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Group F lives up to name
Argentina struggles but seizes advantage vs. Nigeria
Posted: Sunday June 02, 2002 10:40 AM
Updated: Sunday June 02, 2002 10:54 AM
CNNSI.com's World Cup analyst Gabriele Marcotti is covering every kick of the tournament, with a "91st Minute" column filed each matchday. Click here to submit a comment or question to Marcotti's mailbag.
I don't really like the term "Group of Death," partly because it's a little morbid and largely because it's a tired and overused expression, but clearly Group F is living up to expectation as the most uncertain of the lot.
Argentina, the pretournament co-favorite, struggled to edge Nigeria 1-0 on Sunday, while England and Sweden battled to a 1-1 draw. Everything remains very much wide open.
Marcelo Bielsa perhaps listened to his heart and gave the nod to Gabriel Batistuta ahead of Hernan Crespo up front. He put his chips on Batistuta's experience and desire to bounce back after a lackluster season, just as he did with playmaker Juan Sebastian Veron, who also had an off-year.
As it happened, Veron bounced back with a tremendous performance, while Batistuta scored the winning goal and, despite missing a few chances, looked sharp and aggressive.
Nigeria conceded a lot of ground, and the Super Eagles clearly aren't the team they were in previous World Cups. Having said that, Nigeria kept the game close and one often got the sense it was a moment of magic away from equalizing.
England hasn't beaten Sweden now in 10 attempts stretching over three decades. Against the compact Scandinavians, Sven-Goran Eriksson's men paid the price for a lack of width and sluggish performances from the likes of Emile Heskey, while their opponents seized upon every opportunity and maximized England's chances, like they usually do.
In Group B, Paraguay was unable to hang on to a two-goal lead against South Africa, as the two sides battled to a 2-2 draw. Cesare Maldini's men, brilliantly led by rising superstar Roque Santa Cruz, saw the lead evaporate following an own goal by Estanislao Struway and an injury-time penalty, duly converted by Quinton Fortune.
The South Americans, though, looked solid and should only improve when Jose Luis Chilavert returns from suspension, while South Africa showed a lot of heart in clawing its way back.
Finally, Spain rolled over Slovenia 3-1. Jose Antonio Camacho's troops executed well and allowed their superior top-to-bottom talent to shine through against tiny Slovenia, which has a history of proving to be a tricky opponent. Given a chance down the left flank, Javier de Pedro was especially impressive, as was Raul, who looks like he might finally live up to his billing with the national team as well, after so much success at club level.
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Roque Santa Cruz (Paraguay).
Tall, wiry and mobile, when he's on top of his game he's a handful for anyone. Against South Africa, he kept the pressure on from the first minute, scoring a goal and going close several times. At just 20 years of age, he's only going to get better...
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Emile Heskey (England).
To be fair, he was stuck out on the left, a role he hasn't played at club level for years, but, nevertheless, one would have expected more from the Liverpool striker. England never seemed to threaten down his flank and it will be interesting to see whether Eriksson sticks to his guns or makes some adjustments against Argentina.
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Raul (Spain).
He broke the ice with a brilliant feint and finish after a good run by Luis Enrique. A well-taken goal, but a crucial one as well, as he seems to have accepted the mantle of leader. His strike lifted the early jitters that have plagued Spain in past World Cups.
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Argentina is long on talent, but many of its players are coming off difficult seasons, whether due to injury (Diego Simeone), inconsistency (Juan Sebastian Veron) or both (Gabriel Batistuta).
Simeone and especially Veron rose to the challenge. Batistuta's work-rate was high, but his finishing wasn't exceptional. Many would like to see Crespo given an opportunity up front, though the Lazio man also missed a few chances when he came on. The last thing Bielsa needs is a centerforward controversy, but it looks like it's just what he's going to get.
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Brazil takes the stage against Turkey looking to put the difficulties of the last few months behind it, but the news out of the Selecao camp isn't good. Emerson, who was set to run the team from midfield, injured his shoulder clowning around in practice and has already left the World Cup. It's a huge blow for Luiz Felipe Scolari and excellent news for Turkey, which will now believe it has a chance at sharing the spoils.
Croatia's aging veterans will look for three points against Mexico. Both sides have the potential to go through, but neither can afford to slip up in the opener.
Italy takes on Ecuador with a new-look 4-4-2 formation -- a controversial choice by boss Giovanni Trapattoni after the Azzurri spent much of qualifying playing with three strikers.
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Ronaldo (Brazil).
With Rivaldo nursing an injury and Emerson sent home, Brazil desperately needs leadership, and the Inter man, back after three seasons in injury hell, will be called on to perform his usual miracles.
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From Michael Nicholl of Toronto, Canada:
Are you sure that you watched the same game that was shown on television across the world [Friday]? Sure, Senegal had a few chances. They even hit the crossbar in the second half, but they were being dominated throughout the match. It was France's game to win, and instead, THEY lost it because of a lack of finishing touch. They did not lose it because Senegal played so brilliantly. Senegal crowded the midfield and used their speed to play aggressive defensively. They used a lone attacker (Diouf) who was constantly being called offside.
With even a little bit of finishing touch, France should have easily walked away 5-1 winners. I realize that tactics and breaks are all a part of professional sport, but at the end of the day, no matter the result, it simply doesn't make the winner a contender or even a good team, let alone the better team. Hey, it's a great story for the opening game of the World Cup, and people should celebrate and welcome Senegal to the world stage. However, let's be realistic. Senegal didn't win. They survived. They aren't the Cameroon of '90, and they are not a threat to move into the next round.
Marcotti: I agree that Senegal isn't the Cameroon of 1990, and it will take a miracle to equal the Indomitable Lions' feat 12 years ago. However, you have to give Senegal credit. Yes, they packed the midfield, but that's how they always play, and it was the best way to exploit the counterattack. France should have adjusted, but Roger Lemerre failed to do so. The world champions' mistakes should not take away from Senegal's performance: Bruno Metsu's men brilliantly exploited every error. As for Diouf finishing offside -- when, as a lone striker, you play on the shoulder of the last defender, there's nothing with that. His presence kept France's central defense under pressure.
Click here to read Marcotti's most recent mailbag, and here to submit a comment or question.
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