FRANCE 98 – General Media News Template
Argentina coach Daniel Passarella believes debutants South Africa could cause upsets at the World Cup in France next month.
He was speaking after his team triumphed 2-0 on a rain-soaked pitch here Monday in a warm-up match that pitted one of the cup favourites against an outsider.
Gabriel Batistuta scored his 43rd goal in 60 appearances to give two-time winners Argentina an early second-half lead and Ariel Ortega added a second with the last kick of the match. “This was one of our toughest warm-up matches. Argentine fans tended to dismiss our opponents before the match, but they presented a brave challenge,” the former national captain told a media conference.“The South Africans were technically gifted, quick and not afraid to attack. They kept coming forward during the first half and have some excellent players.”
He criticised the Bafana Bafana (The Boys) tackling and said Uruguayan referee Gustavo Mendez was too lenient. Helman Mkhalele received a red card for a late challenge on Ortega and four teammates were cautioned. South Africa coach Philippe Troussier said he was pleased with the display, claiming his squad were moving closer to shedding an inferiority complex when confronted by top-class opposition. Bafana Bafana have not beaten a European or South American country since being readmitted to international football six years ago following three decades of apartheid-induced isolation. “We are getting stronger. The players showed the commitment and attitude I was looking for. Quinton Fortune impressed on the left side of midfield,” Troussier said.
South Africa are scheduled to arrive in Germany Wednesday where they will face two select teams and Iceland in Stuttgart before travelling to the French town of Vichy.
Argentina face Japan, Jamaica and Croatia in Group H and South Africa confront France, Denmark and Saudi Arabia in Group C during first-round action that begins on June 10.