JEDDAH, 1 June — There were celebrations among African expatriates throughout Saudi Arabia as Senegal beat France to create one of the biggest World Cup upsets ever and crown a spectacular opening day to the 2002 tournament yesterday.

The unfancied African side, playing their first ever match in the World Cup finals, was expected to be pushed aside by the reigning World and European champions. “But Pape Bouba Diop’s 30th minute goal handed victory to Senegal, a result that brought back memories of Cameroon’s shock victory over Argentina in 1990,” said Saleh Abubaquer, a Sudanese executive in a shipping company in downtown Jeddah.

“It was a towering performance from the African side, who also hit the crossbar as France failed to find the form which has had many tipping them to lift the crown. And we very much expected this upset in the opening match of the tournament,” said Muhammad Haddas (Pious), a senior security staff in a European consulate.

African expatriates in particular were seen celebrating in locations in Jeddah like Anakesh, Bani Malek and Mahjar areas.

Muhammad Kabbashi, a marketing executive in an automobile dealership, said: “Ten of the Senegalese players in the team had been playing in the French league and so the outcome is not at all unexpected. What is however surprising is that France could not convert any of a dozen corners granted them. What’s more, the ball mostly remained with French players.”

In the Eastern Province, the general feeling was that soccer was slipping away from European domination and gradually the African and Asian countries were taking to the center stage.

In the very first minute of the game the tone of the match was set with determined attack and excellent defense of the Senegalese who outmaneuvered France in every department. “France may give the excuse of the injured Zinedine Zidane for their defeat, but the team’s performance in the match did not have the resemblance of an international side.” This was how most of the match watchers reacted.

The African and Asian communities in the Eastern Province rejoiced over Senegal’s victory and believed that many more upsets might shake Europe that had been dominating world soccer for decades.

Abdul Aziz Fakki, a Sudanese journalist of an Arabic daily in the Eastern Province, said: “Today’s upset meant a warning bell for European teams. Mind you, we’ve Saudi Arabia, Cameroon, Japan, South Korea and China from Asia and Africa to put up a big challenge to the Cup holders,” he said.

Ali Somali, a Somali school teacher in Dammam, said: “This is the beginning of a series of upsets that the tournament will witness during the ensuing days. Don’t underestimate Saudi Arabia, Cameroon and South Korea,” he said.

Abdullah Al-Mahdi, a Sudanese sales supervisor in a hardware company in the Eastern Province, said: “The result has ushered in a new era in the history of World Cup. After a long time, the defending champions were defeated in their opening game and that too by an African team. I’m confident that Saudi Arabia, Cameroon, South Korea or Senegal will finally emerge as the champions.” Many Africans, Arabs and Asians were of the view that the FIFA should now realize the need for increasing the slots for Asian and African countries for participation. “The European domination is dying down and Asian and African teams are now taking center-stage.”

Many in the Eastern Province discounted the theory that Senegal’s victory was a fluke. Muhammad Ibrahim, a Sudanese press photographer in an Arabic daily, said: “It was a very convincing win and the Senegalese team effort and proper coordination paid off.”

In Riyadh, Mahmoud Laota, a veteran Sudanese sport journalist, said: “With Zinedine Zidane incapacitated by his injury, the expected has happened. The straws in the wind were clear when France was pitted against Senegal during the lots drawn in Tokyo in December. At that time the French coach had articulated his concerns, since 20 of the 23-man Senegalese squad play in France.”

Another factor that helped Senegal over France, he said, was the presence of El-Hadj Diouf, adjudged the African Footballer of the Year 2001. Dubbed “serial killer,” the pacy striker who plays for a soccer club in France produced some of the best shots to put the French team on the defensive. Moreover, Senegal coach Bruno Metsu is a Frenchman who had put together a formidable team to hand France a drubbing.

Laota added: “Every World Cup holder, reeling under psychological pressure, has often found the opening match a rough ride. Thus Cameroon beat Argentina in 1990.”

Hashim Al-Raya, who watched the action-packed match, praised the Senegalese for their spirited defense against the French. “They went on the offensive at the opportune moment, while their dribbling was perfect.”

The monthlong extravaganza will see many more upsets — this was the general view of soccer fans throughout the Kingdom.

— Javid Hassan in Riyadh, Saeed Haider in Dammam & K.S. Ramkumar in Jeddah