LONDON: The United States, playing the role of an unexpected guest arriving late at a party, are poised to add a whole new dimension to the world Cup Soccer finals in Italy next year.

Few are suggesting that the Americans, having secured the 24th and final place in the tournament with a 10 win over Trinidad and Tobago, will achieve much on the field when they rub shoulders with the likes of Brazil or the Netherlands.

However, in the world of sponsorship and commercial activity the Americans have no peers which is why their qualification for the 1990 finals could prove to be ‘one of the most significant achievements in soccer history.

If as hosts in 1994 they can capture the imagination of the vast home audience and convince them of soccer’s virtues, the finals could tum out to be the most lucrative ‘sporting event ever.

For the Americans, Paul Caliguri’s 30th minute winning goal in Poft of Sapin on Sunday will be regarded as the most valuable in their soccer history.

‘When the draw for the final is made in Rome on December 9, the Americans’ blend of unyielding defense and determined team work could even make them awkward opponents in the opening phases, us the game’s traditional giants all know that goals not dollars will be the most vital currency in Italy.

All six former winners of the trophy have reached the finals and only Hungary from the list of nations beaten in the 13 previous finals will be missing when the tournament kicks off in the magnificently refurbished Gluseppe Meazza Stadium in Milan on June 8.

Holders Argentina, so dependent upon the genius of Diego Maradona in 1986, have won two of the last three finals but, as in Spain in 1982, will find it rougher to retain their trophy on European soil.

Maradona’s wayward behavior and the disintegration of the team which shone in Mexico mean that Brazil, the South American champions, have emerged as South America’s leading contenders with their compelling mix of natural skills and increasingly disciplined European style defense.

Uruguay, victors in 1930 and 1950, may threaten to recapture their past glories, but no longer passes the depth of talent or ‘organization to match their former achievements.

Hosts Italy, like Argentina, has not had to qualify and their strength has not been truly tested since the European Champion ship finals last year when their young team was beaten by the Soviet Union in the semifinals.

The Italians, three times former winners, exhibited much skill and promise in West Germany, however, and it may be their temperament rather than their ability which lets them down as they carry the burden of being hosts and favorites in to the finals.

If Italy do not emerge as Europe’s leading hope, the likely candidates are West Germany, twice former winners and three times beaten finalists, or the Netherlands, who won the European Championship so convincingly last year.

‘That triumph was the Dutch’s first major soccer triumph they were beaten World Cup finalists in 1974 and 1978 and with players of the caliber of Ruud Gullit, Marco Van Basten, Ronald Koeman and Frank Rijkaard, they appear from this distance the best equipped side to reach the final in Rome’s Olympic Stadium on July 8.

Of their remaining 14 European qualifiers, only England are former winners, but they appear to lack the imagination or technique to trouble the best Crechoslovakia and Yugoslavia, perhaps profiting from the tide of political change sweeping through eastern Europe, look more likely outsiders after building promising teams at the night time.

Sapin comfortable qualifiers, have had lite real success in the World Cup and like Belgum, the Soviet Union and Scotland are again unlikely to trouble the established powers despite moments of great skill and enterprise.

Ireland, making their first appearance in the finals, will add colour to the proceedings and may well bruise some reputations.

Africa, represented by Egypt, in the finals for the first time since 1934, and Cameroun, who drew all three of their games in Spain in 1982, cannot expect to improve on Morocco’s quarterfinal appearance in Mexico despite a significant rise in playing standards.

Much debate will surround the selection of the six seeds for the tournament with Political and security issues likely to conflict with soccer matters as the international football federation (FIFA) weighs the possible threat of English hooligans against Spain’s previous record in the finals.

In the end, Italy, as hosts, Argentina, as holders, Brazil, as three times former winners, and West Germany, beaten finalists in 1986, should all be seeded with two from England, Spain, the Soviet Union, Belgium and the Netherlands completing the lineup.

Article extracted from this publication >>  December 8, 1989