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CNN Live At Daybreak

World Cup Gets Underway With Tight Security

Aired May 31, 2002 - 05:34   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: The World Cup soccer tournament opens in Seoul, South Korea in just a short time. It is the most popular sporting event in the world. Our Tim Lister joins us live from Seoul with all of the excitement -- good morning, Tim.

TIM LISTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It's exciting indeed, Carol. We're just about to start the opening ceremony of the 2002 World Cup finals, and then the first match kicks off in just two hours time between the defending champions, France, and rank outsiders from West Africa, Senegal.

Security here is tight, but it's not overwhelming. There are about 6,000 South Korean troops and police in and around this stadium. Altogether, the South Koreans have mobilized 400,000 of their security forces to safeguard security for this tournament.

But great excitement outside the stadium. We were down there just now amongst the fans, the French, the Senegalese, but also many more from around the world, from South Africa, from Mexico, from Germany, from England -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Tim, I understand one of the French soccer stars is hurt. So how could this affect France's chances to beat Senegal?

LISTER: That's very true. You're very well informed, Carol. Zinedine Zidane, the play maker of France, has a torn thigh muscle. He'll miss this game; he may miss another.

And he really is the man who is the motor of that French team. Added to which the French are not particularly quick at the back (ph), and the Senegalese have got some pretty quick players. So they may be ready to surprise the French in this match.

But this will be the first of 64 matches to be held in Korea and Japan. The first time the World Cup has ever been co-hosted by two countries, with the final in Japan on June 30th. And my tip, if you want it, is that Argentina will ultimately prove victorious in this tournament.

COSTELLO: I thought you were going to stick with England.

LISTER: I wish I could, Carol. I think we have a better chance -- I shouldn't say "we" -- now that David Beckham is back and he will captain the team. But I think the Argentineans have just too much for most of the other teams here. But expect to see the French do very well, whatever happens tonight.

COSTELLO: Of course, Americans know David Beckham as Posh Spice's husband.

LISTER: That is true, he is. And, of course, they are the most celebrated couple in England. They're known as -- indeed, Beckham is known in England as almost royalty for his status. Every move he makes is very closely followed. And they are truly a celebrity family, the Beckhams.

Now that he's back on the England team, I think the spirits in England have been much lifted by that.

COSTELLO: I'm sure they have. One more question for you. I understand you mentioned the French soccer player was hurt. I understand, you know, when President Bush was in France, that injury to the French player knocked Bush off the front pages.

LISTER: Yes, I think it did. In fact, both in Europe and here in Korea football fever is definitely very much gripping the place. Every South Korean newspaper, all the South Korean television stations, are just consumed by the World Cup and the preparations for it.

And this is the first time the World Cup has come to Asia. So the World Cup authorities are really trying to bring the game to a new continent and give it truly a global appeal. Just one last note, they think that one in 12 of the world's population will watch tonight's opening game -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Unbelievable. Tim Lister, thank you very much. Well he's got a fabulous assignment. Soccer is huge. Yeah, but it just hasn't really caught on in a big way at a professional level here in the United States.

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