YOKOHAMA -- France pulled off a unique treble Sunday by wrapping up the Confederations Cup title with an effortless 1-0 win over Japan at International Stadium Yokohama.
A headed goal from Arsenal's Patrick Vieira was all that separated the two teams on the scoresheet, but in truth a lot more separates the world and European champion from the Asian champion.
For the Japanese players, the match was less about winning -- no one expected them to do that -- than about regaining their pride following a 5-0 hammering by France at the Stade de France at the end of March.