WORLD CUP 2010: Argentina set to unleash their attacking trio while England confident
Argentina is set to capitalize on its prolific attacking combination to get pass Nigeria in their opening World Cup match in South Africa tonight. Diego Maradona will be depending on his strikers to start their campaign in a fashionable way and make a strong statement to his critics.
Maradona is ready to unleash his attacking trio in their first game against African giants Nigeria. Maradona will be pitching Carlos Tevez, Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Higuain and wonder boy Lionel Messi in an attacking formation of 3-4-3. It would be most prolific attack of Argentina in recent times which is sure to excite very many. Between the three of them, they have netted around 80 goals for their respective clubs this season. World player of the year, Lionel Messi won a treble last year with Barcelona in the La Liga. Similarly, Higuain is the top scorer for Real Madrid in this season and will also be playing in the next season for the Spanish giants as his contracts was renewed early this year. On the other hand, Carlos Tevez also cemented his place in the world’s richest club Manchester City as he found the back of net on several occasions during the year.
Despite an unimpressive qualifying campaign, Argentina boasts’ of a world class line-up. But their coach Diego Maradona, who is famous for his eccentric behaviour, is going with another high-risk tactical move when he pitches a three-man defence to make space for the three-man attack which comprises Tevez, Higuain and Messi. Messi is also confident that his team has the required depth and talent to succeed in the African journey. Talking to reporter, Messi said, “Player for player, there is no better national team than ours. At this stage I don’t have to prove anything. I have come there to do things well for me and for my team-mates”.
Like Messi, other players are also confident that Argentina’s attacking approach will pay dividends when they play against Nigeria in their opening game. Argentina is tipped by pundits to win the match. They have done it twice in the past when they defeated Nigeria in 1994 and 2002. Meanwhile, Nigeria is also confident that they can stop the Messi Juggernaut to upset the Argentineans.
On the other hand, England stand-in captain Steven Gerard believes that this is the time England makes an impact on the world stage. He said, “The first game is always important. It is important to stamp your mark in the tournament and let everyone know that you are about”. Talking about the U.S. threat, he said, “They are a good side but if we can get off to a good start and take maximum points I think everyone will take not. US are very hard working, fit and physical team. They will try us to deny the time and space on the ball”. Gerard also expects it will be a physical encounter as both teams are both determined and competitive in nature.
England starts the World Cup with great confidence. They have won nine qualifiers out of an allotted ten, scoring 34 goals against their oppositions. Under Capello, who has a great record as England coach, the team is confident that they will make it beyond the quarter-final this time round. But they also have faced some setbacks in form of injuries to Rio Ferdinand and Gareth Barry. In absence of Barry, Gerard will be paired alongside Lampard in the centre while Joe Cole will be on left and Lennon on right. Rooney will lead the England attack with either Defoe or Crouch.
Similarly, the United States of America is coming to the African World Cup with a strong qualifying performance. They even reached the final of Confederation Cup last year which they eventually lost to Brazil in the final. The U.S. team, under Bob Bradley, will not be an easy ride for England. America won’t be relying on defensive tactics to stop England’s Rooney led attack. They have enough quality in team to sustain and offer counter offensive to their opponents. For England, if they need to go beyond group stage, they will need in-form and super fit Rooney to steer them pass their opponents. And this is exactly what Capello would be asking Rooney to do.
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