Photo by ISIphotos.com

By KILLIAN O'CONNOR

As Argentina stands on the brink of failure to qualify for the World Cup, former striker Claudio Lopez looks on in disbelief. Although he acknowledges the current predicament he sees his fellow countrymen in, not qualifying is still unthinkable.

"We need the team to come together for qualifying," said Lopez. "It is a two game race and we need everyone focused in this game. I know the two teams are good, but I think we will do it."

Lopez, who scored ten goals for La Albiceleste, including one in the 1998 World Cup quarter-final defeat to Holland, still finds it hard not being part of the national set-up.

"I miss playing with Argentina," says the Argentine now sporting the # 7 jersey for the Kansas City WIzards in the MLS. "I miss it all the time. When you play there it is incredible. it is fantastic. Every time you see your national team you want to be there. You want to help the team, but it is fun for me now."

Maradona's Argentina lie in fourth place on 25 points, one ahead of Uruguay going into tonight's crunch game in Montevideo. A loss to La Celeste would put the fate of Maradona and co. in the hands of Chile who play sixth place Ecuador. Ecuador know a win will see them clinch a playoff place at worst, with a five goal thumping of Chile in Santiago combined with a draw in Uruguay, clinching automatic qualification.

With this in mind and without the ability to have an impact on the game, Lopez finds it increasingly anxious to watch from afar. "It's so difficult to watch and not being able to play, but I know this is a new time now. I know that this time is for young players like Messi, Agüero and Gago."

The thought of not qualifying for the world's biggest event for only the second time in the country's history is inconceivable for Lopez but he sees the importance of the game. "It is a World Cup final before the World Cup. I hope so. We have some of the best players in all the world, very talented, and we need a little more patience and a little more work because it is a very good team, but I think we will do it."

As for Lopez, his contract expires at the end of the year but he is not ready to hang up his boots just yet. "I want to play one more year. I don't know where but I am feeling good. Everything will be based on family. We will think what is best for us. We are feeling good now, but after the season we will see what happens."