GROUP F: US v Yugoslavia

The US will be playing for little more than pride whereas Yugoslavia will be intent on securing their route to the last 16.

The Yugoslavs are favourites to finish top of the group as Germany, who are equal on points, face an Iran side buoyed by their emotional 2-1 defeat of the Americans.

The Yugoslavs are trying not to sound too confident but obviously expect to score a few goals against an American side already destined to head home. "I honestly don't think that the Germans will score more goals against Iran than we will against the Americans," said midfielder Slavisa Jokanovic.

"Unlike Iran, the US don't have a chance of qualifying."

Germany head the group because they have scored four goals compared with Yugoslavia's three, with both teams conceding two.

Yugoslav striker Darko Kovacevic is out with a thigh strain but defender Zoran Mirkovic should be back after missing the 2-2 draw with Germany.

Savo Milosevic or Perica Ognjenovic will play up front alongside Predrag Mijatovic, and Mirkovic is expected to replace Slobodan Komljenovic.

While the Americans' defeat by Germany in their first game was expected, a chronic lack of striking precision cost them dearly in the 2-1 loss to Iran.

There is a chance Steve Sampson may blood some of his younger players but even an unlikely victory may be too late to save the manager's job.

He has already declared himself "open to all offers" after the finals and the US Soccer Federation is known to be considering whether to hire a top overseas coach to take the Americans into the next century. It might appear tough on Sampson, whose side beat Brazil in the CONCACAF Gold Cup in Los Angeles in February, but those in charge invariably pay most attention to what happens when the stakes are highest.

Probable Teams

United States: Keller; Regis, Dooley, Pope, Moore, Hejduk, Ramos, Reyna, Jones, Wegerle, McBride

Yugoslavia: Kralj; Mirkovic, Djorovic, Jokanovic, Mihajlovic, Petrovic, Stankovic, Stojkovic, Jugovic, Mijatovic, Milosevic.