Return to Transcripts main page

American Morning

U.S. Officially Out of World Cup

Aired June 21, 2002 - 09:30   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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: A short time ago, we did mention that the U.S. now officially out of the World Cup soccer tournament, after a great run though. The Germans knocked them off about 1-0. Indeed it was, 1-0 the final.

Tim Lister is there in South Korea, joins us now with a live report on what's happening there on the ground.

Tim, hello. Good evening to you in South Korea.

TIM LISTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good evening to you, Bill.

And it's been an interesting evening in Othan (ph), South Korea, the crowd just streaming out of the ground here, after the Germans just edged out the United States by a goal to nil. You wouldn't have believed that is was the Germans, frankly, who were doing all the defending in the second half, tremendous U.S. pressure. And the U.S. forwards played extraordinarily well, put their all into this game. The two team divided by a headed goal from Michael Ballek (ph) just before halftime.

Before that, the U.S. had come close twice through 20-year-old Landon Donovan. He had another opportunity denied by the German goalkeeper Oliver Kahn in the second half. And just seconds from the end, Eddie Stunner (ph) headed just wide.

The United States can count itselves really unlucky. But they've done a huge credit to the came in the United States, and can leave this tournament with their heads held very high.

HEMMER: That is a great point. Tim, we were talking back here in New York about the sheer size of the German players. Some people had say that they could play tight end on American football team, which is a large human being, whereas the American players were much smaller in physical stature. Much of a difference in the physical size in this match?

LISTER: Very much so. And I think the Germans only prevailed because they had this extraordinary aerial power. Every time they had corner or a free kick, the Americans looked like they were in trouble.

Having said that, the United States certainly gave their all and they competed very physically with the Germans, but I think it was the U.S. coach Bruce Arena who said that they really need the L.A. Lakers over to take over the Germans such as their stature. They're a powerful team -- Bill.

HEMMER: Not sure what Shaquille O'Neal is doing in four years, but we will check with him.

Hey, Tim, thanks. Great reporting over there in (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

Tim Lister, the update there from the World Cup tournament.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com