FRANCE 98 – General Media News Template
Dual World Cup winners Argentina are coming to the boil just at the right time.
At one stage, the heroes of 1978 and 1986 looked to be struggling to qualify but Daniel Passarella’s team came good and in the end coasted to France 98, topping their group with five straight wins. And success against Bosnia, Chile and South Africa in recent friendlies suggest they will be a match for any team, especially with the excellent Fiorentina striker Gabriel Batistuta enjoying superb form. Out in the cold after a nine-month absence “Batigol” is now a valued component in Passarella’s line-up, scoring a hat-trick against Bosnia, clinching the winner in the Chile game and a header in their final warm-up againt South Africa. The 29-year-old will be making his second appearance in the World Cup finals.
Another key figure is Sampdoria’s Juan Veron, whose dynamic presence contirbutes to a strong attacking midfield with Ariel Ortega, who played in all bar one of Argentina’s 16 qualifying games. A stuttering start, including defeats to Ecuador and Bolivia and uninspiring goalless draws with Peru and Uruguay left Passarella staring at a summer doing the gardening.
But a great late run of seven games without a hitch booked Argentina a place at their 12th finals.
Passarella, captain in 1978, is a strict disciplinarian, and has banned long hair, earrings and homosexuals from his squad. The former defender is blessed with a seasoned defence which let in only 13 goals throughout the entire 14-month qualifying session. Argentina have been handed a kind draw in Group H; up against World Cup newcomers Japan, Jamaica and Croatia, and are on many people’s shortlists to progress far in the tournament.