May 31, 2002

NARAHA, Japan, May 31 (Reuters) - Gabriel Batistuta believes that Argentina's World Cup clash with arch-rivals England next week will only take on a special meaning if the Argentines lose their opening match against Nigeria on Sunday.

"Today (that match) is not special. If we lose on Sunday it will become so," Batistuta said of Argentina's second group F match against England in Sapporo in the north of Japan on June 7.

Argentina and England have a colourful and controversial history of World Cup clashes dating back to the 1960s and exacerbated by the 1982 Falklands (Malvinas) war.

Batistuta spoke to reporters on Friday at Argentina's secluded World Cup base 200 km north of Tokyo where they are preparing to face Nigeria at Kashima on Sunday.

"I have no prejudice nor rancour (concerning England)," added Batistuta, who converted a penalty early in Argentina's memorable second round match against the English in the 1998 World Cup finals in France.

The sides finished 2-2 after extra time but Batistuta did not take part in the decisive penalty shootout won by Argentina as coach Daniel Passarella had controversially substituted him with Hernan Crespo.

Batistuta, Argentina's nine-goal record World Cup scorer, is vying with Crespo for the central striker's role in coach Marcelo Bielsa's line-up to play Nigeria. Bielsa will only reveal his decision when he hands in his team sheet an hour before kickoff.

Argentina meet Sweden in Miyagi, 200 km north of the J-Village, in their final group match on June 12.