FRANCE 98 – Match Summary n°13

Gabriel Batistuta fired home his first goal of France 98 within 30 minutes of his debut in the tournament here Sunday but Argentina had to work for their 1-0 win against World Cup newcomers Japan. Argentine coach Daniel Passarella was visibly relieved that the man Argentina are relying on to shoot them into the final hit the target so early on.

But his relief turned to concern as he watched plucky Japan cause the former world champions all kinds of problems. The Japanese never lost hope of causing an upset on the scale of Cameroon’s defeat of Argentina in the 1990 World Cup opener in Italy. But a brief loss of concentration cost them their dream. In the 28th minute Diego Simeone and Ariel Ortega combined to put the 29-year-old Batistuta clear in the penalty area when the Japanese defence failed to clear. Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi rushed out to try and block Batistuta but the Argentinian coolly chipped the keeper to put Argentina one up. ” I am very happy, ” said the Fiorentina star after scoring the 44th goal of his international career. ” There was a lot of pressure on us and we responded with a goal. “

Batistuta produced a phenomenal scoring partnership with Claudio Caniggia before their 1994 World Cup campaign fizzled out at the quarter-final stage following the Diego Maradona drug debacle. ” Four years ago it was different, ” he said. ” We have a young team now and we have to impress our opponents. And that is what we have done. ” With one ankle in an ice pack, he said: ” I took a knock during the match. But there’s nothing to be worried about. ” He said Japan did themselves proud on their World Cup debut. ” I think it’s a good team and the match was a good one because it was the first one in their history. I think both Argentina and Japan can improve. “

Argentina midfielder Juan Veron, who plays in Italy for Sampdoria, said: ” Japan applied very tight pressure and they ran very fast. I got the impression that they were ready to play in the World Cup. ” Japanese coach Takeshi Okada said he was disappointed his side failed to score at least one goal. ” The defeat by just one goal, we can accept that as a fact of life. ” But I really regret that we have ended up without any goals, regardless of whether we won or lost. ” In the World Cup, the result is all that matters. In that sense we were unfortunate. “

Argentine coach Passarella was happy with the narrow win. ” We are very satisfied because it is important to win the first match and it is always difficult. ” Indeed it was. Japan, shrugging off their inexperience at this level, unsettled the South Americans with their chase-anything style of play.

Japanese midfield star Hidetoshi Nakata was causing all sorts of problems with the Argentinian defence and defender Naoki Soma threatened every time he came up in attack. The 26-year-old had a chance to put the 2002 co-hosts ahead after only 13 minutes but his header went just over the bar.

Batistuta’s goal was a bitter blow and he nearly added a sucker punch only minutes later when his header rebounded off the post. But Japan refused to lie down and die. They had a chance to equalise in the 57th minute when Akira Narahashi crossed from the right to the far post but Shoji Jo’s header lacked power.

In a frantic three minute period in the second half Argentina could have been two in front but for two brilliant saves from Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi. He parried a blistering shot from Ariel Ortega just inside the area and then dived at the feet of substitute Abel Balbo. Ten minutes from time Batistuta again hit the post.