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WORLD CUP SERENDIPITY By Keith Bourke. This year's World Cup in France will kick off tonight with Brazil v Scotland, the opening game. It will be watched by soccer fans all over the world from Japan to Jamaica. Even the Mullah's and Sultanas in Iran, will probably turn away from Mecca and focus their attention on their T.V. set in the corner, to witness this grand sporting occasion. Who has commandeered the remote control in your household? Have you stockpiled your beer and snacks for this feast of football. Let's hope the French cameramen don't go on strike in support of their colleagues in Air France. There are 32 nations participating in this years competition, the largest ever with many diverse cultures. I'm sure many Irish viewers will be willing on the Reggae Boyz from Jamaica, who have captured the hearts of many Irish football fans already, so much so that the largest sports store in Dublin has sold out of Jamaican jerseys. The Apartheid Free South Africa will also gain some support from the Irish contingent. For Irish supporters it will be another chance to see a McCarthy in Green, White and Gold. We will have our quota of eccentric goalkeepers at this years World Cup with Mexico's multi-coloured Jorge Campos, who entertained many at USA. '94, but didn't John Aldridge take great pleasure in beating im to secure Ireland's place in the last 16. There is Rene Higuita, Colombia's goalkeeper/sweeper who will also entertain us with his flamboyancy, and let's not forget Paraguay's Jose Luis Chilavert, who has returned from self-imposed exile to prove why he has been voted the world's best goalkeeper. Chilavert's talents are not confined to his own goal, he also take all his sides free-kicks and penalties. The World Cup always produces some colourful characters last year it was the seemingly ageless, Roger Milla, this year will it be the flame haired Carlos Valderamma, the dread locked Taribo West, the bequiffed Boris Mihailov or one of the Toyota's from Japan? So while you are waiting for Bill O'Herlihy in the studio, here are some trivial facts about the World Cup. TRIVIAL FACTS * Iran broke the record for the biggest World Cup win when they beat the Maldives 17-0 in June last year in their first qualifying game. * India pulled out of the 1950 World Cup after FIFA declared that footballers were not allowed to play barefooted. * Dirk Nanniger became known as the Laughing Dutchman after he was sent off against Germany in the 1978 World Cup for laughing at one of the referee's decisions * A Scottish referee on the 1958 World Cup panel was called Edward Charles Faultless. * Mick McCarthy, later Republic of Ireland manager committed more fouls than any other player in Italia '90. Before we get too carried away in the euphoria of the World Cup, spare a thought for the non-soccer supporters, who for 4 weeks will have to cope with wall to wall football. Hopefully, the next time the World Cup comes around Ireland will be involved, but in the meantime, Come on the Reggae Boyz!
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