Post by Stephen Lars
Much had been stated and speculated about the Argentinean National Soccer team’s debut in South Africa Planet Cup 2010. The albicelestes are guided by no other then the Soccer legend Diego Armando Maradona and despite his excellent accomplishment as a player, his efficiency as the team’s head coach had been a bit dubious.
Even with the star-stuffed squad, and the counting with probably one of the very best lively gamers in the globe, Lionel Messi, Argentina struggled lots in the qualifying stage of their South American qualification. Nonetheless, the group showed up on Saturday to play Nigeria on Ellis Park Stadium in Johanesburg and just plainly dominated the Nigerian nationwide soccer staff.
Gabriel Heinze, the Marseille defender, opened the score extremely early in the game. He obtained a excellent pass from Juan Sebastian Verón from the correct flank, and just dived for the ball and put a excellent header into the leading left corner of the Nigerian goal.
Each Messi and Carlos Tevez ended up consistently causing wonderful difficulty for the Nigerian defense. Their swift and rapidly-paced dribbling, as effectively as their ability to uncover spaces in the tightest defense, stored offering the Argentinean team the edge.
Last but not least, and for the very first time in a while, the Argentinean staff was in a position to complete extremely properly as a group. Numerous followers and some of the sport press had expressed their issues for Messi’s effectiveness with the National Team. It is truth that even though taking part in for FC Barcelona, and specially at their residence stadium, the Camp Nou, the Argentinean player had just been breathtaking. Not only for his previously mentioned par scoring capacity, but also for his almost normal disposition for the game. He can pass, defend, and even outrun and outplay opponents that are much taller and corpulent then he is.
Yet he had nevertheless to make the transition and show a similar efficiency whilst taking part in for the Argentinean nationwide soccer team. But he certain adequate proved his really worth on this first game. The entire tale would had been much much more various had the Nigerian staff not have these a talented and often attentive goalkeeper. If it had not been for the fast hands and almost acrobatic capability of Vincent Enayama, Messi and the rest of the Argentinean offense including Barcelona’s Gonzalo Higuain, Benfica’s Angel Di Maria, and Manchester City’s Carlos Tevez would all had scored at least as soon as.
Even with the very good game, and Diego Maradona’s group placing their very first three factors in Group B board, the group just couldn’t total most of their offensive plays. For a staff that dominated most elements of a game, kept the ball in their manage 65% of the time, and had twenty shots at target (virtually twice as several as Nigeria) a one- win would not seem to be quite convincing.
Argentina looked defensively fragile at time. Nigeria, despite finishing only 1 shot on goal, had lots of possibilities to change factors around. They have been capable to open up the Argentinean defense in fast breaks, when some of the defenders would move up front to contribute on the attacks. Tayer Taiwo had a extremely shut shot that just went broad. Obafemi Martins shot from a distance would then get Sergio Romero, the Argentinean goalie, into trouble, but he was ready to deflect the ball. At the finish, just a couple of minutes just before the stop, Yakubu Alyegbeni couldn´t preserve his shot very low, in what would had been the Nigerian team’s very best shot to even the game.
Angel Di Maria was on off-mode for significantly of the game. Now, the Argentinean team had a excellent game, but they certain enough have to stage it up, if they actually want to be taken critically for the title. Stronger teams up ahead will not be so forgiving to a group that had twenty shots and however couldn’t kill the game.
About the Author
Stephen Lars is a prominent sports activities blogger and presently addresses the FIFA Entire world Cup 2010 Odds previews and handicaps for the BetIAS’ Sports Betting Website. You might reprint this article in its full material, make sure you notice no modifications to it are accepted.