The 24 hopefuls — their form and their odds

Press, 20 January 1982, Page 20

The 24 hopefuls — their form and their odds

The New Zealand soccer team manager. John Adshead. has taken New Zealand to its personal pinnacle of success by qualifying for the World Cup. Now the draw has been made, not without some shenanigans, the 24 teams all know- their opponents, their venues, their draws. And the bookmakers have declared their odds.

Robert Philip, of Reuters, below gives a guide to the 24 nations’ chances, and the odds being offered in London. Argentina (holder, group three): Perhaps not the force of 1978, but Osvaldo Ardiles, Mario Kempes and Daniel Passarella are still around. They also have the little magician, Diego Maradona. Its seventh appearance in the finals. Bookmakers odds 5/1.

Spain (host, group five): Like Argentina, automatic qualifiers. The host nation traditionally does well and the Spanish could finish in the top four if the midfielder, Jesus Zamora, turns on the style. Sixth appearance. 7/1. Brazil (group six): Winner in 1958. 1962 and 1970. The manager, Tele Santana, has turned the clock back and packed the side with skilful individuals who strolled through their qualifying group against Bolivia and Venezuela without conceding a goal. Zico may even upstage Maradona. . The

Brazilian maestros have con- f tested all 12 previous finals i and are 5/2 favourites for a fourth triumph. West Germany (group two): Winner in 1954 and 1974 and reigning European champion. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Paul Breitner and Bernd Schuster were voted

the continent’s top three players and if Schuster recovers from injury and makes his peace with his manager. Jupp Derwall, the West Germans could again go all the way. They won all eight qualifying games, scoring 33 goals and conceding three. 9/2.

Italy (group one): Wanner in 1934 and 1938. The Italians remain one of the hardest teams to beat — and watch — after finishing second in their qualifying group with just 12 goals from eight games. The clutch of Juventus veterans provides the backbone of the side although Paolo Rossi will be available for Spain. Tenth appearance, 10/1. Soviet Union (group six): Many experts fancy it to contest the final with Brazil — they meet in section play — and the presence of Ramaz Shengelia, Alexander Chivadze, Oleg Blokhin and David Kipiani puts the Soviet Union in the very top drawer. Six wins and two draws in its group earned it a fifth appearance, 12/1. England (group four): The 1966 winner is not as good as its fans proclaim but not as bad as its critics suggest. Cyrille Regis. Tony Morley and Glenn Hoddle are outstanding youngsters — but will the manager. Ron Greenwood, give them their

chance? On the evidence of England’s inept qualifying form, its odds of 14/1 look generous. Seventh appearance.

Poland (group one): Much will depend on how the players have coped with the political upheaval at home. W’on all four games in its three-nation group but unlikely to repeat the success of 1974 when it finished third. Fourth appearance. 20/1. Scotland (group six): On paper, has as good a chance as any of reaching the second round. But the Scots are never quite as impressive once the whistle blows, despite their impressive qualifying group form. Kenny Dalgleish is back at his best, however, and few can rival the Liverpools striker’s deft touches. Fifth appearance, 20/1.

Czechoslovakia (group four): Twice runner-up but the ageing team may struggle in the heat of Spain. Much depends on the goalscoring ability of the captain Zdenek Nehoda. Finished second behind the Soviet Union in the preliminaries to reach its seventh final. 25/1.

France (group four): A delight to watch when Michel Plantini. Dominique Rocheteau and Didier Six are in full flow, although it only reached the finals for the eighth time by winning the

last group game. The French appear entertainers rather than prospective champions. 25/1.

Belgium (group three): European championship runner-up in 1980 and comfortable group winner ahead of France. Francois van der Elst. Jan Ceulemans and Erwin Vandenbergh are the envy of most nations although it is still the veteran. Wilfried van Moer, who makes them tick. Sixth appearance. 25/1. Peru (group one): Surprisingly beat Uruguay to qualify for the finals for the fourth time. Unlikely to reign in Spain although it could dent a few ambitions. 33/1.

Hungary (group three): Any side containing Tibor Nyilasi and Andras Torocsik must be taken seriously but the days when the famous cherry red shirts ruled the roost are long gone. Pipped England in its qualifying section but this eighth appearance is unlikely to bring success, 50/1.

Chile (group two): Eliminated Ecuador and Paraguay to reach the final stages for the sixth time and that may be the end of its celebrations. 50/1.

Austria (group two): Also 50/1 outsiders for its fifth appearance. Finished second to West Germany in the preliminary section but if

Hans Krankl’s goals have dried up. Austria may not linger in Spain. Yugoslavia (group five): Best bet of the outsiders but it remains-to be seen if its accent on attack will bring it anything but admiration. Seventh appearance and should make a mockery of the 50/1 odds on offer.

Northern Ireland (group five): Second behind Scotland in its qualifying group and quite rightly looks on reaching Spain as reason enough to celebrate. Second appearance. 100/1.

Kuwait (group four): Winner of the Asia-Oceania group. First appearance and merely there to make up the numbers. 500/1.

New Zealand (group six): Runner-up to Kuwait and in Spain for the same reason. First appearance. 500/1. Cameroon (group one): Odds of 2500/T look generous. Honduras (group five): They face a long journey with the prospect of an early return flight. 5000/1. Algeria (group two): No chance. 5000/1.

Ei Salvador (group three): The most experienced of the rank outsiders will be playing in the finals for the second time. Lost all three games in Mexico in 1970 and is unlikely to improve on that record. 5000/1.