Soccer: Argentina off to bright start

YOKOHAMA - Favourites Argentina got their World Cup soccer campaign off to a bright starts yesterday.

Veteran striker Gabriel Batistuta was Argentina's hero, rising majestically to head the only goal in his team's opening match against Nigeria in Ibaraki, Japan.

After twice coming close to scoring, the 33-year-old finally unlocked the rugged Nigerian defence in the 63rd minute to join an exclusive club of only 10 players who have scored 10 goals in World Cup finals.

Argentina's three points in group F, the toughest of the eight, looked even more valuable when England and Sweden later drew 1-1. Despite lurid media warnings, there was no hint of English hooliganism in the Japanese city of Saitama.

Argentina, whose players have agreed to play without pay as their soccer federation is broke because of the four-year recession, went immediately on attack against Nigeria.

With Juan Sebastian Veron showing some delightful touches in midfield, Argentina continually threatened without converting their chances.

Batistuta's strike came from a deep Veron corner to the far post when he rose to score his 56th international goal in 76 matches.

Now Argentina look ahead to their meeting with England in Sapporo on Friday in a match fraught with sporting and political tension, stretching back to their turbulent 1966 World Cup quarterfinal and the 1982 Falklands war.

"It's the match all Argentines want to play, those who lost friends or relatives in 1982," goalkeeper Pablo Cavallero said.

- REUTERS

nzherald.co.nz/fifaworldcup

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