ARGENTINA PREVIEW

Maradona, a great on the pitch and a howler of a manager...so say the pundits. Despite teh criticism and stress endured in qualifying, Maradonas Argentina avoided the shock of not qualifying and made it to South Africa. Perhaps this staggering qualifying campaign could make Maradonas men favourites in South Africa. They are after all teh Argentines and have will cup pedigree. But could they make it through in a group that contains Nigeria,Greece and South Korea. Argentina have Messi and a potent strike force. Messi is tipped by many to be the star of 2010 and this soccer showpiece could be his ideal platform for greatness. Fire Power they certainly have and Macherano is key in midfield. But its in defence that I see Argentinas weakness.

And Maradona has started by chosing Gabrielle Heinze instead of Javier Zanetti. How could Maradonaexclude the tractor who is a veteran and a must have in any team. Zanetti and Cambiaso have had a great season and are in line for the treble. How could he exclude them.

I expect Argentina to top the group and my prediction is a quarter final exit.

My Star for Argentina

Argentina's 23-man World Cup squad in full


Goalkeepers -

Sergio Romero AZ Alkmaar (NED)

Mariano Andujar Catania (ITA)

Diego Pozo Colon

Defenders -

Nicolas Otamendi Velez Sarsfield

Gabriel Heinze Marseille (FRA)

Martin Demichelis Bayern Munich (GER)

Walter Samuel Inter (ITA)

Ariel Garce Colon

Nicolas Burdisso Roma (ITA)

Clemente Rodríguez Estudiantes

Midfielders -

Juan Sebastian Veron Estudiantes

Javier Mascherano Liverpool (ENG)

Jonas Gutierrez Newcastle (ENG)

Angel Di Maria Benfica (POR)

Maximiliano Rodriguez Liverpool (ENG)

Javier Pastore Palermo (ITA)

Mario Bolatti Fiorentina (TA)

Forwards -

Lionel Messi Barcelona (ESP)

Gonzalo Higuain Real Madrid (ESP)

Carlos Tevez Manchester City (ENG)

Sergio Aguero Atletico Madrid (ESP)

Diego Milito Inter (ITA)

Martin Palermo Boca Juniors



TRAINING FACILITIES
Argentinean national football coach, Diego Maradona, announced that the LC de Villiers Sports Grounds in Pretoria is the suitable facility for his team to use as a training base camp during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Directions to L.C de VIlliers from Johannesburg / OR Tambo International Airport

N1 north towards Polokwane until the N4 towards Pretoria (left). Follow N4 Pretoruis road leading towards Pretoria City.
Turn left into Duncan street. Turn left again in South street. You will enter the L.C de VIlliers Sports Grounds.


ARGENTINA TEAM JERSEYS FOR WORLD CUP

Will Maradona smoke the victory cigar, How do you rate Argentinas chances in 2010?

ARGENTINA ANTHEM