The Province from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • 41

SHAKY SOCCER NOTES Wednesday, February 2, 1994 Province Sports A41 CHANGES '94 SCHEDULE By Jack Keating Sports Reporter The American Professional Soccer League has for the time being withstood the folding of the Tampa Bay Rowdies. But the APSL appears to be on shaky ground as it tries to grapple with plans to operate for the 1994 season. In a sudden about-face from previously announced strategy of starting the 1994 season after the conclusion of the World Cup, the APSL confirmed on Tuesday that it plans to open the season in early July during the quarterfinals of the World Cup. "We'll play with six teams that we have right now. We'll start in early July," said Emily Ballus, the director of operations for the APSL, from Washington, D.C.

"We seem to have this every year don't we," said Vancouver 86ers -coach Carl Valentine, who has witnessed the folding of the NASL and CSL. "We just have to carry on as normal. Unfortunately, there's not much we can do." Tampa's departure follows the loss of the Toronto Blizzard. With the addition of Seattle, the APSL has six teams: Col- Cameroon on may need aging Lion Staff-News Services Was the Roger Milla announcement another warning sound from the camp of the Indominable Lions? The IL's, as the Cameroon national soccer team is affectionately known, have in the past two weeks changed coaches and refused to deny a rumor that they might need the help of a 42-year-old striker who hasn't played a competitive game in four years. The Cameroon side was the fan favorite in the 1990 Cup, gaining supporters after each game for its delightful positive play and the way it forced commentators from a certain English-speaking, European island nation to eat their thinly veiled racial slurs.

The Lions' great run ended when Gary Lineker scored late to give England a 3-2, come-from-behind win in the quarterfinals. This time, Cameroon is considered only the second or even third best team of the three African participants in USA '94. Nigeria, and possibly Morocco, are picked to fare better. If Milla is allowed to return, it could backfire on Cameroon strategists if they have been swayed by American organizers who are good at spotting star attractions and rather weak on the finer points of the game. Some Cameroon players are already unhappy because Milla is old and he did not play in the qualifying games.

On the sidelines, what could explain a country with an impressive recent soccer pedigree, hiring a coach from a country whose failure to qualify for USA '94 is already in the choke-job hall of fame? Henri Michel, who both played and coached in the World Cup for France, has been named technical director of Cameroon's entry for USA '94. Jules Nyongha will retain his title of coach for Cameroon, but Michel will be in actual charge of the team's preparation. COACHING CAROUSEL: Beside changes at the helm of Cameroon and a revolting Russian team bent on booting its boss, now Dutch Honor Division champion Feyenoord has lost its bench jockey. Wim Jansen has moved to Saudi Arabia where he will work with countryman Leo Beenhakker the 1990 Dutch World Cup mentor to aid the Saudis' World Cup efforts. Their first match together, in Riyadh last week, resulted in a 1-0 win over China.

Also, Belgian coach Raymond Goethals, 73, who guided disgraced French club Olympique Marseille to the European Champions Cup title in 1993, says King Hassan II has asked him to take over as Morocco's coach for USA '94. RUSSIANS TIE: With most of the team staying at orado, Ft. Lauderdale, Los Angeles, Mon-' treal, Seattle and Vancouver. Ballus, who is working on the APSL schedule, says logistics call for the early start. She says the 20-game season will tentatively start July 6 or 8 and end Sept.

24. The playoffs would start the following week and end with the championship game on Oct. 14 weekend. "Getting the schedule out is the most important thing now," said Valentine. "It's the same with the players.

Until we know what's going on we can't really make any moves as far as signing players." DUTCH TREAT: The CSA has scheduled a press conference on Thursday in Toronto to announce that Canada will play Holland in a World Cup tuneup game at Varsity Stadium on June 11. The game, three days after Canada plays Germany at Varsity, is the third confirmed game for Canada. Brazil faces Canada on June 5 in Edmonton. Cameroon, Switzerland, Sweden, Romania and Colombia are among candidates to play at Swangard Stadium as the CSA plans to announce at least two more games in the coming weeks. Thall the 684-9494 PLAY FOR FREE TODAY'S GAME IS HOCKEY TYPE GUESS THE SCORE TEAM 1 TEAM 2 Hartford Whalers Montreal Canadiens Contest phone lines open until game start time or 5 pm, whichever is earlier WORLD CUP NOTES WIN A SPRING TRAINING WEEKEND IN PHOENIX! All correct daily guesses from now through February 28th will be eligible to win a trip for two to Phoenix, Arizona, including airfare and three nights' accomodation, preferred game tickets, exclusive reception BBQ dinner a custom Mariners souvenir Sports Package! We'll be calling you if your name is drawn.

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Province ce THE NEWSPAPER WITH ATTITUDE! PLAY FOR FREE! 684-9494 Call The Winners is owned by Truman Advertising, the official organizer of the contest. Reuter file photo Roger Milla, the venerable star of Cameroon's remarkable performance at the 1990 World Cup, could get the call from his country this year, too. home in an attempt to get their coach dismissed, what was essentially the Russians' side almost stole a win from the Americans Saturday night in Seattle. More than 43,000 curious Washingtonians at the Kingdome saw the Yanks outshoot the visitors 18-3, only to need an 85th minute marker by Alexi Lalas to tie the game 1-1. This is disturbing recent trend for the U.S.: Territorial advantage, but not enough goals to show for the hard work.

SNOW JOB: Argentina's request to shorten the ban against striker Claudio Caniggia has failed. FIFA imposed a 13-month suspension against Caniggia for cocaine use while he was playing for Roma of the Italian League. The ban expires May 8, six weeks before Argentina opens World Cup play June 21 against Greece..