WORLD CUP FEVER - June 14

Group H

Argentina

Japan

Group F

Yugoslavia

Iran

Group H

Croatia

Jamaica

Deep breath. Another three-game day. Head over to Tufnell Park for a World Cup feast of football - and food. A variety of hot and cold snacks, accompanied by 'Football Wine'. Settle down to the ultimately uninspiring spectacle of Argentina v Japan. Expected a lot more from the South Americans, and expect they will deliver in the later stages - maybe when Ortega gets it together. They look a strong outfit, but Japan worked hard to frustrate them.

I must confess that I was fighting to stay awake towards the end of the next game, another 1-0 win for the favourites, Yugoslavia, over supposed World Cup minnows, Iran.

We went to the Boston Freehouse opposite Tufnell Park tube for Croatia v Jamaica and it was a joy to behold. The game, not the pub, which is good for watching football, but a bit of a barn otherwise. Perhaps that's the idea.

It's goal and thrills we want (unless it's Eng... okay I think I've made my point) and those by Earle and Prosinecki (whether or not it was a cross that got lucky) were excellent. Rather weary after a day's feasting, and drinking, made my way home (via a Chinese takeaway) caught most of Fantasy Football. And the news.

Yes, you know, English fans rioting in Marseille, tear gas, smashed windows, 40 arrests, dozens injured, chaos and violence, 70 arrests, running battles... But at the risk of burying my head in the sand, this has happened before, the chances are it will happen again and it has nothing to do with the football I am ruining my health watching on television. I'm more determined than ever to enjoy this World Cup, it's eight long years since England last played a World Cup game and I will be there,with a drink in my hand, going mental (in my restrained way) at 1.30 pm tomorrow afternoon. Let the politicians, newspaper columnists, sociologists and assorted authorities have their say, let them blame whoever the hell they like, they can make their ridiculous suggestions that 'we' pull 'our' team out. It's society's problem, not football's. Blame English lager/yob culture by all means but don't make me and millions like me feel guilty for loving this game and cheering on 'our' team through this tournament. In spite of being made ashamed to be English.

Results:

Argentina (1) 0	Japan (0) 0
Batistuta 28

Yugoslavia (0) 1	Iran (0) 0
Mihailovic 73

Croatia (1) 3	Jamaica (1) 1
Stanic 27 Prosinecki 53 Suker 69	Earle 45

Shots off target:

Red Card (no warning, you're off): Uri Geller. Doesn't this man know when to shut up? There he is, on the cover of the News of the World, urging everyone to concentrate on some spurious 'power spot' at 1.15 tomorrow... and then England will win. And all thanks to Uri! What a spoon-bending prat. I hope Glenn Hoddle does sue him.

This week's new 'Hit Parade' includes these World Cup entries:
1 - Three Lions '98 - Baddiel/Skinner/Lightning Seeds
2 - Vindaloo - Fat Les
5 - Carnaval De Paris - Dario G
16 - Don't Come Home Too Soon - Del Amitri
19 - (How Does It Feel To Be) On Top Of The World - England United
34 - Top Of The World (Ole, Ole, Ole) - Chumbawamba

(Not necessarily the World Cup but I've got a lot of them) Football Quote of the Day:
'They had a dozen corners, maybe 12 - I'm guessing.' Craig Brown