WORLD
CUP 2006
Argentina
Introduction
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Argentina fans have still not got over the shock of the team’s first round elimination at the last World Cup and, as ever, think their country has been drawn in a tough group this time. In fact, some even feel there is a conspiracy against Argentina because they have been drawn with Holland, the country they most wanted to avoid of those that could have been put in their group.
In this soccer-crazy country almost everyone feels they know better than the national coach, who is under continual pressure to put players from one club or another into the squad, with the names of the favoured candidates written on banners and displayed at League matches.
When Jose Pekerman first took charge in September 2004, everyone was happy that he made the team play with a more South American style than predecessor Marcelo Bielsa. But the mood was also no doubt helped because results were good. There have been few of those in recent months.
Argentina beat Brazil 3-1 in the World Cup qualifiers last June, but since then there has been little cause for optimism. Pekerman’s men were thumped 4-1 by the Brazilians in the Confederations Cup Final later that month, lost two World Cup qualifiers – against Paraguay and Uruguay (both 1-0) – and although they showed better form in two friendlies against England and Croatia, they lost both of them 3-2.
The fans also feel somewhat distant from the national team because it mainly comprises players with foreign clubs and so they rarely get to see them in the flesh.
There has been caution from within the Argentina camp about their chances in Germany. Whenever a player or official has talked in the media about Argentina winning the World Cup, they have not sounded as if they genuinely believe it is possible, and everybody agrees that Brazil are superior. That includes Pekerman, who has only gone
as far as to say he has the semi-finals in his sights.
Meanwhile, questions have been raised about preparations. While other countries have played regular games and made use of every international window, Argentina had only one match scheduled in the run-up to the World Cup, against Angola, hardly the toughest opponents.
Argentina have also suffered a crop of injuries, with Oscar Ustari, Roberto Ayala, Gabriel Heinze, Javier Mascherano, Pablo Aimar, Maximiliano Rodriguez and Lionel Messi all sidelined. Even if they are fit in time, there are doubts about whether they can find their form.
Apart from whether the injured players make it, the debate about selection has centred on whether to take in-form players or bank on experience. Pekerman seems to favour the latter option.
Yet there is a silver lining to all this gloom. Since the general mood is not optimistic, expectations are, for once, not high. This should mean the players will feel less pressure, which, in theory, should help them do better than last time.
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