The Observer from London, Greater London, England • 58

4 24 May 1998 The Observer yggSBfaEfr; -V- Anelka misses out on World Cud as Arsenal FOOTBALL port his opponent, Sepp Blatter. 'I am disappointed about this disloyal act of the French said the Italian Fifa vice-president, Antonio Matarrese. Senes Erzik, a Turkish Fifa executive member, warned: 'This decision will certainly not Tie advantageous for them in the Georgios Karagkounis scored the only goal as Greece upset Germany in the opening group A match of the European under-21 championship finals in Romania. The win puts Greece in the fact, decided upon his squad for the finals some three months ago. Another player who became surplus to requirements when the squad were whittled down to 22 was AC Milan's Ibrahim Ba.

Those retained include Anelka's Arsenal colleagues Emmanuel Petit and Patrick Vieira, together with West Ham's Bernard Lama, and Chelsea's Frank Leboeuf. Anelka is in good company. An even more notable absentee from the big stage of the World Cup finals, of course, will be Gianfraneo Zola. could end this week. After less than 12 months at Liverpool, Riedle is considering a move back to his native Germany.

Hertha Berlin are thought to be ready to offer around 800,000 for him half the sum that Liverpool had to pay to sign him from Borussia Dortmund. Another foreign star who has struggled to make an impact at Liverpool, Czech Republic midfielder Patrik Berger, is poised to join Roma. Meanwhile, it seems certain that Bolton's much-coveted Though there are doubts about the fitness of Italy's striker Alessandro Del Pi ero, their coach, Cesare Maldini, has earmarked Parma's Enrico Chiesa as his possible replacement ahead of the Chelsea player. Why? Maldini explained: 'Zola's had a tough year. Chiesa is in better shape than Zola and he's capable of many With Liverpool clinching the signing of Karlsruhe's South African-born forward Sean Dundee, Karl Heinz Riedle's brief and rather unfulfilling spell at the club midfielder, Alan Thompson, will move to Leeds a considerable blow to Everton's manager, Howard Kendall, who had hoped to use the signing of Thompson to convince his chairman, Peter Johnson, that he was still capable of attracting top players.

One player who could show Premiership strikers a thing or two next season is the Argentinian central defender Horacio Carbonari. He scored 36 goals in 137 appearances for Rosario, hence Derby manager Jim Smith's elation at completing the 2.7 million signing of the World Cup group of 28 players, axed him in favour of keeping faith with more experienced strikers such as Monaco's Thierry Henry and Marseille's Christophe Dugarry. This was not a major surprise, although Anelka's fans might well argue that Jacquet should have been influenced by the teenager's excellent FA Cup final goal proof of his composure on the big occasion and the fact that neither Henry nor Dugarry has looked particularly impressive recently. But Jacquet said he had, in player yesterday. 'We didn't think we would get Smith admitted.

'But I am very excited by this signing. Horacio can play as sweeper or central defender, he can play left or right and he scores a lot of goals. He is the sort of player I was looking for it should make it very exciting next Football politics reared their ugly head again when those backing the bid by Uefa's president, Lennart Johansson, to become the president of world soccer's governing body, Fifa, hit out at France's decision to sup REVIEW By Jason Tomas Nicolas Anelka experienced the sick-as-a-parrot side to football yesterday when the 19-year-old striker who helped steer Arsenal to the Championship-FA Cup Double failed to land a place in France's World Cup squad. France's manager, Aime Jacqnet who had) included Anelka in a provisional After Shearer shutout Sunderland's top lock nuns for Keame Mti out Maurice Quinn at Lansdowne Road Republic of 0 0 Att: 28,500 Fortress Lansdowne Road is no longer one of world football's more intimidating venues. Following this scoreless stalemate with World Cup finalists Mexico the Republic of Ireland have now gone 12 months and five games without a home win.

There were plenty of encouraging signs early on against a team with an inflated world ranking of four but the Irish gradually lost their sparkle and shape on a muggy afternoon. Even so Robbie Keane, the most creative player on view, might have capped a fine individual contribution when he burst through oh goal nine minutes from time. As Campos, who was winning his 101st cap, advanced, Keane elected to shoot first time and clipped the ball a whisker wide of the upright. It was to be that sort of sad, frustrating day for the Irish. It was distinctly odd to see the Republic take the field in bright orange while their opponents wore green.

Yet on the day that the whole island was celebrating an historic reconciliation of orange and green, the colour code was singularly appropriate. Many of the 28,500 spectators had come to watch the two young Dub-liners who have been making waves on the English scene this season Keane on better support in he is happy to share the general workload. 'The best striker I have worked with was Clive Allen, but it was frustrating for me sometimes because he was an out-and-out finisher and I felt I had to make myself available for every ball and set up every attack. Whereas Clive would sit all day waiting for me to set up his goals. Kevin has worked his socks off." This is hardly surprising, since Phillips, like Quinn.

wants to make up for lost time. Born in Hitchin and an Arsenal supporter as a boy, he was 20 before becoming a full-time professional footballer. Before joining Watford, he served a two-year apprenticeship at Southampton on leaving school, but they used him at right-back because of his slight build. No giant now, at 5ft 7in and and list 41b, he recalls: 'It was a classic story. They felt I was too small and too weak." European championship in Perth, were given a big hand when introduced at half-time but the atmosphere turned a bit sour early in the second half as a series of robust tackles went in from both sides.

After the first scuffle Kelly, the Irish captain, was shown the yellow card and five minutes later eight or nine players got involved in pushing and shoving after Ramirez went down injured. This time the referee added insult to injury by showing Ramirez the card as he was stretchered off. One of the best chances of the match fell to his replacement Pelaez, who was put through right in front of goal but in a one-on-one situation with Given his shot hit the goalkeeper on the knee and was cleared. With 15 minutes to go Irish manager Mick McCarthy took off Duff and Connolly replacing them with Kennedy of Wimbledon) and Derby County's Delap but it was the Mexicans who made all the good moves in the latter stages and the rather shaky Irish defence must have been relieved to hear the final whistle. Yet Man-of-the Match Keane could, indeed should, have been the match winner.

Republic of It-eland: Given (Newcastle). Fleming (Middlesbrough). Breen (Coventry). Babb (Liverpool). Harte (Leeds), Kelly (Leeds, capt).

Carsley (Derby). Farrelly (Everton). Dull Kennedy. Wimbledon 73); Keane (Wolves). Connolly (Feyenoord.

Delap. Derby 73) Mexico: Pardo. Sanchez. Davino. Luna.

Blanco. Ordiales (Palencia 45). Garcia-Aspe Hernandez. Ramirez (Pelaez 55). Referee: Ashman (Wales).

Striking out for a Premiership place: Kevin Phillips (left) and Niali Quinn work together up front for Sunderland's benefit Phillips poised to tram screw Duff: Skilful touches of Wolves and Duff of Blackburn Rovers had the skilful touches and infectious enthusiasm shown by teenagers and won roars of approval from the stands and terraces. From a corner the ball ran to Duff whose snap shot was well wide. Then it was Keane's turn. He robbed a Mexican defender at the corner flag and bore down on goal. His shot was blocked and rebounded to Connolly, who was tackled and went down in the box but appeals for a penalty were ignored; After 20 minutes Harte got over a good cross but Connolly's glancing header slipped just wide of the post.

Ireland's best shot of the first half was 20-yard rocket from Carsley which veteran goalkeeper Campos parried with some difficulty. In the 15 minutes before the break the neat passing of the Mexican forwards caused problems for the Irish defence but half-time arrived with the score-sheet blank. The Orange under-16 recent winners of the With Quinn says. 'We are all constantly interchanging. You look at Clark he has probably had more one-on-ones with opposing goalkeepers than Kev and 1 together." Phillips.

21 adds: 'I go into even' game confident I am going to score. No matter who we are playing against I know I am going to get at least half-a-dozen Whether he would have been so confident in the Sunderland team relegated last season is open to doubt. While Newcastle and Shearer were terrorising opposing defences at least when Kevin Keegan was manager Sunderland were at the bottom end' of the scoring scale. They managed only 35 goals in the Premiership and Craig Russell was top marksman with no more than four. Perhaps the biggest blow was the loss of Quinn.

who was bought for a club record 1.3 million before the start of striker can count the season but missed most of it because of a cruciate knee ligament injury. He found himself considering retirement and even had an job interview as a football journalist with a Sunday newspaper in Ireland. 'The big turning point for me was that Peter Reid Sunderland's manager wouldn't listen to he recalls. "He just kept encouraging me to keep The upshot was that Quinn, despite another operation to separate fused leg bones, scored 15 goals himself. But having someone such as Phillips alongside is a bonus.

'If we had had him last season, we might have finished halfway in the he says. 'The thing which struck me about him right from the word go was his hunger for goals. I still remember a match early in the season when he scored twice, but was absolutely devastated about not making it a hat-trick. Unlike a lot of top scorers, though. Division Two play Northampton might not be pretty, but as with so many other teams who have followed the likes of Wimbledon down the long-ball power-play path, you have to admire the way they have transformed their results.

Who can have envisaged their presence in today's Division Two promotion piay-off final against Grimsby in 1992. when they came close to going out of business or in 1993 and 1994. when they almost went out of the league0 And. now Northampton have the boost of at last reaching a position to wipe out their debts (they are still officially in receivership), who would bet against their rise Wembley is supposed to be well-suited to good passing teams, one would think that in attendances, 21,000 to 34,500 they even achieved average gate at to be increased 14,000. However, the brought the 20 times the figure Under the club income has for the champions Crystal Palace at Combined their First Division more than 1 Charlton shootout Ailsport When he was shown the door, his next step took him into non-League football with Baldock Town, and a job working with his mother in the local Sunblest bakery.

Yet he insists he still felt he could make it as a League player, a view that was to become increasingly realistic after Baldock's manager Ian Allinson, a former Arsenal player, handed him the chance to express his physical and mental sharpness as a striker. Phillips says: 'He just happened to ask me one day, "Do you fancy playing up front?" I jumped at the For someone with his background, Phillips, who was bought by Watford for the princely sum of 10,000 and scored 24 goals in 60 League games for them, finds it difficult to rationalise his rise to prominence over the past 10 months. 'I like to think that I thrive on he says. 'There has been so much fuss up here about Brian Clough's record, but this has not bothered me in the slightest. However, when Sunderland came in for me, I worried that it might be too big a move for me too soon.

I also thought about how the Sunderland fans would react to me they wanted a big-name striker and most of them had probably never heard of He considers himself fortunate that he got off to a good scoring start. He feels he has also been helped by the weight training that has developed his upper-body strength. A lot of people have noticed that I've got better at holding defenders off than I was at For Phillips, though, the most important factor is that, unlike Shearer, he has not been made to feel like a band. 'You can't really fail with the support I've he says. 'We also have some big lads in our side, who I am sure will compete and combat their Both teams are bound to be helped by their recent Wembley experience.

Northampton were there 12 months ago, for the Division Three promotion play-off final against Swansea: Grimsby's visit came only a few weeks ago. when they beat Bournemouth in the Auto Windscreens Shield Final. However, Northampton's manager, Ian Atkins, insists: There's not the same pressure on teams in the Auto Windscreens Shield Final because it's not the be-all-and-end-all. Sunday will be a totally different scenario for Grimsby and hopefully that will stand us in good Jason Tomas By Jason Tomas Whenever Sunderland's striker Kevin Phillips discusses the secret of Ms success this season, you almost expect him to add: your heart out Alan Shearer." The Nationwide League's Player of the Year would never dream of putting himself in the Newcastle and England centre-forward's class, and it should also be stressed that scoring goals at First Division level is less difficult than in the Premiership. But.

in view of his lack of creative support in the FA Cup final, what will Shearer make of the service Phillips receives in tomorrow's promonon playoff final against Charlton at Wembley0 It is just as well the Londoner? have a resilient defence since they are liable to have to work harder in containing Phillips than Arsenal did to frustrate Shearer. That word "support' helps explain why Phillips, relatively unknown when Sunderland paid Watford 350.000 for him las: July, needs only one more eoai to beat Brian Clough's post-war club recorti total of 34. set in 1951-61 In Phillips's case, the assistance comes not only from the passionate backing of Sunderland's 40,000 home crowds, and the know-how of his experienced striking partner Xiall Quinn. but also from the mentality of the team. Tne 31-year-old Quirm.

referring to the attacking qualities of colleagues such as Alex Rae. Lee Clark. Nicky Summerbee and Allan Johnston, believes this is the most positive side in which he has played. 'Kevin and I do not really kok upon ourselves as Sunderland's front two. it's more of a front World Cup Stories Binder The most neurotic people among the packed Wembley crowd at tomorrow's promotion battle will undoubtedly be those who control the finances of Charlton and Sunderland.

The Premiership is English football's gravy train, and such is the speed at which it is running away from the Nationwide League that no ambitious club can their average gate increased from this season, and in recent weeks capacity crowds. Charlton's The Valley, where the capacity is due from 15,800 to 20,000, has been gulf between the two Leagues in To keep your seven Panini sticker albums and the Observer's guide to the 1998 World Cup we have produced an accompanying binder. To order your binder simply call freephone 0500 500 171 or send a cheque or postal order for 4.99 (including UK postage and packaging) made payable to Observer Interactive to 250 Western Avenue, London, W3 6EE. Offer subject to availability, please allow 28 days for delivery. afford not to be on board.

Estimates of the cost of failure to get a Premiership ticket or losing it varies from club to club. In income terms, such as attendances, income from television explains why even a club of Sunderland's means is desperate to be in the Premiership. During the past season, Sky's live coverage of Premiership matches has merchandising, shirts sponsorship, advertising, publishing and corporate hospitality, Sunderland are already doing very nicely. One of the traditional giants of the game, with a vast supporter base, their scope is not as dramatic as Charlton's for future financial growth. For example, Sunderland's relegation last season coincided with a move to their new Stadium of Light But far from experiencing a decline clubs a total of 152 million six shared by the Nationwide League.

Premiership deals with Sky and Carting, ranged horn more than 10 million Arsenal to almost 5 million for the bottom. television and sponsorship figures for counterparts amounted to little million and 750,000 respectively. off: Grimsby Northampton (3pm) Teamtalk The Independent News and Reports Service Call 0930 16 87 Arsenal 01 Hudd. Town 15 Sheffield United 29 Aston Villa 02 Ipswich Town 1 6 Sheffield Wed. 30 Barnsley 03 Leeds United 17 Southampton 31 Birm.

City 04 Leicester City 18 Spurs 32 Blackburn 05 Liverpool 1 9 Stoke Crty 33 Bolton 06 Man. City 20 Sunderland 34 Brentford 07 Man. United 21 Watford 92 Burnley 08 Middlesbrough 22 West Ham 35 Celtic 09 Millwall 23 Wimbledon 36 Chelsea 10 Newcastle Utd 24 Wolves 37 Coventry City 11 Norwich City 25 Crystal Palace 12 Nottm. Forest 26 WORLD CUP Derby County 13 QPR 27 England 38 Everton 14 Rangers 28 Scotland 39 Fulham 91 Reading 93 General 00 Grimsby who pass the ball more than Northampton do. and certainly keep it on the ground more will have the edge.

However, this will be Grimsby's 68th match of the season, and if any team are capable of exploiting any tiredness in their ranks, it is Northampton. The best example of their remarkable physical resilience came in the semi-final, when Bristol Rovers, who seemed certain to reach Wembley-following a 3-1 first-leg win. were brushed aside 3-0 in the return. Grimsby's defenders are clearly going to have headaches literally although Northampton's aerial ability does not appear to worry Grimsby's central defender. Mark Lever.

'We will relish the Call freephone 0500 500 171 The Observer To order any of the Panini sticker albums please send a cheque or postal order to: Back Issues, 164 Deansgate, Manchester M60 2RR stating the year(s) you require. Each supplement costs CI. 50, cheques should be made payable to 'The Guardian Media Group PLC oer subject to avaiiab.iny. Interactive 713 4473 Cals cost 50f per mm alt times Supplied 1r Mark. sne.

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