The Observer from London, Greater London, England • 57

28 June 1998 The Observer Group A (Brazi, spam (1)2 Nigera I Colombia (0)1 Tunisia (0)0 I Preciado83 Att 35,000 Her-t. 21 Rau The week that was Ar. 33.25" AoepojL 2' awa Oirsff- 7' Morocco, Norway) 270 1 im.ii Romania (0)2 England Mo)dovan7 Owen 83 Petrescu 9C Att 37,500 Nigeria 3rariL (1)1 Bulgaria (0)0. Ar. 4E.50.

Goafs Scotland Is'ns 5: Nomra) Tunisia (1)1 Souayeh (pen) 10 i Romania Moldovan 72 At 80.OOC (0)0 Paragua) Shots on target Spain Ar. 3: 3D: Moroeco Shots off target 5 Ease- c2 -Cl -as (0)1 (0)0 Blocked shots Colombia AU 41,275 England- (2)2 Artderton 20 Beckham 30 (2)fa Bulgam (0)1 Kostadinov 5: Ar. ScotSanS. Honraj. Hiersioen i En-iaue if Mo-terrtf's 53 iicc 3 3: Goal assists Total passes Srazfi Morocco A Pts 3 2 1 0 4 2 7 3 2 0 1 5 2 6 3 10 2 13 3 3 0 12 14 1 Completion Romania Englano Colombia Tunsia Nigeria Onma 1C At (1)1 Paragua (1)3 Ayats 1 3entts7 5" la'Oasc 6- vv i PC (0)2 Brazil.

(0)1 Nonraj Dribbling and runs A f-z S3 0) Morocco Completion Scottand- Spar Group (Argentina, Japan, Jamaica, Croatia) Crossing Total Completion Argentina (1)1 Batistuta 26 I At 33.40C 6 3 5 5 2 1 Group (Holland, Belgium, South Korea, Mexico; Defending -Tackles made Tackles won Discipline d)l Jamaica tarlc45 Att 38,056 South Korea Mexico (0)1 (1)3 Pela2 51 Fouls Group (Italy, Chile, Cameroon, Austria) Japan (0)0 Croatia (1)3 Stank 27 Proslnecki 53 Suker 69 Croatia (0)1 Suker77 Jamaica (0)0 Att 48,500 Croatia (0)0 Ha Seofc-Ju 2i At 37.58S Holland Att 75.00C Hemanaez 75. 8 Belgium (0)0 (0)0 (1)5 Japan At 39 00C Argentina Belgium. -d)2 uniiaven Paraojja)! 4 rSrsffrs 1 Ortega 32, 55 Batistuta 73, 79, 83 (pen) Mexico (0)2 GaTia Ask 5b er-Blarco 63 Wilrnots 43. AS At 34.75C (1)1 Argentina (2)5 (0)0 Pineda 3t South Korea At I Jamaica (1)2 Japan (0)1 Nakayama 75 Att 43.50C Whitmore 39, 5.4 Holland Coaj37 Overrnanil Bergkamp 71 Van Hooijdonk 79 os Boer 83 Hofend Ifcuj (1)2 Chile (1)2 Si a Cameroon (0)1 Austria (0)1 An Chili (0)1 Austria (0)1 An Ita)y (1)3 Cameroon (0)0 Ra)j (0)2 Austria (0)1 lerzog loen 95 530::: Atr 75. do: ChLs 1)1 Cameroon (0)1 (2)2 (0)2 Cocu 4, RdBOfl9 A Pts 0 9 2 6 9 3 4 0 3 2 1 0 Argentina.

Croatia Japan At 35.50C Mexico Paia2 75 Hemanoez 91 South Korea Yoo Sanj-Cnui 70 Belgium. U)l (0)1 Nilis 7 AC 48.50C Sunday: Lens became the second World Cup city to turn into a battleground as German hooligans ran amok through the streets. More than 75 people were arrested as thugs waged war with the police. A French police officer, who became Isolated, was clubbed around the head and. is critically ill in hospital.

Two German men have been charged with attempted murder. On the pitch, the German team proved that you can never write them off, when they staged a brave comeback from two goals down against Yugoslavia. Stankovic and Stojkovlc put Yugoslavia in control before a wicked deflection from a Tarnat free-kick wrong-footed the goalkeeper Kralj and the Germans were back in the game. The inevitable equaliser was scored by Bierhoff. Jamaica's romance with the World Cup was well and truly shattered when they crashed to a 5-0 defeat to Argentina in Paris.

The Reggae Boyz became the Ragged Boyz as Ortega demonstrated why he Is considered the natural successor to Maradona with two exceptional goals. Batistuta rounded off his afternoon by scoring a hat-trick in 10 minutes flat. The mother of all football matches took place in Lyon as Iran and the United States met head to head. Iran said it with flowers before the game and the contest itself was played out in complete harmony. Iran registered a historic 2-1 win with goals from Estill and Mahdavikia, McBride replied with a late header for the US.

Monday: Colombia got their World Cup. back on track when they beat Tunisia by a single goal In Montpellier. Preciado scored in the 83rd minute to record a somewhat fortunate victory, as Tunisia had the South Americans on the back foot for long periods of the game. England fans were thumping again in Toulouse, but thankfully It was drums rather than heads this time. There was a carnival atmosphere in the stadium known as 'Little Wembley', but proved no home from home for England.

The Coventry striker Moldovan rocked England back on their heels in the 47th minute when he beat Seaman from an unmarked position. Cue Michael Owen. The young Liverpool striker came off the bench and put England level in the 83rd minute and became his country's youngest World Cup goalscorer. The classic sting came in the closing seconds when Chelsea's Petrescu outstripped his club-mate Le Saux and slipped the ball through Seaman's legs. Tuesday: Italy eased into the last 16 when they beat Austria 2-1 to finish top of Group B.

Vieri opened the scoring, his fourth goal in three games, and late substitute Roberto Baggio scored his second of the tournament in the 90th minute. Austria scored, for the third time in three games in the dying seconds, but this time it was not enough to salvage a point. Chile Joined Italy in the second phase by virtue of a 1-1 draw with Cameroon. Sierra scored a superb goal from a free-kick, a rarity in these finals, before Mboma replied for the Africans. Cameroon had two players sent off, but still had a legitimate-looking goal disallowed and threatened to steal a winner on several occasions.

For all Scotland's passion play, they were comprehensively apart by an impressive Morocco side. Bassir struck in the 22nd and 85th minutes and Hadda scored just after the interval. The Scots found no reply, and to add to their woes Burley was sent off after 53 minutes. The Moroccan players were celebrating victory, and a likely secondround berth, before the news filtered through from Marseilles that Norway had done the improbable and beaten the mighty Brazilians. Bebeto put the South Americans ahead, but Tore Andre Flo bought the Norwegians level five minutes later.

Morocco were still bound for the last 16 before a controversial penalty decision gave Rekdal the chance to score from the spot in the 89th minute. He duly obliged and sent Norway, until then the most uninspiring team in the group, through at the expense of the far more gifted and entertaining Moroccans. Funny old game. Wednesday: Group reached its expected conclusion when France and Denmark progressed to the second stage. France beat the Danes 2-1 in Lyon with goals from Djorkaefl, with a penalty, and Arsenal's Petit.

In between, Michael Laudrup scored for Denmark. South Africa and Saudi Arabia played out a virtual dead-rubber match in Bordeaux. Bartlett fired South Africa ahead in the first half and they then went on to squander a series of chances. They were made, to pay when the unfortunate Issa conceded a penalty just before the break, which Al-Jaber converted. Issa was involved in a second penalty incident, wrestling Al-Shahrani to the ground.

Al-Thynlyan tucked away his spot-kick to put the Saudis ahead. A Bartlett goal for South Africa in the last minute left the match all square and both teams on their flights home. In Group Spain emphatically answered their recent critics, but It was too little, too late. The Spaniards destroyed Bulgaria 6-1 but It all proved irrelevant as group winners Nigeria went belly-up against Paraguay, losing 3-1. Nigeria face Denmark in round two and Paraguay face a daunting tie against the host nation, France.

Thursday: Belgium crashed out of the tournament after failing to beat South Korea in Paris. Nilis fired them into an early lead, but, after 71 minutes, Yoo Sang-Chul scored an equaliser for South Korea and despite torrents of late pressure from Belgium, it was not to be. Holland stormed into a two-goal lead against Mexico in St Etienne with goals from Cocu and Ronald de Boer. Mexico, who ratlled from two goals down against Belgium last weekend, performed another act of escapology and veteran striker Pelaez headed them bad Into contention with 15 minutes remaining. Luis Hernandez scored a dramatic last-minute equaliser and both.teams moved on to round two.

The oldest team in the tournament, Germany (average age almost 31), looked their age for nearly hour against Iran. But they eventually broke down a stubborn Iranian rearguard action and goals from Bierhoff and Klinsmann completed a 2-0 victory. An error by Liverpool goalkeeper Brad Friedel handed Yugoslavia a single goal win over the United States. Friedel could only parry a third-minute free-kick from Mihalovic, allowing Komljenovic to head home from a tight angle. Friday: Only a single goal separated Croatia and Argentina in the top of Group match: Pineda scored for Argentina in the 35th minute.

In Lyon, Jamaica recorded their first World Cup win with a 2-1 success over Japan. England secured a passage to round two and a meeting with Argentina, beating Colombia 2-0 in Lens. First-half goals from Anderton and Beckham sealed victory and the margin could have been greater. Romania clinch top spot by virtue of a 1-1 draw with the bottom side Tunisia. Second round yfr.Itg i Hoiiaia 3 Mexico 3 Belgium 3 South Korea 3 A PC 5 5 3 3 i Norway (0)0 Att: 60,000 1 Source: Carting Opta Itarjf Vieri IT Brazil As assessed by coirtpBter on current form They're coming home Ql Chile.

OL t- 3 0 7 3 7 4 3 13 4 2 12 5 2 Most defeats: US and Japan 3 Fewest goals: Bulgaria, US, Colombia, Japan, Tunisia 1 Most goals conceded: South Korea, Jamaica 9 Topgoalscorer. Batistuta (Argentina) and Vieri (Italy) 4 Red Cards: 16 (equals World Cup finals record) Yellow Cards: 174 Most red cards: Cameroon 3 Most yellow cards: Chile 11 Fewest yellow cards Holland 2 Highest score: Spain 6 Bulgaria 1 Hat-tricks: Batistuta (Argentina) Jamaica Group (Germany, United States, Yugoslavia, Iran) Today Franc. Pa-agia, (3.30 Lens) Nigeria Denmark (8.0 St-Denis) Tomorrow Germany Mexico (3.30 Montpellier) Holland Yugoslavia (8.0 Toulouse) Tuesday 30 June Romania Croatia (3.30 Bordeaux) Argentina England (8.0 St Etienne) (0)1 Group (France, Africa, Saudi Arabia, Denmark) Yogostarta Mibajlovk 73 Iran At 30,392 United States. Germany. a (0)0 (0)0 (1)2 In disgrace: South Africa's Brendan Augustine and Naughty.

Mokoena (for partying until dawn); Colombia's Faustino Asprilla (for criticising the coach). To sign-on: Carlos Alberto Parrelra (Saudi Arabia); Cha Bum-kun (South Korea) along with eight members of his staff; Philippe Troussier (South Africa); Hrlsto Bonev (Bulgaria); Henri Kasperczak (Tunisia); Hernan Darlo Gomez (Colombia); Takeshi Okada (Japan). Injured: Miroslav DJukic (Yugoslavia); Andrew Woodcock (a 30-year-old reporter accused of giving England supporters a bad name and subsequently flung against a concrete pylon); French policeman Daniel Nivel (a 44-year-old father of two, left hovering between life and death in a coma after being attacked by German hooligans during riots in Lens last weekend). Retiring: Spanish goalkeeper Andonl Zubizarreta; Belgian midfielder Enzo Scifo. Eliminated: Morocco, Scotland, Cameroon, Austria, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Bulgaria, Belgium, South Korea, Iran, US, Colombia, Tunisia, JamaicaJapan, Norway.

Molter 9, Klinsmann 65 Red card offenders (0)0 Denmark German. Yugoslavia. SatcE Arabia An 3 ia: France 35 Miiatovic 13 Tamat73, Bierhoff 80 South Airiea. Stojlcovic 54 AX 55, 077 isx 7. hen-.

91 Iran. Att 40,775 United States (0)1 McBriae 87 At A4.00C (1)2 South Africa (0)1 a)i Quarter-finals Friday 3 July Marseilles winner Lens winner (3.30 St-Denis) Paris winner Saint-Denis winner (8.0 Nantes) Saturday 4 July Toulouse winner 5 St Etienne winner Marseilles) Montpellier winner Bordeaux winner (8.0 Lyon) Group Burley (Scotland) Morocco, 23 June. Group Kalla (Cameroon) Italy, 17 June; Song (Cameroon) Chile, 23 June; Etame (Cameroon) Chile, 23 June. Group Melnar (Denmark) South Africa, 18 June; Wleghorst (Denmark) South Africa, 18 June; A Phiri (South Africa) Denmark, 18 June; Al-Khilaiwi (Saudi Arabia) France, 18 June; Zldane (France) Saudi Arabia, 18 June. Group A Nankov (Bulgaria) Paraguay, 12 June.

Group Ha Seok-ju (South Korea) Mexico, 13 June; Kluivert (Holland) Belgium, 13 June; Verheyen (Belgium) Mexico, 20 June; Pardo (Mexico) Befglum, 20 June; Ramirez (Mexico) Holland, 25 June. Group Powell (Jamaica) Argentina, 21 June. V.cCa-r 52 France Estil' 40 Mandaviloa B4 Iran At 35.00C German) (0)2 (0)0 Saudi Arabia Att Leading goalscorers 'em BiertKjf7 5C Iinsmam 56 United States (0)0 At 39,000 Yugostatia. (1)1 Denmariu. Trance.

Komljenovic DjD-JSF" 13 Att: 4300 Carting Opta leading performers Semi-finals Tuesday 7 July Nantes winner Marseilles winner (8.0 Marseilles) Sotrft Africa (1)2 Saudi Arabia (1)2 Ai-isbs- Ipen) -5 73 A Pts GenaT) 3 2 I 7 Yugoslavia 3 2 1 7 Iran 3 10 2 23 UnteJiSffiS 3 0 0 3 15 0 34.5K (remaining teams only) Vieri (IUly) 5 Batistuta (Argentina) 4 Henry (France) 3 HernandeztMexico) 3 Salas (Chile) 3 Baggio (Italy) 2 Bebeto (Brazil) 2 Bierhoff (Germany) 2 Klinsmann (Germany) 2 Cocu (Holland) 2 De Boer (Holland) 2 Moldovan (Romania) 2 Ortega (Argentina) 2 Pelaez (Mexico) 2 Wednesday 8 July Saint-Denis winner Lyons winner (8.0 St-Denis) -rare Onra-t Sa Acs 51)3 A-223 Group (Romania, Colombia, England, Tunisia) Third place play-off Saturday 11 Jury (8.0 Paris-Pare oes Princes) Striken 1 Hie (Romania) 1140 2 Scholes (England) 1124 3 Raul (Spain) 1103 4 Bergkamp (Holland) 872 5 Benltez (Paraguay) 860 Midfielders 1 Veron (Argentina) 1527 Hlerro 1485 3 Jonk (Holland) 1463 4 de Boer (Holland) 1258 3 Rivaldo (Brazil) 1217 Defenders 1 Uzarazu (France) 1360 2 Thuram (France) 1343 3 Mihajlovic (Yugoslavia) 1243 4 Carlos (Brazil) 1153 5 DesaiHy (France) 1127 First round stats England. (1)2 Tunisia (0)0 Group (Spain, Nigeria, Paraguay, Bulgaria) Sriea-e-42 Scroles 9C Romania Att 54,58" Colombia (0)0 At 37,572 Goals scored: 126, average 2.625 per game. Most victories: France and Argentina 3 Most goals scored: France 9 Fewest goals conceded: Argentina Most draws: Belgium and Chile 3 Final Sunday 12 July Paragus? Birtgara. Iil5 45 (8.0 St-Denis-Stade de France) his preferred Brazilian style of play for a less attractive COMINGS AND GOINGS HODDLE'S STARS Glenn Hoddle has receive advice from mind-benders and spoon-benders in his quest for World Cup glory, and his favourite faith healer is Billy McLaren to manage Albion; Chris Powell, Derby to Charlton; Stefan Schnoor, Hamburg to Derby; Andy Hunt, West Bromwich Albion to Charlton; Kit Symons has left Manchester City; Fabio Ferraresi, Cesena to Aston Howard Kendall, resigned as manager of Everton; Nell Redfeam, Barnsley to Charlton; Kevin Hodges has left Torquay to manage Plymouth; Jimmy Carter, Portsmouth to Millwall; Simon Royce, Southend to Charlton. Your contributions are welcome.

Our address: Observer Sport, 119 Farringdon Road, London EC1R 3ER. Fax: (0171) 713 4213. e-mail: sportobserver.co.uk long-ball game to accommodate the English-based players. One contributor called Rockers said: 'The introduction of all those new English players certainly seems to have backfired. In Jamaica, when the English players are not there, how many long balls do you see? Not many.

It's time for the original Boyz to roll Another, named Jamdown Dread pointed out: 'Simoes has bred the killer instinct out of them and taught them English-style Meanwhile, Jamaican Prime Minister PJ Patterson's presentation to the players, before the Argentina game, of a Havana cigar, so they could 'celebrate victory', was slightly misplaced it should have been a Hamlet. QUOTES OF THE WEEK himself a less than warm welcome from Fifa officials and the hosts. 'I think that this cup is bound for France, it's all a stieh up', was Maradona's opening shot before turning his attention to Sepp Blatter, the newly elected 'I think it all started when Blatter announced he is the new president after a vote. But it's all lies, just words when he says it was through a vote. It was all arranged with Michel Platini and with Lennart Johansson himself, the other Dastardly Diego went on to describe the Fifa general assembly as 'a farce' and said: Tou know exactly what's going to happen.

They're all as corrupt as each Maradona was no less flattering about the standard of play at France 98. "They're Robocops' he said of the players. 'They've all got square Rather that than square eyes, eh Diego. HENMAN'S PASSING SHOT Tim Henman passed the buck on Monday when explaining why he made such hard work of beating Jiri Novak in his first round game at Wim PROM ASTER always on tap. But as far as we know, he has never tuned in to Mystic Meg.

Which is probably just as well because his immediate horoscope does not augur well, despite Friday's result. Born early on in the sign of the Scorpion on 27 October 1957, Hoddle is in for a bit of a bashing over the next couple of months, according to Pat Blackett, from the Company of Astrologers. She tells us that Saturn, the taskmaster planet, having moved into his oppo BY CITIZEN. THE OFFICIAL WATCH OF THE ENGLAND TEAM. The Sun has got its hat on for Glenn and the boys Lowering the Tone? Sports minister Banks gets his titfer out for the Jads bledon.

Tiger Tim claims that his concentration was affected by the crowd shouting at him to get a move on because they wanted to get home and watch the football. 'That really irratated me', said Hemnan. 'The people who made those comments might think they are funny, but are Last week, Henman was publicly dreaming the dream double of England winning the World Cup and himself triumphing at Wimbledon. Well, if the site sign of Taurus, is the immoveable object in a head-on collision with Hoddle's irresistible force. The only possible outcome of which, she says, is a 'no-win Apparently Scorpios are notorious for their stubborn refusal to bow to anyone else's will, sometimes to the point of self-desljniction, and are unable to accept advice or criticism.

His natural defiance gives him a tendency to adopt a bunker mentality and resist all pressure to change even when this goes against all reason. He is unlikely to forget a slight and will carry a grudge And that's not the end of the bad news. 'Not only has he got the planet of hard knocks, Saturn, to contend with, he's also got the disruptive and unpredictable planet Uranus tiiwarting all his hard, thought-out The last week of the World Cup begmning on 6 July looks truly atrocious for Glenn and, says Pat, this stormy period culminates with a 'calamitous planetary combination in mid-August' Does this mean he will be looking for a new job before next season? FRENCH CHICS Now we know what makes the French tick so smoothly. Their team dietician, Dr Jean-Marcel Feret, reveals in World Cup press release that, among their culinary preferences, the players love tarts'. STYLE COUNCIL If English fans wish to be better received overseas, they should dress to impress.

This is the finding from a survey commissioned by the Menswear Council for the World Cup. But, according to the poll, very few England supporters are prepared to heed tie message. They would however, improve their appearance if it meant getting in to pubs, clubs and bars. The survey revealed that 79 per cent of French people polled feel it is respectful to make an effort, appearance-wise, whilst in a foreign country, but 62 per cent agree that it is not an indication of how people are likely to behave. English fans, or at least 71 per cent of them, realise that their dress-sense does affect the way they are treated abroad, but 64 per cent are not willing to do anyttiing about it.

Some 71 per cent feel it is important to reflect support for their nation in the way they dress and 66 per cent would be prepared to smarten-up, but only if it improved their chances of buying a pint. HE'S BACK If you thought we were in for a Maradona-free World Cup, think again. He is due in France to commentate for an Argentine television station and has already ensured Once we have run the English into the ground with 'chase the ball', then we will go for the throat and they will be on their way home tomorrow morning. Colombia's Carlos Valderrama. Famous last words, eh Carlos I ask for exemplary severity because it is the English who started the violence in this World Cup, or at least it is their hooligans, doubtlessly carried away with extremist idealo-gies and who have, for the past 24 yearsspread a reign of terror and death around the stadiums of Europe.

A state prosecutor, who urged the judge to hand England fan, Maurice Woodward, the maximum term possible for his offence in Marseilles. He was jailed for four months It's the last time we do any charity gigs for you Romanians. The ever-charming Oasis star Noel Gallagher lamenting Monday's result I thought about driving straight home to Aachen and not coming back. This World Cup can be no more fun for me any more. That wasn't hooliganism any more.

It was terrorism. A tearful Egidius Braun, head of the German federation. A reaction to the rioting by German fans in Lens that left a French police officer in a coma If it could have meant saving the policeman from his injuries, I would rather have lost to Yugoslavia. coach Berti Vogts BARNES BACK IN THE FOLD Some British reporters have been struggling with the hightech filing of their stories from France and have often had to resort to the dated method of telephoning a copytaker back in the office. This system can be fraught with problems, as one writer found when filing from England's training camp in La Baule.

He was attempting to relate the tightness of security around the England players and relayed the fact that 'everywhere they go, the players are surrounded by gendarmes'. The report that landed on the news desk informed that 'the players are surrounded by John Barnes'. Perish the thought. TRIVIA TEASER Who scored Cameroon's goal in their sensational 1-0 win over defending champions Argentina in the opening game of the 1990 finals? (Answer page 14) The Promaster Neo Fleet Chronograph. AROUND 149 AVAHABIE IN A RANGE OF COtOURS England boys can find the net with the reckless abandon that Henman does, they might have a chance.

OVER THE TOP In the wake of England's last gasp defeat to Romania on Monday, the Press Association felt the need to compile an item tagged 'Ten other England embarrassments'. In it, the loss was even compared to England's 1950 shock reverse against the USA. Come on, put things into perspective England lost to the seeded team in group simple as that. Not really a major embarrassment. THE COD SQUAD Nik Devlin from Cambridge offers his alternative Yugoslavia line up: Sunvabich (not a Mary Poppins); Veryrich (appreciated the fall of communism and the subsequent goal bonuses); Offthepich (gets up to all sorts of extracurricular activities); Persistentich (so does he, but without a condom); Droveintoadich (a Tony Adams, pre-wagon); Bitofatich (no taller than Zola); Sentoffthepich (red carded); Reportsforwich (field tests football boots); Foundhisnich (always plays the same position); Alloverthepich (the opposite); Computerghch (a plumber, here by accident).

SURFING THEIR DISCONTENT Jamaican football fans have taken to the Internet to slam coach Rene Simoes' decision to recruit foreign-based players for the nation's World Cup debut. The 50 humiliation by Argentina meant that the Reggae Boyz were going home, regardless of the result against Japan, but in many cases, home, meaning England rather than the Caribbean. Many fans claim that Simoes has been forced to abandon ENGLAND CITIZEN HOW THE WORLD TELLS TIME CALL 0 118 989 0333 FOR NEAREST STOCKIST.