Confident Argentina retreat to plot English downfall

June 5, 2002

HIRONO, Japan, June 5 (AFP) -- Argentina shut themselves away from the media on Wednesday as they braced for a key clash with old rivals England two days later but the confidence surrounding Marcelo Bielsa's team was unmistakeable.

While England stars David Beckham and Michael Owen were due to face a media inquisition at their training base, Juan Sebastian Veron and Gabriel Batistuta were spared the ordeal.

Instead the lesser-known striker Claudio Husain was sent out late Tuesday to face English reporters, hungry for information about a match-up that has produced some memorable moments in past finals.

Husain was dismissive when asked whether the skilful South Americans would be unsettled if England adopted an aggressive approach as Sven-Goran Eriksson's side seek to make up for their disappointing 1-1 draw with Sweden.

"Argentina can deal with any difficulty," said the River Plate player.

"It's very difficult to play against this Argentinian team. Any rival will find it very difficult to deal with the rhythm that we impose and I think any team will find us a handful," Husain added.

Having beaten Nigeria 1-0 in their opener, Argentina could book a ticket to the second round if they beat England under the roof of the Sapporo Dome, setting up the possibility of encountering holders France in the next round.

The winners of Argentina's Group F - the so-called Group of Death - will play the runners-up in Group A, which could now be France after their shock defeat to Senegal on the opening day.

Husain said the Argentinian squad was unconcerned about that prospect. "We're not bothered who we play," said Husain. "It doesn't matter who you meet in the next round, the main thing is you have to win and you have to keep moving on.

"Things are different in the second round, all your rivals are on a similar level, whether it be France, Uruguay or Brazil.

"It doesn't matter who you play, you have to win. To be champions you have to win."

The only concern in the Argentinian camp was over the injuries to veteran striker Claudio Caniggia and defender Robert Ayala, who had to pull out of the Nigeria clash after injuring himself warming up.

Both are undergoing treatment but team officials said Ayala would definitely not play against England, while Caniggia is a major doubt. Coach Marcelo Bielsa is keeping his line-up secret, but is expected to persist with the team that played the second half against Nigeria - that means Batistuta partnering Ariel Ortega in attack, with Kily Gonzalez preferred to Claudio Lopez in support.

Argentina were due to try out the unusual atmosphere in the Sapporo Dome on Thursday.