Argentina

By Richard Pedler

JAKARTA (JP): With their recent World Cup record second to none, always involved in controversy ever since described as "animals" by England manager Alf Ramsey back in 1966, Argentina embarrassingly had to scrape through a playoff with Australia to reach America.

A sudden loss of form broke a record 31-match undefeated streak which spanned the first three years of Alfio Basile's management, and almost proved disastrous when Colombia thrashed them 5-0 in Buenos Aires.

A half-fit Maradona's inspirational return, at the behest of President Menem, saved them from further embarrassment. Now he is expected to orchestrate play for them one last time at the age of 33. This comeback is following a premature retirement, drug charges which have since been dropped, a two-year, worldwide ban, and the recurrence of a long-term injury which has plagued him since his Barcelona days.

The Recent 2-1 win over Germany at US Cup '93 in Miami, without their European-based stars, demonstrates the strength-in- depth at Basile's disposal. A relatively weak first round group means that the blue-and-white stripes can be expected to go far, maybe even make it three finals in a row.

So far, 36 players have been used in qualifying but, fortunately, only six are from the squad which managed only four goals in open play at Italia '90. There, they twice relied on current goal-keeper Sergio Goycochea's penalty-saving heroics, had only one shot in the final 90 minutes, and achieved a remarkable disciplinary record of 25 bookings and three sendings- off, two of them in the Final.

Never before had a World Cup Final team received such a barricade of boos, whistles and general abuse. Maradona in particular found that everyone was against his team -- the fans, the referees, even "the Mafia" were suspected of involvement.

If so, a pity they weren't stopped before they verbally and physically attacked the Final referee. Certainly not gracious in defeat.

STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES

But that was then and, now, they are a powerful and talented mixture of playmakers in Spain and top-class strikers in Italy. Captain Ruggeri, the veteran stopper, holds the backline together.

Unfortunately, creative midfielders Diego Simeone and Fernando Redondo (see photo), as well as Maradona, often get in each others' way, work alone instead of as a team, are sometimes too slow to support each other, and are inconsistent.

Fortunately the top attacker and leading scorer, Gabriel Batistuta, is dangerous and deadly in the tightest of spaces and can work alone.

Abel Balbo & Claudio Caniggia are a formidable strikeforce at AS Roma. This month, Caniggia finishes his 18-month ban for cocaine abuse, and his counterattacking speed can be devastating.

TACTICS

Tactically, Argentina covers zonally (ie space, not players), and the static 4-4-2 formation plays unconnected, with minimal mutual support from defense to attack.

Expect breakaway goals involving just one pass and a 50-yard solo sprint and finish, which is now Argentina's trademark. They rarely score 3 goals, except when fewer players are on the pitch, and extra space opens up the game.

Sending an Argentinean off might improve their performance this tournament!

THE BIG QUESTIONS

The questions abound around Caniggia's post-ban sharpness, Maradona's age and fitness, and whether coach Basile will change his tactics and go for three attackers -- using Franco (who returns from a double leg fracture sustained during the successful defense of the Copa America victory last July) as the linkman through midfield -- or try to play it safe as Carlos Bilardo did last time.

There are no easy games, but Nigeria are a good bet to beat them in Boston. Latin American teams do not relish facing West African nations.

Tomorrow - Belgium