Encounter of emotions as England take on old rivals Germany
IF it was a horse race, you would probably believe stories that it was fixed. But not the World Cup draw. In fact, it was almost predictable.
There was a certain inevitability about England being drawn against Scotland for the right to play in the Euro 2000 finals next summer, so an omen punter would surely have put his money on Kevin Keegan's boys, assuming he is still in charge, meeting Germany in the 2002 World Cup qualifiers.
And that's exactly how it came out of the hat, not literally in this hi-tech age of course, in Tokyo last week as the first steps in the frenzied shindig that leads to the next World Cup were taken. It is rather amusing how the English media managed to get themselves into a real tizzy when they have to play Germany.
It reached its nadir in Euro 96 when one mass tabloid newspaper produced an unfunny cartoon on its front page which was dominated by a Nazi helmet.
As does sometimes happen, those insulted - if, in fact, the Germans thought they were - duly had the last laugh by winning on penalties, so ending the hosts' interest in the competition.
Spice has been further added to the admittedly intriguing clash by the fact that they are bitter rivals for the right to host the 2006 World Cup.
It would be ironic, but not impossible, that the next hosts might not be involved in the first World Cup in Asia just over two years hence.
Germany are not playing as they used to and eyes will indeed be upon them at Euro 2000. The last time they actually did play well was at Euro 96 and their efforts in France last summer were little above the ordinary.
It would be almost true to say that much is being written and spoken about two teams that are little beyond moderate.
But it is not always about how well a team is playing, there is the gripping ingredient called emotion.
Some of England's rather lethargic displays of late suggest there may not be much of that around now but there certainly will be in the crowd. And probably on the streets, too.
World Cup fever is something that has normally passed Hong Kong by, barring one incredible year and result in Beijing when the then colony beat their future masters against all the odds, 2-1.
No, Hong Kong tend to catch a cold and depart the epic event before a ball has been really kicked in earnest.
The Tokyo draw did produce an intriguing section for Hong Kong. We know all about Malaysia and Qatar will be the side most likely to matter in the group.
But Palestine? A trip to the Gaza Strip is not quite as inviting as one to Bangkok, but it will be interesting.
On the serious side, it must be hoped that the Hong Kong FA makes a determined effort to get as much right as possible before qualification begins.
There is nothing new in this suggestion but employing a foreign coach is again a priority. Their last flirtation with Sebastaio Araujo of Brazil ended in expensive tears but, to be frank, was a strange association from the start.
Araujo may have been quite a few things but pragmatic was not one of them. It is a fact of life in some countries that you will not have specialist medical attention, or other facilities, for your national football team not least because the association cannot afford what are seen to be non-essentials.
I am not, by the way, saying that this is the case with Hong Kong but making a point in general about a great many cash-strapped federations around the world.
Araujo was involved with Brazil at the highest level and was used to the best. Adapting to much lower standards can be difficult but it has to be done.
So we go back to the Germans.
It is still a surprise to me to see German coaches popping up everywhere - including Nepal which is far from being a footballing powerhouse except, one assumes, in the Himalayas where Bhutan and Sikkim might provide the immediate opposition.
Their German coach was not a backpacker who had played a bit of football in his time and was augmenting his income. He was the genuine article with the requisite coaching badge from the German FA.
German coaches appear to travel rather well - I am talking again about adapting rather than which end of an aeroplane they might be in. They have a better facility with languages and a definite leaning towards discipline.
The HKFA could do an awful lot worse. The obvious ending is 'and probably will', but we are in a more optimistic frame of mind these days.
