Key to Argentina v Sweden Group F match

June 11, 2002

SENDAI, June 11 (AFP) -- Key to Argentina v Sweden Group E match to be played here Wednesday:

- Will the Argentine attack come alive? Thusfar the Argentines freescoring exploits in the South American qualifiers have not been repeated here and it is a tough ask for the ageing and slowing talents of record goalscorer Gabriel Batistuta to break the solid Swedish defence on his own. The aerial route may be the only way to do that as the Swedes themselves admitted they were weak in that area. One thing is sure - coach Marcelo Bielsa will stick to the lone striker policy - why break a formula that has generally been successful.

- Can Pablo Aimar cement his place ahead of Juan Sebastian Veron by providing the creative spark missing in the first-half against England? The 22-year-old playmaker was at the hub of everything in the second-half of the match with England in contrast to Veron, who was a shadow of the player who dominated the meeting between the two sides ikn 1998. Aimar needs to shine as brightly again against a journeyman but tough Swedish midfield if Argentina are to have a chance of getting the win they need to keep their hopes alive of winbning the trophy.