England’s hopes rest on Lineker

Press, 18 June 1986, Page 68

England’s hopes rest on Lineker

NZPA-Reuter Mexico City England is hoping its hat-trick hero, Gary Lineker, retains his scoring touch when it meets Paraguay in the Aztec stadium tomorrow morning for a place in the World Cup quarter-finals.

The winner will face another South American side, the 1978 champion Argentina, on June 23, raising the prospect of the first England-Argentina soccer international since the two countries fought over the Falkland Islands in 1982. Lineker, who netted three goals in the final group match against Poland last week, says he and his team-mates have great respect for Paraguay but are confident

they can reach the last eight for the first time since the 1970 finals in Mexico. Paraguay’s manager Cayetano Re, who played the last time his country was in the World Cup finals in 1958, makes no bones about the importance of tomorrow’s match for his country. “It’s the most important match in Paraguay’s football history,” he said after training yesterday. “Our boys will play with their lives, hearts and souls.” Paraguay’s star player, Tulin Cocor PnmorA

Paraguay’s manager Cayetano Re, who played the last time his country was in the World Cup finals in 1958, makes no bones about the importance of tomorrow’s match for his country. “It’s the most important match in Paraguay’s football history,” he said after training yesterday. “Our boys will play with their lives, hearts and souls.”

Paraguay’s star player, Julio Cesar Romero, known as Romerito, said: “We have nothing to lose and everything to gain.”

• Denmark have a score to settle when it plays Spain tomorrow.

Two years ago Spain ended Denmark’s glorious run in the European Championship when it won on penalties after a 1-1 draw in their semifinal in Lyon, France. Denmark had the better of that game but its inexperience in big tournaments let it down. The Danish team has stayed together and matured into an even more powerful force as its 100 per cent record in the toughest first round group has proved. Although the coach, Sepp Piontek, and the players are trying to play down suggestions that it will be a grudge match, it is clear the Danes are determined not to repeat the mistake of two years ago.