Argentina starts slowly but surely, promises more to come

June 2, 2002

IBARAKI, Japan (AP) -- Argentina's opening victory against Nigeria bore all the hallmarks of coach Marcelo Bielsa: methodical and with no room for hyperbole. As the players headed to the team bus, they were already thinking single-mindedly of the next game.

Argentina beat Nigeria 1-0 on Sunday, courtesy of a 63rd minute goal from striker Gabriel Batistuta, Argentina's all-time leading scorer. England and Sweden later drew 1-1, a result that left both in contention, but two points behind the South Americans who are widely backed to win the World Cup.

Bielsa's team missed chances before "Batigol" finally broke the deadlock. But the players kept pressing and slowly sucked the life out of the opposition, gaining a stranglehold in midfield where stand-in captain Juan Sebastian Veron and veteran Diego Simeone excelled.

Veron, who took the captain's armband moments before kickoff after Roberto Ayala was injured in the warmup, linked midfield and attack with deft, first-time passes. Simeone, his country's most-capped player, consistently broke up Nigerian attacks before they could breach Argentina's back three.

Bielsa has instilled in his squad the need to play all-out attack and monopolize play in the opposition half.

That's exactly what they managed in the crucial opening stages of the second half against Nigeria. Batistuta missed a fine opportunity, but then broke the deadlock after a period of constant pressure in which midfielder Juan Pablo Sorin twice came close.

"We came out positively in the second half, with a similar rhythm to how we began the match," Bielsa said. "It was a deserved victory. It should have been by a wider margin. But I am still very satisfied.

"We're serene," he added. "Victories transmit a sense of tranquility in the camp. Now, we have to prepare for the next game, just as we did for this one."

That next match, against archrival England, promises -- as ever _ to be a thundering one.

Rivalry between the two nations on the soccer pitch goes back decades and has inevitable political overtones as a result of the 1982 Falklands War between the two countries.

In 1986, Diego Maradona scored the infamous "Hand of God" goal in a 2-1 victory that knocked England out of the World Cup. In 1998, Argentina again eliminated England, in a penalty shootout after a thrilling game ended 2-2. England's David Beckham was famously sent off after a clash with Simeone.

But Argentina's players are not wasting energy on the hype that will reach a crescendo in coming days.

"We have to maintain the same attitude that brought us victory here," said Veron. "England will be a very tough game. They have very fast players."

He acknowledged that the match was "more than just a question of who's on the field," calling it a "traditional classic" and "historic affair."

Batistuta also said his mind would be focussed simply on getting another three points.

"Personally I have nothing against the English people," he said after Sunday's game. "For me, this is just another game of international standing. Nothing more."

Veron, who plays for Manchester United, warned that England's speed would pose a threat. But, echoing Bielsa, he said the most important thing was to ensure that Argentina is right on the day, and not worry excessively about the opposition.

In a note that should strike fear into the other teams in the tournament, Veron added Argentina was slowly shifting gears so as not to peak too early.

"We feel very confident," he said. "Argentina will get better and better."