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CNN Live Today

Germany Ends U.S. World Cup Run

Aired June 21, 2002 - 12:10   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.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: And now to a war of another kind -- and I use the term lightly. We're talking about the war on the turf; it was a defeat heard across America's soccer fields. In the World Cup today, Germany defeated Team USA 1-0.

This year, more Americans were closely following the underdog team's performance -- and CNN sports' Tim Lister has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TIM LISTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Ulsan, South Korea, the latest stop on American soccer's incredible journey. And fans from Team USA are here from far and near, including one from a pair from Ulsan Air Force base.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a great game. We've made it much farther than we have in the past, and the fact we are making it so far and it is gaining so much more publicity, I think, it's going to give it a little more momentum back in the States.

LISTER: And a family from southern California.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We think we can beat the mighty Germans, but we are hopeful, and realistic, at the same time.

LISTER: Germany also well represented among a crowd of more than 40,000.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You know, they have nothing to lose, so I think they want to show the Americans back home that they can beat such a world-class team like Germany.

LISTER: The team, three times world champion, clear favorites to put an end to the U.S. gate-crashers at soccer's global festival. But it was the United States that made early chances, 20-year-old Landon Donovan cutting in and beating a German defender before being denied by Oliver Kahn at the German goal.

Even those who couldn't get a ticket were enjoying the atmosphere.

Germany's aerial strength always looked dangerous, and shortly before half-time, a free kick, converted by Michael Ballack: 1-0 Germany. The second half saw sustained pressure from the United States. Donovan was put through and equally denied by Kahn again. And in the dying minutes, Tony Sanneh came within inches of the goal. So ultimately, Germany prevailed.

After the game, American fans were disappointed, but proud.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Actually, I thought they did very, very well. We were very unlucky not to get a goal.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Great performance. They did very well, and they tried real hard. I think they looked real good tonight.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's going to make a lot more Americans back the U.S. team, which I think is fantastic.

LISTER (on camera): A spirited performance by the United States team; in fact, for much of the game it was the Germans that had to do the defending. The U.S. sportsmen leave this World Cup with their heads held high. They've certainly built a platform for greater things to come, and, perhaps, for the cause of soccer back home.

Tim Lister, CNN, Ulsan, South Korea.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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