WORLD CUP USA ’94 / THE FIRST ROUND : TODAY’S GAMES AT A GLANCE
GROUP D at Cotton Bowl, Dallas
Argentina vs. Bulgaria
* TIME: 4:30 p.m. PDT
* TV: ESPN, Univision
* KEY MATCHUPS: Both teams have the firepower to make it a high-scoring, entertaining contest. Whether the forwards do anything is another question. Diego Maradona’s inspirational midfield play helped Argentina’s Gabriel Batistuta and Claudio Caniggia look sharp. Batistuta scored three goals in a 4-0 victory over Greece, and Caniggia scored both goals in a 2-1 victory over Nigeria. “The next game is very dangerous,” said Emil Kostadinov, one of Bulgaria’s forwards. “From now on we have to think about serious soccer.” Bulgaria needs big-time play from Kostadinov and Hristo Stoichkov as it fights to advance to the second round.
Argentine defender Roberto Sensini, suffering from a knee injury, will be replaced by Hernan Diaz. But Coach Alfio Basile plans to play his offensive weapons even though his team already has advanced. “I am not thinking of using our reserve players,” he said.
* OUTLOOK: After a disastrous showing in South America’s qualifying matches, Argentina has proved to be a formidable foe in the World Cup finals and had become one of the favorites. Now, Argentina faces the loss of Maradona after he tested positive for using ephedrine, a stimulant on the banned list. The Argentines advanced to the finals only after eliminating Australia, 1-0, in a wild-card playoff that was necessary when they lost twice to Colombia and tied Paraguay. But Argentina enters the final first-round match leading Group D with two impressive victories. The Argentines’ second-round opponent July 5 could be Italy or Belgium, each a difficult challenge. Basile is hoping his team will continue its strong play and that it will carry over into the round of 16. “I don’t want any unpleasant surprises,” he said. “I want us to win big.”
After finally getting their first World Cup victory in six appearances by defeating Greece, 4-0, there was a sense of elation in the Bulgarian camp. Said midfielder Zlatko Iankov: “In Bulgaria, there is probably talk on the streets that we’re going to the finals.” The reality is Bulgaria might be going to the second round, or home. As impressive as Bulgaria was against Greece, it looked slow and off balance in a 3-0 loss to Nigeria in its opener, also at the Cotton Bowl. “It will be hard to play Argentina,” Coach Dimitar Penev said. “Our players are very concerned.”
* OUTCOME: Bulgaria would be happy with a tie, giving it four points and a possible second-round bid. But that might be asking too much. Goalkeeper Luis Islas has taken over from 1990 Cup star Sergio Goycochea, Maradona has scored a goal and Argentina, once a swirl of controversy, is playing well. Although Bulgaria has the potential to keep it close, its defenders are not quick enough to stop the Argentine attack. Argentina will win by two goals, either 3-1 or 2-0.
