England in World Cup group of death with Argentina

December 1, 2001

PUSAN, South Korea, Dec 1 (AFP) -- England were drawn Saturday in a tough World Cup first round group with Argentina, setting up what should be the latest in a series of classic clashes.

Reigning champions France will meanwhile open the tournament, to be co-hosted by South Korea and Japan, in Seoul on May 31 against Senegal. England and Argentina were put in group F which will be played in Japan and will meet in Sapporo on June 7.

But Nigeria, finalists in the last African championship, and Sweden were also put in Group F making it by far the toughest of the eight groups drawn at a gala ceremony in the South Korean city of Pusan.

Despite Michael Owen's goal of the tournament, Argentina won their last World Cup match against England in the second round of the 1998 finals in France on penalties.

The Argentinians also triumphed in a controversial quarter-final in the 1986 finals, when Diego Maradona scored his famous 'hand of god' goal. Maradona added another sensational solo goal and Argentina went on to win that tournament.

The 1998 clash in Saint Etienne was one of the great World Cup matches with Liverpool striker Owen's sensational goal for England the highlight. Despite being reduced to 10 men mid-way through the first half when David Beckham was sent off for kicking Diego Simone in retaliation for being fouled, England put up a heroic fight to force the match into extra time. They might even have snatched a famous victory but for the controversial ruling out of a late goal by Sol Campbell, which television pictures showed should have been allowed to stand.

In 1966, the two sides played in the quarter finals of the tournament which England went on to win. Argentina's skipper Antonio Rattin was sent off in a stormy match. The two rivals also played at the 1962 tournament in Chile when England also won, 3-1.

Defending champions France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the 1998 final, top an easy group A with Senegal, Uruguay and Denmark. The confident French, who are again favourites, will start against Senegal in the gala opening match at the new Seoul World Cup stadium on May 31.

Brazil also got a good draw based in South Korea with Turkey, Costa Rica and first time qualifiers China, who could not have hoped for a better outcome. Italy, the other favoured side, are in Group G against Ecuador, Croatia and Mexico.

Asia's other qualifiers, Saudi Arabia, did not have the same luck of the draw. They will play against Germany, Ireland and African champions Cameroon in group E in Japan.

Joint hosts South Korea and Japan will both have been pleased with the way their draws work out.

South Korea in particular will be optimistic about their chances of progressing from a group that includes highly-rated Portugal, the United States and Poland. Japan likewise will feel they have a chance against Belgium, Russia and Tunisia.