Mboma's bicycle kick helps `Indomitable Lions' to hold France

Mboma's bicycle kick helps `Indomitable Lions' to hold France
Reuters

Paris, 0ctober 5: Olympic champions Cameroon showed they could hold their own among soccer's elite when they drew 1-1 against World and European champions France in Paris on Wednesday. Patrick Mboma's spectacular overhead kick from a long throw cancelled out Sylvain Wiltord's opener for the French at the Stade de France.

The home side went ahead after 20 minutes when Arsenal's Patrick Vieira delivered a perfect lob for club mate Wiltord. He rounded goalkeeper Alioum Boukar and slotted the ball into an empty net.

But France, who were plagued by injuries, looked more vulnerable than usual and goalkeeper Lionel Letizi, a replacement for Manchester United's Fabien Barthez, was forced into a fine save by striker Samuel Eto'O in the 34th minute. Gaining in confidence, the Olympic champions equalised when Mboma, so often the hero in Australia, produced his magnificent overhead effort a minute from the break.

Substitute goalkeeper Richard Dutruel, on for the injured Letizi, spared the hosts further embarrassment by saving from Eto'O after striker ran unchallenged through the French defence in the 62nd minute.

For France, captain Marcel Desailly headed wide a free-kick from the left by substitute Laurent Robert 12 minutes from time.

Aussies down Kuwait
DUBAI: John Aloisi struck the solitary goal of the match as Australia defeated Kuwait 1-0 in the $ 50,000, four-nation Dubai soccer tournament on Wednesday.

In a match in which both teams struggled to penetrate the defence, the Frank Farina-coached Aussies enjoyed a lion's share of the exchanges but failed to translate their mid-field superiority in goals.

Aloisi, taking advantage of a break-away move, scored the winner in the 40th minute of the match.

Earlier, UAE survived a late onslaught from South Korea to edge home 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out. The two teams were locked 1-1 at the end of normal time.

Beckham doubtful
LONDON: England vice-captain David Beckham missed the squad's training session on Wednesday and is a doubtful starter for the World Cup qualifier against Germany on Saturday, The Mirror newspaper said on Thursday.The Manchester United midfielder jarred his knee in Sunday's 1-0 defeat at Arsenal and is rated as only 50-50 to play in the final international at Wembley Stadium.

Caniggia joins Dundee
GLASGOW: Argentine forward Claudio Caniggia joined Scottish Premier League side Dundee on and said he hoped the move might rekindle his international career.

The former Roma, Benfica and Boca Juniors player, 33, on Thursday signed a short-term contract until the end of the season.