Stars of world soccer coming to Korea

¡®New Soccer Emperor¡¯ Hernaudo and ¡®Master of the Left Foot¡¯ Rivaldo Victor Boraba Ferreira (Both from Brazil). Zinedine Yazid Zidane (France), who played the main role in France¡¯s victories at the ¡®98 World Cup and 2000 European Soccer Players Tournament. Goalkeeper Hernandez (Mexico). ¡®Star of Africa¡¯ Mboma (Cameroon).

Will we be able to see them play in Korea next year?

The FIFA Executive Committee Meeting, held in Zurich, Switzerland, on August 3, decided to stage the 2001 Confederation Cup (cup between continents) Tournament in Korea and Japan from May 27 to June 9 (dates to be confirmed). As a result, the eyes of the world will focus on Korea through these soccer stars, who represent their respective continents.

The 2001 Confederation Cup will include a total 8 teams, including the organizers, Korea and Japan, the winners by continent -- Brazil, France, Canada, Australia, and Cameroon-- and the reigning champion, Mexico. They will be divided into 2 groups and leagues by group will be formed. The number one and the number two team of each league by group will play in the semi-finals and the final through a cross-tournament to see who will emerge as the winner.

Although which games will be played in Korea and Japan and the schedule for the matches have not been finally decided, it is predicted that each participating country will mobilize their best players during the Confederation Cup, which is seen as a preliminary event to the 2002 World Cup.

Hernaudo, who has an injured knee, is in a hurry to return to the ground next year, making it likely that he will participate in the Confederation Cup. It is forecast that Ferreia, Zidane, Hernandez, and Mboma will also participate unless they suffer serious injuries. Meanwhile, although Korea plans to utilize the Confederation Cup as an inspection stage for the World Cup, it was revealed that Japan has not yet clearly expressed its view on the organization of the Confederation Cup, citing the Kirin Cup Tournament as the reason.

Kwon Soon-Il stt77@donga.com