Wednesday, February 25, 1998
The University Daily Kansan
Section B · Page 3
U.S. soccer team looking to score against Belgium
The Associated Press
BRUSSELS, Belgium — The U.S. soccer team normally does not create commotion. Yet tonight's exhibition game against Belgium has done just that.
Enzo Scifo, a star midfielder who has played for Belgium in three World Cups, was left off the Belgian roster. He responded by vowing never to play for the national team again as long as Georges Leekens is coach.
"I see that as a lack of respect but have to accept the choice of the national coach," said Scifo, who has played for Belgium 80 times.
The Americans (4-2 this year)
arrived Sunday, a day after a 2-0 loss to the Netherlands in Miami. Tonight's game completes a seven-game stretch in 33 days as the United States prepares for this summer's World Cup in France.
months
(Paraguay at
San Diego on
March 14
and Austria
at Vienna on
April 22) before gathering in early May to begin final preparations for the tournament.
The Americans play Germany, Iran and Yugoslavia in the first round of the World Cup. Belgium has first-round games against the Netherlands, Mexico and South Korea.
"Both coaches realize the result is important but are keeping in mind the big picture." U.S. coach Steve Sampson said. "You want your best results in June. You can play well and not get the result, but you cannot afford to play poorly and lose. That's unacceptable. I expect it to be a very even game and entertaining for the people."
The United States has played Belgium twice, winning in 1930 to
advance to the World Cup semifinals and losing an exhibition game 1-0 on April 22, 1995 — Sampson's first game as coach.
"I know it is a team in transition," Sampson said of Belgium. "Previously, it was a counterattacking team, and now they want to play more buildup, more offensive-minded, much like the United States. Belgium is a complete team with no huge stars but has many talented hard-playing players."
Europeans appear interested in the strides the Americans have made. The 1-0 victory against Brazil on Feb. 10 in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup captured the soccer world's attention. It was the first victory for the Americans against the Brazilians.
"On any other day, Brazil would have probably beat us 3-0 with that many chances." U.S. goalkeeper Kasey Keller said. "But it was just one of those days that makes this sport so interesting."
Kickboxer looks like a lady
Vicious Thai sport showcases transvestite
The Associated Press
BANGKOK — He dresses like a woman and fights like a demon. Pirinya Kaibusaba, a transvestite kickboxer whopowershisnose duringtraining,isabighit.
Before a sellout crowd of 10,000 and despite a cut over his left eye, the 16-year-old sensation convincingly won his Bangkok debut on last night.
He wore makeup and pink nail polish to the weigh-in, where he broke in tears. Then he went on to pummel Oven So Boonya during five rounds at Lumpini Stadium, the nation's kickboxing mecca.
Pirinya is from Lamphun, about
350 miles north of Bangkok. Before his appearance in the capital, the young welterweight already had compiled a professional record of 20 wins, two losses and 17 knockouts in a sport where brutal kicks and elbows to the head are common.
He kissed his opponent after the decision was announced in what appeared sweet revenge for a teasing embrace delivered by Oven just before the fight.
Pirinya is prim to a fault, but the prospect of a cut eye, broken nose or cauliflower ear doesn't faze him.
"If I was afraid about my face, I wouldn't fight." he said.
Pirinya's medium-length hair is dyed to a reddish tint — as is fashionable now among Thais of both sexes
—and neatly tied back at the nape of the neck.
The weigh-in, where he was 140
pounds, presented Pirinya with his toughest test as a kickboxer. The fighters at Lumpint Stadium must step on the scale completely nude.
When ordered to strip in front of a phalanx of Thai and foreign reporters and cameraman, Pirinya dissolved in sobs. Lumpini officials, who all are in the Thai military, eventually showed mercy and let him wear his black tockey shorts.
Although Thai boxers generally are tattooed tough guys from poor farming country or Bangkok slums with a strong sense of machismo, many readily accept Pirinya.
"I thought it was strange when I heard there was a transvestite boxer, but I like to see people who like boxing — I don't care who they are," said Pong Sudsaeng, who also was scheduled to fight last night at Lumpini.
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