The new breed of no-frills hit-men includes big boys Olivier Bierhoff of Germany, Christian Vieri of Italy, David Trezeguet of France, Peter Moller of Denmark and even Cesar Sampaio, though not an out-and-out striker, still Brazil's top scorer.

With talents Alessandro del Pierro of Italy and France's Christophe Dugarry having injury problems of diffrent degrees and even Ronaldo not as impressive as many thought, it's the big-shouldered brigade who have come to the fore.

One English newspaper described Brazil as a team of two interior decorators (playmakers), two demolition experts (strikers) and six workmen (the others) and Sampaio was included among the workmen.Bierhoff, who topscored in Italy last season with 27 goals for Udinese earning a transfer to AC Milan, headed home Germany's winning goal against Mexico to put his side in the second round.

Burly Bierhoff, with anold-fashioned sense of where to be at the right time, is certainly not a Ronaldo who can beat two players before firing into the top corner.

Vieri of Italy is not a skilful player in the Alessandro del Piero mould or even in the style of the still talented yet aging Roberto Baggio, who didn't come on against Norway despite warming up.

France's David Trezeguet, who came on for the last eight minutes against South Africa in the first match, has made a major impact since replacing Christophe Dugarry, who was stretchered off with a hamstring injury, in the 29th minute against Saudi Arabia in Frnce's second fixture.

So far the no-frills strikers have stolen a march on the talent boys.