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France edges Cameroon at Confederations ( 2003-06-30 08:51) (Agencies) With Marc-Vivien Foe's death on the minds of players and fans, Thierry Henry ended a somber final of the Confederations Cup when he scored seven minutes into overtime Sunday to give defending champion France a 1-0 victory over grieving Cameroon.
France's players celebrated briefly after Henry's fourth goal of the tournament ended a dull game with few scoring chances, then hugged their opponents. Henry knocked the ball in off his knee after Cameroon captain Rigobert Song missed a through-ball, giving the European champions the victory over the first African team in a FIFA final involving men's national teams. Though fans chanted Henry's name for a minute or so, their reaction was relatively modest. All of Cameroon's players wore green jerseys with Foe's No 17 during warmups, and Cameroon's non-starters sat on the bench wearing Foe jerseys during the game, as did Indomitable Lions coach Winnie Schaefer Players from both teams came out of the tunnel onto the field before the start holding hands, and the team captains carried a five-foot-high picture of the 28-year-old Foe, who died during Thursday's semifinal win over Turkey in Lyon. When they accepted their runner-up medals, Cameroon players also wore the No 17 jerseys and carried Foe's picture onto the podium. Many in the crowd of 51,985 repeatedly chanted "Fo-e!" as the medals were handed out. Cameroon's players also had Foe's name on their game jerseys along with the dates of his birth and death. France's players wore black bands on their left arms. Cameroon's starters posed for their pregame team picture along with Foe's photo. The starters from both teams then walked to the center of the field, where they stood in a circle, players alternating by team, arms around each other's shoulders. After an announcement was made to the fans, the crowd of 51,985 and the teams stood silently for about 30 seconds. Tears flowed from the eyes of some Cameroon players. There were banners brought by fans to the stadium remembering Foe, who played in France for Racing Lens and Olympique Lyon. Outside, T-shirts in both green and white with Foe's name and number were sold at concession stands for $11.50 each. Foe's widow, Marie Louise, and his brother, Emmanuel, were at the game, FIFA said. After the ceremony, the first half started slowly, with no good chances until Henry went around a defender in the 22nd minute and crossed to Djibril Cisse, whose header was just wide. Cameroon's best chance was by Pius Ndiefi, who banged the turf in frustration after goalkeeper Fabien Barthez dived to stop his 10-yard shot. Henry had a good chance in the 11th minute of the second half, after goalkeeper Idris Kameni fumbled a loose ball in front of the goal, but slid his shot to the far post just wide. Samuel Eto'o, who scored twice Saturday night as Real Mallorca won the Spanish King's Cup in the final game of the European club season, entered as a substitute in the 66th minute and just missed scoring three minutes later when he tried to poke a cross between Barthez and the goalkeeper's near post.
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