Argentina holds all the big cards against weakened England

June 5, 2002

TSUNA, Japan (AP) Argentina will clinch a place in the second round of the World Cup by beating old foe England on Friday and almost certainly leave Sven-Goran Eriksson's team with the shame of going home early.

Marcelo Bielsa's team already tops Group F having beaten Nigeria 1-0 while England managed only a 1-1 tie with Sweden.

Because Argentina-England kicks off five hours later than Sweden-Nigeria on Friday, both teams will know where they stand.

Victories for Argentina and Sweden will mean that England, with just one point, will be well behind. Even if it beat Nigeria in the final series of Group F games June 12 a tie between Argentina and Sweden would ensure both got through and England would be out.

Because three previous World Cup meetings have involved drama, scandal, a wonderful Diego Maradona strike and even cheating his "hand of God" goal in Mexico in 1986 there is huge hype surrounding this latest confrontation at the 42,500 Sapporo Dome.

Bielsa has been trying to shield his players from the glare of publicity surrounding the game.

"We'll prepare for this match like we do for any other," he said. "I respect England for their players, their collective presence and the team's management."

Gabriel Batistuta, who now has 10 World Cup goals including two hat-tricks and is chasing Gerd Mueller's all time record of 14, also said it was just another important match.

"I don't have any special feelings for the England game," the AS Roma striker said. "I have nothing against the English people. It won't be easy at all. The English haven't just come out here to have a good time. They also want to get to the final."

With such a huge crop of talent to choose from, Argentina was always going to be favorite to win not only the group but also be among the biggest contenders for the title.

Batistuta showed against the Nigerians that he is back from injury and, apart from scoring the only goal of the game at Ibaraki, was a constant menace to the Nigerian defense. Ariel Ortega and Claudio Lopez playing on the wings should again make the starting lineup, while another sharpshooter, Hernan Crespo, will be on the bench.

Juan Sebastian Veron, who captained the side against Nigeria, has the opportunity of showing his Manchester United colleagues what the English public usually don't see. He has a rare talent for passing the ball, shooting and organizing the midfield even though that has shone through only occasionally in Premier League games.

Diego Simeone will again sit deep in midfield to protect a back three featuring AS Roma stopper Walter Samuel. Valencia's Roberto Ayala who would have captained the side is a major doubt due to a thigh injury.

That's quite a lineup to face an England squad whose performance in the second half against Sweden was tired and alarmingly fragile.

After defender Sol Campbell had headed home a David Beckham corner, England looked well in control in Saitama until just before half time.

But Beckham, sent off against Argentina after tangling with Simeone at France '98, virtually went out of the game partly through tiredness and partly because he was feeling the effects of a broken foot he suffered eight weeks ago.

It was Beckham's first game since April 10 and, although he was on the field for 60 minutes, he only played an effective part for the first 35.

With England's star player no longer a threat, Sweden hit back to equalize and would have earned all three points if it hadn't been for two great saves by 38-year-old goalkeeper David Seaman.

If Beckham isn't back to full fitness on Friday, it's difficult to see where the England threat will come from.

Argentina will recall Michael Owen's brilliant run and strike against them in France '98 although that too was started with a well-timed Beckham pass.

Paul Scholes played far too deep against Sweden, didn't get within sight of the Swedish goal and too often gave the ball away in his own half.

Eriksson has to decide whether to field the burly but unpredictable Emile Heskey alongside Liverpool teammate Owen in attack or the smaller but speedy Darius Vassell of Aston Villa.

With just one point in the bank compared with Argentina's three, the Swede has to come up with something special to beat one of the top three teams in the world and maybe eliminate his own countrymen. Probable lineups:

ARGENTINA: Pablo Cavallero, Mauricio Pochettino, Walter Samuel, Diego Placente, Javier Zanetti, Diego Simeone, Juan Pablo Sorin, Juan Sebastian Veron, Ariel Ortega, Gabriel Batistuta, Cristian Gonzalez (Claudio Lopez).

ENGLAND: David Seaman, Danny Mills, Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Sol Campbell, Emile Heskey, Owen Hargreaves, Paul Scholes, David Beckham, Darius Vassell, Michael Owen.