2002 World Cup soccer thread

[TIME TO MAKE $$$]

Group F-England

Still reviving the "Spirit of '66"

It should come as no surprise that the bulk of England's national team plays its club football with Manchester United and Liverpool. During the 2000-2001 season, the two clubs accounted for all of England's domestic trophies as well as the UEFA Cup, and that kind of experience has formed the core of Sven-Goran Eriksson's squad.

David Beckham is already a legend at club level, with Eriksson calling him the world's best free kick taker, and at twenty-five he is the captain of an England team that features Liverpool forwards Michael Owen, Emile Heskey and Robbie Fowler.

With Owen proving that he is among the best strikers in the world (when not sidelined by his weak hamstrings), England fields a lineup capable of flowing, attacking football, applying the kind of consistent pressure usually associated with club sides that spend substantially more time with each other. At the back, defenders Rio Ferdinand and Sol Campbell have looked shaky on occasions but once an understanding is built up between them and young Arsenal wing back Ashley Cole, they should form a stalwart defense with both speed and power.

Though many members of the current squad were also there for a less than impressive UEFA European Championship Belgium/The Netherlands 2000 and the quarter-final loss to Argentina at the 1998 FIFA World Cup France?, they hope to link themselves with the likes of the 1990 squad that fell one game short of the final, or better yet, the legendary 1966 squad that lifted the FIFA World Cup on home soil.

With their coach and many of their supporters believing that the current team has only yet shown glimpses of the kind of football they are capable of playing, England has the potential to erase any lingering doubts at the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan.

Significant past players:

Gary Lineker, Peter Shilton, Kevin Keegan, Gordon Banks, Bobby Charlton, Bobby Moore, Stanley Matthews, Billy Wright

Achievements:

-- Quarter-final 1954 FIFA World Cup Switzerland
-- Quarter-final 1962 FIFA World Cup Chile
-- Champion 1966 FIFA World Cup England
-- 4th 1990 FIFA World Cup Italy
-- 3rd UEFA European Championship Italy 1968
-- Semi-final UEFA European Championship England 1996

 

[Anders]

SOCCER-WORLD-D/L
BECKHAM HOPES RISE AS CHINA AND RUSSIA SUFFER
London, May 19 Reuters - David Beckham's influence on the build-up to the World Cup was felt again on Sunday as England remained positive about their captain's fitness and Argentina's Diego Simeone reopened some old wounds.
Simeone admitted he deliberately tried to get the Manchester United midfielder sent off when the countries met at the 1998 World Cup in France as Beckham -- in South Korea with the England party -- continued his rehabilitation from a broken bone in his foot.
Elsewhere on Sunday, Nigeria -- England and Argentina's group F opponents -- named their 23-man squad for the finals, while China and Russia suffered setbacks with unexpected defeats.
England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson was upbeat about Beckham's recovery as his players trained ahead of a warm-up match against co-hosts South Korea on Tuesday.
``Beckham's condition is rather good,'' the Swede told reporters. ``Of course, we cannot be sure, but all the medical staff are very positive that he will be ready for Sweden.
``It may have been a month or so since he got injured, but I'm sure he won't have forgotten how to play football in that time.''
Eriksson, already without the injured Gary Neville and Steven Gerrard, has given midfielder Kieron Dyer, who has a knee injury, two more days to prove his fitness for the tournament beginning on May 31.
Simeone, who trained with the Argentina squad in front of 3,500 local Japanese fans on Sunday, clashed with Beckham four years ago.
The England player was shown a red card for kicking Simeone during the team's second-round defeat on penalties by Argentina.
``I had tackled him and we both fell to the ground,'' Simeone said in an interview with the UK's Observer Sport Monthly.
``As I was trying to stand up that was when he went on to kick me from behind,'' he added. ``And I took advantage of that. And I think anyone would have taken advantage of that in just the same way.''
The England-Argentina match on June 7 is one of the most eagerly-awaited games of this year's competition.
Nigeria coach Festus Onigbinde left Borussia Dortmund's Sunday Oliseh and Ipswich Town's Finidi George out of his squad.
Both players disappointed in this year's African Nations Cup and Onigbinde had threatened to purge some of the team's old guard.
China, set to make their World Cup debut, lost 1-0 to Dutch club PSV Eindhoven in a friendly.
``I think it's OK that we didn't score today,'' China coach Bora Milutinovic said. ``I hope we don't score against Portugal (in an upcoming friendly). I hope we wait to score against Brazil or Turkey once we get to the World Cup.''
As well as Brazil and Turkey, China meet Costa Rica in group C.
Russia finished bottom of the standings in a four-team international tournament as they lost 6-5 on penalties after a 1-1 draw with a makeshift Yugoslavia side.
The Russians, drawn alongside Japan, Tunisia and Belgium in World Cup group H, were subjected to a chorus of boos and whistles as they left the pitch.
Russia coach Oleg Romantsev, famous for lashing out against journalists and not attending post-match news conferences, was missing once again, sending his assistant Sergei Pavlov instead.
``Of course, we're disappointed because we came here to test our players and also to win this tournament,'' Pavlov said. ``We will talk to all our players before making a final decision on our World Cup squad, which we will announce on Tuesday.''
Another player missing out will be Tunisia's Oussama Sellami, who was diagnosed with a broken toe on Sunday.
Germany are facing up to the prospect of being without young midfielder Sebastian Deisler, who sustained a knee injury in his side's 6-2 win over Austria on Saturday.
But one man's misfortune is another's gain -- Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas was handed Spain's number one jersey following the withdrawal of Santiago Canizares.
Canizares was ruled out of the tournament with a foot injury sustained in a freak accident, and Casillas, who appeared as a substitute in last week's Champions League final, now looks likely to be coach Jose Antonio Camacho's first choice keeper.
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20/05/02 0520NZ
SOCCER-WORLD-ENGLAND-BAR
ENGLAND FOOTBALL SQUAD RUNS UP HUGE BAR BILL IN DUBAI
London, May 19 DPA - The England soccer squad ran up a $US54,000 ($NZ118,577) bar bill during their brief sojourn in Dubai on the way to the Far East, the Sunday Mirror reported today.
The report came as most commentators and players began writing off the team's chances.
The unquenchable thirst demonstrated by the squad's members and their entourage so unsettled the hotel's managers that they asked for the Football Association's credit card as security, according to the tabloid.
The Mirror did, however, acknowledge that prices were high. A pint of beer cost $US6.40, for example.
The final bill implies that every member of the 121-strong party consumed liquor for around $US150 ($A275) a day.
DPA dg

 

[Anders]

CAMEROON COACH KEEPS FAITH WITH AFRICAN CHAMPIONS
Yaounde, May 18 Reuters - Cameroon named their World Cup soccer squad on today less than 24 hours after a 1-2 defeat by Denmark brought the African champions sharply down to earth.
German coach Winfried Schafer stuck largely with the squad which successfully retained the African Nations Cup in February in Mali.
Friday's defeat ended an unbeaten run lasting since before the Nations Cup and gave the team a reality check as they headed for Asia on Saturday.
They take on Ireland, Saudi Arabia and Germany in the World Cup group E, and after Friday's loss Shafer said his team would be taking no chances against the weaker opponents in the group.
``Any one who under-rates Ireland will be heading for the grave,'' he told state radio after the match.
Still, Shafer's confidence seemed intact.
``I just hope that by the time Cameroon meets Germany (Cameroon's third match) the two teams must have already won their tickets for the second round.
``If not, it will be a German who will eliminate Germany from the World Cup,'' Shafer said.
``Cameroon has a big surprise for everyone in Japan and Korea.''
Cameroon made the quarterfinals of the 1990 World Cup -- further than any other African side has gone -- and will make history this time too as the continent's first side to appear at five World Cup tournaments.
Shafer kept in star striker Patrick Mboma despite doubt over his match fitness. The Parma-based player has been on loan to Sunderland for the past few months, but has barely played due to a string of nagging injuries, the worst being a torn tendon.
Shafer had already shortlisted 29 players 10 days ago, and whittled the list down to the final 23 -- one more than he had to play with in Mali.
Of the Nations Cup veterans only defender Jean Dika Dika, who plays with Portuguese side Unaio Lamas, was left out with a knee injury.
He is replaced by Pierre Njanka Beaka of English side Portsmouth, who missed the Nations Cup injured.
The other addition is striker Joseph Desire Job of French club Metz.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Alioum Boukar (Samsunspor, Turkey), Jacques Songo'o (Metz, France), Idriss Carlos Kameni (Juventus, Italy).
Defenders: Rigobert Song (captain; FC Cologne, Germany), Raymond Kalla Nkongo (Extremadura, Spain), Lucien Mettomo (Manchester City, England), Pierre Wome Nlend (Bologna, Italy), Pierre Njanka Beaka (Portsmouth, England).
Midfielders: Bill Tchato (Montpellier, France), Nicolas Alnoudji (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey), Eric Djemba Djemba (Nantes, France), Marc-Vivien Foe (Lyon, France), Lauren Etame Mayer (Arsenal, England), Joseph Cyrille Ndo (Al Khalees, Saudi Arabia), Daniel Ngom Kome (Numancia, Spain), Geremy Njitap Fotso (Real Madrid, Spain), Salomon Olembe (Marseille, France), Joel Epalle (Panahaiki, Greece)
Strikers: Samuel Eto'o Fils (Real Mallorca, Spain), Patrick Mboma (Parma, Italy; on loan to Sunderland, England), Pius Ndiefi (Sedan, France), Patrick Suffo (Numancia, Spain), Joseph-Desire Job (Metz, France).
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19/05/02 1536NZ
SOCCER-WORLD-WRAP
FRANCE BID FANS FAREWELL WITH A DEFEAT
London, May 18 Reuters - World soccer champions France handed their fans an unwelcome parting gift today in the shape of a 1-2 defeat at the hands of neighbours Belgium.
It was their first home loss for three years and hardly the script they wanted as they head off to defend their World Cup crown.
But at least they were in good company on a night that saw a flurry of warmups around Europe.
Italy were another side to go down, losing 1-0 to the Czech Republic in Prague where a first half goal from Vladimir Smicer separated the teams.
However, Germany returned to winning ways with a 6-2 thrashing of Austria, Brazil enjoyed a 3-1 success over a Catalan select side in Barcelona, Poland beat Estonia 1-0 and Nigeria edged past Jamaica in London, also by 1-0.
The French were undone in the dying moments by captain Marc Wilmots, so long the inspiration of the Belgians but at 33 due to retire after the finals.
His key goal against the Czechs last November ensured Belgium's ticket to the tournament and judging by Saturday's winner there could be more to come yet.
A fine volley two minutes into injury time stunned the 80,000 fans and reminded the French that nothing can be taken for granted.
Coach Roger Lemerre observed: ``Defeat is always tough to take and we would have preferred a win as the World Cup is getting very close now. We are very keen to play the next match to bounce back.''
Germany's handsome win over Austria came at a price with key midfielder Sebastian Deisler hurting his troublesome right knee again.
``All we know is that nothing's torn and nothing's broken but he's in a lot of pain,'' Germany coach Rudi Voeller said.
``We have to wait to find out exactly how serious the injury is and we can only hope that it's not too bad.''
Before the game, an opinion poll found that only six percent of Germans believe the national team will add to the country's three World Cup triumphs.
Conducted after Germany's 1-0 loss to a Wales side ranked 96th in the world on Tuesday, the poll found that 75 percent believe the team will fail to reach the quarter-finals.
Saturday night might just alter that perception with Miroslav Klose netting a fine hat-trick.
In Barcelona, two pieces of cool finishing from Ronaldinho and a fine shot from Edmilson gave Brazil their 3-1 win over a battling Catalan regional select team.
Off the field, Russia's players were given an added incentive when an oil firm promised to give players Porsche sportscars as rewards for victories.
A $US100,000 ($NZ219,587) Porsche Boxster is to be presented to the best Russian player in each match the team wins at the World Cup in South Korea and Japan next month, Tyumen Oil Company (TNK) said.
``Seven is the maximum number of games a team can play in this World Cup. As you can see, we believe Russia can get to the final because we ordered seven Porsches,'' TNK vice president Dmitry Ivanov said.
Finally, Spain goalkeeper Santiago Canizares was in philosophical mood after being ruled out of the tournament by a freak accident involving a bottle of cologne that severed a tendon in his foot.
``From the start of my career I have had several strokes of good luck,'' he mused.
``But, just like everyone else, I have also had difficult times which I have had to cope with. Now I have to overcome this blow to my morale.''
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19/05/02 1519NZ
SOCCER-WORLD-ITALY
ITALY SUFFER WORLD CUP SETBACK WITH LOSS TO CZECHS
Prague, May 18 Reuters - Italy suffered a setback to their World Cup preparations with a 1-0 defeat to the Czech Republic in a warm-up on Saturday.
A goal in the 25th minute from Liverpool's Vladimir Smicer sealed the victory for the Czech Republic, who failed to qualify for the World Cup after losing out in their qualifying group playoffs to Belgium -- 2-1 victors over defending champions France in Paris on Saturday.
Italy were without playmaker Francesco Totti, whose absence was notable, particularly in the first half.
Coach Giovanni Trapattoni made wholesale changes to the team for the second half, bringing in forwards Vincenzo Montella and Alessandro Del Piero, with Damiano Tommasi replacing Cristiano Zanetti in midfield.
Despite a measured improvement in the Italian side, the Czechs too became more dangerous and only a brave instinctive save from Francesco Toldo stopped Karel Poborsky scoring when one on one with the keeper.
Italy have been drawn with Ecuador, Croatia and Mexico in Group G at the finals in South Korea and Japan, beginning May 31.
Reuters skr

 

[Anders]

SOCCER-WORLD-BRAZIL
RONALDINHO FIRES DOUBLE FOR BRAZIL
Barcelona, May 18 Reuters - Two pieces of cool finishing from Ronaldinho Gaucho and a fine shot from Edmilson helped Brazil to a 3-1 win over a Catalan regional selection at the Nou Camp on Saturday.
The lively Paris St Germain midfielder notched his first with a sweetly-struck free kick midway through the first half and added a second just before the break when he finished off a darting run by guiding a shot past goalkeeper Victor Valdes.
Catalunya pulled a goal back after the break when Luis Garcia's header was adjudged to have crossed the line despite the acrobatics of Brazil keeper Marcos.
Brazil wrapped up the win when Edmilson cracked home a shot after Catalunya failed to clear a corner.
The four-times world champions continue their preparations for South Korea and Japan with a friendly in Malaysia next week.
Brazil will play Turkey, China and Costa Rica in the opening group phase of the World Cup which starts on May 31.
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SOCCER WORLD POLAND SQUAD
World-Poland announce squad
Warsaw, May 18 Reuters - Poland's soccer coach Jerzy Engel named his 23-player squad for the World Cup finals, relying on the players who beat Estonia 1-0 in their friendly on Saturday.
Engel played 22 players going to the championships in the Estonia tune-up, with only first choice goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek of Liverpool sitting out to rest his sore knee.
Engel's final selection was straightforward after he picked a 24-man squad for a training camp last week, only to have Legia Warsaw winger Bartosz Karwan injured and ruled out of the World Cup.
Poland squad:
Goalkeepers: Jerzy Dudek (Liverpool), Radoslaw Majdan (Goeztepe Izmir), Adam Matysek (RKS Radomsko)
Defenders: Michal Zewlakow (Excelsior Mouscron), Marek Kozminski (Ancona Calcio), Tomasz Waldoch, Tomasz Hajto (both Schalke 04), Jacek Zielinski (Legia Warsaw), Jacek Bak (RC Lens), Tomasz Klos (Kaiserslautern), Arkadiusz Glowacki (Wisla Krakow),
Midfielders: Tomasz Rzasa (Feyenoord), Jacek Krzynowek (Nuernberg), Radoslaw Kaluzny (Energie Cottbus), Arkadiusz Bak (Widzew Lodz), Piotr Swierczewski (Olympique Marseilles), Maciej Murawski (Legia Warsaw), Pawel Sibik (Odra Wodzislaw),
Strikers: Emmanuel Olisadebe (Panathinaikos Athens), Pawel Kryszalowicz (Eintracht Frankfurt), Maciej Zurawski (Wisla Krakow), Marcin Zewlakow ((Excelsior Mouscron), Cezary Kucharski (Legia Warsaw)
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19/05/02 909NZ
SOCCER-WORLD-GERMANY
GERMANY THRASH 6-2 AUSTRIA BUT DEISLER GETS HURT
Leverkusen, Germany, May 18 Reuters - Germany thrashed Austria 6-2 in their last warm-up game before the World Cup on Saturday but an injury sustained by valued midfielder Sebastian Deisler marred the demolition.
Three goals from striker Miroslav Klose, two from versatile midfielder Marco Bode and one from substitute Daniel Bierofka helped the triple world champions bounce back in style four days after an embarrassing 1-0 defeat to Wales in Cardiff on Tuesday.
The price for the morale boost, however, might be high if Hertha Berlin's Deisler cannot be fit in time for the finals starting on May 31.
The Bayern Munich-bound player, who had only recently returned from a long injury break, had to be carried off on a stretcher 20 minutes into the game after clashing with Austrian striker Rolf Landerl.
The gifted 22-year-old held his right knee and then covered his face with his hands.
``It doesn't look too negative but we can't say more for the moment,'' assistant Germany coach Michael Skibbe said shortly after Deisler, who remained sidelined for months after undergoing surgery on his right knee last October, was taken to a nearby hospital to be examined.
Klose opened the scoring with a thunderous drive from just inside the box in the 15th minute before doubling the advantage from close range 14 minutes later. Bode had added another with a header from a Christian Ziege cross in the 36th minute when the visitors pulled one back seconds later with midfielder Rene Aufhauser collecting a pass from playmaker Andreas Herzog to catch the German defence off guard.
Austria, who have failed to qualify for the World Cup, fought back into the match immediately into the second half when midfielder Roman Wallner surprised Germany goalkeeper and captain Oliver Kahn with an angled shot.
But Klose put Germany in control again by heading home from a Jens Jeremies cross to complete his hat-trick in the 53rd minute before Bode placed the issue beyond doubt from a counter-attack in the 70th minute.
Austria had given up when Bierofka completed the rout with seven minutes remaining.
Germany, who were drawn with Cameroon, Ireland and Saudia Arabia in World Cup group E, will now have a short rest before they fly out to their base in Japan on Wednesday. They take on Saudi Arabia on June 1 in Sapporo in their opening game.
Voeller, who has been hit by many injury worries in the build-up to the World Cup, had to leave out Marko Rehmer for Saturday's match after the Hertha Berlin defender sprained his shoulder in training on Friday.
Rehmer should be fit in time for the World Cup and escape the fate of central defenders Jens Nowotny and Christian Woerns and midfielder Mehmet Scholl, who all had to pull out.
Reuters mt

 

[Anders]

18/05/02 2316NZ
SOCCER-WORLD-JAPAN-SQUAD
NAKAYAMA AND AKITA NAMED IN JAPAN SQUAD
Tokyo, May 17 Reuters - Japanese soccer squad named today for the upcoming World Cup:
Goalkeepers - Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi (Portsmouth), Seigo Narazaki (Nagoya), Hitoshi Sogahata (Kashima)
Defenders - Yutaka Akita (Kashima), Ryuzo Morioka (Shimizu), Toshihiro Hattori (Iwata), Tsuneyasu Miyamoto (Gamba Osaka), Naoki Matsuda (Yokohama), Koji Nakata (Kashima)
Midfielders - Hiroaki Morishima (Cerezo Osaka), Hidetoshi Nakata (Parma), Takashi Fukunishi (Iwata), Alessandro Santos (Shimizu), Kazuyuki Toda (Shimizu), Tomokazu Myojin (Kashiwa), Mituso Ogasawara (Kashima), Junichi Inamoto (Arsenal), Shinji Ono (Feyenoord), Daisuke Ichikawa (Shimizu)
Forwards - Takayuki Suzuki (Kashima), Atsushi Yanagisawa (Kashima), Akinori Nishizawa (Cerezo Osaka), Masashi Nakayama (Iwata).
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18/05/02 1735NZ
SOCCER-WORLD-JAPAN
TROUSSIER SIGNALS INTENT WITH BOLD SELECTION
Tokyo, May 17 Reuters - Japan coach Philippe Troussier chose substance over style when he unexpectedly named veterans Masashi Nakayama and Yutaka Akita in his World Cup soccer squad today.
As if to prove the point, Troussier left out Yokohama playmaker Shunsuke Nakamura in favour of the more combative Mitsuo Ogasawara as the Frenchman demonstrated that he would not be influenced by pressure from the Japanese media or public.
Nakamura is hugely popular among fans and sponsors alike in Japan but the 23-year-old has never quite managed to silence critics who regard him as a ``luxury player'' at international level.
Troussier, who left the announcement of his 23-man squad to Japan Football Association officials as he was in Paris to watch holders France play Belgium in a World Cup warm-up on Saturday, was clearly not convinced either.
The World Cup co-hosts have a number of quality players in midfield, including Parma's Hidetoshi Nakata and Feyenoord's Shinji Ono.
With Shimizu's Alessandro Santos likely to come in for Ono on the left and Arsenal's Junichi Inamoto and Shimizu's Kazuyuki Toda certain to fill the two defensive midfield positions, Troussier made a straight choice between Nakamura and Ogasawara.
Predictably, Nakamura's omission was big news in the tabloids on Saturday, with the Nikkan Sports even reporting that 80 percent of more than 18,000 readers who answered their online poll thought that Nakamura deserved a place in the squad.
Troussier, however, will be more concerned with getting the best out of the players he has selected once the World Cup gets under way on May 31.
After months of speculation about his squad, Troussier has opted for a blend of youth and experience, with eight members of Japan's 1998 World Cup squad still present.
``I have chosen a group which I feel is the most balanced in terms of physical condition, ability, understanding of the game and mental strength,'' Troussier said in a statement handed to reporters on Friday.
Japan play Belgium, Russia and Tunisia in Group H in what was regarded as a ``negotiable'' passage to the second round until the 3-0 defeat by Norway on Tuesday gave the Asian champions a much-needed reality check.
Even a seven-match unbeaten run had failed to mask the shortcomings Japan were having both defensively and in attack which were ruthlessly exposed by a Norway side who failed to qualify for the World Cup.
The return of Asian Cup captain Ryuzo Morioka should add some stability to the defence but the recall of Nakayama is unlikely to solve Japan's problems up front.
Former Bolton Wanderers striker Akinori Nishizawa only had his appendix removed last week, Kashima Antlers forward Atsushi Yanagisawa has a broken hand and his club mate Takayuki Suzuki has been out of form.
Nakayama scored Japan's only goal in their World Cup debut in France four years ago and has been a talismanic figure for Japan in the past. But the Jubilo Iwata striker is too one-dimensional to be the answer to Troussier's prayers at the World Cup.
Along with the rest of the ``old guard'' who have been there before, however, Nakayama will provide a calming influence in the dressing room.
His work ethic and immense pride in wearing the Japan shirt is bound to prove contagious to the less experienced members of the squad.
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[Anders]

SOCCER-WORLD-BELGIUM
BELGIUM NAME WEAKENED WORLD CUP SQUAD
Brussels, May 16, Reuters - Belgium coach Robert Waseige left Stefaan Tanghe, Michael Gossens and Marc Hendrikx out of his World Cup soccer plans today when naming a 23-man squad weakened by the absence of injured stalwarts.
Waseige, making the most of thin pickings, named a squad reliant on defenders after leading striker Emile Mpenza was ruled out of the World Cup earlier this week because of a thigh injury.
He was joined on the sidelines by midfielders Walter Baseggio and Philippe Clement, defender Joos Valgaeren and forward Bob Peeters.
Belgium's one ray of sunshine was the inclusion of Derby County striker Branko Strupar, who is fit despite coming off in the closing minutes of the goalless draw against Algeria in Brussels with an inflamed ankle earlier this week.
Belgium's hopes of getting through the first round at the finals now hang on Mpenza's older brother Mbo, who impressed with his pace and energy against Algeria, Genk's Wesley Sonck and veteran captain Marc Wilmots.
Belgium are due to fly to south-east Asia next Wednesday after facing France in a ``friendly'' this weekend.
Belgium have been drawn with co-hosts Japan, Russia and Tunisia in the group phase.\\

SOCCER-WORLD-NIGERIA
FEW SURPRISES AS ONIGBINDE NAMES SQUAD
London, May 19 Reuters - Nigeria coach Festus Adegboye Onigbinde named his 23-man World Cup soccer squad today, the day after his side's 1-0 win against Jamaica in London.
As expected there was no place for Borussia Dortmund's Sunday Oliseh or Finidi George, both of whom played in the disappointing African Nations Cup campaign earlier this year in Mali.
Onigbinde, when he took over from the sacked Shaibu Amodu after the African Nations Cup, threatened to purge some of the old guard and former captain Oliseh, who plays for German champions Borussia Dortmund is the chief victim.
The majority of the squad play their football in Europe, including Arsenal striker Nwankwo Kanu, Chelsea's Celestine Babyaro and Jay-Jay Okocha of Paris St Germain.
Taribo West, who was recently released by German club Kaiserslautern, is also included in the 23.
Shakhtar Donetsk striker Julius Aghahowa, scorer of two goals against Scotland in April and one against Ireland last Thursday, is included while Lokomotiv Moscow midfielder James Obiorah was rewarded for his winner against Jamaica on Saturday with a place in the squad.
Only one home-based player was selected -- Gabros goalkeeper Austin Ejide -- despite several being included in some of the warm-up matches.
In the World Cup finals, which start on May 31, Nigeria are drawn in group F with Argentina, England and Sweden.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Ike Shorunmu (Lausanne, Switzerland), Austin Ejide (Gabros), Vincent Enyeama (Enyimba)
Defenders: Efe Sodje (Crewe, England), Rabiu Afolabi (Standard Liege, Belgium), Ifeanyi Udeze (PAOK Salonika, Greece), Justice Christopher (Royal Antwerp, Belgium), Taribo West (free agent), Joseph Yobo (Olympique Marseille, France), Celestine Babayaro (Chelsea, England), Eric Ejiofor (Maccabi Haifa, Israel), Isaac Okoronkwo (Shakhtar Donetsk, Ukraine)
Midfielders: Mutiu Adepoju (Salamanca, Spain), Austin 'Jay Jay' Okocha (Paris Saint Germain, France), Pius Ikedia (Ajax Amsterdam, Netherlands), James Obiorah (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia), Benedict Akwuegbu (Shenyeng Gendi, China), Garba Lawal (Roda JC Kerkrade, Netherlands), Femi Opabumni (Grasshoppers, Switzerland)
Strikers: Julius Aghahowa (Shakhtar Donetsk, Ukraine), Bartholomew Ogbeche (Paris Saint Germain, France), John Utaka (Al Saad, Qatar), Nwankwo Kanu (Arsenal, England).

 

[TIME TO MAKE $$$]

Group F- Sweden


Strength both at home and away

Sweden overcame a disappointing UEFA European Championship in 2000 by qualifying for the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan? without losing a single game. The team was given a helping hand by drawing a group devoid of any of Europe's traditional powerhouses, and the players took advantage by winning sailing through the group.

The majority of the current Sweden squad play outside the country, although possible starters from the Swedish Allsvenskan league are Christoffer Andersson (Helsingborgs IF), H?kan Mild and Pontus K?mark (IFK Gothenburg) and Teddy Lucic (AIK Solna).

The two biggest names indisputable stars of the line-up, however, in the side are forward Henrik Larsson and defender Patrik Andersson. Glasgow Celtic striker Larsson is one of the world's best outright scorers marksmen and won last year's "Golden Boot" as Europe's top scorer. Captain Patrik Andersson won the UEFA Champions League with Bayern Munich in 2001 before moving to Barcelona last summer. Any chance the country has of doing well in the FIFA World Cup will largely depend on theose two players.

The team's dual twin coaches, Tommy S?derberg and Lars Lagerb?ck, kept a settled squad throughout the campaign, but the emergence of Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the latter stages could see him become the new golden boy of Swedish football. The 19 year-old left Malm? FF in 2001 for Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam, becoming the most expensive Swedish footballer in history.

The team's strength has been the defence. Goalkeeper Magnus Hedman let in only three goals in the 10-game qualifying campaign, while up front, Larsson has formed a productive partnership with SC Heerenveen's Marcus Allb?ck.

Sweden's team makes up for a slight lack of creativity with an emphasis on organization, hard work, and team play, and they have proved to be a very hard side to beat.

Significant past players:

Thomas Brolin, Thomas Ravelli, Gunnar Gren, Nils Liedholm, Lennart Skoglund

Achievements:

-- 4th 1938 FIFA World Cup? France?
-- Final Group 1950 World Cup Brazil?
-- 2nd 1958 FIFA World Cup Sweden?
-- 3rd 1994 FIFA World Cup USA?
-- Semi-final UEFA European Championship Sweden 1992
-- Champion Olympic Games 1948

 

[TIME TO MAKE $$$]

Group F

Post Draw: Quotes and Analysis


Argentina (ARG)

General director of national select teams: Jos? Pekerman
Argentina have landed the hardest group - take nothing away from the other teams. We have been drawn against the strongest of the non-seeded countries, the most experienced side in the African continent as well as another seasoned European campaigner. Nigeria are without question one of the great African sides. Sweden showed in their qualifying group just how good a team they are. The same goes for England, whom everybody wanted to avoid. This is a real heavyweight group but it gives us the chance to show how far we can go in the competition.



Nigeria (NGA)

Coach: Amodu Shaibu
We are older than we were in 1998, but we are still good. It is very hard to be in this killer group. This is a tough one indeed and it will take hard work ? but it will be tough for all the teams. We will be going back to the drawing board to start planning properly how to deal with this group of death.



England (ENG)

Coach: Sven-Goran Eriksson
We have to have more luck than we had tonight to get out of this group. We must play the best African team, Nigeria, and Argentina is the best South American team. It?s a tough draw. I certainly hope that we will have more luck next June. I was talking to Ireland?s manager (Mick McCarthy), and I asked him if he wanted to change groups, and he said "no way". Of course when we meet (teams like this), we must perform at the highest level. It didn?t matter to me whether we ended up in Korea or Japan. We were lucky with one thing - we don?t have to change countries. At least we will be in Japan until the end.



Sweden (SWE)

Coach: Tommy S?derberg
It?s a tough group, but we have nothing to fear. England has some fine players such as David Beckham and Michael Owen and it?s always special to play against the English, since I have so many friends there. Argentina is also excellent in every aspect of play. Matias Almeyda in defence, Batistuta in attack? I have a lot of respect for this team ? they might actually be the best in the world at the moment, along with France. As far as the rest of the tournament is concerned ? no comment. The group stage will be tricky enough as it is?

 

[Anders]

SOCCER-WORLD
FRANCE IN PARADISE AS GERMAN INJURIES BITE
London, May 20 Reuters - Preparations for the World Cup, just 11 days away, moved up a gear on Monday as the France squad arrived in Japan to fine tune their training before beginning the defence of their crown.
With Brazil also closing in -- they spend six days in Malaysia -- and England installed in South Korea before a game against the joint hosts on Tuesday, the phoney war is almost over.
Three-times world champions Germany do not arrive in Japan until Wednesday, but when they do it will be without midfielder Sebastian Deisler.
The loss of the Bayern Munich-bound player, who has a right knee injury, is another huge blow to Germany coach Rudi Voeller, who is already without injury victims Christian Woerns, Jens Nowotny and Mehmet Scholl.
``At first we had a glimmer of hope,'' Voeller said about Deisler, who suffered the damage during Germany's 6-2 rout of Austria in a friendly on Saturday.
``But now what is important is to think of the health of Sebastian and not about the World Cup. I can only wish that he is fit again soon.''
Elsewhere, the warm-up matches continued on Monday, with Turkey beating a Hong Kong XI 2-0 and South Africa beating Scotland by the same score in a four-team tournament in Hong Kong.
France have just one more friendly scheduled, against Korea next Sunday, before getting the tournament under way against Senegal in Seoul on May 31.
They will spend five days in the tiny Japanese coastal resort of Ibusuki, enough to get over the disappointment of their 2-1 home defeat by Belgium on Saturday.
``The place... really looks like paradise. It's where we needed to be to prepare ourselves,'' said team spokesman Philippe Tournon.
France have been provided with two grounds, one to train on and the other to take on Japanese first division side Urawa Reds in a friendly match of three 30 minute periods on Wednesday.
The only player missing from the world champions' squad when they flew in was Zinedine Zidane, who delayed his trip until Wednesday after his wife gave birth to their third child on Saturday.
Brazil's injury-hit striker Rivaldo said he had finally shaken off the pain in his troublesome right knee as the four times champions arrived in Malaysia.
Rivaldo, whose knee has become a major worry for Brazil, trained with his team mates for the first time since the squad assembled in Spain last week and said he wanted to play the whole of Saturday's friendly against Malaysia.
``It depends on the coach, but if it depended on me then I would like to play the full 90 minutes,'' he said.
Rivaldo has not played a competitive match for nearly a month.
England, who had had a week in sweltering Dubai, welcomed the change of scene and a drop in temperature from 39 to 22 degrees Celsius as they acclimatised on the sub-tropical island of Cheju.
After playing Korea, England leave on Saturday for Kobe, Japan, where they meet Cameroon in a friendly the following day before opening their finals campaign against Sweden on June 2.
``(Dubai) was half work, half holiday -- but now it is work,'' England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said on Monday. ``You can say that today it starts.''
China's estimates that 100,000 fans would follow them to their first World Cup are now looking wildly optimistic.
Only 25,000 have so far bought tickets as many have been put off buying tickets in Korea by high prices. Nevertheless, 25,000 still represents the largest exodus of tourists from the country in recent times.
China play Portugal in a friendly on Saturday but the Portuguese are likely to rest World Player of the Year Luis Figo, who is short of fitness.
Russia are expected to name their squad later on Monday but playmaker Alexander Mostovoi, who suffered a hamstring injury in Sunday's 1-1 friendly draw with Yugoslavia, faces a race against time to make their opening game against Tunisia on June 5.
``My guess is that in his case it should take from 10 to 14 days to be fully fit,'' said team doctor Yuri Vasilkov.
Monday's on-pitch action took place in Hong Kong in a four-team Reunification tournament.
South Africa, who have looked below par in recent months, rediscovered some form against Scotland with a well-deserved 2-0 win.
Goals for Tebogo Makoena and substitute George Koumantarakis proved decisive but of more importance to coach Jomo Sono was the fact that injury-ravaged Lucas Radebe played the whole match without problem.
Galatasaray forward Hasan Sas scored the second goal and won a penalty for the first -- converted by Hakan Sukur -- as Turkey beat a Hong Kong XI 2-0 in the other game.
Turkey face South Africa on Thursday.

 

[Anders]

SOCCER-WORLD-GERMANY
DEISLER RULED OUT AS GERMANY JINX STRIKES
Berlin, May 20 Reuters - Germany's hopes of adding to their three World Cup soccer titles were dealt a heavy blow today when injury ruled influential midfielder Sebastian Deisler out of this year's finals just two days before the squad fly to Japan.
``Sebastian Deisler will not be available to the German team for the World Cup in South Korea and Japan,'' the DFB said in a brief statement.
Deisler injured his troublesome right knee after he clashed with Austrian striker Rolf Landerl in Saturday's friendly match.
``I'm terribly disappointed that I won't be at the World Cup, but I can't change that,'' Deisler said.
``I just wish the team success.''
A scan on Sunday found that the 22-year-old had not torn any ligaments, but a medical examination in Munich on Monday revealed blood clots that required treatment.
``At first we had a glimmer of hope,'' coach Rudi Voeller said.
``But now the most important thing to think about is the health of Sebastian rather than the World Cup. I can only wish that he is fit again soon.''
Deisler's loss is a bitter blow to Voeller, who had already lost three important players for the World Cup in experienced central defenders Christian Woerns and Jens Nowotny and Mehmet Scholl, who like Deisler was a potential midfielder match winner.
It leaves Leverkusen's Michael Ballack as the only world class player at the heart of the German team.
Voeller is expected to name a replacement for Deisler on Tuesday, when he is also obliged to give his final 23-man squad to FIFA.
Germany are drawn with Cameroon, Ireland and Saudi Arabia in group E of the finals. They take on Saudi Arabia on June 1 in Sapporo in their opening game.
Voeller has set his team the target of qualifying for the knockout phase, a modest goal for a nation that would normally have settled for nothing but the title itself.
SOCCER-WORLD-RUSSIA
RUSSIA NAME EXPERIENCED SQUAD FOR FINALS
Moscow, May 20 Reuters - Russia coach Oleg Romantsev sprung few surprises today when he named an experienced 23-man squad for the World Cup soccer finals.
As expected, Romantsev included 33-year-old Celta Vigo playmaker Alexander Mostovoi, who doctors hope will be fit within two weeks after suffering a minor tear in his right hamstring in Sunday's friendly against Yugoslavia.
Also included were Tirol Innsbruck goalkeeper Stanislav Cherchesov, who turns 39 in September, and newcomers Dmitry Sennikov (fullback), Igor Semshov (midfield) and Alexander Kerzhakov and Ruslan Pimenov (both strikers).
Romantsev dropped four players -- defender Omari Tetradze and midfielders Andrei Karyaka, Andrei Arshavin and Denis Laktionov --from a preliminary squad he named a week ago.
There was also no room in the squad for in-form Lokomotiv Moscow goalkeeper Sergei Ovchinnikov and CSKA Moscow winger Rolan Gusev.
Both players accused Romantsev of having a personal grudge against them.
``I was hoping that common sense would prevail in the end,'' Ovchinnikov told Russian daily Sovietsky Sport.
``I still feel that you don't deal in such a way at this (World Cup) level, but I guess I was wrong.''
Former Russia captain Igor Shalimov also criticised Romantsev for omitting Gusev and Ovchinnikov.
``If you are the national team coach, a professional, you have to put the team interests above anything else,'' said Shalimov, who made his international debut for the Soviet Union at the 1990 World Cup finals in Italy.
``It's nonsense when you have two of Russia's best players omitted from the national team for whatever reason.''
Romantsev denied the accusations, saying he and his two assistant coaches all agreed on the selected players.
The embattled Romantsev has already been under heavy fire from local media and fans since February, following Russia's disappointing showing in warm-up matches.
On Sunday, the Russians were subjected to a chorus of whistles and boos at Moscow's Dynamo stadium as they walked off the pitch after losing to Yugoslavia in a penalty shootout in their last friendly.
Russia's fourth defeat in five matches this year has severely dented the team's morale ahead of their departure for the World Cup on Saturday.
``By watching Russia in recent warm-ups I don't think this team is capable of causing any headaches for their opponents in Japan and Korea,'' said former Soviet international Alexander Bubnov, who played in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico and now serves as the country's leading soccer analyst.
``Simply speaking, these is little style or substance in it.''
The Russians have been drawn in the same first-round group as co-hosts Japan, Belgium and Tunisia for the finals, which start on May 31.
Reuters dg
NZP

 

[Anders]

SOCCER-WORLD-REUNIFICATION-SAFRICA
SOUTH AFRICA EASE TO 2-0 WIN OVER SCOTLAND
Hong Kong, May 20 Reuters - South Africa got their World Cup soccer preparations back on track with a comfortable 2-0 win over an experimental Scotland side in the first game of the four-nation Reunification Cup tournament in Hong Kong today.
The Africans had lost to Saudi Arabia and Georgia, drawn with Botswana and Ecuador and scraped to a 1-0 win over Madagascar in recent friendlies.
But goals from midfielder Teboho Mokoena in the 32nd minute and substitute George Koumantarakis in the 90th secured a solid victory.
Mokoena scored from a tight angle after goalkeeper Rab Douglas failed to hold a low Benni McCarthy free kick.
Koumantarakis completed the win when he blasted low shot past Douglas after a well-timed run.
South Africa, who face Paraguay, Slovenia and Spain in the World Cup group B, were deserved winners and Porto striker McCarthy, looking lively throughout, could have had two further goals.
It was Scotland's fourth successive defeat under new manager Berti Vogts but the team, featuring several youngsters, produced a much improved display from last week's 4-1 loss to South Korea.
Kevin Kyle of Sunderland, making his debut, hit the bar with a nice chip midway through the second half while Maurice Ross almost caught out South African keeper Hans Vonk with a long-range lob a couple of minutes from time.
Turkey were playing a Hong Kong 11 later on Monday in the second game of the tournament.
Reuters dg
SOCCER-WORLD-RUSSIA-SQUAD
RUSSIA SQUAD FOR WORLD CUP FINALS
Moscow, May 20 Reuters - Russia coach Oleg Romantsev today
named the following 23-man squad for the World Cup finals
in Japan and South Korea, where Russia are drawn in group H with
Japan, Belgium and Tunisia.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Ruslan Nigmatullin (Verona), Alexander
Filimonov (Uralan Elista), Stanislav Cherchesov (Tirol
Innsbruck)
Defenders: Yuri Nikiforov (PSV Eindhoven), Viktor Onopko
(Oviedo), Igor Chugainov (Uralan Elista), Yuri Kovtun (Spartak
Moscow), Vyacheslav Dayev (CSKA Mo scow), Andrei Solomatin (CSKA
Moscow), Dmitry Sennikov (Lokomotiv Moscow)
Midfielders: Alexander Mostovoi (Celta Vigo), Valery Karpin
(Celta Vigo), Dmitry Alenichev (Porto), Yegor Titov (Spartak
Moscow), Dmitry Khokhlov (Real Sociedad), Sergei Semak (CSKA
Moscow), Alexei Smertin (Girondins Bordeaux), Marat Izmailov
(Lokomotiv Moscow), Igor Semshov (Torpedo Moscow)
Strikers: Vladimir Beschastnykh (Spartak Moscow), Dmitry
Sychyov (Spartak Moscow), Alexander Kerzhakov (Zenit St
Petersburg), Ruslan Pimenov (Lokomotiv Moscow)
Reuters dg

 

[TIME TO MAKE $$$]

Group G-Italy

Defence again key to success

Despite less-than-convincing performances in qualifying, confidence is high in Italy that the Azzurri will be strong contenders for the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan? and follow-up on their second-place finish in the UEFA European Championship 2000.

'La Nazionale' have a strong team with undoubted ability, but with so many stars to choose from, it will be vital that technical director Giovanni Trapattoni picks the right combination. Certainly a key player for the Azzurri will be Francesco Totti. The Roma maestro was outstanding last year with his club during their Scudetto-winning campaign. Trapattoni said that Totti was a visionary leader "capable of inspiring his side to [FIFA World Cup] victory next summer." He has the ability to lift the players around him, and his passing and commitment are second to none.

In attack, Christian Vieri appears to be Trapattoni's first-choice striker, but the Inter Milan player is injury prone. Also in the frame are former Juventus team mates Alessandro Del Piero, Filippo Inzaghi, and even possibly the resurgent Roberto Baggio.

A key ingredient in Italy's hopes for the FIFA World Cup is their defensive pedigree. Stinginess is a typical Italian trait on the pitch, and their performance to reach the final of the European Championship and in the qualifiers - they allowed just three goals in eight matches -mean that Italian resolve is as strong as ever.

One of the main reasons for this in recent years has been the play of defender Paolo Maldini, Italy's most capped player, who will be retiring after the finals. The 33-year-old has been one of the most consistent performers for Italy over the last ten years, and his displays for Milan and Italy have shown that he has been one of the best defenders of his generation, combining tactical awareness with skill and pace.

The likes of world-class players Fabio Cannavaro and Alessandro Nesta fill out a back line likely to keep the three-time World Champions in any match.

Significant past players:

Roberto Baggio, Franco Baresi, Marco Tardelli, Paolo Rossi, Marco Tardelli, Dino Zoff, Luigi Riva, Gianni Rivera, Sandro Mazzola, Giacinto Facchetti, Giuseppe Meazza

Achievements:

-- Champion 1934 FIFA World Cup Italy
-- Champion 1938 FIFA World Cup France
-- 2nd 1970 FIFA World Cup Mexico
-- 4th 1978 FIFA World Cup Argentina
-- Champion 1982 FIFA World Cup Spain
-- 3rd 1990 FIFA World Cup Italy
-- 2nd 1994 FIFA World Cup USA
-- Quarter-final 1998 FIFA World Cup France
-- Champion UEFA European Championship Italy 1968
-- 4th UEFA European Championship Italy 1980
-- 3rd UEFA European Championship France 1984
-- 2nd UEFA European Championship Belgium - The Netherlands 2000
-- Champion Olympic Football Tournament 1936

 

[TIME TO MAKE $$$]

Group G- Ecuador

Ecuador: the history makers

Ecuador is a country of oil, emeralds and bananas. It is also a point of reference for the rest of the world, hence the equator. What it has never been, however, is a land of footballing opportunity.
That changed on November 7, when Ecuador reached the FIFA World Cup? finals for the first time. The history-defying moment came with a 1-1 draw against Uruguay - and despite an apparently modest set of players and the less-than-confident murmurings of their Colombian coach, Hernan Dario Gomez. At the start of the 2002 qualifying campaign, not even the most chauvinistic local commentator would have predicted Ecuador going to Japan and Korea. Gomez's team began accumulating points alright, but you could have put that down to their home advantage high in the Andes.

So it was only when they set off on a run of five straight wins - against Chile (1-0), Venezuela (2-1), Brazil (1-0), Paraguay (2-1), and Peru (2-1) - that eyebrows (not to mention roofs in the capital Quito) started to be raised.

Just as impressive was the manner of their victories: Ecuador were down to 10 men when they came from behind to beat Paraguay and Peru. The reward for such displays of character was a leap of 33 places in the FIFA world rankings, from 71st to 38th.

Yet Ecuador, traditionally the poor relation of South American soccer, had been on the rise since 1989, when Montenegrin Dusan Draskovic took over as national coach.

Among his proteges was striker Agustin Delgado, who finished joint top scorer in the Conmebol section alongside Hernan Crespo. "T?n's" goals helped secure a move to English Premiership club Southampton, as well as hero status.

Just as valuable, however, were the contributions of his team-mates: Cevallos (Barcelona); De la Cruz (Hibernian, Scotland), Guerron (Deportivo Quito), Hurtado (La Piedad, Mexico), Poroso (Emelec); Tenorio (Aucas), Obregon (Delfin), Aguinaga (Necaxa, Mexico), Cleber Chala (Nacional); Ivan Kaviedes (Celta Vigo, Spain).

Ecuador will be hoping for more of the same this summer.

Significant past players:

Alberto Spencer.

Achievements:

-- Copa America fourth place 1993
-- FIFA World Youth Championship 2001, last 16
-- 2002 FIFA World Cup? second in South American qualifying group

 

[TIME TO MAKE $$$]

Group G-Croatia

Croatia discover winning ways again

After rising to the dizzy heights during the 1998 FIFA World Cup France? where they finished in an amazing third place, Croatia have since then been tumbling down the world rankings. Missing out on the UEFA European Championship 2000 Belgium/The Netherlands combined with other bad results left Croatia with just three wins in 15 matches following their 1998 success.
Now it seems they have regained their footing after qualifying for their second consecutive FIFA World Cup finals in their short existence as an independent national squad. Although no Croatian player would dare to hope for another bronze medal finish at the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan, the team is a confident mix of young and experienced.

The squad features several new faces, but many of the stars of the 1998 team remain, including Golden Boot winner Davor Suker (currently without a club), Robert Prosinecki (Portsmouth), Mario Stanic (Chelsea), Robert Jarni (Las Palmas), Zvonimir Soldo (Stuttgart), Igor Stimac (Hajduk Split), Igor Tudor (Juventus) and Dario Simic (Inter Milan).

ith these players who have played in Europe's top leagues for years now, and the fresh talent of Aston Villa striker Bosko Balaban, Bayern Munich's brothers Robert and Niko Kovac, as well as powerful attacker Alen Boksic (Middlesbrough) who missed both the UEFA European Championship England 1996 and the 1998 FIFA World Cup? due to injuries, Croatia could once again be a dark horse.

Croatia do have their problems, however, most notably how to balance the ageing stars -- Suker, Jarni, Prosinecki and Soldo -- with the up-and-coming talent. Yet morale is high, particularly since the arrival of new manager Mirko Jozic. After taking over from legendary coach Miroslav "Ciro" Blazevic, Jokic lead Croatia to an undefeated finish in qualification under his tutelage with five wins and three draws, taking them on the crest of a wave into Korea and Japan.

Significant past players:

Zvonimir Boban, Slaven Bilic, Drazan Jerkovic (former Yugoslavia), Josip Skoblar (former Yugoslavia).

Achievements:

-- 3rd, 1998 FIFA World Cup France

 

[TIME TO MAKE $$$]

Group G-Mexico

Lucky 13?

Mexico has long been the super-power of the CONCACAF federation. Their visit to Korea and Japan will mark their 13th qualification for a FIFA World Cup? final, with nearest rivals the United States lagging behind on seven.
Like Brazil and Italy, Mexico have to do more than win to please their fans - they have to win with style. Qualification for the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan? was anything but stylish, however, with the Tri-Colores going through three managers in order to book their ticket for the Far East. Manuel Lapuente started the Mexican campaign but resigned before the end of the semi-final round. Former international Enrique Meza taking over and will henceforth be known as the first Mexican manager to lose a qualifier in his homeland. After Javier Aguirre, a 1986 FIFA World Cup player, assumed the managerial reins, the Mexicans climbed back up the table, exhibiting strong ball control and a tough-tackling style.

Aguirre's preferred formation is 4-4-2 with a dominant midfield. The defence is marshalled by the all-time leading in caps Claudio "El Emperador (The Emperor)" Suarez, a lynchpin since late 1990 whose position play is unparalleled as either a sweeper or a stopper. The midfield general, Alberto Garcia Aspe, returned to the Mexican squad when Aguirre took over, bringing with him a wealth of experience gleaned from almost 100 caps, 22 goals and two FIFA World Cups?.

Significant past players:

Antonio Carbajal, Carlos Hermosillo

Achievements:

-- Winner CONCACAF Gold Cup 1993, 1996, 1998
-- Winner FIFA Confederations Cup 1999

 

[TIME TO MAKE $$$]

Group G


Post Draw: Quotes and Analysis

Italy (ITA)

Coach: Giovanni Trapattoni
It seems to be an easy group for us, but we cannot rest assured. Croatia has a strong team and what really worries me is that Croatian players know the Italian team well through their participation in Italian leagues. Nor is Mexico an easy team to deal with because it is a country with a long tradition in football. As for Ecuador, this is the first time that we will play them and we haven't had the chance to measure up their strength, which could make it difficult. It is above all a newly emerging country in the world football scene and it's only easy to win in theory. We will need a lot of caution and attention. As for having to travel from Japan to Korea after the first round, it will of course be tiring for our players, but the chances were 50:50 and there is nothing we could do about it.


Ecuador (ECU)

General Manager of Team Affairs: Edmundo Luna
In my opinion Italy stand out as the best team in the group. They have won the tournament three times and their qualifying campaign commands the utmost respect. Croatia are not to be underestimated either - they have an excellent defence that only conceded two goals in qualifying and finished third overall in the last World Cup. We have played against Mexico many times in friendly matches with most of the encounters ending in stalemates. We know their capabilities inside out as most of our players ply their trade in their league and their style of play is very similar to ours. We afford all our rivals the same amount of respect but Ecuador will leave no stone unturned in terms of preparation for the tournament proper.


Croatia (CRO)

Coach: Mirko Jozic
I am very satisfied with the draw, no question about it. Italy and ourselves are favourites in this group, but both the teams from the Americas play a very technically-strong style of football, which is an important factor.



Mexico (MEX)

Coach: Javier Aguirre
We already had one eye on Japan, a country we know well and which was our preferred option before the draw was made. Scanning our rivals, I think that the Croatians are a good footballing nation with very skilful players... they have only been an independent country for a short while but have achieved great things in that time. They are a strong side with quality players who will have a major say in the way the group pans out. Ecuador will be another difficult match. We know each other's games very well because many of their players play in our league. Furthermore, they have a talented coach in Hern?n Dar?o G?mez who has now got his own system working well. It will be neck and neck all the way. We were drawn in the same group as Italy in 1994 and came away with a good draw. They are one of the best teams in the tournament and will always be a tough nut to crack. They have to be among the handful of favourites to win the World Cup.



Group Analysis:

Ecuador are at their first FIFA World Cup final and Croatia at their second, so head-to-head clashes have been at a premium amongst Group G rivals. Italy and Mexico have met twice, however, the Azzurri winning 4-1 against the host nation in 1970 whilst the two sides played out a 1-1 draw at USA 94.

Group G is very much a second "Group of Death", with the average FIFA/Coca-Cola rankings of the teams at the time of the Final Draw being 18 - only one less than Group F. Likewise, these are the only two groups to have two top-ten ranked teams in them - Italy 6th and Mexico 9th in Group G, Argentina 2nd and England 10th in Group F.

 

[Anders]

SOCCER-WORLD-SAUDI-TEAM
SAUDI ARABIA'S 23-MAN ROSTER FOR THE 2002 WORLD CUP FINALS
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 21 AP - Saudi Arabia's 23-man roster for the 2002 soccer World Cup finals in South Korea and Japan:
Goalkeepers: Mohammed al-Duay (Al-Hilal); Mohammed al-Khojali (Al-Nassr); Mabrouk Zayed (Al-Ittihad)
Defenders: Ahmed al-Dokhi (Al-Hilal); Mohsen al-Harthy (Al-Nassr); Fawzi al-Shihri (Al-Ahli); Mansur al-Thakafi (Al-Nassr); Hussein Abdel Ghani (Al-Ahli); Mohammed Shileah (Al-Ahli); Abullah Sulaiman (Al-Hilal); Reda Takr (Al-Shabab)
Midfielders: Omar al-Ghamdi (Al-Hilal); Abdel Aziz al-Khathran (Al-Shabab); Khamis al-Ouwairan (Al-Ittihad); Mohammed al-Shalhoub (Al-Hilal); Nawaf al-Temayat (Al-Hilal); Abdullah al-Waked (Al-Shabab); Mohammed Nour (Al-Ittihad)
Forwards: Obeid al-Dossary (Al-Ahli); Sami al-Jaber (Al-Hilal); Abdullah al-Jamaan (Al-Hilal); Al-Hassan al-Yami (Al-Ittihad); Ibrahim Suwaid (Al-Ahli)
AP hc
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22/05/02 0933NZ
SOCCER-WORLD-SAFRICA-BOOTH
INJURED BOOTH REPLACED BY LEKGETHO FOR SOUTH AFRICA
Johannesburg, May 21 Reuters - South Africa defender Matthew Booth was injured in training in Hong Kong on Tuesday and has been replaced in the soccer World Cup squad by Jacob Lekgetho, the South African Football Association announced on Tuesday.
Booth, 24, hurt his knee and was withdrawn from the squad after seeing doctors in Hong Kong, where South Africa are taking part in a four-nation World Cup warm-up tournament.
He will be replaced by Lokomotiv Moscow defender Lekgetho, who was a surprise omission from the World Cup squad announced last week by coach Jomo Sono.
Lekgetho missed the African Nations Cup finals through injury but now gets a chance to participate in his first major tournament. The 28-year-old has won 15 caps for South Africa. Reuters
Reuters hc

 

[Anders]

SOCCER-WORLD-ENGLAND
ENGLAND RISK INJURED DYER AT WORLD CUP
Seogwipo, South Korea, May 22 AFP - England decided to risk injured midfielder Kieron Dyer instead of a fit Trevor Sinclair in the final 23 man squad for the soccer World Cup.
A disappointed Sinclair who had travelled with England to the South Korean training camp was expected to return home tomorrow to remain on stand-by.
Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson made the decision after England were held to a 1-1 draw by South Korea in their penultimate warmup match here tonight, FA spokesman Paul Newman said.
The squad lists had to be sent to FIFA by midnight Tuesday European time.
But Newman insisted that Sinclair's performance in the disappointing draw played no role in the decision.
Newcastle United's Dyer has made a spectacular recovery from a knee ligament injury suffered on the final day of the English Premiership season this month against Southampton.
He was originally told he would need a ``miracle'' recovery to make the World Cup finals in South Korea and Japan which start May 31.
Newman said ``Sven spoke to Trevor and Trevor is obviously very disappointed not to be in the final 23.
``But he remains commited to being standby player but he has decided he would prefer to return home. He will probably fly back to Britain on Wednesday but he will continue to train at West Ham so he remains fit.''
Newman added that ``Sven-Goran Eriksson specifically praised Trevor Sinclair for his professionalism and commitment and fully understands his decision to fly back.''
England coaching staff have said Dyer is making remarkable progress with a rehabilitation programme started at Newcastle. He was to take part in field training on Wednesday.
If teams suffer an injury between the FIFA deadline and their first matches, they can still replace a player.
In England's case that means Sinclair could return to the England squad in Japan as late as June 1 ahead of their June 2 Group F opener against Sweden in Saitama if Dyer fails to prove his fitness.
The only change to the original squad announced by Eriksson on May 9 is that midfielder Danny Murphy, who was originally on standby, has replaced injured Liverpool colleague Steven Gerrard and takes over his number four shirt.
Midfield remains a worrying area for England with captain David Beckham and Manchester United team-mate Nicky Butt both battling injuries.
England's final warmup match is against Cameroon in Kobe on Sunday.
AFP hc
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22/05/02 0652NZ
SOCCER-WORLD-SINGAPORE
URUGUAY STRUGGLE IN WORLD CUP WARM-UP
Singapore, May 21 Reuters - Uruguay, missing 10 of their World Cup squad, laboured to a 2-1 win over Singapore in a warm-up friendly on Tuesday.
Richard Morales scored Uruguay's two goals in the National Stadium, the first after a flash of individual brilliance by Diego Forlan of English premier league Manchester United.
Forlan's hard work from the right set up a simple tap-in for Morales in the 27th minute. Morales headed in the second from a corner in the 77th minute.
Indra Sahdan Daud pulled a goal back for Singapore in the 82nd minute when he scored a penalty after he had been brought down by substitute Uruguay goalkeeper Federico Elduayen.
The Uruguayans, who open their World Cup group A campaign against Denmark in Ulsan, South Korea, on June 1, played at half pace, suffering in the heat and stifling humidity.
Forlan and Morales worked hard but received little support. They broke through the Singapore defence time and again but their finishing let them down.
Ten members of the Uruguayan squad did not make the trip to Singapore from their temporary base in Japan, many of their European-based players feeling the effects of their club seasons which ended only two weeks ago.
Regular goalkeeper Fabian Carini injured his knee just before halftime and, although the injury was not said to be serious, was substituted after the interval.
Coach Victor Pua gave his other substitutes a run in the second half but the combination looked anything but impressive as players struggled to find any kind of rhythm.
Reuters mt
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22/05/02 0307NZ
SOCCER-WORLD-BRAZIL (pics available)
BRAZIL CAPABLE OF WINNING FIFTH WORLD CUP, COACH SAYS
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, May 21, AP - Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari today said a new, more powerful Brazil, capable of wresting a record fifth soccer World Cup, have emerged from the ashes of a disappointing qualifying campaign.
``When we started the qualifying tournament, we did not act as a team, and that affected our performance,'' Scolari said.
``Now we have a very good team. I think the situation is entirely different.''
The star-studded squad got down to serious training today, a day after arriving in this Southeast Asian country from Spain for their last training stop before heading to South Korea.
Toward the end of a two-hour morning session, strikers Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Denilson, Luizao and Edilson, along with attacking midfielder Ronaldinho, carried out shooting drills under Scolari's watchful eyes.
Rivaldo appeared to have recovered from knee problems that forced him to sit out several Spanish league games for Barcelona and Brazil's 3-1 victory in last weekend's ``friendly'' against Catalonia.
The world will have its first glimpse of Scolari's new side, complete with the Ronaldo-Rivaldo partnership, when Brazil face Malaysia in a ``friendly'' here on Saturday.
``The starting line-up here will probably be the same as the match in Catalonia, with the additions of Rivaldo and Roberto Carlos,'' Scolari said.
Team captain Emerson, who plays for Roma, said Brazil's group C opener against Turkey on June 3 would be difficult because the first match ``is always tough. It is a psychological thing''.
But Brazil are expected to easily dominate the group, which also includes China and Costa Rica.
Emerson said he wanted to make up for the loss to France in the final four years ago.
``I was not happy about the final outcome against France,'' Emerson said.
``But in life, we can't always win. I only hope that things will change this time around.''
Emerson picked Paris St Germain star Ronaldinho, part of the vaunted Triple R offence with Ronaldo and Rivaldo, as Brazil's player to watch.
``He is in excellent shape and he showed this in our last few matches,'' Emerson said.
``I am sure he will do well in the World Cup.''
Despite having some of the best players in the world, Brazil scraped through qualifying to make the cut for South Korea and Japan and maintain their record of playing in every edition of the World Cup.
Scolari made no apologies for stressing hard defence over the samba-style offence that Brazil have long prized.
``Our objectives are clear,'' Scolari said.
``Under me, I run the team like an enterprise. We must show results.''
AP md
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[Anders]

SOCCER-WORLD-JAPAN
JAPAN'S MISSION NOT IMPOSSIBLE, INSISTS TROUSSIER
By Alastair Himmer of Reuters
Morimachi, Japan, May 21, Reuters - Japan are on a ``mission'' reach the second round of the World Cup soccer tournament, coach Philippe Troussier said today.
The Frenchman told reporters Japan had nothing to fear from their Group H opponents Belgium, Russia and Tunisia as they attempt to avoid becoming the first host country not to progress beyond the group phase of the World Cup.
``Our mission is a difficult one but it is not mission impossible,'' Troussier sai8d. ``I have total faith that the players I have chosen can do the job asked of them.''
Co-hosts South Korea face Poland, Portugal and the US in Group D and will be just as anxious as Japan to avoid a first-round exit.
Japan Football Association (JFA) president Shunichiro Okano said the country expected the national team to make history at the World Cup.
``Japan have never won a match at the World Cup but I believe the players will want to write a new chapter in Japanese football history this summer,'' Okano said.
Japan lost all three of their matches in their World Cup debut in France in 1998.
Troussier, who returned from Paris on Monday after watching Belgium beat holders France 2-1 in a World Cup warm-up on Saturday, was in no mood to answer questions from journalists after a difficult week.
His nephew died in a traffic accident the previous weekend and Japan were humbled 3-0 by Norway last Tuesday, a result which gave the Asian champions a World Cup wake-up call.
``The 23 players I picked have come through the system that we have had in place for four years,'' Troussier said. ``I asked the players to show their pride at being selected and to go out and prove that they deserve to be there.''
His decision to leave Yokohama playmaker Shunsuke Nakamura out of the squad was greeted with dismay in the Japanese tabloids over the weekend, which could explain why Troussier refused questions today.
The 47-year-old has had a frosty relationship with the Japanese media since taking charge of Japan in September 1998.
But his latest snub, in his first media conference since the World Cup squad was announced by the JFA on Friday, is a further sign that the pressure of managing the co-hosts is beginning to tell.
Japan, whose seven-match unbeaten run came to a halt in Oslo last week, play Sweden in their final World Cup warm-up in Tokyo on Saturday when Troussier's squad selection is bound to come under intense scrutiny.
Reuters jh NZP
21/05/02 1907NZ
SOCCER-WORLD-ZIDANE
FRANCE FRET OVER DELAYED ZIDANE
Ibusuki, Japan, May 21, Reuters - World soccer champions France are fretting over the delayed arrival of inspirational playmaker Zinedine Zidane who is to join the squad after attending the birth of his third child.
Zidane is expected to arrive tomorrow in the southern sea resort of Ibusuki, where France are based for the week as they prepare for the World Cup opening match against Senegal on May 31 in Seoul.
``We are very impatient to have our 23rd man with us,'' French coach Roger Lemerre said.
``You can't overlook the absence of such a player like Zidane.
``We are getting closer to the World Cup but we can't say we are exactly into it yet. We are going to really enter the event only once we have everybody here.
Striker Djibrill Cisse added: ``We are very keen to have the whole squad together. We'll feel better tomorrow (Wednesday).''
Zidane, who sealed Real Madrid's victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League final, didn't play in France's 1-2 shock loss to Belgium at the Stade de France last week.
He was in his hometown of Marseille where his wife Veronique gave birth to their third son Theo.
``Not having him with the squad has made things much more tricky,'' Lemerre said.
``If you add that (striker) Thierry Henry was injured, I have been deprived of two crucial options in my strategy.''
France conceded their second home defeat at the Stade de France and the first over the last three years last Sunday (NZ time), stumbling to a solid and in-form Belgium.
Zidane will not play in a practice match, split into three 30-minute segments, against J-League side Urawa Reds tomorrow at a stadium attached to the lavish palace hotel hosting the world champions.
Henry, though, who has been nursing a painful right knee, is almost certain to take part along with those who stayed on the bench against the Belgians.
``Thierry has worked a lot over the last few days,'' Lemerre said.
``Depending on his shape I'll decide whether to keep him on the pitch for an hour.
``We can expect quite a good challenge from an excellent side.
``Those who have not played last week will be put in. They need to play.''
France stay in Ibusuki until Saturday, when they move to Seoul to face co-hosts South Korea in their last warm-up match at Suwon on May 26.
Reuters md
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21/05/02 1907NZ
SOCCER-WORLD-HOST
CONFIDENCE THE KEY FOR PERSISTENT KOREANS
Seoul, DPA - South Korea face a similar rough ride as co-hosts Japan if they want to keep alive the tradition of World Cup soccer hosts by advancing into the second round.
They are at the World Cup finals for the fifth straight time and sixth overall but are yet to win a match.
Expectations are nonetheless high and their Dutch coach Guus Hiddink is having a hard time trying to dampen the enthusiasm although their group with Portugal, Poland and the US is not among the toughest.
``We've got to be realistic -- Korean football is not the best in the world,'' Hiddink said.
``Nevertheless, I remain enthusiastic about what lies ahead --our team has great potential, and we are preparing ourselves in the correct manner.''
Hiddink, who led the Dutch team to the 1998 semifinals, has been trying to establish a system in which the players express themselves more freely.
``I needed people who dared to take on responsibility on the pitch, something which has long been a taboo here,'' he said.
The co-hosts have improved technically and tactically and Hiddink is upbeat despite question marks over their physical presence.
``My plan to make our team more competitive and bridge the gap between itself and world class teams is making steady progress,'' he said.
``The team is feeling more confident and the system is stabilised.''
Hiddink named his 23-player squad shortly after a goalless draw with China to mark the end of experimenting with his line-ups.
Final preparations are held in Seogwipo before three final warm-up matches against title holders France, England and Scotland.
The team include veteran defender Hong Myung-Bo and two players who earn their money in Europe -- a road first taken by Korea's player of the century, Cha Bum Kun, who spent six years in the 1980s in Germany and coached South Korea at the 1998 World Cup.
Striker Seol Ki-Hyeon is with Anderlecht after a successful first year in Belgium with Antwerp.
Perugia midfielder Ahn Jung-Hwan is another key player and should have fully overcome an ankle injury once the tournament gets underway.

 

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Group H-Japan

Home advantage will help build on recent progress

In the past, the road to the FIFA World Cup? finals for Japan has been littered with disappointment and near-misses, none more so than when they failed to qualify for USA 94 by conceding a last minute goal in their final match against Iraq, the draw costing them a place at their first-ever FIFA World Cup finals.

Thanks mainly to the advent of the J.League, however, Japan has come a long way since then, with an impressive youth system bringing through the talent that coach Philippe Troussier has moulded into a unit that has steadily climbed the FIFA rankings and dominated at continental level.

The Frenchman's appointment after the three defeats during France 98 - Japan's first-ever FIFA World Cup - was met with some surprise, but the former Nigeria and Burkina Faso coach took Japan to victory in the Asian Cup in Lebanon in 2000 and the final of the FIFA Confederations' Cup the following year.

Japan's success has been built on the team that Troussier took to the final of the FIFA World Youth Championship in Nigeria in 1999, combined with several more experienced players, such as Parma's Hidetoshi Nakata, the most recognisable and successful of the country's European exports.

Others are coming through too, though, with Junichi Inamoto proving inspirational in front of the defence during Japan's successful run, his form earning him a move to English Premier League side Arsenal.

Significant players of the past:

Kunishige Kamamoto, Kazuyoshi Miura

Achievements:

-- Asian Cup winners: 2000, 1992
-- FIFA Confederations' Cup runners-up: 2001
-- FIFA World Youth Championship runners-up: 1999
-- Olympic Games: bronze medal 1968
-- FIFA World Cup final appearance: 1998