Argentina have title number three in their sights
May 24, 2002
PARIS, May 24 (AFP) -- Of all the 32 qualifiers for the World Cup finals none was more irresistible than Argentina, who proved themselves in style over probably the most arduous campaign lasting almost two years and covering 18 matches.
Whereas fellow joint favourites France could sit back and enjoy a meagre diet of friendlies as they seek to refine their successful 1998 recipe by adding a dash of attacking flair the Argentines had to show who was top dog in their neck of the woods.
They needed to do that all the more so having elected to sit out last year's Copa America amid security concerns and doubts as to the wisdom of holding the event in a strife-torn Colombia.
The two-time winners applied themselves to their task with gusto - dropping just one point at home, to Paraguay, and losing just once on their travels, quite unnecessarily, to a mediocre Brazil.
With Juan Sebastian Veron at the hub of much of their midfield creativity, in between moves from Lazio to Manchester United, qualification was wrapped up with four matches to spare.p
The problem for coach Marcelo Bielsa, not surprisingly, was that such regional dominance had pushed local expectations through the roof long before his side was drawn in the Group of Death alongside old rivals England, the cool Swedes and the gifted if unpredictable Nigeria.
Bielsa appears thus far to have found a middle way, balancing individual brilliance with teamwork, suggesting that if the traces of ill discipline - as well as bad luck - which struck against Holland in the 1998 quarter-finals can be kept at bay.
Dennis Bergkamp killed off the dream in Marseille at France 98 - but if there is no orange nightmare lurking in Asia there could be another waiting in the shape of holders France as early as the second round - unless both countries win their respective groups, or both place second.
Veron says with Bielsa at the helm great things are possible as the coach prepares to launch his bid to join former Argentine winning coaches in Cesar Luis Menotti (1978) and Carlos Bilardo (1986) in the annals of national footballing fame.
"We are very lucky to have someone exceptional like Bielsa," said Veron.
"He manages to make things understood with the minimum words and he has a gift for motivating that helps you bring out the best in yourself. He can be our secret weapon for the World Cup," the midfielder said on joining the squad.
In allusion to Diego Maradona - who all but won the 1986 event on his own - Veron adds that today's team has effective weaponry in all areas of the pitch.
"There is not one outstanding star," said Veron. "You can't win with just one player but only with the commitment of the whole team."
Given their "Group of Death" draw the Argentines will require not just a solid unit but several - rather than just one - star turn.
Whereas neighbours and bitter rivals Brazil have elected not to risk Romario's ageing legs Bielsa is willing to back star quality - even if a player may have seen better days - to the extent that he sees room for 35-year-old Claudio Caniggia.
The forward, enjoying an indian summer with Rangers in Scotland, is hoping to bounce back in time from a knee injury he picked up in the Scottish Cup final win over Celtic a fortnight ago.
If Caniggia fails to make the opening game against Nigeria on June 2, Celta Vigo striker Gustavo Lopez is set to get the nod.
Roma's Gabriel Batistuta will provide more veteran firepower while Lazio pair Hernan Crespo and Claudio Lopez, as well as River Plate's Ariel Ortega, also share out goalscoring duties.
Many of the squad have European experience, including key defender Diego Placente, who is determined to find a World Cup consolation after German league, Cup and Champions League disappointments with Bayer Leverkusen.
The whole back four will be European-based with Valencia's Roberto Ayala, Paris Saint Germain's Mauricio Pochettino, AC Milan veteran Jose Chamot and Roma's Walter Samuel in the defensive mix alongside Placente.
While on the pitch all appears well, Argentina will arrive in Asia having had to smooth over a row which saw Bielsa threaten to resign over a pay dispute after claiming he was owed thousands of dollars in unpaid wages.
AFA president Julio Grondona insist the dispute has been settled - but the parlous state of the Argentine economy has not helped morale as a whole.
As in 1978, when Mario Kempes, Osvaldo Ardiles and company helped millions to forget temporarily about political strife, football must once again come to the rescue.
If it does, England will have to pray for wins over Nigeria and Sweden while keeping their fingers crossed that Argentine form dips in Sapporo on June 8 when Bielsa's men pay them a visit.