Diego Maradona’s Argentina played their penultimate warm up game before the World Cup with a 4-0 friendly win over Haiti in the early hours of Thursday, GMT.
The game, played against a backdrop of the southern Andean foothills, was arranged to raise funds for the relief effort following the Haiti earthquake and was never going to be anything other than a one-sided affair.
The Argentinean side consisted entirely of South American based players, and gave the albiceste coach an opportunity to run a final rule over several World Cup hopefuls. Despite the routine nature of the game, El Diego believed he had answered a few questions;
"The truth is I was looking for people [to fill World Cup gaps] and I think I found some. I had doubts about some positions and this match was very useful … no one has their place assured."
"The lads understood the message very well, they had attitude, created chances. I liked several players very much. Now we have to sit down and think about it,"
Maradona will name a provisional 30-man World Cup squad on Monday next week before culling to a definitive 23 by 1 June.
Argentina took the lead midway through the first half when debutant Facundo Bertoglio seized on a defensive mistake before closing in on goal and steering a well hit shot beyond Dominique-Jean Zephyrin. It was 2-0 on 39 minutes after a rejuvenated Martin Palermo nipped in between two defenders to head home an exquisite Ariel Garce cross from the right.
Clearly pleased with his sides first half performance, Maradona, sporting a beard that made him look more like a weathered sea captain than a football coach, posed for photographs and signed autographs for the Haiti players at the interval.
Arrrrr Harrrr, me hearties!
Five minutes into the second half, Lanus midfielder Sebastien Blanco saw a cross sail not just beyond his team mates, but also an embarrassed Zephyrin in the Haiti goal to make it 3-0. Bertoglio scored his second and Argentina’s fourth in the 55th minute as he met a free kick on the left to beat substitute goalkeeper Occenat Peterson at his near post.
Although the opposition was anything but top drawer, there was a clear efficiency and determination from Maradona’s side. While the bulk of the main World Cup squad will consist of European based players, several that played in this game will feel they have done enough to justify their provisional selection next week.
Palermo seems an inevitable inclusion as he offers height and huge experience. There’s also the small matters of scoring the goal that got Argentina to the finals (I haven’t forgot, honest!) and being referred to as ‘Saint Palermo’ by the national coach. He might just sneak in, like.
As Boca Juniors’ all time leading scorer, Palermo certainly knows where the goal is, but at 36 and with a turn of speed at best described as sluggish you certainly wouldn’t want him as your first choice should Aguero, Messi and Tevez drop salad cream bottles on their respective feet.
Don’t back him for penalties either as Martin missed THREE in one Copa America match against Columbia. Having said all that though there is a clear drive there; with an injury ravaged time in Europe a few years back, Palermo will want to make his mark internationally and this will certainly be his last chance.
Ariel Garce, who normally plays centre back for his club Colon, won the last of his 2 previous caps in 2003, but put in an excellent show on the right side against albeit limited opposition. Garce could be something of a late runner because he possesses that key quality of unused substitutes everywhere; versatility.
At 19, and having just made his club debut 12 months ago, this year may be a little early for Bertoglio, but his two goals will have done his chances no harm at all. An inevitable move to Europe this summer, with Atletico Madrid at the front of the queue for his services, will do young Facundo’s long term development (and his bank balance) no harm either. File under ‘one for the future’. He’ll probably play every game now I’ve said that.
Looking for men, found Bertoglio
Argentina's final friendly is against the sterling opponents that are Canada in Buenos Aires on 24th May. TheSouth Africa 2010 campaign kicks off against Nigeria on 12 June.
Comments welcome
Team: Diego Pozo, Arial Garce, Cristian Villagra, Paolo Goltz, Juan Insaurralde, Ariel Ortega, Sebastien Blanco, Juan Mercier, Facundo Bertoglio, Patricio Daniel Toranzo, Martin Palermo. Subs Adrian Jose Gabbarini for Pozo (46), Jose Fernandez for Ortega (59), Nicolas Andres Olmedo for Mercier (62), Juan Perevra for Palermo (65), Matias Nicolas Caruzzo for Goltz (69), Franco Jara for Bertoglio (70)
7 comments:
apparently FIFA got as much of the gate as the people of Haiti from this game. That's charity for you.
'apparently' That's some word innit? You can say owt you like if you suffix all your tripe with an 'apparently'... My nob's fuckin' huge... Apparently...
Dear Jeff, Its surprising as UK national you have this blog. I am puzzled mostly by the attitude of UK press against Argentina. Until recently they were not even ready to give Messi his credit. Anyways.
Do you really think Deigo will pick any player from this Hait match for this w.cup team.
I sincerely hopes he picks up Zanetti and Cambiasso and drops Heinze back.
On paper they look the best, even better than Spain except that Xavi is too much for Veron.
Joel - That's Blatter for you. Suspect Haiti may have a vote in his favour at some point.
Duce - I'll take your word for that
Cheers Rajesh
Don't be too surprised, just Google '1986', 'the sun' or 'Las Malvinas' and that will tell it's own story. Never stop me from liking them tho.
Cambiasso has as much chance of going as I do, sadly, and it may well turn out that several others drop out of Diego's circle of trust, Zanetti included.
Difference is Spain have a team, whereas Argentina are a group of individuals. Up to Diego to put that right.
Xavi is quality, Veron is pants. Simple as.
I just wonder when there camp will begin. If they have 4 weeks, then that would be good. But it doesnt look so.
Watch this space rajesh, more on what happens next later!
Post a Comment