Matthew Hall
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Maradona, England, & World Cup Destiny
In the week's least surprising news (ever), England are now destined to win the World Cup.
That's now the tried-and-tested view of some in England after qualifying last week for South Africa next year.
We've been here before, of course.
How about EVERY SINGLE TIME England qualifies for a major tournament?
No sooner had England played well to thrash a poor Croatia team than Poms claimed they had at least one hand on the trophy already.
"Why England Will Win the World Cup!" roared a headline from the usually sane BBC.
It was kinda-sorta-not-really a joke.
A list of reasons included coach Fabio Capello's leadership skills, the temperature in wintry South Africa next June, England's new old-school strip, and, of course, David Beckham.
"I said during the week that it wasn't about revenge but I was lying a little bit," Beckham said after Croatia had been thoroughly given the shaft.
It was Croatia, you will recall, who dumped on dismal England's Euro 2008 parade two years ago but now, how soon they forget, Capello's heroes are all bona-fide world beaters.
Just you watch.
While we can giggle at England's hyper expectations being blown out of the park just minutes after qualifying, things are a little more serious on the other side of the world.
Argentina may be stuffed.
That's Diego Maradona's Argentina.
That's Diego Maradona's Argentina with Lionel Messi, Javier Mascherano, and Carlos Tevez.
Losing to Brazil - at home! - last weekend was bad but a 1-0 loss to Paraguay in Asuncion midweek was worse.
Argentina now stand fifth in COMNEBOL's World Cup qualification table and are in direct competition with our old pals Uruguay, seemingly World Cup play-off addicts, for the final place.
Maradona, who martyred himself by taking on the poisoned position of national team coach, is now facing a crisis of confidence and cacophony of criticism at home.
God is apparently not what he used to be but Argentina has been in this position before, however.
In 1993, they were forced into continental play-offs - with Australia.
Then, Maradona made a comeback as a player to successfully steer his ship to USA '94.
Now, as a coach, things aren't working out so much.
As a fan said after last weekend's loss to Brazil.
"Even if we win the Cup, it doesn't confirm that Maradona is a great coach," said one Argentine fan after last weekend's loss to Brazil.
"It would just confirm that Maradona is God."
COMMENTS
I love the English press building the team up, just like they did before Germany.
Then it will be great to see England slump to the first half decent team they play (probably quarter finals again).
- by oly on September 14, 2009 at 09:22 AM
Hmmm. Just say the Argies did make the WC and at some stage were lining up V. the 3 Lions? How about a semi? Now that would be engrossing! England do look pretty nifty at the present- looks like they have taken to Capello's strict leadership.
If Argentina do miss out it would be a massive shame that messi was not on display.
- by SW on September 14, 2009 at 04:08 PM
No, the least surprising news of the week is that you saw fit to write about your dislike of England.
You perhaps didn't read the Australian media after the fourth Ashes test - apparently, the urn was already won.
- by Stephen Smith on September 15, 2009 at 03:15 PM
Stephen Smith - smart arse pom...of course people dislike England - where do we start..
1. Massive superiority complex
2. Two (only) World Cups at anything..1966 (at home - will we ever hear the end??) and Rugby WC 2003 (their only worthwhile international tournament achievement)
3. The worst kind of winners....see SS comments above and their appalling treatment of Ricky Ponting at this years Ashes. They've won the Ashes twice in 20 years (in 11 attempts) and you'd think they're the be all and end all. Oh...of course there was Headingly 1981...still being replayed ad nauseum during rain breaks.
4. Consistently poor form from their marauding sports fans (See 1. above)
They are International footballs biggest chokers and will struggle to get past the quarters. They have been talking themselves up since their first World Cup in 1950 (where they were beaten by the US and failed to get past the first round). They were too good for the first three World Cups thinking that the English FA was bigger than FIFA - and not much has changed.
Steve..take off your (English) Rose coloured glasses for once and smell the coffee. Pretty much everything about England..at anything ...stinks.
Your comments reflect that
Cav
- by Simon Cavenagh on September 23, 2009 at 09:24 PM
Oh dear - Australian chip on the shoulder mentality strikes again.
Remember Shane Warne dancing on the balcony? Yep, gracious winning...
John Howard throwing medals around the England players necks in 2003? Graceless losers...
Tennis fans fighting in Melbourne - were they English too? Indian cricket fans being labelled "curry munchers" Classy.
...and the consistent sniping at anything remotely English, or to use your racist term..."pom"
Go back to bed...Australia's not too popular either.
- by Stephen Smith on October 01, 2009 at 10:07 PM
I love how the English press and people just put so much pressure on their team and then get disappointed when they get bundled out of the WC. Because the English on watch the EPL, they think they have the best players in the world.
I can probably think of 2 or 3 English players that are truly world class - Gerrard, Lampard and maybe Rooney?
- by Ben Smith on October 03, 2009 at 11:03 PM
Both England & Argentina will be extremly lucky to get past the second stage
- by Zlatko on October 18, 2009 at 06:31 PM
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Diego - footballer/hand of God (cheat); drugs (cheat); pie eating (obesity); partial resurrection (media, fan and TV); and now coach (disaster!?). Even if somehow Argentina fall over the line to qualify, can they afford to take the risk with him for the WC finals and the right preparation?
England - finally looking a genuine threat for the first time since Italia 1990 - with such high expectations again, will they once again choke when it reallly counts (versus say Spain, Brazil or even Australia!?).