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World Cup 2010 Teams – Argentina

A world ranking of 8th and a shaky qualification journey has seriously dented the pride of a team that is able to boast some of the best attacking talent in the world. Under the stewardship of coach and former playing legend Diego Maradona, La Albiceleste left it to the very end of their qualification campaign to secure progress through to the finals. They had to rely on narrow victories over Peru and Uruguay to ensure they would travel to South Africa. In fact, it was only Bolatti's late goal in the final game that saw Maradona's star studded side joining the likes of Brazil and France in the finals.

Despite many fearing for the team's success under Maradona, his task should be made considerably easier by a star studded list of world class performers at his disposal. At the centre of almost every attack is Lionel Messi, a player that is widely considered to be the best the world has to offer. Messi was, along with fellow key players Juan Riquelme and Sergio Aguero, the team's leading scorer in qualification and will almost certainly be the Argentinean player to watch during the finals.

Qualifying Campaign

Argentina's qualification was believed by many to be a relatively easy ride although being pitted in the South America group does mean facing Brazil. However, they only just managed to scrape a fourth place finish with Brazil, Chile and Paraguay all beating them in the final standings. Fifth placed Uruguay also managed to progress thanks to victory in a play off against Costa Rica. With 28 points, their lowest since the 10 team group format was introduced, Argentina did eventually progress with 8 victories, 4 draws, and 6 losses to their name.

World Cup History

Appearing in their 20th World Cup Finals, Argentina have won the competition on two occasions – in 1978 and 1986. The man largely responsible for that latest success was Diego Maradona, now charged with coaching the team to glory for the first time in 24 years. Argentina reached the quarter finals of the 2006 World Cup in Germany and have only failed to qualify for the finals once in their playing history which was way back in 1970.

The Coach

Diego Maradona is one of the most famous names in world football, and while he endured a torrid time of qualification and has little management experience, a lot of hope was initially placed in his appointment. The Number 10 took charge of lowly clubs Mandiyu and Racing Club before first making a brief comeback as player and then taking nearly 10 years away from the game. The offer of the national coach role was enough to persuade the much loved Maradona out of retirement.

The Players

Argentina is awash with world class, award winning players and picking a handful of the best quality stars on the field can prove difficult. Arguably their best player though is Ballon D'Or winner Lionel Messi. Nicknamed The Flea, Messi plies his trade with Barcelona and is seemingly at the fore of every attack for club. While he has yet to shine as brightly for his national team he is always a danger when attacking with the ball and can leave defenders completely baffled.

Three players scored 4 goals each in the qualifying campaign making them joint leading goal scorers for La Albiceleste. As well as the well loved Messi, these players were Juan Riquelme and Sergio Aguero. Other players to keep an eye on are Javier Mascherano who bosses the midfield for his team and Angel di Maria.

Group B

Their group B opponents consist of Nigeria, Korea Republic, and Greece. While any of these teams are capable of an upset, Argentina's progression looks to be a formality on paper. Greece are featuring in only their 2nd World Cup finals despite being crowned European champions in 2004. Korea Republic, or South Korea, caused a stir by reaching the semi-finals on home soil in 2002 but it is unlikely that they will achieve a similar feat this time around. Nigeria, who are considered to be a worthy opponent by many followers, struggled to make any kind of a real impact in qualifying and were lucky to get through. However, they will be hoping to equal their tournament best by reaching the 2nd round as they did in both 1994 and 1998.

Group Matches And Analysis

Argentina's first game of the World Cup 2010 finals sees them pitted against Nigeria on the 12th June with the match being played at Johannesburg's Ellis Park Stadium with matches against Korea Republic and Greece to follow on the 17th (Johannesburg Soccer City) and 22nd (Polokwane) respectively. They will be hoping to put their unexpectedly difficult route through qualifying behind them and get off to a good start. Their defence might have occasional gaps and holes in but a formidable attack may well prove enough to carry Argentina through to the quarter- or semi-finals.

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