Thursday, June 25, 1998 http://www.HWCI.com/wc98 Issue # 20.1.16 "Another Mexico rally..." 1998 HWCI WORLD CUP TOURNAMENT POOL =================================== BELGIUM LETS ONE GET AWAY WHILE HOLLAND TAKES GROUP E TITLE; YUGOSLAVIA BLOWS ITS CHANCE TO WIN GROUP F AS USA GOES 0-FOR-3 MLSBob bobs up and down but ends the day back in first place EL SEGUNDO, CA (smt)- Sang-chul Yoo's goal in the 71st minute prevented Belgium from advancing to the Round of 16 as South Korea tied Belgium, 1-1. Had Belgium won by one or two goals, however, they would have been prevented from advancing as Mexico rallied for the second straight match from 2-0 down to tie the Netherlands, 2-2 on Luis Hernandez's 3rd goal of the tournament in the fifth minute of extra time. Still, the Netherlands won Group E via the goal differential. In a twist, Hernandez scored while Mexico was down a man. Mexico's five goals in the previous two matches were scored while Mexico was playing against 10 men. Mexico has now come back from 2nd half deficits 1-0 (won 3-1 vs KOR) and 2-0 twice (tied 2-2 vs BEL). Yugoslavia had the perfect script: Germany nearly lost to them and was playing a confident Iran team who had their biggest win in history while Yugoslavia got to play a down and out USA team. Even the Yugoslav coach hinted they would win the group title. The OC Register had predicted a 5-1 win for Yugoslavia. It was not to be. Germany did its part taking care of Iran, 2-0, while Yugoslavia struggled to score in its 1-0 win over USA. Yugoslavia scored early in the 4th minute but couldn't put any more past USA sub goalkeeper Brad Friedel. USA became the first team to lose all three matches in this year's World Cup. One thing I love about Holland are their bright orage uniforms and their bright orange clothed fans. I watched the last half of the USA-Yugoslavia match. Same old problems: USA can't score, can't finish, can't put shots on target, make one too many passes, McBride is heading to no one, and Sampson is still the coach. Yugoslavia has got to be disappointed they couldn't put this team away 4-0. It seemed at times, Yugoslavia was suffering from USA-syndrome, making one too many passes in the box and not finishing their shots. Sampson not starting Preki against his former homeland in a meaningless match for the USA was inexcusable and is hopefully the last match Sampson will coach for USA. GROUP E W-L-T PT GF/A GROUP F W-L-T PT GF/A ---------------------- ---------------------- yx-Holland 1-0-2 5 7/2 yx-Germany 2-0-1 7 6/2 x-Mexico 1-0-2 5 7/5 x-Yugoslav 2-0-1 7 4/2 Belgium 0-0-3 3 3/3 Iran 1-2-0 3 2/4 S.Korea 0-2-1 1 2/9 USA 0-3-0 0 1/5 x-Advances to Round of 16 y-Wins group title Mon., 6/29: #53(6). 1F-Germany vs. 2E-Mexico, 7;30 am (PDT) #54(5). 1E-Netherlands vs 2F-Yugoslavia, Noon (PDT) Group E: For the first time, MLSBOB is no longer in first place, although the day is not over. LE BIX is now on top, with 48 points, two ahead of MLSBOB. Just ten picked Mexico to advance leaving eight who picked Belgium out of luck. Nineteen of 21 picked the Dutch. Group F: MLSBOB regained his first place standing to end the 16th straight day on top of the pool standings. LE BIX had USA into the Round of 16 causing him to fall to 3rd. MLSBOB leads with 54 points with BIG BRI'S GOING DOWN sneaking up in 2nd with 53 points. TOM FUNG now takes over last place with 37 points. Just nine picked Yugoslavia over USA and everyone got the Germany match right. Just eight picked Yugoslavia to make it to the Round of 16 while 13 who had USA lose three points. There is a possibility I might be able to find out who has been eliminated from winning any money in the pool after 48 matches. We'll see. Tomorrow: The conclusion of the first round should be exciting. Argentina (2-0) and Crotia (2-0) have both made it to the next round but a win or tie will give Argentina the top seed in Group H. Japan (0-2) and Jamaica (0-2), both first time World Cup entrants, will fight for third place in the group. England (1-1) and Colombia (1-1) are tied with 3 points each but England could advance with just a tie with Colombia. The real hope is if England goes out, will their hooligans go with them? Romania (2-0) will try and secure 1st place in Group G with a tie or win over Tunisia (0-2). Dooley's and Sampson's (please!) last match... Scott HW -----------------------------------------\\ || /\ || // ___ Scott M Tamashiro, HWCI Engineering \\||//\\||// /o-o\\ \ \ ` WC98 Pool Administrator \ / \ / (o-o-o)) ) > > > Email: scott@hwci.com || || \`o'// / / , Updates: http://www.HWCI.com/wc98 || || WORLD CUP ---------------------------------------------------- POOL 1998