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Inspiring hope Heavily favored Argentina chases its third title amid strifePosted: Tuesday April 30, 2002 12:11 PMBUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) -- Plagued by economic and political upheaval back home, Argentina feels added incentive to live up to its billing as a heavily-backed favorite to win the World Cup. "Winning it all would mean everything not only to us, but to all Argentines -- especially now," says midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron. "We'd like to bring a smile to the fans at such a terrible time." A glance at the team's squad -- a veritable who's who of Europe's top players -- shows why the Argentines are so heavily favored to lift their third World Cup title. In Lazio's Hernan Crespo and AS Roma's Gabriel Batistuta, they have two of the world's best strikers. The midfield -- led by Manchester United's Veron -- bubbles with creativity, while the sometimes questionable defense has been reinforced by Roma's Walter Samuel. But they'll have to be at their best from the outset. While other contenders will be able to ease their way into the competition, Argentina has been plunged into the "Group of Death" alongside England, Nigeria, and Sweden. But they're the team others will fear most. Argentina, the 1978 and '86 champion, easily won the South American qualifying group, winning 13 of its 18 matches and scoring 42 goals. From front to back, the team boasts a strong core of Europe-based stars and World Cup veterans. So much talent abounds that Boca Juniors playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme -- one of South America's brightest young players -- may not make it to South Korea and Japan. The quality and depth of the squad leaves coach Marcelo Bielsa with a dilemma, particularly up front. Crespo -- who scored nine goals in 10 qualifiers -- is most likely to spearhead the attack at the expense of Batistuta. But 20-year-old FC Barcelona phenomenon Javier Saviola is also staking a late claim. Not to mention River Plate's Ariel Ortega, or 35-year-old veteran Claudio Cannigia, who has undergone a rebirth for Scottish club Rangers and played in two recent friendlies. Whoever Bielsa finally chooses, the front line will have support from a dazzling midfield oozing with talent and craftiness and topped off with grit -- always an Argentine trait. The virtuoso Veron leads a corps of complementing midfielders that includes Inter Milan's Javier Zanetti and Cruzeiro's Juan Pablo Sorin. Both will likely flank the wings, backed up by the tough play of Lazio's Diego Simeone, Argentina's most-capped player. For added punch, there's Pablo Aimar of Valencia and Monaco's Marcelo Gallardo, plus Matias Almeyda of Parma. Roma's Samuel will provide some toughness to a back line that will be without Nelson Vivas and Eduardo Berrizo. Both were sidelined by injuries months ahead of the tournament while Samuel continues to nurse a twisted knee injury. Veteran Roberto Sensini could also play. In goal, veteran German Burgos will likely get the nod. But the threat of injuries has left Argentine officials fretting. In recent weeks, Veron, Crespo, skipper Roberto Ayala and backup goalkeeper Roberto Bonano have all been sidelined. "The World Cup is getting closer and the time for recovery is getting shorter and shorter," Argentine Soccer Association President Julio Grondona said. The injuries have at least forced Bielsa to experiment with his lineup in recent World Cup warmups. However, the performances were less than impressive: a 1-1 tie with Wales followed by a 2-2 tie with Cameroon. Those results left some to wonder if the Argentine juggernaut has slowed. But a weakened lineup nevertheless beat Germany 1-0 in Stuttgart in April, wiping away much of the lingering doubt back home. "Now let's start dreaming," was the headline in the Argentine daily La Nacion. "A victory that inspires hope."
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