By Richard Pedler \/\/ 10pt ML l\/c<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Their official mascot, Penelope the fox, could
\nsymbolize the fate of Greece in this, their first World Cup
\nFinals appearance. With organization, wit and foresight, they
\nshould reach the second round. That would mean the deification of
\ncoach Alketas Panagoulias.<\/p>\n
Alketas has been a national hero since taking Greece to the
\nEuropean Championships back in 1980. Having also taken his
\nAmerican hosts to the 1984 Olympics, this year he enters the
\nrecord books with a unique hat-trick as the only man to take a
\nnational team to all three major tournaments.<\/p>\n
However, with no world-class players (few have even played
\nabroad), Greece will depend on huge local support from the ethnic
\nGreek community to get them through, as well as the air of
\nconfidence spilling out of their coach's mouth.<\/p>\n
Greece lines up with the best, led by a man in self-confessed
\nDreamland. \"The 1994 World Cup will be the moment for the smaller
\nfootballing nations.... I am not saying that we have any super
\nplayers. What we have is a winner's mentality.... You see we are
\non a road of glory.\"<\/p>\n
Veterans and youth<\/p>\n
The squad is a mix of veterans & youth, typified by 36-year-
\nold Anastassios Mitropoulos, whose goal in Moscow clinched
\nqualification, and youngest squad member Nikos Machlas, who will
\nturn 21 on the eve of the Finals, whose strike won the return
\nmatch in Athens.<\/p>\n
While commentators around the world will be hoping for a
\nspeedy exit, Greece is unlikely to oblige. In their eight
\nqualifying games only 12 goals were scored in total. The defense
\nis the meanest of all the USA '94 participants, conceding a goal
\nonce every four games.<\/p>\n
The tough and resilient back four and an able keeper are
\nshielded by a five-man midfield who press back their opposite
\nnumbers, stifling creativity. Mitropoulos is one of several 30-
\nsomethings hanging on for their chance to go out on top.<\/p>\n
Lonely striker<\/p>\n
Two-footed and good in the air, Vassilis Dimitriadis, recently
\nout of form, will probably get the vote to be the lonely striker.
\nHe will depend on Nikos Noblias, the most influential and
\neffective midfielder at Greece's disposal (Player of the Year in
\n1993), for a chance to show the finishing power which brought him
\n33 goals in 1992\/3 for Champions AEK Athens, but only two at
\ninternational level.<\/p>\n
There will be no thrills attached to Greece's performances.
\nDo not expect any carefree attacking football from a side whose
\n1980 European Championship results speak for themselves: Greece 0
\nWest Germany 0, Greece 0 Holland 1. One goal should be enough to
\nsatisfy the honor and reach the knockout stage. So, two games to
\navoid, but do not miss the `Balkan Derby'!<\/p>\n
10pt bold Tomorrow: Double Dutch<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/by-richard-pedler-10pt-ml-lc-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }