Marseille, 4 December 1997

GROUP H

1. ARGENTINA

Coach: Daniel Passarella

I'm delighted. It's a really good draw for my squad. Our aim is to go very far, but I don't want us to be labelled favourites. I've experience of the Croatian players and I fear them. The schedule is nicely spaced out. Batitusta is an excellent player, but I'll decide later whether to select him. He had a really good first half, but defences won't be the same during the World Cup in June. Japan has made great progress. We beat them 5-1 two years ago. But now they've got a good team. On paper, we've got the best side in the group, but we'll have to prove it on the pitch.".

2. JAPAN

Coach: Takeshi Okada

"We are glad to have avoided an African team. They are difficult to play against. Lots of teams are here for the first time, like Jamaica. That's great. I'm delighted to be playing Argentina which is one of the best teams in the world. I think that the games during the competition will continue to be played in a friendly spirit. We will do our best."

3. JAMAICA

Coach: René Simoes

"We are glad to be here as newcomers to the World Cup. We are a pretty strong side, even if we do lack experience compared with Argentina or Croatia. But I'm very happy with this group. The group containing Nigeria, Bulgaria, Paraguay and Spain is certainly the toughest. But in my opinion, we can beat any side, even Japan. Japanese football is making great strides. Their game is very fast thanks to the contribution made by the Brazilians in the championship."

4. CROATIA

Coach: Miroslav Blazevic

"I'm delighted with the draw. We needed a break and we got one. Thanks to the draw, our ambitions are a little more assertive than before. If you exclude France, Argentina and Brazil, I think I can venture that we are no less favorites than the other teams."