6 - 12 December 2001
Issue No.563
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Al-Ahram Weekly Online 6 - 12 December 2001 Issue No.563 |
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Luck of the draw
Alaa Shahine looks at how Arab and African countries are expected to fare in the World Cup
Saudi Arabia's national team coach Nasser Al-Johar may not be too happy with the World Cup draw that placed his country along with three-time winners Germany, African champions Cameroon and steady as always Ireland, but he must at least feel good about no longer working as a stop-gap.
South Korean children represent the World Cup countries at the start of the draw in which FIFA General Secretary Michel Zen-Ruffinen, left, and former Cameroon striker Roger Milla fished names out of a bowl photos: AP
Replacing Yugoslavia's Slobodan Santrac after the team's poor start in the Asian qualifiers, Al-Johar inspired the Saudis to top the final group and book a place in football's most prestigious showpiece for the third time in a row.
It was not the first time Al-Johar acted as a ready replacement for foreign coaches. He took over from Brazil's Carlos Alberto in the 1998 World Cup finals following two successive defeats and guided the team to a 2-2 draw against South Africa. Two years later, he was again called up on short notice when he guided Saudi Arabia to second place in the Asian Cup of Nations after Czech Milan Macala was sacked following a humiliating 4-1 defeat against Japan in the opening match.
Each time Al-Johar came to the rescue, in a way not unlike a fire hydrant dousing dangerous flames. He proved himself worthy of the job on a permanent basis, but after every stint at damage control he was summarily replaced.
He might not last until June 2002, but up until the draw on Saturday in South Korea, Al-Johar was in command.
"The most important thing is that we appear in a way that reaffirms our representing Gulf, Arab and Asian football in the championship for the third time," Prince Sultan Bin Fahd, president of the Saudi Football Association, told reporters after the draw was made.
Perhaps Sultan was readying Saudis for the distinct possibility they will not reach the second round. Saudi Arabia has only an outside chance of advancing. In the group, Germany are the odds-on favourites to move on despite being roughed up in qualification.
Before the draw, Cameroon's German coach, Winfried Schaefer, joked with his compatriot and Germany's boss Rudi Voller about a possible clash between the two sides in the group stage of the tournament. The joke turned real and a planned friendly between the two sides has been cancelled.
"Rudi and I were joking about a possible meeting in the group stage, but of course it is a big surprise and a difficult situation now," said Schaefer. "I think it's possible that both sides make their way through into the second round. However, the draw has meant a change of plan for Cameroon's preparations. We scheduled a friendly game against Germany but now it will be cancelled, of course," Schaefer told AFP.
Senegal, who reached the finals at the expense of Egypt and Morocco, will face a tough test in Group A with defending champions France in the opening match, and two other tough clashes against Denmark and two-time champions Uruguay. However, Senegalese coach, Frenchman Bruno Metso, showed no lack of confidence after the draw was announced. "I will prepare a nice surprise for the French team in the opening match," he said. The truth is that lack of experience in such events remains a big hurdle for all debutantes.
Nigeria, who appear in the finals for a third successive time, were placed in Group F, nicknamed the Group of Death, along with title contenders Argentina, inspired England, and Sweden.
The draw was more merciful on other Africans, Tunisia and South Africa, who were both placed in relatively more balanced groups. The Tunisians were drawn in Group H to face co-hosts Japan, Belgium and Russia while South Africa will face Spain, Slovenia and Paraguay in a less challenging Group C.
A shadow of the team that won the title four times, more than anyone else, Brazil were beaten a record six times during the South American qualifying rounds.
In 2002, they will meet three opponents for the first time -- Turkey, China and Costa Rica. None will be able to handle the Brazilians, even if the squad is in such disarray these days, making the battle in the group for second place the true dogfight. The Turks, back in the World Cup for the first time since 1954, look to have the edge for the second slot. "The group is great but we have to make good," said Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said. "We can't make the same mistakes again."
Scolari was quick to point out that China's coach is Bora Milutinovic, who has now taken five different nations to the World Cup finals and reached the second round with all of his previous four teams. "He has a lot of experience," Scolari said.
Defending champions France will play the opening match of the 2002 World Cup against Senegal and could run into co-favourites Argentina, who are placed in a "group of death" with England, Nigeria and Sweden , in the round of 16.
The French were also drawn with Uruguay and Denmark in Group A. The game with Senegal, who along with China, Ecuador and Slovenia are first- timers at the World Cup, will take place in Seoul on 31 May. The final is scheduled for 30 June in Yokohama, Japan.
The French and two-times champions Argentina would be tipped to meet in the final except that they cannot. Under the group system, they can meet in nothing higher than the semi-finals. They could also meet as early as round 16 if one of the two finishes first and the other second in their respective groups.
Group F is by far the most difficult. The 1966 champions England will be seeking revenge on 7 June in Sapporo for their defeat against Argentina in the 1998 edition. Both teams met in the second round and Argentina won on a penalty shoot-out in what was arguably the best game played in the tournament. But the match was marred in the second half after England's David Beckham was sent off due to a petulant challenge on Diego Simeone.
Twelve years earlier, it was Argentine superstar Maradona's infamous "hand of God" that eliminated the English in Mexico.
World Cup under-achievers Spain meet Slovenia, Paraguay and South Africa in Group B. Co-hosts South Korea will face a tough time making it to the next round from Group D where they run into Portugal, Poland and the United States.
Italy, who have also won the title three times, play the 1998 third-place finisher Croatia, Mexico and Ecuador in Group G. Co-host Japan's opponents in Group H are Belgium, Russia and the current No 1 Arab country, Tunisia.
Groups A through D play their preliminary matches in South Korea and Groups E to H in Japan.
Group A: France -- Senegal -- Uruguay -- Denmark
Group B: Spain -- Slovenia -- South Africa -- Paraguay
Group C: Brazil -- Turkey -- China -- Costa Rica
Group D: South Korea -- Poland -- US -- Portugal
Group E: Germany -- Saudi Arabia -- Ireland -- Cameroon
Group F: Argentina -- England -- Sweden -- Nigeria
Group G: Italy -- Ecuador -- Croatia -- Mexico
Group H: Japan -- Belgium -- Russia -- Tunisia
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