Word: argentina
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...against some of the world's best footballers, but doing so with the aggression of the super-confident. No, they do not yet have a famous war cry, like France's "Allez!" But the French are going home in defeat, along with the fallen warriors of Argentina. Are the tournament's co-hosts merely cashing in on home-field advantage? Perhaps, but the expectations of the giddy, roaring crowds that have packed stadiums in Seoul and Tokyo are a burden and not just a boon. Luck has little to do with this Asian triumph. Japan and Korea thundered through...
...most, the shock events of the World Cup defied explanation. "An incomprehensible fiasco," is how L'Humanit? described France's ignominious exit. Argentina's failure to qualify for the second round had former team coach Carlos Bilardo, now a television commentator, sputtering into his microphone: "The impossible just happened." But as fans and experts calm down over the next few days, they may find some solace, and more sense, in the old clich?...
...humiliation of the holders, the South American champions and fancied Portugal certainly marks the end of certainties. Not since Brazil in 1966 has the reigning champion been eliminated in the first round. Not since 1962 has Argentina failed to progress to the knockout stage. And when was the last time three possible semifinalists went home this early? Try never. After last week, only a reckless fool would predict safe passage for the big names in future tournaments...
...France, Argentina and Portugal are not the only sides to have provided insufficient entertainment. Overshadowed by the fall of the European and South American giants was the dismal showing by the principal African challengers. Cameroon and Nigeria came into the tournament fully expecting to make the last eight, and perhaps go even further. Nigerian coach Adegboye Onigbinde and Cameroonian captain Rigobert Song each boasted that his side would fulfill, if belatedly, PelE's old prophesy that an African team would win the cup in the 20th century. Instead, both sides suffered early shocks and then exited with bad grace, Cameroon...
...surprising failures?defending champion France and pretender Argentina?did the exact opposite. They played overly complicated football that often looked terrific but ultimately yielded too little of the only commodity that really matters: goals. Football commentators are sometimes accused of overintellectualizing what is essentially a kick in the grass, but this time the boot is on the other foot: France and Argentina were too cerebral for their own good...