Archive for October 8th, 2009

Maradona and his guys have their backs against the wall. Argentina is in a must win situation. If Argentina losses anyone one these last two matches against Peru on Saturday or Uruguay on Tuesday Argentinos may well find itself on the outside looking in.

As it stands right now, Argentina is fifth place with 22 points. Uruguay is sixth with 21 points. Uruguay battles Ecuador. Ecuador is in fourth place with 23 points.  Let’s say Argentina losses and both Ecuador and Uruguay tie Uruguay and Argentina will be tied for fifth place.  Uruguay wins and Argentina losses, Uruguay moves into sole possession of  fourth place.  Argentina wins and Uruguay losses or ties Argentina will stay in fifth place.

Saturdays match up is a must win situation for Argentinos.

Maradona is feeling the pressure. It is almost like a noose that is slowly being tightened around his neck. In a surprise move Maradona offered to resign after the final two World Cup qualifying matches. Dude this is a day late and dollar short. You and your cronies killed the AFA. I blame Grondona for this sad state of affairs the AFA finds itself in.

Maradona made many wholesale lineup changes against Peru on Saturday. Gone are Fernando Gago, Javier Zanetti, Jesus Datolo, Max Rodriquez, Lisandro Lopez, Pablo Carruizo, and Nicolas Burdisso. 

This might help but Argentina is talking like a beaten team. I wouldn’t be surprise if Argentina phones in the match. This means they will just show up and go through the motions. These players do not want to play for Maradona.

There are many deep seeded resentments brewing between players and coaches, players and players, and everybody else in between.

Argentina is a train wreck that has already happened. Or as an old friend of mine said, where do we bury the survivors.

Remember that you heard it here and read it here first.

Brasil will put the pedal to the medal when they take on Bolivia in La Paz on Sunday. The high altitude will kill some of the Brasilian players but Brasileiros should still win this baby. You can expect to see Adriano, Diego Sousa, and Miranda see lots of playing time in this match and as well as the final one against Venezuela on Tuesday. With a 2010 World Cup berth already clinched, Dunga can afford to take a long look at several players to see if he wants to include them on the team.  

I love this idea. It’s called mix and match. Dunga gets to see how the subs and little used players will react in pressure situations. This is something you can’t simulate in practice. This can only be achieved in real game situations.  

I am glad Dunga didn’t call up Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. These two players will cause too much disruption on the team. They will kill team chemistry. These players can be a cancer on a team. Dunga does not need two head cases to ruin Brasil’s excellent chances of winning a sixth World Cup.

Ronaldo and Ronaldinho are great players but they carry too much baggage.

So let the fun and games begin on Saturday. You can bet you will hear either crying or huge cheers from Argentina on Saturday. If they lose, my buds Doctor Luis Palau will be crying. If Argentina wins,  Doctor Palau will be singing from the rooftops.

We will talk about the Campeonato Brasil on Thursday.

www.palau.org

http://www2.hillsong.com/tv/home.asp