The first match of 2010 World cup which is a must watch just finished. Argentina, always a tournament favorite whether they have a good team or not, versus Nigeria, a nation which signaled world about African game, but now dreaming about their heydays of Sunday Oliseh and Nkwano Kano. The Argentine fans were telling a lot about Messi and how he is going to change this world cup. A special friend of mine, a die hard Argentine fan, just wouldn't stop about him. There was pre-match statements about how Messi is better player than Maradona, from the great man himself. A great compliment, perhaps greatest Messi can get, but sorry to say, I don't think he is as good as Pelusa.
The game was supposed to be high scoring. Both teams were good at front and weak at back. Nigerians are strong, and fast, and good with ball, but they played as a bunch of guys who lacked serious match practice. First few minutes into the game, and Messi sparkled with few runs inside the penalty box to be denied by Vincent Eniyema, the Nigerian goalie. A penalty was given in sixth minute and Veron put in a set piece which was brilliantly headed by an unmarked Heinze into the top right corner of post. The game was progressing as predicted, or so it seemed. The counter attacks by Nigeria was many. They were not troubled by a weak defense. Jonas Gutierrez was lumbering around as if he had a ten pound shoes. They were lucky that Nigeria lacked a high class finisher. The score line would have been different on two counts, first Nigeria lacking a finisher, and second Nigeria having a different goalie. The man of the match was Goalie who made life disappointing for Messi time and again.
First half ended with score line being 1-0. Throughout the first half, Veron was ambling around, quickly passing the ball from his feet to Messi. Quite old he is, and not a single flash of that old mid field general who controlled the game. Argentina started with two strikers in front with Messi just behind them, but soon, Messi and Tevez were at front with Higuain blundering all the good build up by the two and Veron floating around behind them. He lacked speed all throughout the game. Personally, I feel Argentina doesn't have a striker of Batistuta's class in this WC. Still, in second half there was enough chances made by these two. Nigeria was controlling the game more, making lots of futile run. Veron was asked to get back inside. Old men should be given more respect. I believe Maradona thinks that Veron has more brain than all others put together about how the game is proceeding. Anyway he used to be my favorite player until the 2006 WC when he played absolutely shabbily. Higuain was also taken off, thankfully Milito was in. And Maxi Rodriguez came in. These guys would have been in my starting eleven. There was again a brilliant miss from Nigeria, no striker could position himself for a cross from left to inside right and the ball was left on its own till it went outside the line. A counter attack inside the Argentine defense with a shot which couldn't be controlled by Uche. Yukubu made a good effort at goal, turning 360 degrees and catching Romiero a few seconds late in his lunge. If the shot was a bit more down, the guy would have to cover his head with towel. A couple of other shots were missed too. Another solitary run by Messi was stopped by Goalie. The left foot kept missing the mark. In the end, the score line was 1-0, with lots of misses. I cannot remember names of any of Nigerian players. All are new to me because I don't follow club football. They played fast and the game was beautiful. I am hoping for a better display in the days to come.
RESULT: ARGENTINA 1( Gabriel Heinze) -NIGERIA 0
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