Happy memories but no glory for the also-rans

BERLIN, July 10 (Reuters) Qualifying for the World Cup was a dream come true for several debutant nations this year but once in Germany the peak of their ambition too often seemed to be to hang on for a goalless draw.

The gulf in class and experience between the big sides and the also-rans was always going to be difficult to surmount and the result was a competition of few surprises.

Conversely, the conservative approach of the leading teams meant that, apart from Argentina's 6-0 demolition of Serbia&Montenegro, there were no embarrassing thrashings.

Trinidad&Tobago, the smallest nation ever to make it, played a record 20 qualifying matches and their motley collection of lower league players were right to enjoy every moment of a once in a lifetime experience.

They were even able to celebrate their country's first World Cup point when, down to 10 men for most of the second half, they held Sweden to a 0-0 draw in their opening Group B game.

They then made England sweat for 83 minutes before their so-called betters claimed a 2-0 win before bowing out with their honour intact after another 2-0 defeat by Paraguay.

Fellow CONCACAF qualifiers Costa Rica did manage to score twice against Germany but they let in four at the other end and also lost 3-0 to Ecuador and 2-1 to Poland.

The four African debutants had a mixed tournament.

LAUGHING STOCK Togo became something of a laughing stock as their never-ending row over bonuses that led to the resignation then quick return of coach Oto Pfister completely undermined what should have been their finest hour.

Once on the pitch they were far too reliant on Emmanuel Adebayor, the only one of their squad playing regularly for a top level side.

They should have started with a win but allowed South Korea to come back for a 2-1 victory then lost 2-0 to Switzerland and France.

Angola also joyfully celebrated a 0-0 draw against Mexico then gained another point from a 1-1 draw with Iran having earlier lost 1-0 to Portugal and their performances should be applauded when measured against the state of the game in that country just a few years ago.

Ivory Coast, African Nations Cup runners-up, were unfortunate to be in a group with Argentina, Netherlands and Serbia and though they beat the Serbs they went out after tough 2-1 defeats to the two favourites.

Ghana were the only African team to make it to the second round and did so at the expense of Czech Republic and the United States, in the process playing some of the most exciting football of the whole tournament.

With a little more composure in front of goal they could have given Brazil a run for their money in the second round.

However, the experience gained from playing in the tournament will be invaluable for the players and administrators of the lesser nations, particularly the Africans.

In four years the World Cup will be held in their continent for the first time when South Africa hosts and maybe the local sides will no longer be content with honourable defeat.

REUTERS PDS PM0812