France mid-fielder Patrick Vieira can’t wait to take on Senegal, the country where he was born, in Friday’s World Cup opener and says the match is like a gift from God. I’m really, really pleased to face Senegal. Emotionally, it’s going to be the most important match of my life,” the 29-year-old said on Wednesday. “This is like a gift from the good Lord.” Hi-tech ball leaves some players flat Yokohama: The World Cup may still be two days away, but the ball has already come in for a good kicking. Depending on which player you ask, the ‘‘fevernova’’ ball that sports equipment maker Adidas says provides the ultimate soccer experience is uncontrollable, too big or just plain ‘‘stupid’’. The ball also has its fans, like England’s David Beckham, but so far they seem to have been outnumbered by critics. ‘‘It is like one of those crazy, bouncing balls, those that you play with when you are a kid,’’ Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon pronounced last week, becoming the latest in a long line of players to criticise the high-tech ball. Adidas says the ball, splashed with gold colouring, is quite simply the best around — 25 per cent more accurate than the ball used at France ’98 thanks to meticulous testing by scientists in Germany. ‘‘It’s the best ball we’ve ever made,’’ said Anne Putz, corporate public relations manager for Adidas, which has made the balls for every World Cup since 1970. (Reuters) Vieira was born in the Senegalese capital of Dakar in 1972, but grew up in France where he learned his football in Dreux and Tours, before starting a professional career at first division side Cannes in 1993. Although his grandparents still live in Africa, Vieira sees himself as 100 per cent French and promises to do his best to beat Senegal. “When I hear the national anthems I’ll try to keep my mind focused on the game. I’ll try to avoid thinking about anything else. “Of course, it’s very exciting to play against the team of the country where you were born but I can’t afford to mix things up. I can’t afford to take into account what is going on outside the stadium.” Asked what he felt when Senegal were drawn alongside France in Group A, Vieira said he was a little bit confused. “I was with Arsenal and we were preparing for a Champions League match. I didn’t know how to react then. But now, it’s all clear in my head. I’ve been brought up in France and I’m French,” he said. Vieira has played in 37 consecutive internationals, breaking the record set by Manuel Amoros in the 1980s. Vieira stressed that Senegal, who have qualified for their first World Cup finals, must not be taken lightly. “All these guys play in the French first division championship and they are tactically stronger than most of the African sides,” said Vieira. “For all the people there (in Senegal), it’s fantastic to have the team playing in the opening match, especially against (former colonial rulers) France.” The mid-fielder said he intends to call his grandparents before Friday’s match. “They are Senegalese but, no contest, they will support France.” (Reuters)
