... as he hopes to clear Mexican hurdleLifting the coveted trophy will see Maradona, one of the games greatest ever players, become only the second man to win the World Cup as a captain and coach after famed former German libero, Franz Backenbeur.
While for this current crop of Argentine footballers winning the World Cup will bringing the coveted trophy to Buenos Aries for the first in 24 years a feat that would ensure their place in the history of Argentinas game.
But Maradona and his men must first find a way to get past the Mexicans later this evening before they can start dreaming of a place in history.
On the basis of statistics and current form, the scales seem decidedly tilted in favour of Argentina who have shown power and skill on their way to the second round as compared to the Mexicans who have not been as convincing in booking a Last 16 berth.
Argentina have reached this stage of the competition via a 100-percent record set by a team that is prolific in attack and resolute at the back.
Notching seven goals during the campaign, the South Americans’ defence has only been breached once in a Group B that also had South Korea, Greece and Nigeria.
Maradona boasts the most potent manpower with Lionel Messi the only one of the pre-tournament favourite stars to come to the party while Gonzalo Higuain, one of the deadliest marksmen in the planet today, already has a hat trick under his belt.
And history makes a Mexico win almost improbable. In the past 25 meetings between the two, from Argentina’s 6-3 victory in 1930 to the last duel in San Diego in 2008 where Mexico lost 4-1, Albicelestes (sky-blue white) has prevailed over the Mexicans 11 times compared to four victories to Mexico.
Two years earlier, in the last World Cup in Germany, it was the Argentines that sent Mexico packing at the same stage of the competition.
The biggest hindrance that might spoil the party for Argentina, as critics have pointed out, is complacency. Argentina can only underestimate the 1986 hosts, who are aiming to turn the tables, at their peril.
While they have not been as prolific as their opponents this evening Mexico have potential of holding their own against the world’s best. They showed great character in the opening match of the tournament in June 11 when they braved the vociferous home crowd to record a credible draw.
They could have amassed maximum points had it not been for controversial match officiating. While Argentina teems with outstanding individuals, Tricolour, as the Mexicans are otherwise known, thrive on the collective.
Head coach Javier Aguirre was in the 1986 side that bowed out in the quarterfinals as Maradona and company went all the way to win gold and would surely fancy his chance of not only beating the Argentines today but going all the way to the finals.
The 51-year-old, a great fan of basketball and baseball, was in a mood to mete out revenge. “This could be a nice opportunity to take revenge for what happened four years ago,” he told media. And if Aguirres words are not a declaration of war then nothing ever is!
Post published in: Football