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Favorite status slipping
Argentina 'half satisfied' after flat Japan win
Posted: Monday June 15, 1998 07:32 PM
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Argentina's Jose Chamo (left) and Matias Almeyda were relieved to come away with just a 1-0 win over Japan (AP) |
TOULOUSE, France (AP) - In spite of a win, Argentina's luster as
one of the top World Cup favorites dimmed somewhat after its flat
1-0 victory in its tournament debut against underdog Japan.
Even though it was only their first game of first-round play,
the Argentines were left shaking their heads after a hard-fought
match that almost ended in a tie. Now they find themselves in
second place in Group H, behind Croatia on goal differential. The
Croats also won their first match Sunday, 3-1 against Jamaica.
Gabriel Batistuta, the leading scorer for Argentina and for
Italy's Fiorentina, scored in the 28th minute and crashed two shots
against the posts, but Argentina was unable to take full advantage of
its ample World Cup experience and clearly superior technique.
If anything, it was fortunate to have escaped two late scoring
chances by the Japanese, who did not seem to mind playing the
two-time world champs in their first World Cup match ever.
Argentina's coach Daniel Passarella grudgingly admitted to being
"only half satisfied" with his team's performance. Argentina
faces Jamaica on Sunday in Paris.
Halfway through the second half, with Japan more self-assured
and even dominating during brief stretches, Passarella showed his
displeasure with Argentina's uneven attack and sent in Abel Balbo
to replace Claudio Lopez.
The change did not improve matters, but it did show no player's
spot is guaranteed. Now, against the much faster and more
experienced Jamaicans, Passarella finds himself rethinking his
front line.
"We lacked precision with the ball in the second half," said
Passarella of his trio of blue-chip strikers: Batistuta; Balbo, of
Italys AS Roma; and Lopez, of Spain's Valencia.
Batistuta and Lopez have been a winning combination, having
started together six consecutive matches, including Sunday's game.
Awaiting their chances to shine are Hernan Crespo, of Italy's
Parma, and Marcelo Delgado, of Argentina's Racing. If neither of
them work out, Ariel Ortega can also be moved up as a forward.
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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