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CNN Live At Daybreak

U.S. Team Surprises Many at World Cup

Aired June 14, 2002 - 05:16   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: In just a couple of hours, the United States team will take on Poland. I guess that happens about, what, 7:35 this morning?

For more on the match, we want to go live to our Tim Lister, in Seoul.

Hi, good morning.

TIM LISTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol. Or rather, good evening, from Seoul, South Korea.

The capital has turned into a sea of red. About a quarter of a million South Koreans are gathered here in downtown Seoul, all wearing the sea of the red T-shirts. It's the most popular wear here, anywhere in Korea. And they have great hope that their team will also be going through to the next round. They have a very tough game tonight, against the most fancied Portuguese team.

In the same group, of course, the United States plays Poland.

They say a week's a long time in politics. It's certainly been a long time in what's become known as a Cup of Calamities in the number of strong teams that have gone out already, or have been very nearly excluded from the competition.

The United States goes into the ninth game in the rare and almost unbelievable position of being favored to win the group. They play Poland, normally quite a useful outfit, but the bottom of the group; Poland hasn't scored a goal. Perhaps the only danger for the United States is a sense of complacency or overconfidence as they go into this game. They should qualify for the next round -- Carol.

COSTELLO: So how are people accepting the U.S. team? Are they just stunned that it's done so well?

LISTER: I think people are very surprised, and they were particularly surprised in the first game, when the United States played Portugal, and they put the Portuguese on the back foot straight away. I have to say it was a lame performance by Portugal, but the United States is very quick up front, and they put them under pressure, scored a goal in the fifth minute. Three up after half an hour. And that gave them a tremendous boost in confidence, which is what they needed. They then fought a very hard 1-1 tour against the host, Korea, earlier this week.

And now, they know they're so close to the prize. Never before have they got through to the second round of the World Cup. And this is their big chance, and they're up for it, believe me -- Carol.

COSTELLO: So do people place bets on World Cup action there?

LISTER: Do people bet on World Cup action?

COSTELLO: Yes.

LISTER: No, it's not allowed here. And in fact, it's not allowed in a lot of places. But it's very popular in Asia, the idea of betting on the games, right the way across -- though largely illegal, in places like Malaysia and Hong Kong, it goes on a lot. Here in Korea, it's more down to fortune-tellers, and of course, all those fortune-tellers are confidently predicting that their team will make it for the last 60 in the second round and they will go on for greater things in this World Cup. They have a tough game ahead of them tonight, but there are plenty of fans here to cheer them on -- Carol.

COSTELLO: It looks like it. Thank you, Tim Lister, reporting live for us. Fortune-tellers!

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