Don't look Beck in anger say old rivals
December 3, 2001
ENGLAND'S pairing with Argentina immediately evokes memories of classic confrontations down the years.
Sunday Mirror
None more so than the second-round clash in St Etienne three years ago which saw David Beckham sent off in controversial circumstances as England crashed out.
Ever since Antonio Rattin's notorious sending-off at Wembley in 1966 there has been an extra edge to matches between the nations.
And yesterday the Argentines showed a confidence bordering on arrogance.
The tournament favourites were so confident of easing through to the second phase that national boss Marcelo Bielsa couldn't even be bothered to turn up in Korea. He was the only coach from the 32 participating nations to miss the draw.
In his absence national team director Jose Pekerman admitted: "It is a difficult group to be in. England are always worthy opponents and that will never change.
"But we are convinced we can win every game and qualify in first place. There is a great deal of expectation on Argentina's shoulders and coming into the tournament as favourites can sometimes be a burden some teams struggle to live up to.
"Success has been a long time coming for Argentina but this is probably the strongest and most determined team in recent years.
"We have so many gifted individuals but the real secret is out ability to play as a team. The days of relying heavily on one player have gone now we have so many players who can win games - not like in times past when there was so much pressure on a player like Diego Maradona."
Pekerman dismissed talk of English revenge for the events of France 98, insisting: "When you look at a team it is a mistake to think about one player, history or no history.
"The players' minds will be focused on winning the game against England, they won't give the past a second thought.
"I also think time is a great healer, that Beckham will only be interested in winning the game for England, not using the match to avenge any past wrongdoings he may feel have been done.
"Of course everyone will talk about England and the clash with Argentina but it's about winning all your games and both Sweden and Nigeria deserve equal respect to the English.
"We don't care how hard it may be to win this tournament, were not afraid of anyone and we will prove that once the World Cup gets under way." However, Carlos Bilardo, Argentina's coach when they won their second World Cup in Mexico in 1986, was less optimistic.
"We haven't done well out of the draw, we are up against tough rivals because England is a historic rival for Argentina and Nigeria has become a team to reckon with," said Bilardo.
So there is bound to be extra spice when England and Argentina line up in Sapporo on June 7.
That meeting in St Etienne three years ago saw Michael Owen take the world stage by storm with what many observers rated the best goal of the tournament.
The 18-year-old's solo run at top speed through the heart of one of the world's great defences, followed by a clinical finish, announced the arrival of a special talent in England's ranks.
But Argentina equalised before the incident for which the game will always be remembered.
Beckham, floored by a challenge from Argentine midfielder Diego Simeone, flicked out with his boot and caught his opponent's leg.
Simeone tumbled as if shot by a sniper in the stand - and Beckham was shown the red card. With him went England's chances of victory - and Paul Ince and David Batty both missed from the spot in the shoot-out as England went out.
It was almost as close in 1986 when England met Argentina at the quarter-final stage in Mexico in a match that revolved around one moment of infamy.
Early in the second half Steve Hodge, attempting an acrobatic clearance, sent the ball spiralling towards his own penalty spot.
Peter Shilton advanced to claim it but somehow Diego Maradona reached it first and the ball was in the net.
TV replays backed up England's protests that the talismanic Argentine had punched the ball into the net.
Maradona later claimed that the goal had been scored partly by the hand of God, whose other hand was presumably covering the referee's eyes.
Moments later, however, Maradona displayed the other side of his game with the goal of the tournament, a shimmering, sinewy run from his own half completed when he rounded Shilton to score and put the match beyond England, who went down 2-1.
RECENT MEETINGS
1964 Argentina 1 England 0
1966 England 1 Argentina 0
(World Cup)
1974 England 2 Argentina 2
1977 Argentina 1 England 1
1980 England 3 Argentina 1
1986 Argentina 2 England 1
(World Cup)
1991 England 2 Argentina 2
1998 England 2 Argentina 2
(Argentina won 4-3 on pens, World Cup)
2000 England 0 Argentina 0