The Courier-News from Bridgewater, New Jersey • Page 26

C-6 SUNDAY, JUNE 12. 1994 THE COURIER-NEWS WORLD-CUP-1994 IIITI Tl III II 4 raL? nii rrrjnrTT Commonly asked Teams from 24 countries are divided into six groups of four teams each. The top two teams in each group advance along with four third-place teams with the best records. (Live U.S. television coverage in parentheses) CGrougTA oupC0 times United States (USA) Brazil (BRA) Germany (GER) Argentina (ARG) Italy (ITA) Belgium (BEL) EDT Switzerland (SUI) Russia (RUS) Bolivia (BOL) Greece (GRE) Ireland (IRL) Morocco (MAR) Colombia (COL) Cameroon (CMR) Spain (ESP) Nigeria (NGR) Norway (NOR) Netherlands (NED) Romania (ROM) Sweden (SWE) South Korea (KOR) Bulgaria (BUL) Mexico (MEX) Saudi Arabia (KSA) lnrfxl I GER-BOL ESP-KOR I fJMt 3:05 p.m.

(ESPN) 7:35 p.m. (ESPN2) 4ntrtT COL-ROM USA-SUI ITA-IRL SWIfcffW 7:35 p.m. (ESPN) (ABC) 4:05 p.m. (ESPN, RAI) mt-i CMR-SWE BEL-MAR NOR-MEX Oiltfc 7:35 p.m. (ESPN2) 12:35 p.m.

(ESPN) 4:05 p.m. (ESPN) 4WmCtt BRA-RUS i' NED-KSA 4:05 p.m. (ESPN) 4 rrfifti GER-ESP ARG-GRE NGR-BUL 4 UlfcW 4:05 p.m. (ESPN) 12:35 p.m. (ESPN) 7:35 p.m.

(ESPN2) usa-col rom-sui fliffiHKfc 7:35 p.m. (ESPN) 4:05 p.m. (ESPN) 4 V- sw-ai 4rrnrt -w-'' kor-bol ita-nor JiiUiJSJ 7:35 p.m. (ESPN2) 05 p.n. (ESPN.

RAI) jf A m-rM BRA-CMR SWE-RUS T- MEX-IRL 4:05 p.m. (ESPN) 7:35 p.m. (ESPN) 12:35 p.m. (ESPN) ARG-NGR KSA-MAR BEL-NED "J- 4:05 p.m. (ABC)- 12:35 p.m.

(ABC) ltr3 USA-ROM SUI-COL BUL-GRE 4:05 p.m. (ABC) 4:05 p.m. 12:35 p.m. (ESPN) ttmrtXi BOL-ESP GER-KOR I XUtf 4:05 p.m. (ESPN2) 4:05 p.m.

(ESPN) ftWf RUS-CMR bRA-SWE IRL-NOR 4:05 p.m. (ESPN2) 4:05 p.m. (ESPN) (ESPN2), ,12:35 p.m. (ESPN, RAI) "1 MAR-NED BEL-KSA 12:35 p.m. (ESPN) 12:35 p.m.

iftfrJ IGRE-NGR ARG-BUL 7:35 p.m. (ESPN2) 7:35 p.m. (ESPN) Note: All games will be shown live on Univision (Spanish TV) except Saudi Arabia vs. Morocco, June 25, and Belgium vs. Saudi Arabia, June 29.

RAI Italian TV Talk like an Expert 20 things to say that'll make you sound like an expert So, you think World Cup is a new underwear size? You've been under the impression that a booking is something that only happens to those who drive drunk. Or that a cross is something you only see at your local church. Please follow along to be enlightened. After all, we are told the Pope is a huge soccer fan. So until you see him and get the gospel first-hand, here are 20 things you can say in conversation that will make you sound like you're a World Cup soccer expert.

1. A CROSS: Nothing religious about this. It's a ball that is played from the flank toward an attacking player or players. 2. EXTRA TIME: Tell your boss, "no way." In soccer, this is known as overtime.

3. Oh, no, a LAYOFF: Not to worry, your job is safe. In soccer, this means a ball pushed aside to a fellow player with more room to maneuver than you. 4. HAND BALL: Not the game, son.

It's as the English say, an offence. No player, other than the goalie, can touch the ball with his hands. 5. BOOKING: Nothing to do with the police. This has to do with refs penalizing a player for a flagrant foul like swearing, a deliberate hand ball or a bad foul.

6. CONCACAF: What? The Confederation of North and Central American and Carribbean Federation, the U.S.'s region. 7. And here's the PITCH: If you swung at this one, you most certainly missed. It's another word for a soccer field.

8. I'll be RIGHT BACK: Don't hurry. This only refers to the fullback patrolling the right side of the field. He's usually right-footed. 9.

STRIKER: Union employees need not apply. This soccer position is only open to those forwards whose job it is to score goals. 10. I'd like a CLEAN SHEET: Wouldn't everybody? No, it's not about linens. This is simply a soccer term for a shutout 11.

THE WALL: Yes, Pink Floyd is touring this summer, but they don't line up in front of a goalie to block a free kick. (And why do they hold their groin area, anyway? Go ask your dad). In the meantime, drop these one-liners in conversation at the local pub: 12. Is it true Madonna is after Maradona? 13. Hey, did you see Tomba at the Somerset Hills Hotel? (Or, in response to the same question: "Yeah, and he was with 14.

The U.S. team couldn't win the World Cup with Pele and Maradona. 15. Alexi Lalas has the coolest look. I love that goatee.

16. Did you know there are two Bag-gios in the tournament? Dino and Roberto both play for Italy. 17. 1 bet you can't name any soccer players other than Pele or Maradona. I can.

18. How many casinos do you think those Saudis have bought since they've been at Atlantic City? 19. Are you going to the '98 World Cup in France? 20. Did you get in the office pool yet? I've got Colombia, Brazil, Argentina and Italy in the Final Four, but I'm really worried about Germany. Harry Frezza Jr.

AP and about the World Cup Which country has won the most World Cups? Italy (1934,1938 and 1982), West Germany (1954, 1974, 1990) and Brazil (1958, 1962 and 1970). When was the first World Cup played? In 1930 in Uruguay. The host country beat Argentina 4-2 for the title. How many games will be played? There will be 52 games in all, with the World Cup final to be played Sunday, July 17 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Where will the next World Cup be played? France in 1998.

Why is the World Cup such a spectacle? It is at the apex of the world's most popular sport. There are 178 nations in the world whose soccer federations are affiliated with FIFA. How did the U.S. team qualify for the 1994 World Cup? The U.S., as host, and Germany, as defending champion, had places in the World Cup finals by right and two of the other 141 teams have fought their way through various qualifying games to join them in the U.S. BWhy is Pele regarded as the patron saint of soccer? In 1958, at the age of 17, Pele had two goals in Brazil's 5-2 championship victory against host Sweden.

Twelve years later, Pele led his country to a commanding 4-1 victory against Italy in Mexico. Pele is the third-leading goal-scorer (12) in World Cup history, Who's the leading goal-scorer in the World Cup? Gerd Muller of Germany with 14. Who scored the first goal for the United States in World Cup play? Bart McGhee, against Belgium, in 1930. The U.S. finished third that year.

1 How will the United States watch the World Cup? ABC-TV will carry the Saturday, Sunday and holiday games while the rest will be on ESPN and ESPN2. How has the U.S. fared in the World Cup tournament? Not well. The best U.S. finish was in the 1930 World Cup when it lost to Argentina, 6-1, in the semifinals.

In 1934, 1950 and 1990, the U.S. failed to get out of the first round. What is the U.S. record in tournament games? The U.S. has played 10 games and has a record of 3-7.

They've been out-scored 29-14. Best U.S. moment in the World Cup? 1 Beating England, 1-0, in the 1950 tournament in Brazil. The loss eliminated England; the victory was the last by the U.S. in the World Cup.

When is the World Cup played? Every four years, 24 teams play a total of 52 games over a four-week period. Nearly 500 qualification matches are needed to qualify for the World Cup tournament, What is FIFA? FIFA stands for the Federecion Inter-nacionale de Futbol Association, soccer's world-wide governing body, i How many players are on a roster? There are 11 players on the field and 22 players on each team. What are the best odds for a team to win the Cup? i Germany at 7-2. The U.S. is 50-1.

How many times has the host team won the Cup? Five times: Uruguay (1930); Italy (1934); England (1966); West Germany (1974); Argentina (1978). How many companies sponsor the World Cup? i Nineteen, although it might seem like a million. i Which teams will be playing at Giants Stadium? In the first round, Italy, Ireland, Norway, Morocco and Saudi Arabia. Harry Frezza Jr. TEAM COLORS KEY Shirt a Shorts Argentina Belgium Bolivia Brazil Bulgaria Colombia Germany 0 rr Home: (above) White a Green Away: Red a white Home: (above) White Black Away: Green a white Home: (above) Blue, wnite a Black Away: Blue Blue Home: (above) Red a Red Away: White a White Home: (above) Green a White Away: White a Green Home: (above) Yellow a Blue Away: Blue A White Home: (above) Green, red, yell.

ARed Away: Yellow AYellow Home: Yellow a Blue Away: (above) Blue Red Italy Mexico Morocco Netherlands Nigeria Norway Ireland nib 0 Where to WATCH For the first time, every World Cup soccer game will be broadcast live by a U.S. television network (see chart above). Here's a selection of local bars where fans interested in the World Cup should be able to get a decent eyeful: BAZOOKAS: Lots of screens. Two locations 475 No. Bridge Bridge-water 526-4340 and 1351 Centenial Piscataway 981-1234.

BONO'S: Five screens. World Cup on large screen. Try the food here. 41 Old York Road, Bridgewater 685-9502. COLONIAL FARMS: More than enough screens.

1745 Amwell Road, Somerset. 873-3990, CRYAN'S: Big-screen TV just for Cup. Pro-Ireland crowd. 1270 Route 28, Branchburg. 722-1113.

DEWEY PARK: Friendly place, good views. 229 Bound Brook Road, Middlesex. 968-0662. FIRST PLACE: Watch games while others shop. Second level, Bridgewater Commons.

218-9333. JACK O'CONNOR'S: Soccer wisdom dispensed with an Irish brogue. For serious fans and members of "Jack's Army." Route 22 East, Bridgewater. 725-1500. NEWSROOM: TV at bar will be devoted to World Cup.150 W.

Main St. Somerville. 231-1919. O'CONNOR'S: Four TVs in steak house atmosphere. 708 Mountain Watchung.

755-2565. OFFICE: Bustling bar-area. Games on big-screen TV. Route 22 West, Bridgewater. 469-0066.

SPORTS AUTHORITY: Huge screen plus 15 other monitors. Lively crowd. At the Ramada off Canal Road, Somerset. 560-9880. TIJUANA JOE'S: Soccer and salsa served up in the lounge.

Route 22 West, No. Plainfield. 755-4400. TIME OUT: Five TV screens and lots of energy. 52 South Main Man-ville.

253-8880. Greece C3 Home: Blue a White Away: (above) White a Blue Home: (above) Orange AWhite Away: White Home: Green a White Away: (above) White A Green Home: (above) Blue a White Away: White a Blue Home: (above) Red AWhite Away: i White A Blua Home: Red ARed Away: (above) Green Green Home: (above) Green a Green Away: White AWhite Home: (above) Green a White Away: White ARed A( Saudi Arabia South Korea United States Romania Russia Switzerland Spain 1 Sweden Home: (above) Yellow a Blue Away: White AWhite Home: (above) Yellow -AYellow Away: Red ARed Home: (above) White AWhite Away: Blue -a Blue Home: White AQreen Away: (above) Green AWhite Home: (above) Red a Blue Away: White AWhite Home: Red 5 a Red Away: (above) Blue a Blue Home: (above) Red AWhite Away: White a Red Home: (above) Blue a Red Away: Red, white a Blue. 'Home and Away colors: Whichever team is designated the home team for a particular game has choice of uniform. The other team has to use a uniform that is contrasting. AP Source: Fede6cion Intemacionale de Football Association (FIFA); UMBRO; Adidas; Diadora; Reebok; Lotto Sport 1 X.v V.

9 1 i j. -rt- UM. jr.5 -A -c hi I i JUERGEN KLINSMANN, Germany A forward who could moonlight in Hollywood or on Broadway. He plays for AS Monaco and has raised penalty-drawing to an art form. Still, he is a top threat on a German team looking to defend its World Cup title.

DIEGO MARADONA, Argentina Maradona isn't what he was in 1986, but he is who he was. He isn't the best player in the world who led Argentina to a 1986 World Cup trophy in Mexico, but he doesn't have to be. If Maradona shakes off his injuries and rust from a 15-month drug-related suspension, he can run the midfield for one of the most talented teams in the the world. Just his presence in the lineup seems to inspire Argentina. LOTHAR MATTHAUS, Germany Matthaus is Germany's field marshall and the symbol of the greatness that won them the 1990 World Cup.

In his new position as sweeper, he'll police everything from the goal and the midfield saving, stealing and wrecking havoc on opposing offenses. Relentless and discliplined, this will likely be his last World Cup. Helping Germany repeat would be a fine way to go out. PAUL McGRATH, Ireland McGrath, a central defender, isn't as fast as he used to be. But speed was never his strength, anyway.

He has great field vision and reads plays. Despite knee problems, he still tackles and wins balls in the air. Downright rugged. ROMARIO, Brazil All the instinctive artistry, trickery, beauty and excitement of Brazilian soccer come together in this small, turbulent bundle of skill. He's just 5-foot-6 and 155 pounds, but outspoken with an attitude, too.

He has recovered from the trauma of having his father kidnapped and released recently. Married 17-year-old girlfriend on the penalty spot of a local stadium. HRISTO STOICHKOV, Bulgaria The star forward is the offense for Bulgaria. He teamed with Romario and Spain's Julio Salinas to power Barcelona to three straight Spanish League titles. Second in FIFA Player of the Year voting in 1992.

This is his maiden World Cup. He's hot-headed and a good bet to be the first player Players to Watch FAUSTINO ASPRILLA, Colombia Forget the detractors who say he's childish. This is a fantastic strider who has great burst and quickness. Asprilla scored 10 goals on the Parma team in the European Super-Cup, and probably did his trademark cartwheel after each one. He's a spontaneous player, and a triple-take is the usual response to his more flamboyant moves.

See it, and don't believe it. His lithe, supple body twists and turns through massed defenders. He has so many moves, he earned the name "Pulpo," which means octopus. GABRIEL BATISTUTA, Argentina Called the "Archangel Gabriel" in his home country, Batis-tuta scored the winning goal against Australia to give Argentina a shot at its fourth World Cup. Batistuta was saddled with a weak Fiorentina team, a second-division club, but Argentina is a powerhouse, and he's the powerplant.

DENNIS BERGKAMP, Netherlands Bergkamp, a tall striker, is one of three Dutch superstars. Marco Van Basten, possibly the world's best striker, is injured and Ftuud Gullit has been left off the roster. Holland goes only as far as Bergkamp can take them. Great in the air. Associated Press photo Flamboyant Italian Roberto Baggio is considered the best player in the world.

P. ROBERTO BAGGIO, Italy Officially, the best player in the world. He was voted FIFA World Player of the Year for 1993. His slalom dribbles will shred any defense, as will his pinpoint passing. An attacking midfielder who relishes the cut and thrust of the penalty area.

The pony-tailed Buddhist is a goal-scorer, too. He has the ability to bring Italy an unprecedented fourth World Cup title. He is the Azzurri's offense; scoring 19 goals in 33 games with the national team. Associated Press photo Diego Maradona isn't the player he once was, but on a talented Argentina team, his presence alone seems to inspire his teammates. Harry Frezza Jr.

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