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2002:06:03:22:06:00 D10 World Cup 2002 By MIKE PENNER TIMES STAFF WRITER NIIGATA, has never taken a team to the World Cup final. He has never taken a team past the World Cup quarterfinals. In the last World Cup game he coached, his heavily favored team lost to Denmark, 4-1. In the only season he coached in Major League Soccer, his team, the New New Jersey MetroStars, finished 725, still the league standard for futility. Yet during this month-long convention of the most renowned national soccer coaches, no other name is as popular or quite probably, as that of the smiling Serbian who has bounced from Mexico to Costa Rica to the United States to Mexico again to Nigeria to, of all places, the Republic of China, Velibor Milutinovic.

You can call him Bora, as he is known, simply and regally, in virtually all of the 100 countries he has visited. (He coached in all of them. It only seems that way.) The only exception would be current place of employment, China, where there is really no sound in the language. Miluti- novic is a mouthful in any language, so the Chinese have adapted for their adopted hero and guru, the first and only man to direct the most populous country to the World Cup. Milu is the name they use.

Usually with exclamation point and excitable yelp attached. Milu! on the millions of T- shirts and posters that have been sold to his rabid followers, Milu! in the bold red type screaming from the newspapers, Milu! in the streets and in the restaurants, wherever a Bora sighting is announced. That never happened when Bora took the United States to the second round of the 1994 World although in retrospect, maybe it should have. Considering the humiliating 0-3-and-out ride of 1998 and the crew of sad- sack defenders be lining up against Portugal on Wednesday, World Cup record as U.S. with a 1-0 loss to eventual champion deserving of its own wing in the U.S.

soccer hall of fame. In China, where Bora ended a fruitless 44-year World Cup qualification campaign, just being here is more than enough. On the day of the first World Cup game, against Costa Rica, Milu-mania has reached such outrageous proportions, some Chinese officials believe Bora has become too big for his own good and for the good of the people. Last week, the Beijing Times published a series of mock revolutionary-style illustrations depicting Bora as a 1930s Communist soldier beneath a blaring red and yellow headline: must On television, Bora is ubiquitous, pitching a ridiculous array of products. His endorsement portfolio includes rice wine (Bora drink), language-learning devices (Bora can speak barely a word of Chinese), DVD players (Bora watches a lot of soccer videos), tennis shoes (Bora does play a lot of soccer tennis) and air conditioners.

This advertising avalanche sit well with Chinese soccer officials, who believe Bora is upstaging the soccer own endorsements. According to media reports, the central government is also less than after all, is glorious hour, not the Propaganda Bureau is considering a ban on ads by Bora after the exit in the first round. China will be leaving after the first round, will it not? If so, it will be a first for Bora. Mexico in Costa Rica in the United States in Nigeria in has guided each of these teams into the second round, a perfect four for four. Making it five for five with China would be greatest achievement yet, considering the lack of star only three of players compete professionally in Europe, none at the highest China is grouped with four-time champion Brazil, Costa Rica and Turkey.

Bora has been as cagey as ever, regularly downplaying his chances. But last week, with his defenses perhaps weakened by flu fever, Bora talked about what it would take to reach the second how China just might be equipped to get there. need maybe four points to go he said. like to make But he has. Costa Rica, badly weakened by injuries, is suddenly vulnerable.

An opening upset of the Costa Ricans would mean three points. A tie with Turkey, making its first World Cup appearance since 1954, is not out of the question. That would be the necessary fourth point. And then there is Brazil. By all indications, this is not a Brazilian squad up to usual standards, with an early look of a quarterfinalist at best.

But Brazil against China? Everything about it suggests a mismatch. Bora, however, has yet to concede. is thinking about Brazil without he said. need to respect them but this does not mean we are going to He has, after all, been there before. Eight years ago, with a similarly undermanned U.S.

squad, Bora found himself matched with Brazil in the second round. Brazil was loaded with offensive talent, with Romario and Bebeto at the height of their careers. On the Fourth of July in Palo Alto, Bora borrowed a tactic from the home team in the Revolutionary backtrack and held the Brazilians scoreless until Bebe- solitary breakthrough in the 74th minute. That high-water mark in recent American soccer was followed by a washout four years later for Bora with Nigeria. Easily the most talented squad he had taken to a World Cup, Nigeria was touted by many as the first African team capable of reaching the cup final.

Bora considers it the only team he has ever coached capable of winning the World Cup. But after a fractious buildup, with the Nigerian players chafing under conservative defensive system, Nigeria defeated Spain and Bulgaria, winning its group title and sending expectations rocketing. But in the second round, against an aging Danish side, tenuous team chemistry collapsed and Denmark won in a rout, 4-1. Bora Ball for everyone. It can be methodical and self-stifling and, to fans of free-flowing soccer, an out and out is one reason Mexico fired Bora before the World Cup, even though his team had qualified with an undefeated record.

a style that win over many fans accustomed to seeing their team winning and competing for championships and playing with a bit of flair here and there. But the tired, the downtrodden, the underachieving? Give them to Bora and he will get them to the World Cup. For them, at least on the first go-round, the second round is Mt. Everest. As Bora is fond of saying, he travels the world and takes teams to the World all I all Chinese soccer fans have wanted, for the last 44 years.

For them, for now, that is enough. It have to take that long, as Bora recently mentioned to the Associated Press. said, waited 44 Bora said. say, you call me Another Bora-Fest Milutinovic the nomad, or has China in frenzy over cup debut Agence France-Presse China Coach Bora Milutinovic has never failed to lead his teams to the second round of the World Cup. SCHEDULE GameSiteTime (PDT) games Group China vs.

Costa RicaGwangju, South 11:30 p.m. Tape-delayed: Ch. 46, 10 a.m. Group Belgium vs. JapanSaitama, Japan2 a.m.

Tape-delayed: Ch. 46, 12:30 p.m. Group Poland vs. South KoreaBusan, South a.m. Tape-delayed: Ch.

46, 3 p.m.; ESPN Classic, Wednesday, noon games Group Russia vs. TunisiaKobe, 11:30 p.m. TV: ESPN2, Ch. 34. Tape-delayed: Ch.

46, 10 a.m. Group Portugal vs. United StatesSuwon, South Korea2 a.m. TV: ESPN2, Ch. 34.

Tape-delayed: ESPN2, noon; Ch. 46, 12:30 p.m.; ESPN Classic, Thursday, 10 a.m. Group Germany vs. IrelandIbaraki, a.m. TV: ESPN2, Ch.

34. Tape-delayed: Ch. 46, 3 p.m.; ESPN Classic, Thursday, noon Next for Mexico Group Ecuador vs. MexicoMiyagi, JapanSaturday, 11:30 p.m. GROUP A CountryWLTGFGAPts Denmark100213 Senegal100103 France010010 Uruguay010120 Friday Senegal 1, France 0 Saturday Denmark 2, Uruguay 1 Thursday Denmark vs.

Senegal, 11:30 p.m. (Wed.) France vs. Uruguay, 4:30 a.m. June 11 Denmark vs. France, 11:30 p.m.

(Mon.) Senegal vs. Uruguay, 11:30 p.m. (Mon.) GROUP CountryWLTGFGAPts Spain100313 Paraguay001221 South Africa001221 Slovenia010130 Sunday Paraguay 2, South Africa 2 Spain 3, Slovenia 1 Friday Paraguay vs. Spain, 2 a.m. Saturday Slovenia vs.

South Africa, 11:30 p.m. (Fri.) June 12 South Africa vs. Spain, 4:30 a.m. Paraguay vs. Slovenia, 4:30 a.m.

GROUP CountryWLTGFGAPts Brazil100213 China000000 Costa Rica000000 Turkey010120 Monday Brazil 2, Turkey, 1 Today China vs. Costa Rica, 11:30 p.m. (Mon.) Saturday Brazil vs. China, 4:30 a.m. Sunday Costa Rica vs.

Turkey, 2 a.m. June 13 Brazil vs. Costa Rica, 11:30 p.m. (Wed.) China vs. Turkey, 11:30 p.m.

(Wed.) GROUP CountryWLTGFGAPts Poland000000 Portugal000000 South Korea000000 United States000000 Today Poland vs. South Korea, 4:30 a.m. Wednesday Portugal vs. United States, 2 a.m. Monday S.

Korea vs. United States, 11:30 p.m. (Sun.) Poland vs. Portugal, 4:30 a.m. June 14 Portugal vs.

South Korea, 4:30 a.m. Poland vs. United States, 4:30 a.m. GROUP CountryWLTGFGAPts Germany100803 Cameroon001111 Ireland001111 Saudi Arabia010080 Saturday Cameroon 1, Ireland 1 Germany 8, Saudi Arabia 0 Wednesday Germany vs. Ireland, 4:30 a.m.

Thursday Cameroon vs. Saudi Arabia, 2 a.m. June 11 Cameroon vs. Germany, 4:30 a.m. Ireland vs.

Saudi Arabia, 4:30 a.m. GROUP CountryWLTGFGAPts Argentina100103 England001111 Sweden001111 Nigeria010010 Sunday Argentina 1, Nigeria 0 England 1, Sweden 1 Friday Nigeria vs. Sweden, 11:30 p.m. (Thu.) Argentina vs. England, 4:30 a.m.

June 12 Argentina vs. Sweden, 11:30 p.m. (Tues.) England vs. Nigeria, 11:30 p.m. (Tues.) GROUP CountryWLTGFGAPts Italy100203 Mexico100103 Croatia010010 Ecuador010020 Monday Mexico 1, Croatia 0 Italy 2, Ecuador 0 Saturday Croatia vs.

Italy, 2 a.m. Sunday Ecuador vs. Mexico, 11:30 p.m. (Sat.) June 13 Italy vs. Mexico, 4:30 a.m.

Croatia vs. Ecuador, 4:30 a.m. GROUP CountryWLTGFGAPts Belgium000000 Japan000000 Russia000000 Tunisia000000 Today Belgium vs. Japan, 2 a.m. Wednesday Russia vs.

Tunisia, 11:30 p.m. (Tues.) Sunday Japan vs. Russia, 4:30 a.m. Monday Belgium vs. Tunisia, 2 a.m.

June 14 Belgium vs. Russia, 11:30 p.m. (Thu.) Japan vs. Tunisia, 11:30 p.m. (Thu.) FIRST-ROUND STANDINGS Game days listed by local time in Japan and South Korea; times listed are PDT For up-to-the-minute coverage of the World Cup, including results, standings and statistics, please visit: www.latimes.com/worldcup FOLLOW THE CUP ONLINE Mexico 1, Croatia 0 At Niigata, Japan First Second Mexico, Blanco 1, 60th (penalty kick).

Shots At 8, Mexico 7. Shots On 4, Mexico 4. Yellow Red Zivkovic, 59th. 8, Mexico 1. 16, Mexico 18.

China. India; Adjengui, Tunisia. Lineups Croatia Pletikosa; Boris Zivkovic, Josip Simunic, Robert Kovac, Robert Jarni, Stjepan Tomas; Zvonimir Soldo, Robert Prosinecki (Milan Rapaic, 46th), Niko Kovac; Davor Suker (Daniel Saric, 64th), Alen Boksic (Mario Stanic, 67th). Mexico Perez; Manuel Vidrio, Salvador Carmona; Rafael Marquez, Gerardo Torrado, Ramon Morales, Braulio Luna, Sigifredo Mercado, Gabriel Caballero; Jared Borgetti (Luis Hernandez, 68th), Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Francisco Palencia, 79th). Italy 2, Ecuador 0 At Sapporo, Japan First Italy, Vieri 1, 7th minute.

2, Italy, Vieri 2, 27th. Second Shots At 13, Ecuador 8. Shots On 8, Ecuador 5. Yellow Cannavaro, 81st. Ecuador, Poroso, 14th; De la Cruz, 49th; Chala, 54th.

6, Ecuador 2. 19, Ecuador 18. United States. Canada; Sharp, England. Lineups Italy Buffon; Christian Panucci, Alessandro Nesta, Fabio Cannavaro, Paolo Maldini; Gianluca Zambrotta, Damiano Tommasi, Luigi Di Biagio (Gennaro Gattuso, 69th), Cristiano Doni (Angelo Di Livio, 64th); Franceso Totti (Alessandro Del Piero, 74th), Christian Vieri.

Ecuador Cevallos; Ulises De la Cruz, Ivan Hurtado, Augusto Poroso, Raul Guerron; Edwin Tenorio (Marlon Ayovi, 59th), Alfonso Obregon, Edison Mendez, Clever Chala (Nicolas Asencio, 85th), Alex Aguinaga (Carlos Tenorio, 46th); Agustin Delgado. Brazil 2, Turkey 1 At Ulsan, South Korea First Turkey, Sas 1, 45th minute (injury time). Second Brazil, Ronaldo 1, 50th. 3, Brazil, Rivaldo 1, 87th (penalty kick). Shots At 19, Turkey 6.

Shots On 12, Turkey 4. Yellow Denilson, 73rd. Turkey, Akyel, 21st; Unsal, 24th, 90th (injury time); Ozalan, 41st, 86th. Red Ozalan, 86th; Unsal, 90th (injury time, two yellows). 3, Turkey 1.

19, Turkey 21. South Korea. Singapore; Fernandez, El Salvador. Lineups Brazil Cafu, Lucio, Roque Junior, Edmilson, Roberto Carlos; Gilberto Silva, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho (Denilson, 67th), Juninho (Vampeta, 72nd); Ronaldo (Luizao, 73rd). Turkey Recber; Bulent Korkmaz (Ilhan Mansiz, 66th), Fatih Akyel, Alpay Ozalan, Umit Ozat, Hakan Unsal; Tu- gay Kerimoglu (Arif Erdem, 88th), Yildiray Basturk (Umit Davala, 66th), Emre Belozoglu; Hakan Sukur, Hasan Sas.

WORLD CUP CAREER GOAL SCORING LEADERS (x-played in 2002 tournament): Pos. Player, CountryYearsG 1. Gerd Muller, West 2. Just Fontaine, 3. Pele, 4.

Sandor Kocsis, 4. Juergen Klinsmann, 6. Helmut Rahn, West 6. Teofilo Cubillas, 6. Gregorz Lato, 6.

Gary Lineker, 6. x-Gabriel Batistuta, 11. Leonidas, 11. Ademir, 11. Vava, 11.

Uwe Seeler, West 11. Eusebio, 11. Jairzinho, 11. Paolo Rossi, 11. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, W.

11. Roberto Baggio, 20, Guillermo Stabile, 20. Diego Maradona, 20. Rudi Voller, 20. Omar Miguez, SUMMARIES spent as Aguirre advertised, got precious little out of the men who energized the semifinal surge of forwards Davor Suker and Alen Boksic.

After nearly taking World Cup rookie Croatia to the final four years ago, neither Suker, now 34, nor Boksic, 32, lasted 70 minutes against Mexico. Before they were mercifully pulled in the 64th and 67th minutes, Suker and Boksic had combined for one shot, off-target at that. offense was far from vibrant, indulging Croatia in long- ball practice during a scoreless, tedious first half. Mexico was limited by a depleted midfield, thinned by the suspensions of Jesus Arellano and Joahan Rodriguez. Croatia, however, seemed to lack the will or the inspiration to push forward, spending so much time passing the ball back that sizable supporter section filled the stadium with derisive whistling and boos.

The tone of the game had turned so lackluster in the first hour that one fleeting moment of flair, a back-heeled pass by Jared Borgetti to Cuauhtemoc Blanco, completely unhinged the match with it. feed sprang Blanco through the middle of the Croatian defense and he went barreling in head-on toward goal. Scrambling to recover, Croatian defender Boris Zivkovic body-slammed Blanco in the penalty area, sending the Mexican striker flying. As Blanco crumpled to the grass, referee Jun Lu of China was pointing to the penalty spot. Seconds later, a red card for Zivkovic followed.

In the 60th minute, Blanco con- Croatia Coach Mirko Jozic quickly moved Suker and Boksic to the bench and replaced them with Daniel Saric and Mario Stanic. Croatian midfielder Zvonimir Soldo, already denied by Mexican keeper Oscar Perez on a 47th-min- ute header, created another anxious moment, driving a blast from the top of the area in the 65th minute that short-hopped Perez and popped loose before he lunged to gather the ball. Perez had to work to preserve the victory when, in stoppage time, a long throw-in freed Josip Simunic for a pointblank shot that Perez somehow palmed away and onto the side netting. goalkeeper is the man of the match, I Aguirre said of Perez. made a couple of really good Aguirre looked almost embarrassed when asked about his earlier critical assessment of Croatia and how 90 minutes in Niigata eventually proved him right.

Aguirre claimed he intentionally trying to play mind games with was simply playing defense on behalf of his players. not my he said. heard what the Croatia coach said about us. At first I was quiet. He said we have creative players in the midfield.

not my style, but I had to answer. want to play that kind of game. It was a good lesson. my first and last time playing like that with the What could any Croatian say, other than what Soldo had to offer? was good. We were Soldo said.

is the Aguirre said. 10 players and one goal, I thought we manage the game. We had to handle the team and we had to play better. It was a crucial moment, the Desperate for any kind of spark, verted. Suddenly, Mexico had a goal advantage, and a man advantage.

Croatia, already sagging, was facing an uphill climb without the legs and the lungs required for the journey. think the penalty broke the NIIGATA, looked every bit the part of a wide-eyed World Cup first-timer Monday, marveling at the wondrous sights all plush grass field inside the high- tech Sapporo Dome, the filled stands, the two goals in the first half-hour by Christian Vieri. By the time the Ecuadoreans had settled down and settled in, their first-ever World Cup match was fairly 2-0 loss to Italy at Sapporo, Japan, and a quick assignment to last place in Group G. players were very nervous and they were not quite Ecuador Coach Hernan Dario Gomez acknowledged. we played very well in the second half and we are not Ecuador, which plays its next game against Mexico on Sunday in Miyagi, was knocked back early by two Vieri goals in a span of seven minutes.

The first, in the seventh minute, came after Francesco Totti had broken down the left side of the Ecuador defense, carrying the ball almost to the end line before laying it back for Vieri just outside the top of the pen- alty area. Vieri drove the ball into the upper right corner of the net past goalkeeper Jose Cevallos and Italy led, 1-0. Twenty minutes later, Vieri struck again, this time taking a long feed, shedding his defender and powering a low shot that caromed off leg and rolled behind the keeper. Vieri kept running, easily beating Cevallos to the ball for the tap-in. want to my goals to the doctors of the national said Vieri, who has been bothered by hamstring, ankle and knee ligament ailments during the last year.

have helped me get back to fitness and that meant I was able to score these two Gomez said he was encouraged by his performance in the second half, when Ecuador produced several scoring chances after Italy Coach Giovanni Trapattoni made substitutions. did OK and we have the strength now to go on from this in the next two Gomez said. are a very strong team and probably one of the strongest in the World Mike Penner MEXICO: Penalty Kick the Difference in 1-0 Victory Continued fromD1 NEXT OPPONENT Ecuador No Match for Italy, 2-0.