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Argentina will be appearing in their tenth successive FIFA World Cup and 15th in all at South Africa 2010. La Albiceleste have made it to the final day of four World Cups. They defeated the Netherlands in 1978 and Germany in 1986 to win the elusive trophy but have also lost twice, to Uruguay in 1930 and Germany in 1990.
Ranked 7th in the FIFA Rankings, Argentina are placed in Group B alongside Nigeria, South Korea and Greece. A relatively easy group, and one they should really coast their way through without any real hiccups. The heavyweights will be looking for a much improved performance following their poor run in the last couple of decades that has seen them fail to make it past the Quarter-finals.
Argentina participated in the COPA America in 2007 and their form during the competition was nothing shot of brilliant. The South American giants beat all 5 opponents in their path to the finals where they lost out to underdogs Brazil 3-0 to end up as disappointed runners up. Argentina won gold in the 2008 Summer Olympics beating Nigeria to the title.
Argentina had quite a disappointing qualifying campaign which saw them reach South Africa in their final qualifying game. They came fourth in their group winning 8, drawing 4 and losing 6 of their 18 games. Coach Diego Maradona received tons of criticism during the campaign and poured all his frustration out in the press conference thereafter, resulting in a 2 month ban for him.
Argentina will open their campaign against Nigeria, a team they've beaten in both their previous World Cup encounters, and more recently in the Final of the Beijing Olympics. Up next will be a complete contrast in styles when they come up against an exceptionally hard-working South Korea side who are likely to try and out hustle the Argentines. The Group B favourites round-up their outing against 2004 European champions Greece, who aren't really the force they were 6 years ago.
Key Players:
Lionel Messi - Without a shadow of doubt, the current FIFA World Player of the Year and Ballon d'Or holder, Lionel Messi is one of the stars of not only Argentina but the whole World Cup. He is arguably the greatest player on the planet today, and tipped by many to become the greatest player the world has ever seen. To reach those heights, he needs to add a World Cup to his cabinet and with him playing in a more central position, the stage might just be set for him to explode and take the tournament by storm.
Gonzalo Higuain - Though he struggled initially both for club (Real Madrid) and country to book a regular place for himself, Higuain has showed his potential and the young striker has found himself first choice in both teams blessed with attacking talent. A lot will be dependent on him and Messi, to lead the attacking line for Argentina this summer.
Javier Mascherano - Appointed skipper by Maradona, this young holding midfielder has been thrust into the limelight. He is one of the best players in the world in his position, and is the engine room of the team. We can talk about the flair and attack which Argentina possess, but without Mascherano in the centre of midfield, this team would only be a shadow of what it is.
Defenders: Nicolas Burdisso (Inter Milan), Martin Demichelis (Bayern Munich), Walter Samuel (Inter Milan), Gabriel Heinze (Olympique Marseille), Nicolas Otamendi (Velez Sarsfield), Clemente Rodriguez (Estudiantes), Ariel Garce (Colon)
Midfielders: Javier Mascherano (Liverpool), Juan Sebastian Veron (Estudiantes), Maximiliano Rodriguez (Liverpool), Mario Bolatti (Fiorentina), Angel Di Maria (Benfica), Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle), Javier Pastore (Palermo)
Forwards: Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid), Diego Milito (Inter Milan), Martin Palermo (Boca Juniors), Carlos Tevez (Manchester City), Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid), Lionel Messi(Barcelona).
Top Goal Scorers: Lionel Messi (13), Maxi Rodríguez (10)
Most Capped Players: Juan Sebastián Verón (69), Gabriel Heinze (63)
Head Coach: Diego Maradona
Form Guide: (WWWWW)
Jan 27, Argentina 3-2 Costa Rica
Feb 11, Argentina 2-1 Jamaica
Mar 03, Germany 0-1 Argentina
May 06, Argentina 4-0 Haiti
May 24, Argentina 5-0 Canada
Fixtures:
12-Jun: Argentina vs Nigeria 3:00pm (GMT) - Match Report
17-Jun: Argentina vs South Korea 12:30pm (GMT) - Match Report
22-June: Greece vs Argentina 7:30pm (GMT) - Match Report
Team Trivia
Of the 31 qualifiers for South Africa, Argentina have used the most number of players in the World Cup 2010 qualifying campaign- a total of 50 players.
Also Read:
Group Competitior Previews: Nigeria, South Korea, Greece
File Photograph Copyright: Ryu Voelkel
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