PARIS, 22 June 2003 — An injury-time penalty by midfielder Geremi earned Cameroon a 1-0 victory over Turkey yesterday and put them on the verge of a place in the semifinals of the Confederations Cup.
The finely-balanced Group B match was heading for a goalless draw when midfielder Modeste Mbami was fouled inside the box after a solo run through the defence a minute into injury time.
Geremi slotted home from the spot to hand the Indomitable Lions their second consecutive victory after they upset world champions Brazil by the same scoreline on Thursday. With six points from two games, Wilfried Schaefer’s men are in pole position to grab a place in the last four after title holders France booked their semifinal spot on Friday.
Govou Puts France Into
Cup Semifinals
In St. Etienne, France striker Sidney Govou fired the holders into the Confederations Cup semifinals with an unconvincing 2-1 win over Japan in Group A on Friday.
Govou lashed home the 66th minute winner after Robert Pires, captaining France for the first time, had converted a 43rd minute penalty before Shunsuke Nakamura deservedly leveled for Japan on the hour mark.
The win was marred only by a stoppage-time red card for France defender Willy Sagnol.
