Terry Maddaford: Upstarts bear down on big guns

nzherald.co.nz exclusive

The heat goes on for some of soccer's supposed big guns in the last five days of section play at World Cup 2002.

Tonight's three games will complete the first two rounds for all 32 countries and set up a compact run to the finish of group play with four, rather than three, games to be played over each of the next four days.

Most interest in tonight's schedule centres on the first-up clash between host South Korea and first round upsetters United States. Victory for the Koreans will almost certainly guarantee their place in the last 16 and with co-hosts Japan well-placed to make it through in group H, the record number of host nations to qualify for post-section action at all World Cups will be preserved.

But with unheralded nations like South Korea and Japan set to take their place among the qualifiers, the pressure has gone on some of the more fancied including former champions Argentina, Italy and even defenders France.

While upsets are all part of sport at this level, the wins by Croatia (over Italy), Senegal (over France) and England (over Argentina) threaten to rob Fifa and the organisers in both Asian nations of the teams they obviously want around at the business end of the tournament.

It is a two-edged sword.

If the top 16 rated teams all won through it could have been boring. If too many of the top dogs go out interest wanes. But that, surely, is all part of the fascination the world's biggest football tournament brings.

And there has been plenty to fascinate in the 29 matches thus far.

Decisions by match officials have, not surprisingly, played a part. The Italians were hard done by with two questionable decisions from the linesman (or if you will, the referee's assistant) as they went down 2-1 to Croatia. Argentina probably felt just as hard done by with the decision by arguably the world's top referee Pierluigi Cullina in awarding England the penalty which sunk them 1-0 and left them, like Italy, to fight for their survival in their last group games this week.

Italy trail Mexico by three points going into Thursday's clash. With Croatia to play stumbling Ecuador at the same time in the other group G game, Italy must beat Mexico by two goals to ensure their survival. A good win for Croatia could tip front-runners Mexico out at the last hurdle.

It is a similar situation in group E where the remaining two matches will be played at the same time on Wednesday. England can confirm their place in the last 16 with a win over strugglers Nigeria. It promises to be more difficult for the Argentines who meet co-leaders (with England) Sweden in a must-win confrontation.

The intrigue is even more absorbing in group A which kick-offs the week's action with the early games tomorrow.

Unless France can beat Denmark by at least two goals, their cup defence is over. The other match in that group -- between Senegal and Uruguay only adds to the conundrum. A draw would ensure Senegal's survival but a win for Uruguay, and a loss for Denmark would leave all four teams on four points and send it to the calculators.

For some the worry is over. Spain and Brazil are already through. Only Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Slovenia and China can pack up and prepare for the trip home.

That is testament to just how close the 2002 World Cup has been. Everything points to more of the same with this week's double-headers set to make for some more long nights and a continuing feast of great football.

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