ARGENTINA: SOCCER / FOOTBALL - Germany World Cup chief and soccer great Franz Beckenbauer visits Argentina

Record ID: 448064

  • Title: ARGENTINA: SOCCER / FOOTBALL - Germany World Cup chief and soccer great Franz Beckenbauer visits Argentina
  • Date: 17th February 2006
  • Summary: CLOSE UP/NIGHT: FLAGS FLYING OUTSIDE HOTEL
  • Embargoed: 4th March 2006 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Argentina
  • Country: Argentina
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVADW5VTVRN54N3MV0F3ISKO4PT3
  • Story Text: Franz Beckenbauer said in Buenos Aires on Wednesday (February 15) that Argentina and Brazil had equal chances of winning the World Cup in Germany this year and the tournament would be a good chance for a Latin American team to become world champions.
    The President of the World Cup Organising Committee and World Cup-winning former captain and coach is visiting all the tournament's qualifying nations.
    Wednesday's function was attended by Carlos Bilardo, who coached the Argentine team to World Cup victory in 1986.
    When asked whether he would dare to predict a Brazilian World Cup victory while on Argentine soil, considering the countries' traditional rivalry, Beckenbauer said he thought Argentina's team was on a par with the Brazilian favourites.
    "I think that Brazil has a team that's as good as Argentina's. Let's remember the Confederation Cup. I think that was a black day for one of the teams, but I think that the chances are as good for Argentina as they are for Brazil," he said.
    Beckenbauer is the only soccer player ever to have won a World Cup as both player and coach, in 1974 and 1990, both times for Germany. He told Argentine media he believed there was a good chance that a Latin American champion would emerge in Germany this year.
    "I think it is an excellent opportunity for a world champion of Latin American origin to emerge in Europe after 50 years," he said.
    The World Cup kicks off in Germany on June 9 this year. Costa Rica, Ecuador, Paraguay, Argentina, Mexico and Brazil have all qualified from Latin America.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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