Terry Maddaford: Making a buck from the Cup

nzherald.co.nz exclusive

The business end of the World Cup promises more than a passing interest for New Zealand Soccer.

While chief executive Bill MacGowan and his staff have been as keen as anyone in watching the matches, they are also seeing their bank balance grow as Kiwi punters flock to the TAB in unprecedented numbers.

New Zealand Soccer had, on the basis of the $10 million wagered on the 2000 World Cup in France, budgeted for a $150,000 return this time -- one per cent of the $15 million the TAB had estimated as their turnover. That figure has already been reached. With 10 games to play including the last two group games tonight, the TAB has revised their estimate to at least $20million -- possibly as high as $25million.

As well as their guaranteed one per cent return on turnover, New Zealand Soccer also collect five per cent of any profit.

TAB spokesman Joe Locke said the interest had been amazing.

"We have been averaging $230,000 a game," said Locke. "On average we sign on between 20-30 new account holders a day. Throughout the World Cup that has been closer to 100. About 70 per cent of bets have been taken at our retail outlets with the remainder over the phone or through the internet."

MacGowan has welcomed what could prove to be a bonanza for his sport.

"We will use any money we get for international development and our academy programme," MacGowan said. "It is amazing that the World Cup has generated so much interest as I understand the last Rugby World Cup brought in just $4 million."

And the prospect of further upsets tonight will continue that interest.

Hosts Japan play Turkey in the early game with both teams heading into uncharted territory. In their only previous meeting -- in June 1997 -- Japan won that friendly 1-0.

In their only previous World Cup appearance (in 1954), Turkey, a country of 63.8 million with 1.68 million footballers, beat South Korea 7-0 but still went out in the group stage when beaten 7-2 by West Germany.

The Turks will be looking to the inspirational Hasan Sas tonight as they will be without two key players in midfielder Emre Belozoglu and defender Emre Asik who are suspended.

Japan, at their second World Cup (their first four years ago) scored first-ever victories at this level with their 1-0 and 2-0 wins over Russia and Tunisia respectively in winning group H. Turkey were second behind Brazil in group C with a win, a draw and a loss. Both Turkey and Japan scored five goals in group play.

There will be added interest for New Zealanders tonight as Auckland referee's assistant (linesman) Paul Smith will be in action in Miyagi. He will run the line for top Italian referee Pierluigi Collina in his third Cup appointment.

In the late game, co-hosts South Korea meet highly-fancied Italy in Daejon.

The Italians, cup-winners in 1934, 1938 and 1982, suffered their biggest upset in 1966 when beaten 1-0 by North Korea. They will not want a repeat of that as they chase the last quarter-final berth.

Coach Giovanni Trapattoni will be without suspended defender Fabio Cannavaro and could also have Alessandro Nesta out with injury. The Italians will be well aware of the speed of the Koreans who go into the game unbeaten after two wins and a draw in group play -- their first victories after failing to win a game in five previous Cup tournaments.

Coached by Dutchman Guus Hiddink, the Koreans will almost certainly go in with a 4-4-2 formation -- a move likely to be followed by their opponents who will look to the skills of Francesco Totti and Christian Vieri to carry them through to Saturday's quarter-final with Spain in Gwangju.

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