By TRAVIS CLARK
It wasn't supposed to be like this. When Diego Maradona took the reins of Argentina, the former star was supposed to re-energize a World Cup qualifying campaign that had taken some hits. With four games in CONMEBOL qualifying left, and hardly the easiest schedule, could Argentina fail to qualify for the World Cup?
The question itself is a bit far-fetched especially for the country boasting perhaps the world's best player in Lionel Messi. But upon close examination of their remaining schedule, it's worth asking. A win on Saturday against Brazil would do much to calm nerves in Argentina, though at this point qualifying should not be taken for granted.
Currently sitting in fourth place in the grueling 10-team table, inconsistent performances and shock draws (they tied last place Peru 1-1) have Argentina at just 6-4-4. They sit only two points ahead of fifth place Ecuador, and four ahead of Uruguay.
Two difficult games await them this week, and a week from today they'll have a better idea of their fate. On Saturday, they'll play host to Brazil, who at 27 points sit at the top of qualifying and could seal their trip to South Africa with a win. Then on Wednesday a trip to third-place Paraguay awaits. They wrap up in October against Peru and Uruguay, and if results don't go the way of Maradona and co., could be the difference between a fourth and fifth place finish.
It's clear that Messi is taking this very seriously, seeing as though he didn't feature for Barcelona on Monday and needs to be at his match-winning best against the Brazilians. The retirement of Juan Roman Riquelme is still felt, leaving a void in the middle of the park.
Failure to get a positive results over the next week wouldn't be disastrous, but it would be worth noting. Along with Messi, a nation boasting the talents of Carlos Tevez, Lisandro Lopez, and Maxi Rodriguez shouldn't miss out on a World Cup.
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What do you think of the plight of Argentina? Think there is a realistic chance they could miss out on the World Cup? Will they finish in fifth and take on the fourth place team from CONCACAF? Share your thoughts below.
Dear “aristotle”,
Have ever read something about Argentinian National Association?……..well let me explain you that Julio Grondona has been the president of AFA since 1971!!and he is the vice-president of FIFA!!So there is no way he can get fired!!
And about the appointment of Maradona I think is not such a baad idea. He could provide a lot of motivation for the players who serve under him. I would prefer hi as an assistant coach rather than the Head coach.
Let’s remember that Brazil tied Peru 1-1, Bolivia 0-0 (in Brazil) and Argentina 0-0 (in Brazil).Brazil has drawn 6 times in qualifying.Argentina should win this game at home.Diego Maradona has no business coaching.By the way Beto, you are out of your mind.
Argentina will make it, but Maradona has to go. i dont know why such a glorious team like Argentina hired him – he had the fiasco with his daugther and Riquelmes son. shortly after Riquelme retired. could be the timing or gossip but Maradona sucks. im sure his staff does most of the work, but he still calls some shots.
this team has such raw talent its ridiculous.
i want to see Brazil and Argentina annihilate overrated European countries. Maybe a Spain vs. Argentina final would be ideal! or Brazil vs. Espana. or USA vs. Brazil… a man can dream cant he
I saw a picture once that looked like an old hag or a beautiful young woman depending on how you look at it. The old hag is clear in this picture. I guess we’ll have to wait for the game to see if there is any beauty hiding in Maradona.
Noooooooooooooo! The World Cup with Argentina? Without young Messi? It doesn’t even bare thinking about. Maradonna needs to galvanise his men and get those talented show ponies playing for the same team and not for team ‘I’. Brazil could do them a favour, but why would they?
I think POrtugal might miss out,that is more of a Power house to miss out.
What the hell were they thinking when they hired Maradona-a coke-head, friends with dictator Fidel, fatso idiot.
Why?
Why would anyone hire Maradona as coach? Are they expecting his name to do something? Perhaps they thought Diego could teach them how to use cough medicine to re-energize? I almost hope they don’t qualify if it means that the idiot responsible for hiring him gets fired.
That picture would make a great caption contest photo.
Looks like the hand of God is still with ‘ol Diego.
I think it all depends on this Brazil match. If they don’t win then I think they will most certainly lose in Paraguay 4 days later
asking Beto not to make dumb comments is akin to asking Mexican fans not to throw objects on the field, or asking Mexican players to show sportsmanship- we can wish for it, but chances are it will never happen
why would Costa Rica, as difficult to play at home, as Mexico is at Azteca, lost to Mexico?
Especially with the way Mexico has played on the road with their tail between their legs….
Beto……dont be an idiot
Costa Rica is about to drop faster than the Dow in Fall ’08. They have to be the odds-on bet for the playoff series, especially if they lose to El Tri on Saturday.
I had just forgotten that Argentina tied to Peru, thats pathetic. Peru is like the Concacaf version of Haiti or Granada. Tough times for Argentina but they have the talent to pass directly to the WC. I see Ecuador vs Costa Rica.
why you guys think that Argentina will face Mexico in the wildcard game ?? …. I think that the playoff game between CONCACAF & CONMEBOL will be USA vs Ecuador
Instant SBI reader poll:
Which looks worse?
o Argentina’s WC qualification chances
o Diego Maradona
Ted,
Thanks. Gonzalo is an amazing player. I love watching him play.
good call jorge, Higuain is better than lisandro lopez imo.
yet another perfect ‘you write the caption candidate.’
And Diego still refuses to call Gonzalo Higuain. Have never understood that.
He really looks like a perdedor.
Diego is in way over his head. He is drowning, this team will be lucky to make it to Africa.
I never understood Maradona’s appointment.
Wow. He looks like that wierd plastic surgery cat-woman lady.
I hope that they meet Mexico in the play in game!
PPV for 3/4 of the conmebol games.
I would def. shell out for the Argentina-Brazil game.
Living in Asuncion, Paraguay I can testify to the hostile atmosphere that awaits Diego and company next Wednesday. Can’t wait to see it!
Maradona’s personal life is and was a complete mess. How you can hire someone like that to coach your NATIONAL team is beyond me. He was possibly the greatest player of all time. I guess that goes to show how blinded we are by our heroes no matter how far they fall.
is that Che Guevara?
is this going to be televised, ANYWHERE?
Perhaps we should add his picture to this site… 😉
http://menwholooklikeoldlesbians.blogspot.com/
anyone know where I can find this game …. online or satellite?
I wish I was at the party that Diego was at the night before this picture.
Diego looks like somebody’s grandma from the old country.
will Arg-Bra be on TV anywhere in the U.S.?
Steve, it’s definitely hard (could already be argued that it’s hard to see), but they do still have two left with Hungary, so at the very least, they control alot of their own fate.
Sweden look to have the easiest schedule of the three fighting for 2nd(assuming Denmark finishes top), since they get to play both bottom feeders. But, their next three are away from home.
A four point cushion and the next two at home put Hungary in a great position. Finishing against a Danish team that will probably already have the group won on the last match day is nice as well.
Crazy to think that both Portugal and Sweden, the favorites to top that group, might both miss out on even the 2nd place playoff.
Definitely an interesting group to watch. Those games, Arg-Bra, and CONCACAF will make a fun Saturday. Haven’t even looked at next Wednesdays matchups yet.
it’s headed for a great finish. Uruguay is actually more of a threat to Argentina for the 4th spot than Ecuador, given that Ecuador has 3 road games to play and only one at home…
I wish for the Argentina-Mexico playoff…
Is it me or does Maradona look like a creepy 80 year old man? They should use that pic as an anti-drug campaign
Definitely gonna be keeping an eye on this for saturday. The other game I’m definitely gonna be watching is Portugal at Denmark. If Portugal loses, its hard to believe they’re gonna even finish in 2nd place in group A.