The Argentineans are embarking on their 15th appearance in the World Cup, and they will certainly hope South Africa will bring about their third title of World Champions, a label they have not laid claim to in 24 years. The South American giants go into the 2010 World Cup with heavy expectations, and hope to better their quarterfinal exit in the 2006 World Cup.
All eyes will be on Messi this tournament, as he could be the player to really make a dominant impact in South Africa.
With Diego Maradona the head coach, the Argentineans have arguably the most skilled and talented player ever to have graced the sport inspiring them, and with his passion and know-how could push this young side all the way.
The South American’s qualification campaign was anything but impressive, with a loss to Chile in their tenth match which saw coach Alfio Basile step down for Maradona to come in. They then managed to claw their way back and with wins over Peru and Uruguay, secured a spot in South Africa.
Argentina were drawn in Group B for the 2010 World Cup, and are in with Nigeria, North Korea and Greece. The Africans will probably pose the biggest threats to Argentina in the group stage of the tournament, who will most likely face Mexico in the next round if all goes according to the stats or perhaps France if something goes wrong. Argentina’s past two World Cup’s have been highly disappointing not progressing past the group stage in 2002, and have not made it past the quarterfinals since 1990 – when they went on to lose in the final, so will hope to go one step better than that this year.
Argentina’s Group B Schedule
No. |
Date |
Match |
Location |
Kick-Off (Local) |
Kick-Off (AEST) |
| 3 | 12.06.10 | Argentina V Nigeria | Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg | 16.00 | 00.00 (13.06.10) |
| 20 | 17.06.10 | Argentina V Korea Republic | Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg | 13.30 | 21.30 |
| 36 | 22.06.10 | Greece V Argentina | Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane | 20.30 | 04.30 (23.06.10) |
KEY PLAYERS:
JAVIER MASCHERANO (CAPTAIN)
Born: 08.06.1984 in San Lorenzo, Argentina
Height: 1.74 metres
Position: Midfielder
Club: Liverpool FC, English Premier League
International Debut: Vs Uruguay (16.06.2003)
Javier Mascherano has been captain of the Argentinean international team since November 2008, with Maradona believing he was the best player for the role. Mascherano leads by example and is one of a few players the South Americans can turn to in order to inspire and turn a game around. Controversially, some argue Mascherano is the best midfielder in the world, and has twice won an Olympic gold medal with the Argentinean side – in 2004 & 2008.
JUAN VERON
Born: 09.03.1975 in La Plata, Argentina
Height: 1.86 metres
Position: Midfielder
Club: Estudiantes, Argentine Primera Division
International Debut: Vs Poland (1996)
Juan Sebastian Veron heads to South Africa as one of the sides most experienced players, having been at the 1998 and 2002 World Cup finals – captaining in the latter for the injured skipper Roberto Ayala. He was left out of the 2006 World Cup squad and will hope to make an impact this time around. Veron was twice named the South American footballer of the year – 2008 & 2009, and his undeniable skill will threaten opponents he comes up against.
LIONEL MESSI
Born: 24.06.1987 in Rosario, Argentina
Height: 1.69 metres
Position: Forward/ Midfielder
Club: Barcelona
International Debut: Vs Hungary (17.08.2005)
Lionel Messi is widely regarded as the best footballer in the world at the moment. The current World Footballer of the Year, and European Footballer of the Year, travels to South Africa as the player to have claimed the most amount of time on the pitch during the qualification campaign, and booted four goals – to see him equal top goal scorer for Argentina in their campaign to the finals. Many have said he is to be the next Maradona, and all eyes will be on Messi this tournament, as he could be the player to really make a dominant impact in South Africa.
ARGENTINEAN SQUAD
Position |
Name |
| Coach | Diego MARADONA |
| Goalkeepers | Mariano ANDUJAR |
| Diego POZO | |
| Sergio ROMERO | |
| Defenders | Nicolas BURDISSO |
| Fabricio COLOCCINI | |
| Martin DEMICHELIS | |
| Ariel GARCE | |
| Gabriel HEINZE | |
| Juan INSAURRALDE | |
| Nicolas OTAMENDI | |
| Clemente RODRIGUEZ | |
| Walter SAMUEL | |
| Midfielders | Sebastian BLANCO |
| Mario BOLATTI | |
| Jesus DATOLO | |
| Angel DI MARIA | |
| Jonas GUTIERREZ | |
| Javier MASCHERANO | |
| Juan MERCIER | |
| Lionel MESSI | |
| Javier PASTORE | |
| Maxi RODRIGUEZ | |
| Jose SOSA | |
| Juan VERON | |
| Forwards | Sergio AGUERO |
| Gonzalo HIGUAIN | |
| Ezequiel LAVEZZI | |
| Diego MILITO | |
| Martin PALERMO | |
| Carlos TEVEZ |
