|
Action exciting on, off pitch
Posted: Saturday June 20, 1998 07:47 PM
PARIS (CNN/SI) -- With the United
States and Iran meeting in
Lyon on Sunday, there's as much focus on politics and diplomacy off the
pitch than World Cup progression on it in that particular group.
Since when has Germany against
Yugoslavia
been an afterthought ? It's a curious state of political affairs
in Group F, which has even prompted President Clinton to address the nation
before the match in the hope of forging friendlier links with the Islamic
Republic. It's all very interesting. But you know the soccer side of
things is still pretty captivating as well. Take Mexico-Belgium on
Saturday for example. The Belgians were two goals in front -- both
scored by Marc Wilmots -- and had a one-man advantage. An Eric Verheyen
penalty "give-away" and a red card later, Mexico was back in it.
Blanco then scored a truly magnifcent equalizer as he arrived at the back
post to finish with the outside of his wrong foot. Mexico had salvaged a
2-all draw in sweltering heat and have four points. It was enthralling
stuff and one couldn't help pulling for the Mexicans, seeing as the
Belgians are generally so dour ... as they were in an opening goalless draw
against Holland. That group remains wide open, however, although you
have to like the Dutch. The other news of the day ? Well, Spain was in
feisty mood at its training camp in Chantilly. I visited the
Spainsh base on Saturday, the morning after a 0-0 draw with Paraguay had
left them treading a fine line between elimination and qualification.
They weren't full of smiles, but then they are perilously close to
going out of a tournament they were tipped by many to win. But their
coach Javier Clemente, slaughtered in the Spanish press after the defeat by
Nigeria and
again after the Paraguayan debacle, was in no mood to take the criticism
lying down. Addressing the gathered throng of media, Clemente pointed
out he wasn't perfect, then added: "If I was I'd be with you." A great ping
back at the men who've mostly hammered him. Clemente pointed out that
the right combination of results in the final Group D games and Spain would
be preparing for a likely last 16 match against hosts France -- and
were thus still capable of going all the way and winning this thing.
Does this ring any bells with anyone? Italy was
condemned after its poor showing in the group phase of the 1982 finals and
just scraped through on goals. The Italians promptly knocked
favorites Brazil out 3-2
and went on to win the whole thing, with striker Paulo Rossi banging in
goals left, right and center to finish as the tournament's leading scorer.
From woeful to joyful in double quick time. Spain will
be dreaming of a similar turnaround if it can account for Bulgaria and
Paraguay fails to do the business against Nigeria. Even a draw could be
enough for the Spaniards. It could be just the kind of miniscule
acorn from which a mighty oak of an upset might come. Imagine it.
Rampant France on home soil losing to lackluster Spain in a dramatic
reversal of fortune in the second round. It could happen -- and
that's what makes the World Cup so magical.
| 
