World Cup Group G

World Cup wallchart

BBC Sport Online looks at the countries drawn in Group G at the 2002 World Cup finals.

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ITALY
Coach: Giovanni Trappatoni
Italy will be guided by veteran Giovanni Trappatoni - one of the most successful club coaches in the history of the game.

He will be hoping to add to his roll of honour in Korea and Japan and will step down at the end of the tournament.

Italy will rely on the usual qualities of solid defence, but have the talent of Alessandro Del Piero to provide inspiration in attack.

The Italians are hardened campaigners in major competitions and will be looking to erase the bitter memory of losing to France on the "Golden Goal" in Euro 2000.

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ECUADOR
Coach: Hernan Dario Gomez
Reached their first World Cup finals with a draw against Uruguay and will provide a colourful presence in Korea and Japan.

The result sparked wild celebrations in Quito.

Ivan Kaviedes scored the crucial equaliser in that game and will be hoping for more heroics this summer.

Their main goal threat comes from Agustin Delgado, the tall striker who has just signed for Southampton along with Kleber Chala, the national captain who is also trying his luck in the English Premiership.

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CROATIA
Coach: Mirko Jozic
Reached the semi-final of the 1998 World Cup, losing out to the hosts and eventual winners France.

They qualified from a tough group that also included Belgium and Scotland.

Croatia will rely heavily on the talents of striker Bosko Balaban, who recently made a big-money move to English Premiership side Aston Villa.

Many of their outstanding players of the 1998 side, such as defender Slaven Bilic, have retired.

But the old guard still retain a strong infleunce through Alen Boksic, Davor Suker and Robert Prosinecki.

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MEXICO
Coach: Javier Aquirre
Mexico finally secured their place in Korea and Japan with a 3-0 win over Honduras.

The Mexicans had been on the brink of elimination after losing to the United States, Costa Rica and Honduras in the early stages of the qualifying competition.

But four wins in their last five games under new coach Javier Aguirre changed their fortunes.

Cuauhtemoc Blanco scored two goals and set up the third to see his country through to Korea and Japan but has also been involved in a row with the country's football authorities.

They may spring the odd shock - but not expected to reach the latter stages.