WORLD CUP FEVER - June 20

Group E

	Belgium		Mexico
	Holland		South Korea

Group H

Japan

Croatia

My handy Guardian World Cup 98 guide, featuring all the squads and various information, has a column by Jim White which put forth the scenario that many of us not in France will be watching the action in the following way: 'on your own, in the front room with the curtains drawn as the sun blazes outside... ' and how right he is, as far as this weekend is concerned.

And really, what could be better? A slow start with Japan v Croatia, and then another classic involving Mexico, who have overtaken Spain as one of my favourite teams. The ref tried his best to spoil the game by sending off Pardo for an innocuous challenge, but the Mexicans didn't give up and came back to draw with the frankly tedious Belgians who also had someone sent off.

Holland put on a show against South Korea, causing commentators to wax lyrical about 'total football' although, 24 years after Cruyff and co, they still find it hard to define. Which reminds me, if you add 74 to 24 (see the URL of this site) you get 98. As in France 98. Pure coincidence.

Any road up, Marc Overmars scored - hurray! And Dennis Bergkamp scored - woo-hoo! I said to someone the other day, in defence of England's 2-0 win over Tunisia (who some think are the worst side in the World Cup), 'no team is going to stick six past anyone in this competition.' Meaning, even the 'minnows' are capable of making it hard for world class opposition these days. But, in a way, I'm pleased I have been proved almost wrong. Almost wrong, note.

Results:

Belgium (1) 2	Mexico (0) 2
Wilmots 43, 48	Garcia Aspe 56 (pen)

Holland (2) 5	South Korea (0) 0
Cocu 37 Overmars 41 Bergkamp 71 Van Hoojidonk 79 R de Boer 83

Japan (0) 0	Croatia (0) 1
	Suker 77

Shots off target:

"According to 83% of the 12-15 year olds asked, the cockerel [Footix] is very appealing. They see him as radiating contentment and satisfaction, and he comes over as a warm and affectionate character who inspires confidence. The French are very pleased with their Mascot and see themselves in him." www.france98.com

British fans will drink a total of 610 million cans of beer during the World Cup, experts say. If they were laid end to end, the cans would stretch from London to Paris 90 times.

Yellow card: John Lydon, for boorish behaviour beyond the call of duty on Fantasy World Cup. You are a fat old fool.

Saudi Arabia sack their coach, Carlos Alberto Parreira. South Korea are next by ditching Cha Bum-Kun, who Kevin Keegan keeps telling us was a wonderful player. It doesn't really need saying but, for posterity, let the record show that ITV's coverage and panel of experts have been played off the pitch by the BBC.

(Not necessarily the World Cup but I've got a lot of them) Football Quote of the Day:
'The Dutch look like a huge jar of marmalade.' Barry Davies