Poll: Who Will Advance From Group B in World Cup 2010

These three, Greece, Argentina and Nigeria of the four in the 2010 Group B were all in the same group during the 1994 FIFA World Cup. During that time, Nigeria won in the group, while Greece and Argentina dropped during round 16 they both lost to Bulgaria.

If you look at the individual talents, Argentina will top the list on Group B. Even with all their talents that include Lionel Messi from Barcelona, winner of the 2009 Ballon d’Or. They are twice champions on 1978 and 1986 but less convincing during qualification. They landed only fourth of five qualifiers from South America. Diego Maradona their coach is a field genius but with a questionable fast that included drug addition.

Greece is the Euro 2004 champions. Their qualification to the South Africa 2010 is only the second time. During 2009, Greece played 10 international, winning four, losing two and drawing four.

Nigeria qualified for the World Cup for three straight years in 2002, but they failed to progress beyond the group stage. In Germany 2006 they were not able to make it.

South Korea will be fighting for the World Cup for their eighth time in South Africa in 2010. They topped the qualifying stage ahead of their rivals North Korea.
The players are team-oriented specially when playing. They are cohesive and fast. With all these stats, you can now decide for your self Who Will Advance from Group B in World Cup 2010.

Messi is better than me: Maradona

Argentine legend Diego Maradona has hailed his countryman Lionel Messi, saying the Barcelona forward is a better footballer than him.

“Messi the new Maradona? I hope so, in fact I want him to become even better than me. Everyone will benefit if he does,” added the current Argentine national coach. “I really hope Messi is not just the new Maradona, but that he is even better than me.”

Maradona was on a trip to Italy, where he met with Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti and manager Jose Mourinho. He also had a few special words for the Inter president: “I think I would have been an Inter player if Moratti was president back then.”

Maradona Willing to Coach Argentina

The legendary Diego Maradona showed interest in becoming a coach of Argentina after Alfio Basile resigned from the team. Maradona said that he would be happy and willing to be of service to the national team if he would be given the chance.

Beside Maradona, other possible candidates for the position include Miguel Angel Russo, Sergio Batista, Diego Simeone and Carlos Bianchi.

If Batista will be chosen, Maradona might have a post as an assistant or maybe an adviser. Both of them have worked together during the 1986 World Cup. Another one who might be part of Batista’s team is Jose Luis Brown.

Maradona however admits that Batista and Brown have more experience than him.
Maradona was also sorry about the resignation of Basile which has been caused by poor performances of the team. Maradona said that situation must have been given attention.

Basile resigned a day after Chile has beaten Argentina in a qualifier round for the World Cup.

South American World cup qualifiers Fixtures

Fixtures

Date/Time Venue Home Team Vs Away Team

06/09/08 16:00 Buenos Aires Argentina vs Paraguay

06/09/08 16:10 Quito Ecuador vs Bolivia

06/09/08 18:20 Bogota Colombia vs Uruguay

06/09/08 20:30 Lima Peru vs Venezuela

07/09/08 20:00 Santiago De Chile Chile vs Brazil

09/09/08 20:00 Asuncion Paraguay vs Venezuela

10/09/08 17:40 Montevideo Uruguay vs Ecuador

10/09/08 18:40 Santiago De Chile Chile vs Colombia

10/09/08 21:30 Lima Peru vs Argentina

10/09/08 21:50 Rio De Janeiro Brazil vs Bolivia

11/10/08 TBA Bolivia vs Peru

11/10/08 20:10 Buenos Aires Argentina vs Uruguay

11/10/08 20:20 Bogota Colombia vs Paraguay

12/10/08 16:00 San Cristobal Venezuela vs Brazil

12/10/08 16:10 Quito Ecuador vs Chile

14/10/08 TBA Bolivia vs Uruguay

15/10/08 18:40 Asuncion Paraguay vs Peru

15/10/08 20:20 Puerto La Cruz Venezuela vs Ecuador

15/10/08 20:30 Santiago De Chile Chile vs Argentina

15/10/08 21:50 Rio De Janeiro Brazil vs Colombia

Aimar to make Benfica switch

The 28 year old Argentine midfielder who plays for Real Zaragoza is on the verge of signing for Benfica for the sum of €7.5 million. The attacking midfielder has scored 5 goals in 53 appearances for Real Zaragoza since coming over from Valencia in 2006 will be playing in Portugal, which is the second country he’s played in since leaving Argentina’s River Plate.

Also interested in the Argentine’s skills were Newcastle United of England but it is reported that the player wants to reunite with Benfica’s Quique Sanchez Flores, who coached him at Valencia.

Benfica sporting director, Rui Costa is also said to be in Madrid currently finalizing contract negotiations for the player’s official presentation next week.