By AVI CREDITOR
Sergio Batista has apparently proven his worth.
Named the interim coach after Diego Maradona's firing in the aftermath of the World Cup, Batista is set to shed that interim label and become the permanent coach for the Argentina national team.
The Associated Press is reporting that Batista could be named coach as soon as Tuesday after a successful meeting with the selection committee, which is comprised of the Argentina Football Association's first-division team owners.
Since he became the interim coach, Batista has guided the Albicelestes in three friendlies: victories over Ireland and defending World Cup champion Spain and a loss to Japan.
Here are a few more stories from around the soccer world:
U.S. WOMEN KEEP ROLLING
Abby Wambach, Lauren Cheney, Yael Averbuch and Alex Morgan each scored to lift the United States women's national team to a 4-0 victory over Costa Rica and first place in its group for CONCACAF World Cup qualifying.
The United States outscored its three group opponents 18-0 and will face either Canada or Mexico in the tournament semifinals. A victory by the United States in the semis would cement a spot in next summer's FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany.
LAMPARD RETURNING, COLE OUT
This weekend's Chelsea-Liverpool clash will reportedly feature the return of Frank Lampard to Carlo Ancelotti's lineup.
Lampard, who has missed Chelsea's last 11 matches (all competitions) after undergoing surgery for a hernia and picking up a groin injury, will provide a boost to the Blues, who don't necessarily need one after compiling a five-point lead in the Premier League after 10 matches.
Joe Cole will not be fit to face his former team, though, as he is forced to sit out for the next two weeks after picking up a hamstring injury this past weekend against Bolton.
U.S. U-20 MEN TO PLAY COLOMBIA, MEXICO
Thomas Rongen's United States Under-20 team will play Colombia and Mexico in the Torneo de las Americas in Kennesaw, Ga., later this month.
The games provide a nice opportunity for the United States to face top competition ahead of next year's CONCACAF World Cup qualifying and FIFA U-20 World Cup.
The United States faced Colombia at the Cuadrangular Internacional tournament back in September, falling, 2-0. Colombia will host the 2011 U-20 World Cup.
The U.S. roster for the Torneo de las Americas figures to be comprised primarily of club-based players, as the NCAA season doesn't end until Dec. 12. The matches will be played from Nov. 26-28.
LEAGUE ONE SIDE TO PLAY SANS SUBS
English League One side Milton Keynes Dons, the team of American Jemal Johnson, will reportedly play its next match without any substitutes on the bench.
Between injuries, suspensions and a virus that made its way through the locker room, the team currently has just 11 players fit for Tuesday's game against Yeovil Town.
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Do you think Batista is the right man for the Argentina job? Impressed with the USWNT's results? Can you see Liverpool knocking off Chelsea this weekend? Excited to see the next generation of the United States-Mexico rivalry hit the field in a few weeks? Interested to see how the MKD match plays out?
Share your thoughts below.
Which is Argentina’s problem: They hire based on love and affection for their sporting heroes, not based on coaching talent or tactical awareness.
Just shows how tactics are better than a field of superstars.
Youth players who aren’t on contracts aren’t part of the team. The team has a set roster and only under special conditions can that get changed – they are sick, not special enough.
not sure if you’re being sarcastic, but his math makes sense. once you have 5 red cards, you only have 6 players, hence forfeit. so you need at least 7 to continue.
It’s unbelievable that with the talent Argentina has they can underachieve on such a massive scale. Even though Maradona was such an oddball, it STILL is strange. I’m not convinced Batista will be the answer to their problem.
I like your math 😉
Batista (in that picture) looks like a guy I saw holding a “Will work for food” sign next to a freeway exit a couple of weeks back. Glad he found some work.
if there opponet is smart they’ll pass them to death in the first half and capitalize on a tired fustrated team in the second half.
I’d love to see the Milton Keynes game, just for the fun of seeing an 11-man squad play a full 90.
Ives any more about Michael Owens coming to the MLS??
It takes 5 red cards to forfeit. You have to have 7 or more players on the field.
why can’t dons just use youth players?
i think its 6 (from what i recall playing FIFA!)
Uhhh, no subs? That sounds pretty painful…! On this note, does anyone know how many players must a team be able to field before they must forfeit the game (if, say, MK Dons continued to be red-carded)?