NIEDERKASSEL, 19 June 2006 — Having to open with Argentina and the Netherlands was tough enough without also battling bad decisions by referees, Ivory Coast coach Henri Michel said yesterday.

Michel said he went back over video of Ivory Coast’s narrow losses to Argentines and Dutch and found himself particularly displeased by several key calls.

“This was kind of the World Cup of regrets, especially considering the refereeing,” the former France coach said, adding that he saw “some obvious mistakes” that went against his club while reviewing film of both matches.

“The Netherlands only had one opportunity in the first 20 minutes and we were better the entire game,” Michel said, referring to Robin van Persie’s opening goal from a free kick from about 20 meters (yards) on Friday.

The coach thought “it was clear” that Ruud van Nistelrooy’s goal, which gave the Netherlands a 2-0 lead, should not have been allowed.

Michel said Van Nistelrooy was in the process of retreating from an offside position, although replays showed he was level with Ivory Coast’s Bakary Kone when the pass to the Manchester United striker was made.

“He had an advantage because of that and according to the rules that means that he was offside, so it was a clear offside call,” Michel said.

Michel also said that Ivory Coast should have been given a penalty shot when Emmanuel Eboue was taken down in the penalty area while trying to receive a pass.

“I watched it again and again, and it should have been a penalty shot for Ivory Coast,” Michel said. “I’m under the impression that big countries have an advantage when it comes to refereeing, compared to the small countries.”

Five-time World Cup Coach Enjoys Being Ordinary Spectator€

In Frankfurt, reveling in his status as an ordinary tournament spectator, five-time World Cup coach Bora Milutinovic said he never knew the experience could be so much fun.

“This is the first time in nearly 25 years that I can actually enjoy myself without the stress of having to worry about my team,” Milutinovic said. “I had forgotten the World Cup is actually fun. I’ve seen eight matches so far, traveled, met old friends, and generally enjoyed myself tremendously.”

Milutinovic remains the only man to have coached five different teams in the World Cup, having led Mexico, Costa Rica, the United States, Nigeria and China. He said he now prefers to simply watch the soccer.

“But that doesn’t mean I won’t be looking to be back as a coach next time around,” Milutinovic said. He expects Brazil, which eliminated Milutinovic’s China four years ago on its way to the World Cup title, to win yet again.

Milutinovic gained international fame in 1994 after leading the United States team into the knockout round. The fact that he was coaching the host team in that tournament only enhanced his reputation.

“I’m encouraged by how much the Americans have improved since my time, they completely dominated Italy and certainly deserved to win,” Milutinovic said. “Bruce (Arena) has done a great job with the team and I wish him much success.”

Spain’s Coach Says Argentina

the Best So Far

Spain coach Luis Aragones said Argentina is the best team yet in the World Cup and not just because of its 6-0 demolition of Serbia-Montenegro.

“I don’t say it just because of that. I say it because of what they did before, the 2-1 against Ivory Coast, which is a strong team,” Aragones said Saturday in Kamen.

“As a team they are the best, and I don’t care about the 6-0 because the match turned in their favor very quickly.” Spain, too, is considered one of the favorites after an impressive 4-0 win over Ukraine in the Group H opener. But Aragones said his team is not perfect — yet.

Music Training

Mexico trained on Saturday to the rhythm of the popular Mexican group El Recodo.

The group, known for its infectious style simply called “banda” (band), visited the team’s practice in Gottingen, where Mexico is training for its crucial Group D match against Portugal.

Some 3,000 fans watched from the stands as the group played their trumpet and drum-driven music and posed for pictures with team members Rafael Marquez, Oswaldo Sanchez, Omar Bravo and Jared Borgetti.

Arturo Rivera, the group’s spokesman, said El Recodo played outside the Nuremberg and Hanover stadiums, where Mexico beat Iran 3-1 and tied 0-0 with Angola.

Nice Pitch

After days of players and coaches complaining about poor field conditions, 2006 World Cup grounds keepers finally heard some good feedback on Saturday.

South Korean assistant coach Pim Verbeek praised the condition of the grass at the Leipzig World Cup stadium, where the Asians take on France in hopes of advancing to the Round of 16.

“The pitch is completely different than the Frankfurt pitch,” the Dutchman said, referring to the World Cup stadium in Frankfurt where South Korea beat Togo 2-1 on Tuesday. “The Frankfurt pitch was very bad. Compared, this is a fantastic pitch.”

Verbeek said the field conditions in Frankfurt were not good enough. “In Frankfurt, they forgot to cut the grass. I cannot believe that can happen in a World Cup.”