Write-up by Suresh Iyer
These South American teams will clash for a place in the Earth Cup quarter-closing, at the Soccer City Stadium in Jo’burg on Sunday.
Coincidentally, Argentina and Mexico also played every single other in a pre-quarter-final sport in 2006. Argentina prevailed two-1, on that event, in a match that went into extra time, following a 1-one stalemate at the end of ninety minutes.
Most huge teams have arrive to grief at some time or other, in this Earth Cup. Argentina have been an exception. Beginning with a challenging 1- win about Nigeria, they went on to demolish South Korea, four-one, with a hattrick by their striker, Higuain. Their previous group match against Greece ended two-, offering coach Maradona’s group a clear slate in group B.
In Higuain, Diego Milito, Carlos Tevez, Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero, Argentina have an embarrassment of riches in their arsenal, a clue to Maradona’s penchant for an all-out attacking game strategy. How their defence will stand up to a more robust assault than Argentina have faced in their group matches is a question uppermost in everyone’s head. There is also no evidence as to regardless of whether Maradona has a strategy B. This kind of proof was equally absent in the qualification matches when Argentina struggled versus most groups including Peru.
Mexico started out their Planet Cup with a match versus under-rated hosts South Africa. They ended up lucky to draw the match one-one versus an inspired host group that loved raucous crowd assist. Mexico arrived into their very own when they shocked France, 2-, in their following group match. With four points in the bank, Mexico qualified for the spherical of sixteen, despite heading down one-, in their very last match in opposition to Uruguay.
Carlos Vela and Giovani Dos Santos have lived upto to their coach Javier Aguierre’s expectations, while Cuauhtémoc Blanco adds the expertise quotient to a group that has shown flexibility and fludiity in equal measure on the field.
Maradona has ordained Messi as his successor, as arguably the greatest player in the earth. Messi has had a phenomenal affect in this World Cup by now, although he hasn’t scored a aim off his individual boot yet. The Mexican defenders should wonder how they can offer with this unstoppable player. Higuain owes his hattrick versus South Korea in large aspect to Messi’s wizardy. Argentina’sfuture tenancy at this Planet Cup is inextricably linked with Messi’s overall performance.
Mexico’s Giovani Dos Santos has grown in stature in South Africa. His group owe their shock win above France to Dos Santos. Both of Argentina’s defenders, Gabriel heinze or Jonas Gutierez is heading to be older and wiser after his encounter with this youthful player, dependent on no matter whether Mexico coach Aguirre employs him on the left wing or the correct.
For Argentina, Clemente Rodriguez may discover himself in the commencing eleven following his displaying against Greece. Mascherano and Veron will offer midfield safety to the back 4. Angel Di Maria is probably to get a favorite flanking position. Higuain can assume attacking support from Tevez and Messi.
An amazing good quality of the Mexico squad at this World Cup has been the potential to soak up pressure in defence, and the potential to modify gear when an assault opportunity presents alone.
Rafael Marquez will be in midfield with the again in his rear. Juarez and Torrado will feed passes to the flanks. Vela, who missed the last match owing to a niggling injury, is likely to exchange Blanco in the spearhead to give defender Walter Samuel a run for his aging cash.
Argentina’s booming cannons in front really should aid them prevail in a match that promises to be open, tough fought and thrilling.
About the Writer
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Suresh Iyer is an avid sports fan and blogger.