GROUP F: Yugoslavia vs. Iran

SITE: Saint-Etienne

TIME: 8:30 a.m. TV: ESPN2, Ch. 34. RADIO: KWKW (1330 Spanish).

* ABOUT IRAN: Not having qualified for the World Cup since 1978, the Iranians will come into their opening game with a fair-sized bundle of nerves. Iran does have some talented players at its disposal. Ali Daei had scored an astonishing 38 goals in 52 matches for Iran coming into this year.

* ABOUT YUGOSLAVIA: Banned from entering the last World Cup because of the civil war and subsequent United Nations sanctions, the Yugoslavs are determined to prove they belong at this level. Coach Slobodan Santrac’s side is loaded with skill. Teenager Dejan Stankovic, midfielder Vladimir Jugovic, playmaker Dragan Stojkovic and striker Predrag Mijatovic are only a few of his standout players.

* OUTLOOK: “It’s good that our first match is against Iran. It should give us the necessary self-confidence ahead of the duel with Germany.” Those were the words of Yugoslav forward Dejan Savicevic, who is injured and will miss the opener. Santrac was more cautious, but no less confident. “We treat all opponents equally,” he said. “Our main objective is to pass the group stage. It makes no difference whom we have to beat to do that.” Chances are, the first hurdle will be the lowest.