Memories of the World Cup

Les Bleus France is defending its title in the Confederations Cup 2003 against the Indomitable Lion Cameroon

France tamed Turkey 3-2 on Thursday to qualify for the Confederations Cup final. Cameroon`s Marc-Vivien Foe collapsed in the heat during the Confederations Cup semifinal against Colombia on Thursday and later died. But Cameroon won 1-0 to advance to Sunday`s final against France.

Even without inspirational Zinedine Zidane, France has given their best performance since they were eliminated in the first round of last year`s World Cup.

France went ahead with a close-range goal by striker Thierry Henry in the 11th minute and then set up his Arsenal teammate Robert Pires for the second.

Turkey, however, reduced the deficit through midfielder Gokdeniz Karadeniz in the 41st minute. Sylvain Wiltord, replied two minutes later to give the European champions a 3-1 advantage at the interval.

Turkey moved up a notch in the second half and striker Tuncay Sanli volleyed in a second in the 48th minute.

The ten-man Cameroon squad booked their place in the Confederations Cup final on Thursday with a 1-0 victory over Colombia.

Foe collapsed in the centre circle at the Stade Gerland about 15 minutes into the first half, and was carried off on a stretcher with a breathing tube in his mouth. He died around half an hour later. It was not clear what had happened to Foe but a FIFA spokesman announced later that his heart stopped after he was taken off the pitch.

Sang-Ho Kim hyangsan@donga.com