May 19, 2002

NARAHA, Japan (AFP) - Two-time champion Argentina hopes that a win at the World Cup will revitalize its country, which has been suffering from economic recession.

"We have responsibility for our national people. I want to galvanize our country by winning the Cup," said Paris Saint Germain defender Mauricio Pochettino after the team's first practice here Saturday.

"I've been thinking nothing but of winning the Cup," said Italian Seria A side Roma defender Walter Samuel.

Argentina, one of the top favorites to win the finals, arrived at its training base in northern Japan Thursday and was out on the practice field Saturday.

With defender Diego Placente joining the squad after playing for Bayer Leverkusen of Germany in the European champions league final, the full 23 players, as well as a dozen young players, spent 90 minutes warming up.

"We still have jet lag, but our mood is very good. We were drawn in a tough group in the first round and it's not easy to win. It is important for us to play our usual game," said goalkeeper German Burgos.

"We always target to win the Cup in every World Cup," Burgos added.

Argentina showed a strong performance throughout the South American qualifying round, finishing 12 points ahead of Ecuador, and 13 points ahead of Brazil and Paraguay.

Argentina, winner of the world Cup in 1978 and 1986, was drawn in Group F with England, Sweden and Nigeria, known as the "Group of Death."