One crossbar met in the goalless draw against Paraguay and a sitter missed in the loss to Nigeria. Then, an invisible first half against a marauding Spain at Lens. This surely is the last way for a former Golden Boot winner to end his World Cup, never mind that hehad to share the shoe with Russia's Oleg Salenko at USA '94.

It was expected by and large that the Bulgarian would be the first to lead out the old guard at the last World Cup of the century, especially since when he had led the shake-up of the strong footballing traditions that the World Cup had come to boast of. Bulgaria was never a footballing power at the Cup and until four years ago, they had not won a single game in their previous five appearances.

Stoichkov and his hard-nosed pros changed all that, even if briefly, as it would appear now after a dismal first round exit at France. So there it is, a most ignominious exit for the most colourful of characters in world soccer -- European Player of the Year in 1994, and scorer of such breathtaking goals, mainly off his famed left foot. Ask that German wall of 1994.

And, if Stoichkov made an exit that went as unnoticed as was his presence at France '98, then what of his former Barcelona teammate Andoni Zubizaretta? Spain never recovered from themistakes the genial keeper made against Nigeria in the opener and paid the price going down with guns blazing against, ironically, Bulgaria.

After gracing four World Cups, Zubizaretta announced he had played his last game for Spain -- his 126th cap -- in the 6-1 heartbreaker at Lens. Spain's coach Javier Clemente, himself probably facing the sack, nevertheless paid the player a rich tribute. "He has been a proud figure for Spain," said Clemente, who persisted with the goalkeeper despite his follies against Nigeria. Incidentally, it was Clemente under whom the 37-year-old, made his club debut when with Bilbao in 1982.

RED card for the tackle from behind or no, France '98 seems to be a graveyard more for goalkeepers than defenders. After two glaring lapses against a resurgent Yugoslavia, returning to the mainfold after a long gap, Germany's goalkeeper Andreas Kopke, 36, is also to quit at the end of the tournament. Capped 56 times, Kopke said: "Whether we win the World Cup or not, I'm retiring at the end ofthe tournament." Coach Berti Vogts has insisted that the player will remain his first-choice keeper during the tournament despite his Yugoslav blunder.

IF there was a prize for the underachiever in world soccer, Austria would win it hands down. Its captain Toni Polster, perhaps feeling that he just could not go on fighting Austria's cause mainly on his own, is considering retiring from international football. Following the 1-2 defeat by Italy which dumped his side out of the World Cup, the 34-year-old striker, who became his country's most capped player on Tuesday with 94 appearances, said he would first have to consider which club to play for next season.

Polster's current club, Cologne, were relegated from the Bundesliga at the end of last season and he has not yet decided whether to stay with the German side or move to a new team.

"First comes the decision about the club and then the decision about the national team. I'll have a talk with the coach and then I'll tell you what's happening," Polstersaid, adding that he had not set a time-frame for his decision.

Speaking of coaches -- or managers if you please -- some of among that club have also reached for the door, or rather, been shown out. But then, that is a tale oft-told.