Countdown to world cup

The biggest sports tournament in the world is going to get underway in a few days time. So I thought about profiling the major teams, the player, coaches and their strategies. Hope to profile as many teams as possible.

So here we go with the first team, and yes they are my sentimental favourites The Albiceleste- Argentina

Argentina

History: 2 times winners in 1978 and 1986 and once runner-up in 1990. Argentina boasts not just trophies but a long list of legends, probably next only to Brazil. Some of the greats from Argentina are like whos who in football from Omar Sivori (First South American player to play in Europe-played for Juve), Alfredo De Stefanio (Backbone of the Real Madrid team of 50's and 60's) , Mario Kempes, (architect of the 1978 WC victory under Luis Menotti and a legend in Valencia), Daniel Pasarella (Captain of 1978 WC winning team and considered one of the greatest CB), Diego Maradona(El Diego is , at least to my eyes, the most complete player ever), Gabriel Batistuta(Batigol has an impeccable record wearing the Albiceleste shirt, almost a goal a game!!, ) to the current players like Javier Zanetti(Did I mention that he is not in the 22???) and Robert Ayala (A legend in Argentina, Valencia).

Argentina also have also won theWYC 6 times, the maximum by any team. Particularly the current crop of players, 15, are from the WYC winning teams of 95, 97, and 01 teams coached by a certain Pekerman, who also happens to be the NT coach of Albicelestes.

I dont want to bore with more stats, u can get it from AFA (Argentine Football Federation) website.

Team:
The current national team has about 16 players playing in Europe and only 6 playing in South America. Surprisingly this team has no players from Riverplate- equivalent to a Liverpool, ManU in England. There are only 8 players who also played in 02 WC, did I mention who got disgraced in 02 WC.

Goal Keepers:

Roberto Abbondanzeri (Pato): The first choice keeper for the Albiceleste. Pato plays his club football in Boca Juniors. Considered to be a good keeper with Boca but his form has dipped of late. Rewind to the friendlies played in Nov 05 and Pato was making blunder after blunder and finally succeeded in gifting a goal to Michael Owen. The judgement of Pato in long balls is also not good. Overall a decent goal keeper but a bit of sadness to say that Argentina which is known to produce excellent goalkeepers in South America, Goyakochea in Italia 90 springs to my mind, is having problems at this position.

Oscar Utsari : Just 19 years of age but a fine prospect, looks to be the long term solution for Argentina's current GK problem. Oscar has had a wonderful season with Club Independente, a small club which has done remarkably well to reach the quarters of Libertadores (South American equivalent of Champions League). He was also the keeper of the 05 winning WYC. The big question that beckons is will Pekerman gamble and give him the mantle ahead of El Pato?

Leonardo Franco: Goalkeeper of Athletico Madrid. Frankly speaking I dont know much abt this lad. Not a great prospect though, at least according to argentinians in soccer forums and the south american journalists. But, definitely not a starter for the Argentinian NT.

Defenders
Argentina has a decent defence compared to the other competing countries. Argentina does boast the best defence in south America (Iam not sure may be Columbia might have a better defence) and has leaked the least number of goals in the world cup qualifiers. But it is vulnerable to speed and runs down the flanks, especially when they play with3 defenders rather than 4.

Robert Ayala: The fulcrum of the Argies defence, Ayala is currently one of the best CB's in the world. The importance of this player can be gauged by the way Ayala marked brilliantly the likes of Adriano, Robinho and Ronaldo in the dramatic 3-1 win against Brazil in Buneos Aires. A Ayala-less defence got badly mauled 4-1 by the same team 20 days later. Ayala was also part of 02 team, and 98 Argie teams (remember that Owen wonder goal in 98, he dribbled past Ayala). He was also the captain of the 2002 WC team. Ayala is excellent in air and also has a good judgement in terms of when to commit. But he is vulnerable to speed, Owen has always given him trouble. Ayala is currently 33 and this shd be his last WC. He is a player who just cannot be replaced, one of the reasons argentina lost in 2002 was the lack of solidity in the back due to the absence of Ayala, he got injured and just played abt 6 minutes in the entire WC. Samuel, the replacement for Ayala did not play to the expected marks set by Ayala.

Gabriel Heinze:Gaby is a rock solid defender. He plays his club football with Manchester United. An excellent CB can also play as a LB. Gaby can also overlap and play forward. He is also good at set-pieces. Gaby is currently 26 years of age and shd be part of at least one more Argentinian WC campaign. Will defenitely be part of the starting 11 against Ivory Coast.

Fabricio Coloccini: How on earth was this guy chosen ahead of the likes of Samuel is a question that only Peker-Head (Pekerman) can answer. At least to this eye, Coloccini is an average defender who is just too willing to commit and fouls that is. Does not have speed and cannot overlap and play up the field. In the confederations cup this guy was an embarassment for the Albiceleste.

Juan Pablo Sorin: Juanpi as he called by his teammates is the captain of the current campaign. Coincidentally (or is it??) Juanpi was also the captain of the 95 WYC Argies team under Pekeman. He is a Left Back who can also play a useful role in the attack which gives the team an added dimension. To me, on current form, he is better than Roberto Carlos(Brazil). A very good defender, he has made his name with Villareal in spain. He also has had stints with Juventus and another big Serie-A club (dont remember the name).

Leonardo Cufre: Cufre plays for AS-Roma in Italy. He has had a major role to play in the success of the Roma in 2006(Jan-May). Just as a reminder Roma recorded 15 consecutive wins in Serie-A, a record set by the 50's Juve team. A decent CB was also groomed by Pekerman.

Lionel Scaloni: Why on earth is this below par player chosen ahead of Javier Zanetti?. Is not a great defender, and cannot overlap and play up the field. Btw this guy is a RB (Right Back). Scaloni plays for some English clug, guess it is West-Ham Utd.

Midfielders
Argentina does have an overflowing talent in the Midfield lead by none other than Juan Roman Riquelme. They have the most fluid game in the world, in terms of passing, particularly the short passes, and playing quick 1-2s. Surpisingly Argentina are one of the few teams to play over the years a classical midfielder, a player who pulls the strings sitting deep in the field and hence he is impossible to man-mark, in the hole between the DM (Defending Midfielders) and Strikers. Btw the midfield of Albiceleste is built around the wonderful play making of Roman.

Juan Roman Riquelme: First things first, Roman is gonna wear the No 10 Jersey last worn by a certain Diego Maradona and later retired by the AFA in 1997. What can I say abt this brilliant mid-fielder. The best midfielder in the world currently. Wait a minute before u jump on this Ronaldinho plays almost in the strikers role, not a pure midfielder that is, and Zidane is, at least to these eyes, a spent force (hate to use it, but cant hide realities). EPL fans might bring players like Beckham, Steviege or Lampard. I might be a bit biased in my assessment but these players dont seem to possess the play making abilites of Roman. Well to know more about this player tune in to the Argentina-Ivory Coast match, and watch the passes being poured from the middle, or slightly up further, of the park. Has an amazing vision, have not seen for a long time a player who just happens to know where his co players in the park are. Another speciality of Roman is his Free-Kick, wonderful thats all wht I can say. I will stop here and not dwell into his Boca Juniors heroics. An interesting anecdote, after the Germany-Argentina match in the Confederations cup Klinsmann referred to Roman as almost perfect player. Cant get better praise than that, also Zidane is believed to be a huge admirer of Roman. Btw plays for Villareal. Shd I say that Roman is in the starting XI.

Lucho Gonzales: Lucho is an able leiutenant for Roman. Can play to perfection the role of a suporting midfielder. Plays his club football for FC Porto in Portugal. Not a great talent, in terms of skills etc, but is always consistent and is a wonderful foil for Roman. Played particularly very well against Brazil in the WC qualifiers, and whenever he was called to the NT. Plays in the Central Midfield. If Messi plays in the starting XI Lucho will be benched or shd play.

Javier Mascherano: Just note down this name, also remember where u first heard it from!!. An absolute monster of a Defensive Midfielder(DM) ,a team man to the core. The man of the match in the game against Brazil in Buneos Aires. Did not even give a centimeter to a certain Ronaldinho in that game. Very consistent and can aso create some good moves. Player of the tournament in WYC 2003. Plays his club football for Cornithans in Brazil. Iam sure after the WC if Argentina have a decent run, big clubs will be waiting to sign this immensly talented youngster. Rumours has it that Real Madrid, Chelsea, ManU are interested in signing Mas. Shd I mention that Mas will be in the starting XI.

Esteban Cambiasso: Est, as I prefer to refer to this player, plays his club football for Inter Milan. The most consistent midfielder for Inter over the last year. Est is a DM. Another team man to the core. Est can also play up front and create a few chances or finish them. Shd figure in the starting XI. Another of those DMs who played for Real Madrid, remember Makelele, and thrown out for god knows why?

Pablo Aimar: The argentines call him, The Clown, as he has a cartoon appearance. Aimar is a player who plays very similarly to Kaka (Brazil). Has an excellent ball control and can create some stunning opportunities for his team mates. Does not have the vision of Roman but plays further up the field compared to Roman, almost plays near the penalty area of the opponents, and is very effective for Valencia. Aimar is also decent in air. Aimar plays for Valencia and was one of the few players to be praised after the WC2002 fiasco. will not start in the XI, but may come as a sub when Roman has an offday.

Maxi Rodrigues: Maxi plays his club football with Athletico. Have seen him play for the Albiceleste a few times but I have not been impressed by this player. Plays in the right midfield position. Will not make it to the starting XI, may come as a sub. But with Messi in the squad I seriously doubt whether Maxi will be given a chance to play.

Lionel Messi: Did I mention Maradona?. A prodigy fromRosario Central. I, personally, have followed this player since the WYC 2005 days in holland where he lead single handedly a not so great Argentine squad to cup victory. Prior to the game Messi played in that tournament Arg lost to USA and would have got knocked out had it not been for this boy wonder. Has already earned a starting place in the Barca team, currently the team which has the best Midfield in Europe. Has some interesting tricks in his bag. Plays in the Right mid field position and is electric fast. Leo also played a major role in the anhilation of Real Madrid at the Bernabeu. Also add to that list-Chelsea. Iam sure Pekerman does not expect Leo to be a saviour as some so-called experts(Bhutia, and the other Indian "experts" bandwagon say). Leo will definitely serve as a good plan-B for Pekerhead. Furthermore there are complications to the attack if Messi starts.

Forwards
Argentina do not have great forwards in the current squad. Not as talented as the Brazilians or even the Italians but they are effective. Sometimes they tend to waste some golden opportunities, just rewind to WC2002 and Gary Linekar referred to the Argentine team of the 2002 WC as a team that cannot hit the ball straight.

Hernan Crespo: Hernan Crespo plays for Chelsea. Not a great talent definitely not as talented as Saviola or Tevez. Hernan is nevertheless effective. Hernan also is good in air. A problem with hernan is that he cannot create magic, for example dribbling past 2 defenders and setting up another forward for a goal. Hernan has been the most prolific striker for the Albiceleste since Batigol. Hernan is also 30 yrs of age. Shd make the starting XI

Javier Saviola: Saviola, referred to as the rabbit by the argentines, plays his club football for Sevilla in spain. Saviola is a talented player who has speed and skills to create goal scoring opportunities. Of late Saviola has started playing for Sevilla in a position just behind the strikers, a more midfield position. An effective striker and in my eyes definitely better than Hernan and shd start but Pekerhead has other plans.

Carlos Tevez: El Apache as he is referred to by team mates is, i will quote Tim Vickery of BBC, a mad bull. An extremely talented youngster who plays for Cornithans in Brazil. He was voted the Best player of South America for 3 consecutive years(03,04,05). Carlitos has tremendous accelaration and has some wonderful skills. I expect this player to light up the WC and can also be a possible "find" as the Europeans call it of the world cup. He plays to the Left of the center forward. Shd make it to the starting XI.

The other players Julios Cruz, Rodrigo Palacio, Nicolas Burdisso are strikers who may not figure prominently in the campaign. Just a mention of Rodrigo Palacio: He plays for Boca in Argentina. A wonderful talent and has scored 24 goals for Boca, shd make a move to Euroe soon. It was good to pick him in the team instead of some Balbo or Cannigga (happened in the last WC).