Croatia, a team whom he rates amongst the most proficient in European football, go into action against Jamaica at Lens tomorrow evening, while earlier in the day, Yugoslavia, another of Ireland's opponents in the forthcoming European championship qualifying campaign, will be in action against Iran at St Etienne.
At this stage, the records of both countries are the only valid reference points McCarthy has at the start of his preparations for the European programme. Before the World Cup is over, however, he aims to be familiar with the names which will recur with increasing frequency in the Irish camp over the next 15 months or so.
In Bangladesh, meanwhile, hundreds of fans were reported to have attacked two power stations, beaten up staff and smashed cars after a power failure in the southern port of Chittagong during the televising of Thursday's Italy v Chile match, the second such incident in two days. Damage to equipment and furniture amounted to 300,000 taka (£4,000).
Brazil coach Mario Zagallo sniped back at his Norwegian counterpart yesterday claiming they had nothing to offer apart from their traditional high ball game.
Zagallo was apparently ruffled by Norway coach Egil Olsen's claim that he could get more out of the Brazilian players than Zagallo himself. But after watching Norway stumble to a 2-2 draw with Morocco thanks to two scrambled goals, Zagallo was unimpressed with Olsen's methods. Olsen made his controversial claim last weekend when he said Brazil would score more goals if they played to his system.
"They just play high balls into the area, those are Olsen's tactics," said Zagallo. "We're going to have to massage our necks before the game."
In England, a punter lost £100,000 yesterday after backing Bulgaria at even money to beat Paraguay. William Hill spokesman Graham Sharpe said: "This was the biggest bet struck on an individual match in the tournament so far but another gambler has placed £120,000 on Holland to win the World Cup at odds of 10 to 1."
Latest betting: 11-4 Brazil, 11-2 France, 6-1 Argentina, 7-1 Holland, 8-1 Germany, 9-1 Italy, 10-1 England, 12-1 Spain, 25-1 Yugoslavia, 33-1 Chile, 40-1 and upwards others.
