NOTEBOOK: COBI JONES RETURNS TO GALAXY IN A WEEK.

Byline: Daily News Wire Services

France today, Pasadena next.

U.S. midfielder Cobi Jones, one of the bright spots in an otherwise dull performance by the American team in the World Cup, will rejoin the Major League Soccer's Galaxy teammates next Thursday and is expected to play against Kansas City on July 4 at the Rose Bowl.

Meanwhile, Galaxy defender Paul Caligiuri was cleared Thursday by team doctor Ronald Kvitne to resume jogging and light weight training, but he will not be allowed to scrimmage with the team. Caligiuri has been sidelined since May 6 by a stress fracture in his left fibula. The Galaxy said he'll be examined again in 10 days to decide when he can resume full workouts.

The gloves are off: An Iranian player found out that you can take sponsor promotion too far.

Goalie Ahmad Abedzadeh was fined $5,000 for having two sets of manufacturers' logos on his gloves during Sunday's 2-1 victory over the United States. FIFA rules allow just one emblem on the gloves.

The companies involved were not disclosed. FIFA warned that Abedzadeh faced heavier penalties if he wore the gloves again.

Mexico's celebration: With 2,000 riot police standing nearby, thousands of fans with their faces painted in the national colors celebrated Mexico's qualification in downtown Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara.

Even the normally retiring wife of President Ernesto Zedillo made a televised phone call to congratulate the Mexican team.

``Give the players a hug on behalf of all Mexicans,'' Nilda Patricia Zedillo told Mexican coach Manuel Lapuente.

Lapuente said, ``This is a holiday. Why not go out in the streets to celebrate? But do it the right way.''

In the past, rowdy Mexico City celebrations have ended in arrests and damages, with fans hurling rocks and soda cans at police. About 20 people were detained for disturbing the peace Thursday.

Gambling problem: Thai police said that 351 people in the country have been arrested for gambling on the World Cup since it began two weeks ago. All those arrested face punishment ranging from a maximum fine of $120 to three years in jail.

Most of the suspects were bookies, against whom police would seek the maximum penalty, said police Col. Angkul Atornphatai, a member of a special task force to suppress soccer gambling. Some 103 of those arrested were in the capital, Bangkok.

Thais are expected to bet $714 million on the tournament, the Thai Farmers Research Center forecast earlier this month.

Getting around the rules: Roberto Baggio says he sees no change in the physical play of defenders at the World Cup, despite new rules intended to protect forwards.

``Defenders are as tough as in the World Cup editions of 1990 and 1994,'' said the 31-year-old striker, who's playing in his third World Cup with Italy.

``I see no improvement for the forwards and rough tackles still are carried,'' Baggio said. ``I got kicked as usual.''

TODAY'S BEST BETS

England and Colombia meet for the second qualifying spot in Group G at Lens, where authorities were gearing up for an influx of English fans - and possibly hooligans. A tie pushes the English through, but its defense looked shaky in a loss to Romania. Colombia apparently got a spark from the cutting of striker Faustino Asprilla before it beat Tunisia.

Romania, the best team in Europe during qualifying, is 2-0, but it also displayed some leaky defense vs. the English. Having already qualified for the next round and needing only a tie to clinch the group, Romania might relax at Saint-Denis against the Tunisians, who already fired their Polish coach after being eliminated.

Argentina and Croatia meet at Bordeaux for the Group H title, with both already into the next round. A tie gives Argentina first place, and the team has said it wants to stay near Saint-Etienne, where it is training and the Round 2 game for the group winner will be. Croatia must slow down Argentina's potent attack led by Gabriel Batistuta (four goals) and Ariel Ortega (two). The Croats dominated weaker Japan and Jamaica.

Both the Japanese and Jamaicans are 0-2 in their first trips to the World Cup. But Japan has lost twice by 1-0 and showed much grit. Jamaica hasn't come close in its losses and looks to save some face at Lyon.