DAMMAM/JEDDAH , 6 June — American expatriates Kingdomwide were in a mood to celebrate yesterday. Reason: Their team had recorded their greatest soccer victory in over half a century when they upset fancied Portugal 3-2 in their World Cup opening group D clash.
Americans in the Eastern Province said they were surprised at the result because Portugal were the favorites to win.
A majority of them admitted they did not expect more than a draw or a very narrow win. But three goals in 36 minutes and that too against a fancied team rekindled the hope of Americans to reach the next round.
"It was a fast paced game and the team took an aggressive stand from the very first minute. It surely paid dividends," said Tom Brett, an American working in Saudi Aramco.
"They followed the formula: Offense is the best defense, and this theory threw the Portuguese defense in total disarray," he said.
The 36th minute goal instilled confidence in the American community here. They felt that this was the best performance of the US team in World Cup history.
Mat Arnold of an oilfield supplies company said: "It looked like a performance from champions. Their game plan put the Portuguese in defense. He, however, hoped that the team would consolidate its defense so that it could retain the lead in other matches of the first round.
"Until the third goal came in the 36th minute, I never expected our team to perform the way they did. Honestly, I would have settled even for a draw," said James Orchid, an engineer.
He hoped that the American team would continue to keep their morale high. "But surely, we’ll have to fortify our defense," he added.
The US were grouped with South Korea, Poland and Portugal in group D. The rest of their matches are also tough. Americans play South Korea on Monday. The Koreans, playing on home ground, are expected to pose a big challenge.
"Koreans are in great form and they surely will be the toughest team in the group. "If Americans continue with their current form then they will easily beat Poland," Arnold added.
In Jeddah Allen Snowden, a courier company executive, said: "As the match progressed, it looked as though surprises were awaiting us. Remember, the US had lost all their first round matches at the last tournament in 1998. So it was a great surprise when the US took an unexpected 3-0 lead after just 36 minutes with goals from midfielders John O`Brien and Landon Donovan and forward Brian McBride."
Bob Johnson, an American executive of an international hotel chain, said the US last won a game at the finals in 1994 on their home soil when they beat Colombia 2-1 in a group game and reached the second round before going out to Brazil. They had not scored three goals in a World Cup match since 1930.
"Portugal, semifinalists at Euro 2000, were expected to make a serious challenge after scoring more goals than any other European nation in the qualifying competition," he said, adding: "The US team’s early goal in the fourth minute unnerved Portugal who seemed to lose their composure thereafter."
