Gabriel Batistuta's 56th international
goal gave Argentina the perfect
start to a World Cup campaign
in which they have been widely
tipped to become champions for
a fourth time. `The Group of Death' appeared
as if it would live up to its
imposing nickname for one of
the tournament favourites for
despite carving Nigerian apart,
Argentina found themselves frustrated
as a catalogue of chances went
begging.
Batistuta, making his 76th
appearance for his country,
was the key culprit as he twice
wasted gilt-edged opportunities
before finally making it third
time lucky from a piercing Juan
Sebastian Veron corner.
Manchester United ace Veron
was handed the captain's armband
by coach Marcelo Bielsa, and
he responded with a masterful
midfield display, pulling the
strings and ultimately punishing
Nigeria with his deadly dead-ball
deliveries.
Nigeria were left floundering
at his inswinging corners -
England skipper David Beckham
will surely have taken note
- and finally in the 63rd minute
Batistuta was at the post to
steer home a header which Crewe's
Efe Sodje could only help into
the net.
It was the fourth time he had
picked out the Roma forward
at the back post with a left-wing
corner.
Argentina had earlier headed
into the interval wondering
how they had played out the
first goalless opening 45 minutes
of the tournament as Nigeria
had weathered a storm.
Although the Africans spent
most of the time in their own
half, keeper Ike Shorunmu was
only twice called upon as he
first prevented Batistuta from
scoring with a 15-yard curler
before producing a stunning
fingertip save in keeping out
Ariel Ortega's rising, first-time
drive.
Opposite number Pablo Cavallero,
winning only his ninth cap and
preferred in goal to the more
experienced German Burgos, proved
equally as agile in pushing
over the bar a rasping shot
from captain Jay Jay Okocha
late in the half.
Nigeria defended doggedly
and in numbers with Taribo West
especially impressive, but Argentina
stepped up the pace and should
have scored before Batistuta's
63rd-minute winner.
Batistuta, Juan Sorin and Mauricio
Pochettino were all guilty of
glaring misses after the interval,
while Shorunmu produced another
sensational save from Sorin's
15-yard right-foot volley.
And though Nigeria showed more
attacking intent after Argentina
scored, substitutes Kily Gonzalez
and Hernan Crespo both had two
chances to add to the lead.
But 33-year-old Roma striker
Batistuta finally came up trumps
and the onus is now on England
to gain at least a point from
their opening Group F game against
Sweden in Saitama later today. |
Soccer Media
