Just as good (The Malay Mail)

ENGLAND, who have done just enough and what it takes to win matches to
remain unbeaten in the last one and half years since the team were formed,
are confident that it will also take them past defending champions
Argentina today.
 England skipper John Curtis said that, especially at this stage of the
competition, it is just good enough to do what it takes to win matches.
 "We have managed to do very well both in attack and defence and I
believe this will get us past Argentina," said Curtis.
 "We are capable of defending for long spells and absorb whatever
pressure thrown at us.
 "At the same time, we have strikers who can get us the goal from the
slimmest chance.
 "And, with these two qualities, I am confident that we will succeed.
 "Of course, it is going to be a much difficult game than the matches we
have played because this is knockout stage.
 "But we are prepared for the challenge ahead."
 Curtis said that although at times he has to work overtime with his
fellow defenders to keep their defence line intact, they have always
managed to stand tall.
 The fact that England have only conceded one goal in the three matches
played so far is indeed testimony of the steady defence.
 Upfront, Michael Owen's clinical finishing is all that England need to
win matches. Owen has 100 per cent record in scoring in all three matches.
 Then, England have Daniel Murphy, basically a midfielder, but being
utilised by coach Ted Powell as a back-up striker to Owen has proved his
worth with a hattrick against United Arab Emirates and being an effective
feeder for Owen too.
 James Carraghaer holds the midfield together with Jody Morris and Kieron
Dyer.
 But England will miss Paul Shepherd, who will have to sit out this match
to serve his mandatory one match suspension after collecting his second
yellow card.
 However, one factor which Powell admitted he is concerned about is the
fact that the match is being played at 5.15pm.
 The heat and humidity have proven to be problems to the English players
and this was clearly evident when they played their only 5.30pm match in
the Group F fixtures against Mexico where they struggled to win by a
solitary goal.
 But, with the Argentines also going to face the same problems as it is
winter back home, the situation will be squared off.
 However, England can also seek consolation from the fact that they are
familar with the Larkin Stadium ground, while Argentina will be playing
their first match there.
 But England have promised to give the local fans a treat and this could
just turn out to be a reality.
 

Aimar on the loose! (The Malay Mail)

WATCH out England! Argentina's sensational midfielder Pablo Aimar will be
on the warpath when they clash in the Youth World Cup second round in
Larkin Stadium today.
 Aimar, who was voted the Most Valuable Player in the South American
championship earlier this year when Argentina emerged champions, did not
start among the first 11 in their final Group E match against Australia on
Monday and coach Jose Nestor Perkerman discovered just how costly that
could be.
 When Aimar was fielded in the second half, Argentina were already
trailing 1-3. The change was immediately noticeable.
 Although the Argentines lost 4-3, Aimar added bite and nearly turned the
game around.
 Perkerman had wanted to save Aimar for the second round as the player
had collected a yellow card against Canada. And Perkerman had also
underestimated the Aussies.
 "We are glad that we have him for the second round," said a relieved
Perkerman.
 "We need him to be at our best so I was reluctant to field him against
Australia in case he picked up another yellow card."
 Argentina would have stayed on in Kangar for the second round had they
emerged group champions.
 Perkerman said Aimar can now give his best without any fear because the
yellow card collected in the first round will no longer count.
 "Aimar is the key to our success. He will be calling the shots for us
against England. We are ready to make amends for the defeat to Australia."
 Aimar, 17, who plays for River Plate, is a very creative player who has
been dubbed the next Maradona. He will have to be at his best to beat a
tough England side determined to emulate the senior side who are going
great guns under Glenn Hoddle.
 "We are at our most dangerous after losing one match and will bounce
right back," warned Perkerman.
 "That is exactly what we intend to do against England.
 "We are not under-rating the English.
 "They are a solid side but we are very confident."
 Argentina, the South American champions having beaten arch rivals Brazil
2-0 in the final, are the favourites against their old Falklands enemies.
 The Argentine team, who arrived in Johor Baru yesterday afternoon, had a
training session at Larkin Stadium to familarise themselves to the ground
conditions.
 Their confidence personified but whether they can transform this into a
victory against the stubborn English is left to be seen.
 But, rest assured that Aimar will have a say in the proceedings. More so
as Argentina come up against Brazil in the quarter-finals if they win
today.
                               (END)

Falklands revisited (The Malay Mail)

MICHAEL OWEN scored in his third consecutive match yesterday and England
topped Group F of the World Youth Cup unbeaten.
 England meet Argentina in their second round match in Johor Bahru on
Thursday.
 The Liverpool player, who only turns 18 on Dec 14, has displayed such
maturity and scoring instinct that it is little wonder that he has been
dubbed the next Robbie Fowler.
 Team manager Ted Powell has been very protective of his player but he
allowed Owen to speak to the Malaysian press for the first time last
night.
 "He is a clincal finisher with tremendous potential," said Powell.
 "And he demonstrated it again tonight by scoring from an acute angle."
 Owen's winner came in the 65th minute when he was put through by Danny
Murphy and in a one-on-one situation he rounded Mexican goalkeeper
Alejandro Alvarez to score.
 Owen converted a penalty in England's opening 2-1 win over Ivory Coast
and another against United Arab Emirates in their 5-0 win.
 Owen said he was confident of scoring when put through by Murphy.
 "It was not the best of performances by us but we did well enough to
win. I am glad I scored when the opportunity came along," said Owen.
 Powell said his team played poorly in the first half and the Mexicans
gave them a hard time.
 "The players looked lethargic because they have been cooped up in their
rooms and they played like they were still in bed," said Powell.
 "But we did much better in the second half.
 "We are the only unbeaten team in the group and we are also unbeaten in
two years since the team was formed," said Powell.
 On meeting Argentina, Powell said their opponents do not matter at this
knockout stage.
 "It is a one off match. We have to be at our best.
 "I am glad we have topped the group and will remain here. With the match
only on Thursday we will have ample rest and be fresh for the challenge."
 However, England will miss the services of Paul Shepherd - the match
winner against Ivory Coast.
 He collected his second yellow card yesterday.
 Powell said Jason Crowe will make a good replacement for the experienced
Shepherd.
                               (END)

A first for Dan (The Malay Mail)

ENGLAND'S Daniel Murphy has played more than 150 League matches but he
fired his first hat-trick only yesterday in his team's 5-0 demolition of
United Arab Emirates at the Larkin Stadium.
 It was also the current World Youth Cup's first hat-trick.
 England are in the second round with their second win. They beat Ivory
Coast 2-1 in their opening match.
 Murphy, who has been with Second Division Crewe Alexandra the last two
seasons, is being sought by the Premier League's Newcastle and Tottenham
Hotspurs.
 Newcastle are apparently willing to pay STG1.5 million for him.
 Murphy, who turned 20 on March 18, had teammates Michael Owens and
Kieron Dyer to thank for his feat.
 After putting his team in the lead in the 5th minute, Murphy scored his
second in the 39th minute and his third through a penalty in the 50th
minute.
 The penalty was earned by Dyer who was brought down by UAE's Mohamaed Al
Baloushi.
 Owens is England's designated penalty kicker but he allowed Murphy to go
for the hat-trick.
 Owens scored England's fourth goal a minute after Murphy had scored his
hattrick. UAE's Abdulla Ahmed Abdulla scored an own goal to complete the
score for England.
 Murphy, a regular with the England Under-18 side, is enjoying his new
role as a back-up striker to Owens.
 Murphy said the news about him being sought by Newscastle and Tottenham
has affected his performance lately.
 Powell had talked to Murphy twice on his future and urged him to
concentrate on this tournament first before thinking of anything else.
 Murphy's feat earned him the official match ball from Fifa last night.
                              (END)

A first for Dan (The Malay Mail)

ENGLAND'S Daniel Murphy has played more than 150 League matches but he
fired his first hat-trick only yesterday in his team's 5-0 demolition of
United Arab Emirates at the Larkin Stadium.

  It was also the current World Youth Cup's first hat-trick.
  England are in the second round with their second win. They beat Ivory
Coast 2-1 in their opening match.

  Murphy, who has been with Second Division Crewe Alexandra the last two
seasons, is being sought by the Premier League's Newcastle and Tottenham
Hotspurs.

  Newcastle are apparently willing to pay STG1.5 million for him.

 Murphy, who turned 20 on March 18, had teammates Michael Owens and
Kieron Dyer to thank for his feat.

 After putting his team in the lead in the 5th minute, Murphy scored his
second in the 39th minute and his third through a penalty in the 50th
minute.

 The penalty was earned by Dyer who was brought down by UAE's Mohamaed Al
Baloushi.

 Owens is England's designated penalty kicker but he allowed Murphy to go
for the hat-trick.

 Owens scored England's fourth goal a minute after Murphy had scored his
hattrick. UAE's Abdulla Ahmed Abdulla scored an own goal to complete the
score for England.

 Murphy, a regular with the England Under-18 side, is enjoying his new
role as a back-up striker to Owens.

 Murphy said the news about him being sought by Newscastle and Tottenham
has affected his performance lately.

  Powell had talked to Murphy twice on his future and urged him to
concentrate on this tournament first before thinking of anything else.

 Murphy's feat earned him the official match ball from Fifa last night.
                              

Back to the future (Sunday Mail Supplement)

FANS in Malaysia might not realise it but they could be lucky enough to
watch football of the new millennium when the some of the top soccer
powers battle for the World Youth Cup in the next three weeks.
 Five years from now some of the stars unearthed in Malaysia could well
parade their stellar skills at the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan.
 Then, planet Earth could well very different but hopefully, better than
what we know now and on the positive side, that should also apply to the
inhabitants' football skills and showmanship.
 Drawing the inspiration from what they show here and what some stars
will continue to display in France '98, football in the new millenium
could well be a sport embellished by new dimensions.
 Robotic we certainly hope it will not be, but full of new possibilities
and fantasy.
 The trends do point to that direction especially if FIFA, the world's
soccer governing body get a new, visionary and more dynamic leader to
replace Joao Havelange.
 The new man is expected the speed up the democratisation of world
soccer, by advancing the claims of Africa and Asia as soccer's new
continents and truly take the game across national barriers.
 The seeds of the change were sowed when Africa, especially through the
exploits of Ghana at youth levels, Cameroon and Nigeria at World Cup and
Olympic level, began to disturb the world's soccer power equation.
 It gained further credence when Asia joined the chorus, by the sheer
ability and will power displayed by Saudi Arabia and South Korea at USA
94.
 Nigeria were robbed of their rights and dignity by FIFA before the 1995
tournament, shifting it to Qatar.
 Even if the 1996 Olympic champions are not here because they lost out to
Ivory Coast in the qualifiers, the Africans have the spirits to conquer
through Ghana, Morocco, the Ivory Coast and apartheid-free South Africa.
 The young and hungry are restless as ever and this Youth World Cup could
well feed on the innate human need to hope, dream and be free.
 Malaysia have realised their dreams to be hosts and play among the elite
and despite all the hitches and glitches, the quality of football in the
XIth World Youth Cup could be the glitziest ever.
 The fans might not come in droves but the teams will almost make sure of
that.
 Leading the way will be Brazil, three-time winners out to emulate their
famed seniors, by winning their fourth title.
 They might fail, as they have many times before but the Brazilians are
set to dazzle.
 As befitting a team that have produced five of the tournaments' best
players.
 The Golden Ball winners - the Brazilians will not bow out without a
blaze of glory.
 In terms of skills and fantasy, the Brazilians have rivals in the
Ghanaians.
 Sponsored by Malaysian telecommunications giant Telekom Malaysia, Ghana
could be the spoilers of Latin ambitions.
 Speaking of which brings us to Argentina, the champions of 1995. The
Argentines could prove to be too good again.
 The Europeans, with the elegant French side leading the continent, will
be as tough as ever.
 The Australians are not as strong or as well-prepared as their past
achievements have suggested.
 This shifts the task of upholding the Asia-Oceania to South Korea.
 For the Koreans, who still do not like the job of sharing the 2002 World
Cup with the Japanese, Malaysia 97 should be the time to come good.

PREVIOUS WINNERS
1977 Tunisia: Soviet Union 2 Mexico 2 (Soviet 9-8 on penalties)
1979 Japan: Argentina 2 Soviet Union 1
1981 Australia: West Germany 4 Qatar 0
1983 Mexico: Brazil 1 Argentina 0
1985 USSR: Brazil 1 Spain 0
1987 Chile: Yugoslavia 1 West Germany 1 (Yugoslavia 5-4 on penalties)
1989 Saudi Arabia: Portugal 2 Nigeria 0
1991 Portugal: Portugal 0 Brazil 0 (Portugal 4-2 on penalties)
1993 Australia: Brazil 2 Ghana 1
1995 Qatar: Argentina 2 Brazil 0

STARS WHO PLAYED IN PREVIOUS YMC
 ARGENTINA - Jorge Burruchaga, Sergio Goycochea, Diego Maradona
 AUSTRALIA - Frank Farina, Paul Okon
 BRAZIL - Bebeto, Dunga, Jorginho, Silas, Taffarel
 COLOMBIA - Rene Higuita, Ivan Valenciano
 CZECHOSLOVAKIA - Lubos Kubik
 ENGLAND - Neil Webb
 GERMANY - Andreas Moller, Michael Zorc
 GHANA - Nii Odartey Lamptey, Isaac Assare
 ITALY - Giovanni Galli, Riccardo Ferri, Alessandro Melli
 HOLLAND - Marco van Basten, Gerald Venenburg, Johnny van't Schip
 NORWAY - Stig Inge Bjorneby, Henning Berg, Lars Bohinen
 PORTUGAL - Luis Figo, Fernando Couto, Paulo Sousa, Rui Costa
 SCOTLAND - Paul McStay, Brian McClair, Pat Nevin
 SPAIN - Alfonso, Fernando Gomez
 URUGUAY - Hugo De Leon, Enzo Francescoli, Ruben Paz, Ruben Sosa
 USSR - Vladimir Bessonov, Vagiz Khidiatulin, Viktor Onopko, Oleg
 Protasov, Aleksander Zavarov
 YUGOSLAVIA - Davor Suker, Robert Prosinecki, Zvonimir Boban
                              (END)

Cheers to a good tourney (The Malay Mail)

ANY TIME is a bad time for Malaysian youth soccer players to have a drink.
And with the World Youth Cup tournament so close, they would be in for a
sack from the team or a ban from the game if caught with a pint.
But for the English youths currently in Johor Baru for their group
matches, it's no big deal.
The players are often seen at their hotel's drinking hole until closing
time.
And occasionally, team officials and even manager Ted Powell despite
being a tee-totaller join the lot.
Powell, when asked on the rules the players have to observe, said: "Our
rules were laid down after discussions with the players and the other team
officials.
"The players are all professionals and know what is required of them. To
treat them like children will not be wise.
"We emphasise strict discipline in training, including punctuality and
general discipline.
"The players understand my requirements and respond positively and we
have had no problems," said Powell.
Amazingly, the players are all on time for training despite closing the
pub the night before - and they do well, too!
The players, who are all members of the English league's youth teams or
senior teams, act maturely and responsibly.
Their Asian counterparts, on the other hand, are closely guarded, often
with curfews imposed.
But a comparison between Malaysian players and English players in this
respect will mean little because of the cultural bias.
                             (END)

English rose among the thorns (The Malay Mail)

LORRAINE KILBY is the rose among the thorns in the England youth team.
She is the team's head of administration and has been with the English
FA's youth teams since she was 19 and fresh out of school.
Lorraine, 24, is an important link to the team and she loves every
minute of her job.
It all started when she answered an advertisement by the English FA for
an administrator for the youth teams five years ago.
"I love soccer and I have not had a moment of regret since accepting the
job," said Lorraine who got hooked to the game after following her father
to soccer matches.
England manager Ted Powell said Lorraine sees to the team's every need -
from contacting players for training or tournaments at their clubs to
making travel and hotel arrangements.
"And she does it with such professionalism that we have no complaints,"
said Powell.
Lorraine has travelled extensively with England's Under-15, Under-19 and
Under-21 sides.
Lorraine and Powell were in Johor Bahru 10 weeeks ago to do the
bookings, check out the training grounds and to see to the squad's all
other possible needs.
Lorraine said she has not encountered any major problem.
"I take pride in my job and ensure that whatever is required is done to
the best of my ability.
"And I get much satisfaction from seeing the young footballers become
top players in the League and the senior national team," she said.
Among the players she has worked with are Sol Campbell, Gary Neville,
David Beckham, Paul Scholes, David Neville, Nicky Butt and Robbie Fowler.
Lorraine is certainly the envy of many a soccer fan but it is no cosy
job as it requires total dedication and great administrative skills.
                             (END)