Argentina’s World Cup draw preview

GROUP B

Argentina

Nigeria

South Korea

Greece

 

After a gruelling qualification campaign, Argentina have been handed a relatively comfortable group at the 2010 World Cup. Diego Maradona’s side shouldn’t fear the Greeks, Nigerians or Koreans with their vast resources. The only stumbling block could be if Maradona’s eccentric squad selections continue which is entirely possible.

If the Argies do manage to qualify in the expected top spot, their knock out draw is fairly kind if the seeded nations progress as expected. A probable 2nd round draw against either South Africa, Uruguay or Mexico would see Argentina as the favourites. In particular, a match against Uruguay would be memorable as the two are bitter rivals although they would be the biggest threat to a place in the last eight. The quarter finals would see Maradona’s management credentials tested to the limit with a likely battle against the Germans who always tend to sneak through to the latter stages of the major tournaments. Whether Argentina can progress any further with Maradona as manager remains to be seen.

ARGENTINA SQUAD

Maradona’s squad selection over the past qualification campaign has been so unpredictable that it would be foolish to try and predict his 23 man squad for the World Cup in June. However, here is a shortlist of players that are in with a chance of making the plane to South Africa. I have bolded the people that I think will most probably be chosen.

GOALKEEPER

Sergio Romero

Mariano Andujar

Juan Pablo Carrizo

DEFENDERS

Martin Demichellis

Nicolas Otamendi

Emiliano Papa

Pablo Zabaleta

Fabricio Coloccini

Gabriel Heinze

Emiliano Insua

Rolando Schiavi

Nicolas Burdisso

Javier Zanetti

Daniel Diaz

Walter Samuel

G Milito

MIDFIELDERS

Pablo Aimar

Ever Banega

Mario Bolatti

Jesus Datalo

Angel Di Maria

Fernando Gago

Esteban Cambiasso

Jonas Gutierrez

Javier Mascherano

Maxi Rodriguez

Lucho Gonzalez

Juan Sebastian Veron

Sebastian Battaglia

FORWARDS

Sergio Aguero

Gonzalo Higuain

Ezequiel Lavezzi

Martin Palermo

Lionel Messi

Carlos Tevez

Diego Milito

Lisandro Lopez

Gonzalo Bergessio

PREDICTION

With a vast array of talent at their disposal, Argentina should be capable of going all the way in South Africa. However, weaknesses amongst the coaching staff and problems in getting the best out of star player Lionel Messi will probably see them progress no further than the quarter finals.