Argentina ‘s journey to World Cup 2010 South Africa was not as smoothly as expected. Having top players, both in local and European competitions, “Albiceleste” instead tragically almost eliminated because time was critical zone.

Lucky, in the final two qualifying action zones of South America against Peru and Uruguay, Lionel Messi and his friends can get up and grabbed a crucial victory that came out of an alarming condition. ”Tim Tango” eventually ranked fourth in the final standings, and shifts the Uruguay to number five – which means, Uruguay had to do play-off against teams from the North American Zone, namely Kostarika, to fight a ticket to South Africa.

When Argentina was in the balance, many people are worried about World Cup 2010 will be “flat” because without the presence of “sky-blue team” is. The reason is Albiceleste team always presents its own sensation of the tournament four years. So, no wonder if their presence is always look forward.

In the history of its participation in the World Cup, Argentina had won twice, namely in 1978 and 1986, which gave birth to two well-known name that is unforgettable,  Mario Kempes and  Diego Armando Maradona. The legendary last name, because in addition to management techniques and attractive, he also made a controversial goal that finally got the title “Hand of God goal”, when England beat Argentina 2-1 in World Cup quarterfinals in 1986, before setting foot in the finals and beat West Germany 3-2.

Four years ago, Argentina came to Italy with a force hardly much different from when he became champion in Mexico. Maradona returned to the central figure “Albiceleste” which again favored to retain his title.

But at the opening party, Argentina’s surprise 0-1 defeat by Cameroon. After that, “team Tango” which was struck on his feet, and get past the group phase of qualifying and qualifying for the second round to set aside Brazil. Argentina step smoothly, including when removing host Italy in the semifinals, through penalties, after scoring during the match 1-1.

Unfortunately, in the final, Argentina had to admit defeat to West Germany through a controversial penalty from Andreas Brehme. Argentina lost the hope to retain the title, and won this prestigious trophy for the third time.

In the United States in 1994, Argentina which still carries the mega-star Maradona, back to the favorite. But the way they have a very tough hurdle, because Maradona had to leave his team before completing the struggle. Stocky playmaker proved positive for doping, so immediately crossed out, and it also marks the end of the era of the legend.

Since then, travel Argentina in the World Cup was never smooth anymore. The best achievement of this sky-blue team is advanced to the quarter-finals, which take place in France in 1998, and in Germany in 2006. Even when he appeared in Asia, where South Korea-Japan to host, directly Argentina was eliminated in the group stage because of competition from Sweden and the UK (from three matches, Argentina only two draws and one defeat).

Well, in South Africa World Cup 2010 Argentina tried to delete these bad notes inscribed in the four last event. Comes with some top names, Argentina has the potential to destroy all the enemies to end the wait for 24 years. Moreover, in the body of the team have little striker, Lionel Messi, who was mentioned as the incarnation of Maradona.

That is, this time came with the era of Argentina ‘New Maradona’. Besides Messi appeared the figure of the New Maradona, Albiceleste also appeared with “the real Maradona”, who appears again in the this greatest football  event as a coach, to revive the 1986 World Cup excitement.

Just joined Argentina in Group B should be wary of his opponents. Although the level is still below its rivals, but teams like Nigeria and Greece as European champions in 2004 has the potential to trip him. South Korea’s highest achievement as a World Cup semi-finalist in 2002, also could be a dark horse to be reckoned.

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 11th, 2010 at 4:31 pm and is filed under Group B. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.