PREVIEW 2010 World Cup: Argentina vs Nigeria

Kick Off June 12, 21:00 pm at Ellis Park, Johannesburg

Since replacing Alfio 'Coco' Basile, October 2008, Diego Maradona has called over 100 players. He summoned all the talented players from local clubs, and lowering it in a friendly. El Diego Fair enough.

But the work of the new Maradona seen since beating Uruguay 1-0 in World Cup qualifying zone Conmebol. But anyone who knows not the success behind Maradona's, but Carlos Bilardo.

Since April 2010, everyone seemed to already know the starting XI Albiceleste which will be deployed in the 2010 World Cup opening match against Nigeria. But it all wrong.

5-0 victory over Canada last month, making sure Martin Demichelis Maradona and Walter Samuel feasible set in the heart of the defense. Moreover, both are the Champions League finalists. As a result, right-back Nicolas Otamendi pushed more inside. Jonas Gutierez shifted to full-back position.

Maxi Rodriguez returned to the right of midfield, so that the full-back does not need to do overlapping. Maradona inspired mention of Agriculture 'against the world' which are shown in Jose Mourinho.

In the stronghold of Nigeria, Lars Lagerback did not take long to become familiar with the entire squad for Nigeria. He knew not carry the burden lightly, following poor performances in the African Nations Cup, but Nigeria made a little relaxed atmosphere.

Lagerback started his job with a European tour, met all Nigerian talent competing in the elite clubs. After that he studied all the local talent in the African Nations Cup.

Not difficult to install Lagerback 4-4-2 system. In fact, she was not too upset loss in January Obi Mikel. Dickson Etuhu is believed to be able to go to the role of Mikel in midfield, as he dropped back when attacked.

One thing that can not be done is to find a replacement Lagerback Jay-Jay Okocha. She also had been criticized due to his creative midfield. Critics had ended after Nigeria beat North Korea 3-1 in a friendly last.

Lagerback may not be able to find figures classmate Okocha, but Chinedu Obasi and Peter Odemwingie potential to build its reputation in this World Cup. Both are pretty solid in midfield.

5 last matches

Argentina:

Spain 2-1 Argentine
Argentina 3-2 Costa Rica
Argentina 2-1 Jamaica
Germany 0-1 Argentina
Argentina 4-0 Haiti

Nigeria:

Niger 2-0 Nigeria
Nigeria 0-0 Niger
Nigeria 0-0 Saudi Arabia
Nigeria 1-1 Colombia
Nigeria 3-1 North Korea

Argentine situation

Maradona will play with three lines behind, to accommodate Carlos Tevez, Lionel Messi, and Gonzalo Higuain in the front line. Jonas Gutierez is shifted to the right wing-back.

Perhaps it is too risky, but gives the possibility to play more aggressively throughout Argentina game.

Approximate Starting Line Up: Sergio Romero, Martin Demichelis, Walter Samuel, Gabriel Heinze, Jonas Gutierrez, Javier Mascherano, Juan Sebastian Veron, Angel Di Maria, Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez, Gonzalo Higuain.

Nigerian Situation

Coach Lars Lagerback must decide who will accompany the front lines Aiyegbeni Yakubu, Obafemi Martins or Victor Obinna. Difficult choices, because both are relatively not too shine in their respective clubs.

If Martins became the first choice, because these players are more experienced. Lagerback did not want to take risks by making Obinna as a starter.

Approximate Starting Line Up: Vincent Enyeama, Chidi Odiah, Rabiu Afolabied, Joseph Yobo, Taye Taiwo, Peter Odemwingie, Dickson Etuhu, Haruna Lukman, Sani Kaita, Aiyegbeni Yakubu, Obafemi Martins.

Eligible players Observed

Leo Messi: As a world player, Messi relatively simply shone at the club. Domestically, he received much criticism for failing to duplicate the club to boost their performance in Argentina. World Cup 2010 will be an opportunity for Messi how he is the biggest player in the biggest tournaments Worldwide.

Peter Odemwingie: Lokomotiv Moscow player aged 28 is holding grudges. He was part of the Super Eagles who defeated Argentina in the Olympic final in 2008. He is excellent at the back line to threaten the opponent, and waiting for a chance watch the Argentine public involved one-on-one situations by Gabriel Heinze.

Prediction

With all the talents, hard look at Argentina left the field with his head bowed. In Maria, Messi, Higuain, and Tevez, it was believed would give a lot of goals to the Albiceleste. But anyone who knows the Argentine back line was too strong.

Nigerian players Kecapatan rise helps predict attacks would complicate Demichelis and Walter Samuel. If Nigeria is able to isolate the line behind Argentina, the first three digits will be achieved by Super Eagle.

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HEAD TO HEAD: Argentina vs. Nigeria

For the fourth time in Argentina to meet FIFA's official match. Earlier, Argentina and Nigeria have been a duel as much as three times, two of which occurred at the World Cup, the year 1994 and 2002. One action again takes place in the Confederation Cup in 1995, which was not under the auspices of FIFA.

At the 1994 World Cup, Argentina beat Nigeria 2-1. Then in 2002, eroded the wings rocking Tango Super Eagles 1-0. Whereas in the 1995 Confederations Cup, both teams played a goalless draw.

Overall, Argentina and Nigeria have clashed with each other five times. In addition to the first three games mentioned, two other battles taking place in the Olympic arena.

Of the two meetings, both teams beat each other. However, the most painful for Argentina is failed to win an Olympic gold medal in 1996. At that time, Argentina defeated Nigeria 3-2.

This time Diego Maradona to coach Argentina to meet Nigeria's second time. When winning the 1994 World Cup, Maradona is still a player. This time in South Africa, Maradona became coach of Argentina.

Meanwhile, based on the results of trial matches and Nigeri dilakoni Argentina, both teams are equally unsatisfactory results. Argentina defeated Spain 2-1 on 14 November 2009, 1-0 win from the young German forces March 3 last, and last crush weak Canadian team 5-0 on the 24th of May.

Conversely, Nigeria played a goalless draw against Saudi Arabia on May 25, and 1-1 by Colombia arrested five days later. Nigeria's new record victory when defeating North Korea 3-1 five days ago.

Conference Record Second Team:
August 23, 2008 Nigeria 0-1 Argentina (Olympic)
June 2, 2002 Argentina 1-0 Nigeria (World Cup)
August 3, 2008 Nigeria 3-2 Argentina (Olympic)
January 10, 1995 Argentina 0-0 Nigeria (Confederations Cup)
June 25, 1994 Argentina 2-1 Nigeria (World Cup)