen)

Chilavert sent a goal kick into the Spanish penalty area, Arce pulled down
Hierro's clearance and drove a shot at goal, Casillas parried the ball
against Puyol, 0-1. Morientes headed Spain level from De Pedro's corner.
Morientes clipped a shot against the top of the crossbar from an absolutely
magnificent De Pedro pass. Chilavert flapped at a De Pedro cross and
Morientes bundled the ball over the line with his mid-riff and not with
his hand as some have suggested. Paredes pulled down Raul and gave Hierro
his second penalty of the tournament.

De Pedro's passing takes your breath away. Hopefully the Spanish can do
themselves and their superb football justice now they are in the second round.

"I'm satisfied that they did their best and scored. The fact that Spain scored
three goals against a strong team like Paraguay shows that they did well.
I'm happy that we won against such a good team." - Jose Antonio Camacho

"It was not very good to let in two goals in the second half. The players were
distracted." - Cesare Maldini

Assists : De Pedro (corner), De Pedro, Raul (won pen)


2 JUNE 2002

PARAGUAY			2-2		SOUTH AFRICA
Santa Cruz 39					Struway 63 (og)
Arce 55						Fortune 91 (Pen)

Santa Cruz headed in an Arce free kick. Arendse made a brilliant one handed
save from another Santa Cruz header. Arce put Paraguay 2-0 in front with a
superb free kick. Sturway deflected Mokoena's shot past his own 'keeper.
Zuma threw himself over Tavarelli who had stupidly came off line to chase
down a ball. Fortune almost tore a hole in the net with a violently struck spot
kick.

"We played very well for 45 minutes but in the second half we just stopped
and that is it. South Africa were physically very strong and we made a
couple of mistakes but I'm not disappointed with the draw. I'm convinced
we will win a game in this tournament." - Cesare Maldini

"I am happy that we didn't lose and our confidence is up. We knew if we put
pressure on them they would lose energy towards the end and that's what
happened. They controlled the first half and in the second we took over."
Jono Somo

Assists : Arce (free kick), Santa Cruz (won free kick), Zuma (won penalty)


SPAIN				3-1		SLOVENIA
Raul 44						Cimirotic 82
Valeron 75
Hierro 87 (Pen)

After a poor half hour this suddenly developed into a great match and Raul
gave Spain the lead with a superb goal. A one touch passing move broke
down on the edge of the box, Raul latched onto a loose pass and as a
defender threw himself at the ball he flicked it away with his left foot then
a shot into the corner. Morientes sent an overhead kick to De Pedro on
the left, he sent the most perfectly weighted first time low cross you're
likely to see, straight to the feet of Valeron and he cushioned the ball into
the corner. Cimirotic swapped passes with Acimovic on the edge of the
box and shot inside the post. Hierro converted a penalty won by
Morientes' dive.

"It has been 52 years (since Spain won their opening match in a World Cup
finals tournament) and was a poor reflection on Spanish football. This result
has brought great joy to both the team and our fans. It is very important to
win the first game in this, the mother of all tournaments and the players
worked hard to earn what I think will be an important result for us in this
opening stage." - Jose Camacho

"We didn't arrive here with great ambitions but there are still two matches
and we have shown that we can play good football. The first result can be
crucial but there are still two games and we shall have to see what happens
from here." - Srecko Katanec

Assists : De Pedro, Acimovic, Morientes (won pen)