Argentina (National Team 2002)

Argentina came into the Fifa 2002 World Cup strongly fancied and many pundits were tipping them to win the cup. Suddenly after England's well deserved victory over the Latin American champions,there is the possibility that Argentina will not even qualify for the second round.They have to defeat a well drilled Swedish side to have any hope of qualifying.

Let us look at the players Aregentina have in their squad. Their first choice goalie is the Celtic Viga keeper, Pablo Cavallero. Other keepers are German Burgos who plays for Athletico Madrid and Roberto Bonano who turns out for Barcelona.No major weaknesses here.

Defenders include Javier Zanetti, a fine player approaching world class, Walter Samuel of AS Roma, who is highly regarded,reliable and cool, Juan Pablo Sorin, a promising player not well known in the UK, Maurico Pochetino of Paris SG and Diego Placente who turns out for Bayer Leverkusen. Others in the squad are Jose Chamot of AC Milan and Eoberto Ayala who plays his club football at Valencia. Michael Owen caused the Argentine defence a lot of problems and I think they have some weaknesses in this department.

Midfielders include Valencia-based Killy Gonzales who had a good game against England,Diego Simeone of Lazio, Almeyda of Palma, Claudio Hussain of River Plate, Lopez of Celta Vigo, the tricky Ariel Ortega,Marcelo Gallardo of Monaco and the two best known,viz, Pablo Aimar of Valencia and " the little witch ", Juan Sebastian Veron of Manchester United. Veron was almost totally eclipsed in the England game by the hard working,energetic, Nicky Butt and was substituted at half time while Pablo came on as a substitute and was Argentina's best player.I believe Aimar is an outstanding young player and should start for Argentina.

Forwards in the squad include Claudio Cariggia now a veteran who plays for Glasgow Rangers, Claudio Lopez of Lazio who came on a substitute against England but had a poor game, and the big two, Gabriel Batistuta of AS Roma who was brilliantly closed down by Rio Ferdinand and Sol Campbell and his replacement Henan Crespo,who although one of the world's priciest strikers,hardly got a look in against England.

England's young and so called inexperienced side caused Argentina many problems and significantly the much vaunted strike force of the Latin American champions could gain no headway against England's resolute defenders. Of course it would be foolish to write off Argentina on the basis of one result but I do not believe they are the world beaters that the over entusiastic press pundits were making them out to be prior to the World Cup.

Thanks for reading !