May 29, 2002

NARAHA, Japan (AP) -- Argentina's failure to score a goal in two matches against mediocre Japanese opposition should have set alarm bells ringing. Instead, the players say they got just what they needed: a tough, competitive runout ahead of Sunday's opening match against Nigeria.

"They were both good games and they were very useful for us. They caused us lots of difficulties and that's exactly what these games are there for," Valencia defender Roberto Ayala said.

Argentina fielded what is likely to be its World Cup starting lineup against FC Tokyo on Tuesday but could only draw 0-0. The Japanese first division outfit was unlucky not to win the match, causing the Argentines several problems in defense and midfield.

In another game Tuesday, a largely second-string side -- which nevertheless featured the likes of AS Roma striker Gabriel Batistuta and Valencia playmaker Pablo Aimar -- lost 1-0 to Vegalta Sendai.

Ayala, tipped to captain Argentina at the World Cup, was booked for a cynical tackle from behind against FC Tokyo -- and acknowledged Wednesday that it had been a result of his frustration.

"We were a bit angry afterward, which is normal," he said. "You feel that way after any training session that doesn't go well. But it's up to us to find positive things to take away from the game.

"We need to be mentally ready to crush rivals and thus avoid these types of mishaps," added the 29-year-old, who has won 74 caps for Argentina.

After a hugely impressive qualifying campaign, Argentina has been heavily backed to win its third World Cup title. Its other successes came in 1978 and 1986.

Ayala says the squad, which had a light training session on Wednesday, is paying little attention to what the pundits say.

"You're the ones that say we're favorites," he told reporters at Argentina's secluded training camp on Japan's east coast. "We have to look beyond that and show it on the field.

"What's said before a tournament begins is of no importance. There's always another game coming up in which you have to prove yourselves again and again."

Goalkeeper Pablo Cavallero also said Tuesday's matches were useful.

"If you win these types of games, you don't learn as much. If you draw you have to reflect on it. If you lose you have to start seriously worrying.

"We've learned that we can't drop our guards for a minute -- if we do against Nigeria what we did against the Japanese we'll pay a high price."

Cavallero was a substitute at France '98 when Argentina was knocked out in the quarterfinals against the Netherlands after a memorable late goal by Dennis Bergkamp.

The Celta de Vigo goalkeeper, tipped to make coach Marcelo Bielsa's starting lineup at this World Cup, said that the team will be fired up by that memory.

"We recall getting knocked out with a lot of sadness," he said. "Now, four years on, it's the time for revenge and that's something we've all been waiting for.

"Personally, whether its a knockabout between teammates or the World Cup final I go into the match with the same passion and the same objective, which is to be the winner."

After opening against Nigeria on Sunday, Argentina plays England on June 7 and Sweden on June 12.