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Argentina vs Nigeria: Game Recap

Tuesday, June 15th, 2010

By Rick Minars

(OFFICIAL ONELOVE ARGENTINA CORESPONDENT)

Last Saturday’s most anticipated match in Group B was played between Argentina and Nigeria. These two national sides have high expectation to qualify out the group as the top two teams. The Albiceleste and the Super Eagles have a rich history between each other in major competitions, such as the Olympics and especially the World Cup. The national sides have met in crucial stages of major tournaments numerous times and Argentina has basically always prevailed.

This past Saturday the victory went to the Albiceleste. A 1-0 victory to Maradona’s side to overcome Nigeria. Argentina in the first half played an excellent first 25 minutes. All the lines from defense to the midfield and to the three forwards were extremely concentrated. Even though Argentina dominated for most of the game, they did have spurts of lows, especially towards the closure of the game. During these lows, Nigeria’s began to push forward and create chances by testing Argentina’s keeper Sergio Romero. Even with the few chances that Nigeria posed as a threat, it looked like that most of the game Nigeria respected Argentina to much and let Argentina control possession of the ball and conceded too space. When Argentina possessed ball the the Nigerian side would just stand and watch without putting much pressure. The only way that Nigeria would recover possession of the ball was merely when the Albiceleste would get cute and make a mistake.

Overall the Argentinian goal was a set piece scored off a corner kick by diving header by Gabriel Heinze in minute sixth of the first half.

More to come this week on pre-game analysis on Argentina vs. South Korea.

Tags: 2010 FIFA WORLD CUP, Argentina, Gabriel Heinze, Nigeria, ONELOVE FC, Rick Minars, Sergio Romero
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Argentina’s Starting Eleven

Saturday, June 12th, 2010

By Rick Minars

(OFFICIAL ONELOVE ARGENTINA CORRESPONDENT)

Ladies and Gentlemen, we have finally come to the conclusion to all the mystery about Argentina the past few weeks. For those of you who do not know, Argentina has been very secretive the past couple of weeks. The press in whole has been in the dark about much of Argentina’s practice routines, possible starters etc. Much of the news reported from the press about Argentina were basically fillers and or pure speculation about the team.

We can now finally declare the the most probable starting eleven for Argentina. I remember at one point that I had mentioned in one of my past blogs about the Albiceleste formation and starting eleven would be that one against Germany last February. But much to the surprise and shock of the world, yes “El Diego”, has once again changed his mind and has decided to take a gamble and play 3-4-3.

Starters:

Romero

Heinze Demichelis Samuel

Jonas Veron Mascherano Di Maria

Messi Higuain Tevez

There you have it folks! Please feel free to complement or rant about this starting lineup and formation. I would love to hear different points of views.

ALSO STAY TUNED! A LOT MORE INFO ON ARGENTINA POST ARGENTINA vs NIGERIA

VAAAAAAAAAMOOOOOOS ARRGEEEEENTIIINNAAAAA!!!

Tags: Argentina, Maradona, Messi, ONELOVE, ONELOVE FC, Rick Minars, Tevez
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WORLD CUP ANALYSIS: Group B

Thursday, June 10th, 2010

by Philip Cramer

Group B: Argentina, Greece, Nigeria, South Korea.

This appears to be one of the easier groups to pick. I can’t see any of these teams stopping Argentina from winning the group. What can you say about an attack that may have Carlos Tevez and Diego Milito, who scored both goals in the Champion’s League final sitting on the bench. That’s the good news. Then there’s Diego Maradonna who has threatened to run naked through the streets of Buenos Aires if they win the cup. Given a choice, the players would rather win the cup and have to witness that spectacle but not by much.

More importantly I cannot understand why he left both Esteban Cambiasso and Javier Zanetti off the team. Both were a key part of Inter Milan’s record setting treble this past season and have proved themselves at the highest level. They still have Javier Mascherano and Maxi Rodriguez, who wasn’t at his best for Liverpool this season, in midfield. In defense they have Walter Samuel and Martin Dimichelis who are both world class but Garbriel Heinze has seen better days. The goalkeepers are all adequate but not exceptional.

He also picked two of his old favorites, Juan Veron (35) and Martin Palermo (37) the idol of Boca. Palermo is little more than an appendage considering the other strikers but Maradonna probably wants to hear the Argentine commentators yell, “Marteeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeen” once more before the commentator passes out from a lack of oxygen.

Nigeria has seen their star tarnished somewhat in recent years with a surprising failure to qualify for 2006 behind Angola. The stars of the late 90’s such as Jay Jay Okocha and Sunday Oliseh have gone although Nwankwo Kanu at 34 is still on the team. In defense they have the seasoned Joseph Yobo and Dickson Etuhu in the midfield but they will sorely miss John Obi Mikel of Chelsea who is out for the tournament. Up front they have Yakubu and Obafemi Martins who bring a lot of European and Premier League experience to the table.

They have a new coach, Lars Lagerbeck who coached the Swedish national team for the past nine years, but then again, they always have a new coach so that shouldn’t bother them much. Nigeria is, as always, very physical, fast and has good ball handling skills. Qualification will probably come down to their final game in the group against South Korea.

Don’t expect to see them get much support from the South African fans. The locals don’t like Nigerians many, of whom came to South Africa after the end of apartheid and got involved in drug trafficking. Nigerians were equally offended by their portrayal in the Sci-Fi film, District 9 that was written, directed and filmed in Johannesburg.

South Korea broke through in 2002 when they hosted the cup. Prior to that they had gone 14 games without a win, debuting in 1954 when they were beaten 9-0 by Hungary and 7-0 by Turkey. They have made every final since 1986. They are consistently the best team in Asia and despite not making it to the second round in 2006, held France to a draw A loss to Switzerland in the last game cont them a chance of moving on.

They key player is Park Si Jung who had a great season with Manchester United. He can control the midfield with his speed and skill on the ball. Their defense can be a little suspect but their work rate is phenomenal and their fitness is never in doubt. Apparently they have been using oxygen tents to acclimate to the altitude although two of their three games will be at sea level. A handful of their players now play in Europe which previously wasn’t the case. Lee Chung Yong is another midfielder whose speed and passing down the wing added a dimension to Bolton Wanderers and was their Player of the Year.

I am not that familiar with Greece as most of their players play locally in Greece. They had a relatively easy route to qualification finishing second in their group behind Switzerland and ahead of Latvia and Israel. In the playoff they were held at home by Ukraine to a goalless draw and then surprised them by poaching a goal in the first half and hanging on to qualify.

Their biggest asset is their German coach Otto Renhagel who took them to the unlikeliest of victories in Euro 2004 when they beat Portugal twice, including the final as well as beating France and the Czech Republic and drawing with Spain with a team if unknowns. I can’t see them repeating that miracle in only their second appearance in the finals. In their first appearance in 1994 they lost all their games by a combined goal margin of 0-10. They will do better than that dismal debut but not by much.

There is a large Greek émigré population in South Africa who will turn out in full support and that might help.

Argentina will win the group and might even take maximum points if all goes well. South Korea and Nigeria will battle it out for second place.

Fearless Forecast:

1 – Argentina
2 – Nigeria

read more from ONELOVE Ambassador Philip Cramer at Irritable Liberal Syndrome.

Tags: Argentina, Carlos Tevez, Diego Maradona, Diego Milito, Gonzalo Higuain, Greece, Group B, Johannesburg, Lionel Messi, Nigeria, One Love Soccer, ONELOVE FC, Park Ji-Sung, Philip Cramer, South Korea, World Cup, World Cup 2010
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ARGENTINA vs CANADA

Tuesday, May 25th, 2010

By Rick Minars

(ONELOVE Argentina Correspondent)

In preparation for the World Cup, Argentina took on Canada earlier yesterday in Buenos Aires. The final score was a flawless victory for the albiceleste which ended 5-0.

The goal scorers for Argentina were Maxi Rodriquez (2), Angel Di Maria (1), Carlos Tevez (1), and Sergio Aguero (1).

Argentina today showed their class even against a weak rival but we have still yet to see Maradona’s Argentina really be challenged. The only exception was last February’s friendly against Germany (1-0 Victory for Maradona). Argentina’s Starting line up was different to that expected to this coming June 12th World Cup match against Nigeria. Players like Lionel Messi (injured), Martin Demichelis, Walter Samuel, and Diego Milito did not play due to the Champions League Final.

This was Argentina’s last friendly match in preparation for the World Cup. Maradona’s team will be traveling to South Africa this friday and arriving Saturday to Pretoria. Pretoria University will be Argentina’s bunker and preparation for the World Cup.

Tags: Angel di Maria, Argentina, Carlos Tevez, Diego Milito, Lionel Messi, Maradona, Martin Demichelis, Maxi Rodriguez, ONELOVE, ONELOVE FC, Onelove Soccer, Rick Minars, Sergio Aguero, Walter Samuel
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IT’S OFFICIAL: Here is Argentina’s 23 Player World Cup Roster

Wednesday, May 19th, 2010

By Rick Minars

(Official ONELOVE Argentina Correspondent)

Its official! This morning Diego Armando Maradona has announced the official list of 23 players that will be representing the Albiceleste in South Africa.

In my previous article on Argentina, I had mentioned a possible starting line up for the official World Cup squad. This has now been confirmed and my speculations are correct. Maradona’s squad and World Cup starting eleven had been tested early on this past February against Germany in a friendly.

El Diego had to leave out 7 players from the intial 30 player preliminary roster. The 7 players who did not make the final cut are, Coloccini, Insaurralde, Mercier, José Sosa, Dátolo, Blanco and Lavezzi. The only surprises from this list that were left out were Coloccini with World Cup experience and Lavezzi who can be used as a winger up front and in the midfield.

The official List of Argetina’s 23 players are:

Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar), 23 years old, 5 caps, first World Cup.

Diego’s starting goal keeper.

Nicolás Otamendi (Vélez), 22 years old, 6 caps, first World Cup.

One of Maradona’s surprises and favorites. The center back will be playing in as an outside back for Argentina’s starting eleven just like he did against Germany this past February.

Martín Demichelis (Bayern Munich), 29 years old, 25 caps first World Cup.

Starter and Key defender for Maradona and Bayern Munich. Definitely one of the best defensive players in the world.

Walter Samuel (Inter), 32 years old, 54 caps, second World Cup.

Like Demichelis, Samuel will be playing the UEFA Champions league and will join the National side after the final against Bayern Munich. His recent performance with Inter has earned him a spot again on the Albiceleste.

Gabriel Heinze (Olympique), 29 years old, 65 caps, second World Cup.

Maradona considers Heinze untouchable in the starting eleven and considers him to be a leader and the Oscar Ruggeri of Argentina of this era.

Jonás Gutiérrez (Newcastle), 27 years old, 15 caps, first World Cup.

It did not matter to Diego if Jonas played in the Prem’s third division league with Newcastle. It obviously goes to show that he is starting on the outside for Maradona.

Javier Mascherano (Liverpool), 25 years old, 56 caps, second World Cup.

Another of Diego’s favorites and rightfully so. Maradona’s Captain and leader on the field. As mention in my previous Argentina article, Mascherano will be playing closely with the back line to help transition to the attack.

Juan Sebastián Verón (Estudiantes), 35 years old, 69 caps, third World Cup.

A leader without the captian’s arm band but the conductor of Argentina’s offense.

Angel Di María (Benfica), 22 years old, 7 caps, first World Cup.

A deadly, speedy, and skillful lefty that can play upfront and on the outside midfield.

Lionel Messi (Barcelona), 22 years old, 45 caps, second World Cup.

Currently the best player in the world and Argentina’s hope. El Diego wants Messi to play freely up top.

Gonzalo Higuaín (Real Madrid), 22 years old, 4 caps, first World Cup.

Star forward for Real Madrid. Proved his colors for Maradona by scoring in a WC qualifier against Peru and scoring against Germany this past February.

Mariano Andújar (Catania), 26 years old, 4 caps, first World Cup.

Back up to Romero.

Diego Pozo (Colón), 32 years old, 3 caps, first World Cup.

Third string Keeper.

Nicolás Burdisso (Inter), 29 years old, 28 caps, second World Cup.

An alternate center back and outside back for Maradona. Burdisso made his way back on to Maradona’s list by his recent performance for Roma and was heavily considered for his World Cup experience.

Clemente Rodríguez (Estudiantes), 28 years old, 11 caps, first World Cup.

Rodriquez is the only true outside back on the list of 23. He can play on both sides and is known to also be very speedy, skillful, and has a deadly shot.

Mario Bolatti (Fiorentina), 25 years old, 4 caps, first World Cup.

Mascherano’s back up.

Javier Pastore (Palermo), 20 years old, Zero Caps, first World Cup.

Argentina’s coaching staff consider him to be the replacement for Veron when he is tired and another option for a creative midfielder who can conduct the attack.

Maxi Rodríguez (Liverpool), 29 years old, 35 caps, second World Cup.

Maxi won his spot over Jose Sosa due to his World Cup experience.

Sergio Agüero (Atlético Madrid), 21 years old, 21 caps, first World Cup.

Alternate forward to Messi.

Diego Milito (Inter), 30 years old, 21 caps, first Word Cup.

Leading goal scorer in the Serie A. Has won two championships so far this season and is on his way to a third possible championship with Inter this Saturday for the Champions League. As of now a non-starter under Maradona.

Carlos Tevez (Manchester City), 26 years old, 53 caps, second World Cup.

Playing extremely well this season with Man City. Tevez feels that this is his world Cup and that he will fight for a starting position but is considered under Maradona as his first alternate attacker.

Martín Palermo (Boca), 36 years old, 13 caps, first World Cup.

Considered the only true center forward on the list and Maradona’s savior against Peru in a WC qualifier. In times of need Palermo will be called up to play.

Ariel Garcé (Colón), 30 years old, 3 caps, first World Cup.

Maradona’s surprise pick. The coaching staff was seduced by his personality on the field and especially for his capability of playing as a center back and as a outside back. At the moment Garce is considered to be Otamendi’s back up.

…

This is the official Player list that Maradona will be taking to represent Argentina in South Africa. There are some questionable picks as there are certain players that were left off the initial preliminary roster. What is done is done and for all I know this can be a disastrous gamble or a well calculated coaching decision. The only way to find out is to see what happens this June.

Tags: Argentina, Carlos Tevez, Diego Milito, Maradona, Messi, Onelove Soccer, Rick Minars, Sergio Aguero
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“EL PICHICHI”

Monday, May 17th, 2010

By Rick Minars

(ONELOVE correspondent)

This weekend the Spanish league came to a close and there could only be one top goal scorer awarded the prestigious “Pichichi.” The award went to Barcelona star and Argentina international Lionel Messi. Barça’s top forward finished this season in La Liga with a total of 34 goals.

Messi tied former Barcelona and Brazilian international Ronaldo. Many believed that Lionel would tie Ronaldo’s season high, but most do not know that Ronaldo scored 34 goals in 44 games as compared to Messi who scored 34 goals in only 40 games.

During the Ronaldo era, La Liga had 22 teams. Currently there are only 20 teams participating in fewer games per season, which means that Lionel Messi scored the same amount of goals as Ronaldo with four games in hand.

Also to be noted, Lionel Messi scored a total of 47 goals in all competitions this season and is on his way to being awarded the European Golden Shoe (formally known as the European Golden Boot).

*The Pichichi is awarded annually by the Spanish newspaper ‘Marca’ to the highest goal scorer in La Liga.

Tags: Argentina, Golden Shoe, La Liga, Lionel Messi, Messi, ONELOVE FC, Pichichi, Rick Minars, Ronaldo
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ARGENTINA’S STARTING 11: A Closer Look

Saturday, May 15th, 2010

By Rick Minars

(Official ONELOVE World Cup Argentina Correspondent)

It has been rumored that Diego Maradona’s starting eleven will be exactly the same or similar to that of the most recent friendly and international clash of titans between Argentina and Germany this past February.

Maradona intends to play a 4-1-3-1-1. Yes as strange as this might be this is exactly the formation he wants to play. Lets take a closer look at this possible starting eleven for the World Cup, broken down by position.

Defense:

The back line for Argentina will be played with defenders that are all naturally and strictly center backs. He believes by playing with a back line with four center backs will be much more solid
defensively. Diego believes that outside fullbacks that participate in the offense will only cause more problems and leave the back more exposed for opposing teams to attack.

Possible Starters:

Otamendi
Demichelis
Samuel
Heinze

Holding Midfield:

Maradona believes by having a holding midfielder who can defend and transitional well should play in between the back line and the offensive midfielders. Basically this players role is to cleanup mistakes from the offensive and help the back line transition the ball to the midfield.

Possible Starter:

Mascherano

Midfield:

Maradona will play with a line of three in which he will have the outside midfielders play tightly tucked in defensively and wide offensively. These outside midfielders are going to have to be very hard working and extremely fit since their roll also entails to work very hard up and down the field offensively and defensively through the middle. The creative mind and conductor of the team will be the center midfielder who will have more freedom to play but will also have to work hard to fit defensively in the middle. Diego believes that this player has to be the brain of Argentina’s attack.

Possible Starters:

Jonas
Veron
Di Maria

Forwards:

El Diego wants a shadowing forward to play with all the freedom he wants. Basically he wants him all over the field and participating in the offense and collecting the ball through the midfield. The other forward is to be a lone striker to be used as a target for support.

Possible Starters:

Messi
Higuain

Tags: Argentina, Di Maria, Higuain, Maradona, Messi, One Love Soccer, ONELOVE FC, Veron, World Cup 2010
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ARGENTINA: Breaking Down the Roster

Thursday, May 13th, 2010

Click on picture to enlarge.

By Rick Minars

(Official ONELOVE World Cup Argentina Correspondent)

As promised, here’s the 30 player preliminary roster breakdown for Argentina! I also promised that I would provide my opinions as well as a little bit of a rant, but we shall save that for another day. In this article you will see a brief breakdown of the players. It will include the clubs they play on, their age, caps with the national team and World Cup experience.

Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar), 23 years old, 5 caps, first World Cup.

Nicolás Otamendi (Vélez), 22 years old, 6 caps, first World Cup.

Martín Demichelis (Bayern Munich), 29 years old, 25 caps, first World Cup.