Wednesday 1 April 2009

Spanked!


Following on from Argentina's 6-1 hiding in La Paz earlier today I imagine the journos are busy writing their copy, analysing the defeat and formulating headlines. In the interests of recycling perhaps they could use the legendary headline on the front of sports mag El Grafico: VERGUENZA (shame, embarrasment, disgrace) - take your pick. This appeared after a World Cup qualifying defeat at home to Colombia in 1993. No danger of the altitude factor in that instance.
Thankfully in his post-match press conference Maradona was gracious in defeat and full of praise 'Bolivia had great game' and 'any team who'd have played them today - the result would have been the same'. Not sure I agree with the last statement given some of the defending on display, and lack of defence altogether for Bolivia's 3rd goal. Bolivia's away form is very poor - 1 point gained so far on their travels in this qualifying campaign tells it's own story, the conditions in La Paz were a factor but surely do not account for a 5 goal reverse??
As expected and in a manner which befits Maradona's man of the people image he described each Bolivian goal as 'a stab in the heart' and assured fans that he's feeling it too. Passion, patriotism and chest thumping will only take a football team so far, Diego now has to prove to the fans he can do the clever bit too.
Hasta luego!