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Closing on glory
Bergkamp, Rivaldo lead chase to be new Pele, Maradona
Posted: Sunday July 05, 1998 11:01 PM
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Bergkamp has three goals this World Cup, including the winner in the Netherlands' quarterfinal win over Argentina (AP) |
PARIS (AP) -- There may be a Pele or a Maradona out there at the World
Cup after all. And it's not Ronaldo.
The World Cup has reached the semifinal stage and two players, Dutch
striker Dennis Bergkamp and Brazil's Rivaldo
-- rather than superstar Ronaldo -- look the closest to being the standout
players of the championship.
The two come into confrontation on the field when defending titlist
Brazil meets the Dutch in Tuesday's semifinal at Marseille France. Both
have scored three goals so far and, while Bergkamp is in the Netherlands
front line, Rivaldo strikes from deep.
Bergkamp, who has had a brilliant 12 months playing for English club
Arsenal, helping the team win a domestic league and cup double, fired the
Dutch into the semifinal with a goal that would make either Pele or
Maradona quite proud.
Running onto a high, long-range pass from deep, he controlled it
expertly on his right foot, turned inside a defender and then volleyed it,
also with his right, past the keeper.
The game had only 32 seconds to go and the Dutch had knocked out one
of the favorites.
Rivaldo hit two goals in Brazil's 3-2 quarterfinal victory over Denmark.
Running unchallenged from midfield, the Barcelona midfielder took a
pass from Ronaldo, stayed clear of the Danish defense and slid an angled
shot past keeper Peter Schmeichel.
His second goal needed no help. Rivaldo collected the ball in a huge
space 33 yards from the Danish goal and fired a low drive from 27 into the
net for the winner.
Rivaldo also has two goals, including two in the quarterfinals against Denmark (AP) | |
Rivaldo also has impressed with his direct running at defenses,
dribbling past opponents and creating openings for others. It's partly his
influence that three other teammates -- Ronaldo, Cesar Sampaio and Bebeto
-- also have three goals each.
Ronaldo, by his high standards, is making less of an impact. Coach
Mario Zagallo, though anxious not to over-praise his biggest star,
applauded the Inter Milan striker for setting up two of his team's goals
against the Danes.
While Bergkamp, Rivaldo and Ronaldo are the biggest names among the
survivors along with Dutch winger Marc Overmars, Youri Djorkaeff and
Zinedine of France and Croatia's Davor
Suker, others were shining before their teams got knocked out.
Ariel Ortega, wearing the No. 10 shirt made famous by Diego Maradona,
repeatedly weaved past defenders to set up chances for his colleagues. But
his World Cup had a miserable end when he was expelled for head-butting
Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar as Argentina was
eliminated in a 2-1 loss.
Mexico's
Luis Hernandez was always difficult to stop, with his alertness in the area
and his eye for goal chances.
He hit four goals and, if he had put away a fifth against the Germans,
his team may still have been in the competition. Hernandez's close-range
shot with the Mexicans leading 1-0 was somehow blocked by keeper Andreas
Koepke and the Germans came back to win 2-1 before losing 3-0 to the
Croats.
England's
Michael Owen scored a stunning solo goal against Argentina in the second
round and, although his team was beaten in a penalty shootout after a 2-2
tie, showed at age 18 he is a big star of the future.
"Owen is a real talent. He is one of the three players that have
impressed me most," said Maradona, who is giving his expert analysis for
Argentine television.
"He, Bergkamp and Rivaldo have all had an excellent World Cup," added
Maradona.
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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