World Cup Football Countdown: 7 days to go

As a member of Ron Greenwood’s World Cup squad in Spain in 1982 and Bobby Robson’s England side in Mexico four years later, Hoddle has had first-hand experience of how quickly casualties can disrupt the best-laid plans. Kevin Keegan and Trevor Brooking, crucial to Greenwood, missed almost the whole of the earlier tournament while taking Bryan Robson to Monterrey with a suspect shoulder cost England his services after just two matches.

In Italia 90, Bryan Robson was again forced home early by an injury and it is wrily coincidental that now, as manager of Middlesbrough, he may well suffer the backlash of Gascoigne’s bitter disappointment. There is some substance in the argument that Gascoigne was the onlyplayer England had who might have provided the magician’s touch which is often the difference between reaching a World Cup final and finishing among the also-rans.

Equally he could have become a broken wand long before Hoddle’s team made significant progress. Hoddle has simply looked at the facts as they stood and relied upon the evidence of his own eyes in the three matches against Saudi Arabia at Wembley, and Morocco and Belgium in Casablanca. Having studied the videos he concluded that Gascoigne was not up to it.

Other countries have gone into World Cups with injured players and found it worth the risk. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge twice came off the bench for West Germany to rouse flagging teams in the tournaments of 1982 and 1986. Roberto Baggio was plainly not fit for Italy at the start of the last World Cup but eventually saw them to the final.

In the end Hoddle did not even want to risk Gascoigne as a substitute. “There’s an art to coming off the bench,” he said. “You can’t take 20 minutes to getinto a game.” That, ultimately, was Gascoigne’s problem. He took too long too late, and Hoddle had to call time.The Guardian News Service

World Cup fever overcomes Asia’s economic blues

TOKYO: Asia’s economic woes may have sent regional markets into a tailspin, but World Cup fever knows no cash boundaries in Japan and South Korea, the co-hosts of football’s premier event in 2002. An estimated 30,000 Japanese are heading to France to witness their country’s debut in this year’s World Cup finals, with special tours including a whirlwind 40-hour "Burning Bullet" package for 2,000 dollars.

In South Korea, where the World Cup is regarded as far more significant than the Olympic Games hosted in 1988, officials have bowed to public pressure and agreed to build a new stadium in Seoul for the 2002 Cup.But in a nation relying on a 57-billion-dollar International Monetary Fund (IMF)injection for its economic survival, the cost of the stadium has been trimmed from anoriginal 200 billion won (148 million dollars) to 150 billion.

The Nigerian squad

Milutinovic banks on experience

ABUJA: Nigerian coach Bora Milutinovic opted for experience when he named his 22-man squad whic includes a dozen players who were in action in the four years ago, but no player plays for a Nigerian club. The squad: Goalkeepers: Willy Okpara, Abiodun Baruwa, Peter Rufai. Defenders: Ben Iroha, Jero Shakpoke, Uche Okechukwu, Augustine Eguavoen, Taribo West, Uche Okafor, Celestine Babayaro; Midfielders: Sunday Oliseh, Mutiu Adepoju, Austin Okocha, Godwin Okpara, Garba Lawal, Wilson Oruma; Strikers: Daniel Amokachi, Tijjani Babangida, Nwankwo Kanu, Victor Ikpeba, Rashidi Yekini, Finidi George.

Argentina release 22-man squad

BUENOS AIRES: Argentine coach Daniel Passarella named his 22-man squad to contest the World Cup finals in France later this month. Only six of the squad members play for Argentine clubs. All the others play in Europe. The squad is: Goalkeepers:German Burgos, Pablo Cavallero, Carlos Roa, Defenders: Roberto Ayala, Jose Chamot, Roberto Sensini, Pablo Paz, Mauricio Pineda, Nelson Vivas, Javier Zanetti; Midfielders: Matias Almeyda, Leonardo Astrada, Sergio Berti, Marcelo Gallardo, Diego Simeone, Ariel Ortega, Juan Veron; Forwards: Abel Balbo, Gabriel Batistuta, Marcelo Delgado, Hernan Crespo, Claudio Lopez.

A veteran and rookie

SEOUL: South Korea announced its 22 for theWorld Cup squad including a teenage rookie Lee Dong-Kook, 19, as well as the comeback of veteran striker Hwang Sun-Hong. Hwang, 29, who returned to the National team in April after a two-year break due to a knee injury. The team: Goalkeepers: Kim Byung-Ji, Seo Dong-Myung; Defenders: Choi Young-Il, Hong Myung-Bo, Kim Tae-Young, Leemin-Sung, Jang Dae-Il, Lee Sang-Hun, Jang Hyung-Seok, Lee Im-Saeng; Midfielders: Ha Seok-Ju, Yoo Sang-Chul, Kim Doh-Keun, Choi Sung-Yong, Seo Jung-Won, Ko Jong-Soo, Lee Sang-Yoon, Noh Jung-Yoon; Forwards: Kim Do-Hoon, Hwang Sun-Hong, Choi Yong-Soo,Lee Dong-kook.The NetherlandsCoach: Guus Hiddink
Key players: Denis Bergkamp, Marc Overmars, De Boer brothers, Patrick Kluivert, Edgar Davids, Clarence Seedorf, Jaap Stam, Edwin Van Der Sar
PAST appearances: (6) 1934, 1938, 1974, 1978, 1990, 1994
Glory times: Runners up in 1974, 1978
Points in their favour

Young, talented side which has played together for over a couple of years
Re-emergence of potent striker-winger combination in Bergkamp and Overmars
One of the most creative midfields
Points that bother them

Temperament suspect
Traditional distrust & infighting within team
Known to choke in big match situations
South Korea

Coach: Bum Kum Cha
Key players: Hong Do-Hoon, Ha Seok-Jo, Hwanh, Sun-Hong, Kim Do-Hoon
Past appearances: (4) 1954, 1986, 1990, 1994
Glory times: Yet to come; Have never won a match at the World Cup
Points in their favour

Speedy, tireless players who can upset rhythm of rival teams
Country’s bestplayer is now coach and can impart vital tips to players
Idea of being the next tournament’s co-host could spur them on
Points that bother them

Have not yet won a match at the World Cup
Have usually served as whipping boys for other teams in their groups
Belgium

Coach: Gorge Leekens
Key players: Enzo Scifo, Luc Nillis, Luis Oliveria, Gilles de Bilde, Marc WilmotsPast appearances: (9) 1930, 1934, 1938, 1954, 1970, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994

Glory times: Finished fourth in 1986

Points in their favour

Traditionally a defensive team, that could spell well in the European nature of play
Return of talented playmaker Enzo Scifo after long dispute with Leekens
Known to get charged up when playing against traditional rivals, the Netherlands
Points that bother them

Will have to shed defensive image, against agressive Mexico and SouthKorea
Leekens will find hard to inspire players with mind preoccupied with wife’s terminalillness

Mexico

Coach: Manuel Lapuente
Key players: Luis Hernandez, Jorge Campos, Zague, Luis Garcia, Garcia Aspe, Ramirez
Past appearances: (10) `30, `50, `54, `58, `62, `66, `70, `78, `86, `94
Glory times: Quarters in 1970 and 1986
Points in their favour

Zague has become mainstay of midfield after being spurned by Brazil in early 1990s
Garcia and Hernandez form lively attacking duo that can unsettle any defences
Accent will be on attacking, entertaing gamePoints that bother them
Suspect defence
Erratic nature of keeper Jorge Campos in addition to his slight built and height
Has record of performing well only on home soil