After so many upsets in the FIFA World Cup 2010 people are expecting to see every big team falter but it was not so with the Argentineans. Diego Maradona’s side turned up the flair in their game against a formidable South Korean team. For iSporter Pulasta Dhar who was at Soccer City, it was a treat to see them score so many goals.
I am not a big Argentina supporter, but happened to get their game in the draw. As things turned out, I was at the stadium not supporting a particular team, but wanting to see some good football. At the end of the final whistle, there was nothing for me to complain about a great game. Argentina put on their best team and without the stabilizing Veron in midfield, I thought they were even more entertaining.
This was the second time I was at Soccer City and the difference between the Dutch and Argentina fans was clear to see. Flags were hanged all over the stadium and people with white and blue curly wigs were singing to their fullest. The South Koreans were also in full swing, coming out with two surprise massive flags at the start of their anthem and supporting the team throughout even though they seemed on the back foot all the time.
Argentina’s defense suffered a major blow when Walter Samuel, arguably one of the best defenders today, trudged off after an injury to allow Burdisso to replace him. But the solidity of Gabriel Heinze and Dimechellis was enough to see any pressure from the agile and tricky Koreans reap no rewards. Argentina were dangerous from every move that they produced, including the many set-pieces they got awarded for being fouled on.
The crowd set the tone as soon as Carlos Tevez blazed a free-kick over the bar and with every other free-kick, it seemed that I would witness the first goal from one in this World Cup. It was not to happen, but then there were plenty of other things to cheer about. I was watching the world’s best player in action and this was enough for me. Not only that but Sir Diego was also on the sidelines, who is arguably the perfect past of Messi.
Gonzalo Higuain has made himself a poacher and if he keeps going this way then there is no room for Diego Milito to play. Messi is great on TV, but he is even better when you see him with your own eyes and the ball simply stays glued to his feet until he decides to release it. An own goal from Korea did nothing to dampen the spirits of the 82,000 fans at Soccer City, but the Argentina faithful wanted to see their players put the ball into the net.
I was lucky to be on the wings and witness all the action in the second half when Argentina were in a mood to attack at every opportunity. 3 more goals were scored by them as a competitive South Korea, who also got a consolation early on. But it was the entertainment that mattered, not the number of goals. With the introduction of Sergio Aguero, I could see why Europe’s top clubs are vying for this particular player.
I will be at the Ellis Park stadium to watch Spain play Honduras and now that they have lost their first game, I am sure it is in my luck to see some great stuff from the technical Spaniards on the 21st.
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