Coach Arena leaves US free to sample night life

HAMBURG, June 8: US coach Bruce Arena keeps a close watch on his team when they are on the field but said he does not worry at all about what they do in their free time -- even in Hamburg with its vibrant night life.

''I sleep well at night,'' he said at a news conference at the US team hotel in the heart of Hamburg that is not far from the famous Reeperbahn with its roaring night life and red light district.

''I'm never concerned about these guys. They're fantastic men and not little kids. I don't believe the job as coach is to make up rules and administer them. I'm not going to sit in the hotel lobby, checking curfews.

''They're responsible men.''

REUTERS