ACTUALITE |
26.07.2001
Le Roy backs Lions to reach q-finals
Claude Le Roy, the French coach who has a long and successful history with West African sides, says Senegal are capable of going a long way at the World Cup 2002.
"I think they will create the sort of surprise that Cameroon created in 1990", he said.
Le Roy coached Senegal from 1988 to 1992, taking the team to the semi-finals of the Nations Cup in 1990 and to the quarter-finals two years later.
But he never had the chance or putting his team in for the World Cup.
"We had a strong team ten years ago, but unfortunately the chairman of the federation forgot to register us for qualification for Italia `90, so we missed out."
Despite that disappointment, the Le Roy era was the most successful periods of Senegalese football - until now.
"The team today is even stronger and they will create a big surprise in Japan and Korea", says Le Roy.
Despite leaving Senegal in `92, Le Roy has kept close ties with the country and the players while coaching with clubs in France.
"Senegal will create a big surprise"
"When I was at Strasbourg, I brought in the captain of the national team Pape Malik Diop and also Henri Camara."
He has also closely followed the rise and rise of Senegal`s striker, El Hadj Diouf, who has scored eight goals in World Cup qualifying.
"He had problems when he joined Sochaux fitting into the side. Things got better at Rennes, but he`s really found his place in the national side. I think things will be better now he`s at Lens, but he`s always played better for the Lions than for his clubs."
Le Roy makes no effort to hide his desire that Senegal should do well in Korea and Japan, but knows from his own world cup experience that the pressure on players and coaches is immense.
"The FA has to take things nice and easy and not let too many people near the team. The big danger is to have a technical team of 40 people, but have around them 100 useless people."
"But, in terms of quality of players, they have all it takes to put up a good performance at the World Cup".
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Hits: 1 | Source:CNN | |
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