WORLD CUP USA ’94 / THE FIRST ROUND : TODAY’S GAMES AT A GLANCE
GROUP D at Foxboro Stadium, Foxboro, Mass.
Greece vs. Nigeria
* TIME: 4:30 p.m. PDT
* TV: International Channel, ESPN2 (6:30 p.m.) ESPN (9:30 p.m.)
* KEY MATCHUPS: The only important battle here will be between the Nigerians and their stamina. Will they have enough energy to score five goals? Six, maybe? How about a dozen? In two games, the Nigerians have outscored their opponents 4-2. The Greeks have been outscored, 8-0, the only scoreless team in the tournament. The Nigerians will pit forward Rashidi Yekini and midfielder Emmanuel Amunike against a Greek defense that will be missing injured Stelios Manolas. The Greeks will counter with Savas Kofidis against tough defenders Uche Okechukwu and Chidi Nwanu. The only bright spot for the Greeks is that Nigeria’s top defender, Austin Eguavoen, is questionable because of an ankle injury. This overall team matchup represents the Greeks’ worst nightmare because the Nigerians will not only score against them, they will beat them up. The Nigerians averaged 24 fouls in their first two games, which projects to a World Cup-high 72 fouls after tonight.
* OUTLOOK: The Nigerians need a victory or a tie to advance to the second round in their first World Cup appearance. The Greeks, also in their World Cup debut, would need to win by nine goals to advance. “Obviously Greece is going home now, but there are Greek players who have something to prove to the rest of the world,” Nigerian Coach Clemens Westerhof said. “They will give us a good match.” Right.
* OUTCOME: Alkis Panagoulias, the Greek coach who lives in the United States, had the right idea when he said, “I prefer every four years to come to the World Cup and lose, than to be England and not come to the World Cup.” The problem is, England has a better chance of winning this game. Nigeria by 7 1/2.
