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Juergen Klinsmann, GermanyGermany's roving minstrel Juergen Klinsmann, who has played his sweet tune in four of Europe's main leagues, may e...

Juergen Klinsmann, Germany

Germany8217;s roving minstrel Juergen Klinsmann, who has played his sweet tune in four of Europe8217;s main leagues, may exit the soccer stage if he leads his country to their fourth World Cup win in France, 98.

Klinsmann, already a legend at 33 with a 1990 World Cup medal and footballing awards galore, made an emphatic statement about his form and eagerness to succeed by scoring one goal and setting up another for Germany in their opener against the United States on Monday.

He was sending a message to the doubters that he was fit and sharp for the campaign ahead and had every right to parade his skills on the Parc des Princes and not be consigned, dinosaur-like, to football8217;s Jurassic Park.

Klinsmann8217;s 45th goal for his country in 104 appearances was, indeed, a thing ofbeauty. He expertly controlled a cross from Oliver Bierhoff on his chest, a move that took him past defender Thomas Dooley, and then found the net with a right-foot drive.

Klinsmann was German Footballer ofthe Year in 1988 and 1994 and England8217;s Footballer of the year in 1995 and fulfilled a dream by helping Bayern to the German title in 1997.

Davor Suker, Croatia

Croatian dangerman Davor Suker, who scored the final goal in the 3-1 victory over Jamaica here, is hungry to make up for a poor domestic season and group opponents Japan and Argentina could face the backlash.

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The 30-year-old striker has had a poor season with Real Madrid, whose club went on to win the European Cup. The Croatians, making their World Cup debut in France, acquitted themselves well at Euro 96, where they bowed out to eventual winners Germany.

Suker is determined to make 1998 a vintage year for his international career. quot;I8217;m hungry for victories, I8217;m hungry for goals, I8217;m hungry for everything at this World Cup,quot; Suker said following the rousing Jamaica win.In the 69th minute against Croatia, Suker opened his World Cup account.

Zvonimir Boban surged into the area and played the ball out to Parma striker Mario Stanic onthe Left. Stanic crossed the ball to Suker, who controlled it with his chest before giving himself room to fire home, with the help of a deflection off Ricardo Gardner, with his left-foot to complete their victory. It was half a chance but Suker took it in a flash to score his 30th goal in 35 matches.