Germany was a big winner in Sunday's World Cup draw while Italy, practically a home team in New York, wound up in the toughest group.
Germany, the defending World Cup champion, will play Bolivia, Spain and South Korea in Group C during the first round of the tournament. Italy, a semifinal loser four years ago, will play Ireland, Norway and Mexico in Group E."The draw couldn't have gone any better for us," German defender Jurgen Kohler said. "Spain could be a our toughest opponent, but we can't underestimate anyone. The Italian group looks the hardest."
Italy has played Ireland just twice since 1971, winning 2-1 at Dublin in 1985 and 2-0 last year at Foxboro, Mass. Norway knocked Italy out of qualifying for the 1992 European Championship, winning 2-1 at Oslo and tying 1-1 at Genoa. Italy and Mexico haven't played since a 1-1 tie in a 1985 exhibition game at Mexico City.
"In this group, you can't play a game with 50 percent effort," said Italy coach Arrigo Sacchi, who announced his team will train at the Pingry School in Somerset, N.J. "Together with Colombia, Mexico is the team that plays the most modern soccer."
The top team from each group and the four second-place teams with the best records advance to the 16-team second round. Advancing is the goal for the United States, which went 0-3 in the 1990 tournament and finished 23rd of 24 teams. The Americans drew Colombia, Switzerland and Romania in Group A.
"To qualify we need five points," U.S. coach Bora Milutinovic said, referring to the new system that awards three points for a victory and one for a tie. "With my team, I'm very sure we'll make it."
Brazil, the tournament champion in 1958, 1962 and 1970, was drawn into Group B with Russia, Cameroon and Sweden. Brazil beat Sweden 2-1 in the opening round of the 1990 World Cup and beat Soviet Union 2-1 in the first round of the 1982 World Cup.
"I think Brazil got a nice group," said Pele, who revolutionized soccer in that country. "Cameroon will be the most difficult for Brazil because African style is similar to Brazilian style."
Germany and Spain haven't played since West Germany won 2-0 in the first round of the 1988 European Championship.
"Spain will be tough, but the first game is the most difficult as we cannot understimate the Bolivians," German captain Lothar Matthaus said.
Argentina and Belgium got the easiest groups among the six-seeded countries. Argentina, a finalist in 1990 and the World Cup champion in 1986, will play in Group D with Greece, Nigeria and Bulgaria. Diego Maradona, Argentina's captain in 1986 and 1990, claimed the draw was fixed, as he did before the 1990 tournament.
"We knew beforehand who was going to be in each group," Maradona said. "With things like this, they are hurting soccer."
Belgium, eliminated by England in the second round of the 1990 World Cup, drew Morocco, the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia for Group F. Leo Beenhakker, the Netherlands' coach at the 1990 World Cup, took over the Saudis last month after refusing a sheik's order the change goalkeepers during a qualifying game.
"All groups appear to be equal," Beenhakker said. "Furthermore, anything can happen. ... Spain and Germany appear to be the strongest, and Bolivia could surprise anyone."