Confederations Cup 2001
The fifth FIFA Confederations Cup was held in Korea and Japan from May 30 – June 10 2001. The end of season biannual tournament between the champions of the various FIFA Confederations was seen as a dress rehearsal for the World Cup 2002.
The Action
France completed a hat trick of titles by adding the 2001 Confederations
Cup to the 2000 European Championship and 1998 World Cup.
Patrick Viera headed the only goal of a fairly one-sided final
in the first half against the rapidly improving hosts, Japan.
The 21 to 6 shot count in favour of the French was the most telling match
statistic. The World Champions, even without Barthez, Zidane and Henry,
always looked as if they might score, whereas the Japanese had few ideas
in attack. for the French, Robert Pires was their star of the tournament
reveling in a central midfield role.
Brazil and Cameroon were both disappointing and parted
company with their beleaguered coaches after the tournament.
Australia and Japan performed well and met in the semi-finals
with the Japanese squeezing through in a torrential downpour in Yokohama.
The Aussies beat both France and Brazil 1-0 to confirm their potential
as contenders for a World Cup spot when they take on the fifth placed
South African side in a home and away play-off later in the year.
South Korea had wins over Mexico and Australia but suffered a 5-0
thrashing in the opening game against France.
Neither Mexico nor Canada recorded a win though the Canadians
forced a 0-0 draw with a below par Brazil.
The Tournament
Attendance at games not involving the host nations were disappointingly
low raising doubts over the wisdom of building huge, new stadiums
in small provincial cities in both Korea and Japan with inadequate
transport facilities.
A meager 10,519 fans watched the Brazil v. Cameroon match at the 41,800
capacity Kashima Stadium and attendances were well below capacity
in both Suwon and Niigata when Japan and Korea were not the teams in action.
Even the Japan v. Australia semi-final did not attract a full house.
In all 268,436 spectators watched the games in Japan and 286,565 attended
in South Korea at an average gate of 35,000.
Transport delays between the two countries proved a problem and
also for supporters trying to get to the Japan v. Canada game in Niigata
and the Japan v. Australia semi-final in Yokohama.
There were also complaints from the international press regarding IT
facilities that needed to be pre-booked in Japan, the lack of signs
in English and even the food on sale in and around the grounds
came in for criticism.
On a more positive note, the new stadiums impressed and the pitches held up well in the rain. Above all, France confirmed their number one spot in the world rankings and sent out a clear warning that they are capable of retaining their trophy when the real thing kicks off in 2002.
Confederations Cup
May 30 - June 10 2001
Group A
France
Australia
South Korea
Mexico
Date Match Venue & Local Time
Teams
30-05-01 (1) Daegu, Korea 17:00 France vs. Korea Republic 5-0
30-05-01 (2) Suwon, Korea 19:30 Mexico vs. Australia 0-2
01-06-01 (5) Daegu, Korea 17:00 Australia vs. France 1-0
01-06-01 (6) Ulsan, Korea 19:30 Korea Republic vs. Mexico 2-1
03-06-01 (9) Ulsan, Korea 19:30 France vs. Mexico 4-0
03-06-01 (10) Suwon, Korea 19:30 Korea Republic vs. Australia 1-0
Group B
Japan
Brazil
Cameroon
Canada
Date Match Venue & Local Time Teams
31-05-01 (3) Ibaraki, Japan 17:00 Brazil vs. Cameroon 2-0
31-05-01 (4) Niigata, Japan 19:30 Japan vs. Canada 3-0
02-06-01 (7) Ibaraki, Japan 17:00 Canada vs. Brazil 0-0
02-06-01 (8) Niigata, Japan 19:30 Cameroon vs. Japan 0-2
04-06-01 (11) Ibaraki, Japan 17:00 Brazil vs. Japan 0-0
04-06-01 (12) Niigata, Japan 19:30 Cameroon vs. Canada 2-0
Semi-Finals
07-06-01 (13) Yokohama, Japan 17:00 Japan vs. Australia 1-0
07-06-01 (14) Suwon, Korea 20:00 France vs. Brazil 2-1
3rd Place Play-off
09-06-01 (15) Ulsan, Korea 19:00 Brazil v Australia 0-1
Final
10-06-01 (16) Yokohama, Japan 19:00
Japan v France 0-1
