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China beats France, Drogba's break mars Ivory win
Source: Agencies |
June 5, 2010, Saturday
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Online Edition
Online Edition
FRANCE was beaten 1-0 in an upset by non-qualifier China in World Cup warmup action yesterday, and Ivory Coast's 2-0 victory over Japan was marred by a broken arm to Didier Drogba that looks like ruling the striker out of the competition.
Deng Zhuo Xiang's 68th-minute free kick was enough to beat a strong France lineup at Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean.
A strong France lineup, with Thierry Henry going on as a second half substitute, was frustrated by repeated saves by China's goalkeeper and its own persistence in trying to walk the ball into the net.
Japan's Marcus Tulio Tanaka deflected Drogba's drive into his own net and Kolo Toure added a late second for the Ivorians in Sion, Switzerland.
Tulio collided with Drogba in the 15th minute, forcing the Ivory Coast striker off the field and jeopardizing his participation at the World Cup in South Africa, which starts next yesterday.
Drogba, whose goals helped Chelsea win the Premier League and FA Cup, collapsed in pain after the high challenge from Tulio.
"It's an elbow injury for sure. How bad it is, I don't know. He had a lot of pain," Ivory Coast coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said. "Of course I'm worried. He's our captain and one of the best players in the world."
Ivory Coast faces arguably the toughest group, with matches against Portugal, Brazil and North Korea.
After their fourth straight defeat, the Japanese will be short of confidence before they play Cameroon, Netherlands and Denmark.
Later yesterday, Milivoje Novakovic scored twice and Andraz Kirm added another goal for Slovenia to defeat New Zealand 3-1 in a World Cup warmup for both countries. Rory Fallon scored for New Zealand.
England was also hit by an injury blow yesterday, with captain Rio Ferdinand ruled out of the World Cup with knee ligament damage after being hurt at training. England sent for Michael Dawson as a replacement and Steven Gerrard will take over as captain.
Deng Zhuo Xiang's 68th-minute free kick was enough to beat a strong France lineup at Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean.
A strong France lineup, with Thierry Henry going on as a second half substitute, was frustrated by repeated saves by China's goalkeeper and its own persistence in trying to walk the ball into the net.
Japan's Marcus Tulio Tanaka deflected Drogba's drive into his own net and Kolo Toure added a late second for the Ivorians in Sion, Switzerland.
Tulio collided with Drogba in the 15th minute, forcing the Ivory Coast striker off the field and jeopardizing his participation at the World Cup in South Africa, which starts next yesterday.
Drogba, whose goals helped Chelsea win the Premier League and FA Cup, collapsed in pain after the high challenge from Tulio.
"It's an elbow injury for sure. How bad it is, I don't know. He had a lot of pain," Ivory Coast coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said. "Of course I'm worried. He's our captain and one of the best players in the world."
Ivory Coast faces arguably the toughest group, with matches against Portugal, Brazil and North Korea.
After their fourth straight defeat, the Japanese will be short of confidence before they play Cameroon, Netherlands and Denmark.
Later yesterday, Milivoje Novakovic scored twice and Andraz Kirm added another goal for Slovenia to defeat New Zealand 3-1 in a World Cup warmup for both countries. Rory Fallon scored for New Zealand.
England was also hit by an injury blow yesterday, with captain Rio Ferdinand ruled out of the World Cup with knee ligament damage after being hurt at training. England sent for Michael Dawson as a replacement and Steven Gerrard will take over as captain.
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