Argentina star set to inspire team
Lionel Messi and a vast array of offensive talent are major reasons Argentina is considered a favourite to win a third World Cup title in South Africa. Capitalizing on scoring chances is going to be key if the squad plans on accomplishing that lofty goal.
Messi looks for get Argentina’s offensive play going when it meets South Korea in Johannesburg today. Argentina opened the World Cup with a 1 – 0 win over Nigeria on Saturday, as defender Gabriel Heinze scored on a diving header in the 6th minute. La Albiceleste failed to add to that despite holding a 7 – 1 advantage in shots in goal.
“We should not forgive, that’s what I told them after the match,” coach Diego Maradona said. “In football, to forgive is to pay”.
Messi will be relied upon to drive Argetina’s offensive play again, but he may be looking for some results of his own. The playmaking forward came up empty on eight shots – four on net – and he hasn’t scored for the national team since a 2 – 1 loss at Spain on Nov. 14, 2009.
Despite his struggles scoring for La Albiceleste, Messi is again expected to start behind forwards Carlos Tevez and Gonzalo Higuain.
“The only thing I tell Leo is that he should have fun playing football. He should not feel any pressure when he is playing,” Tevez said about the 22-year-old FIFA player of the year.
Production from Tevez and Higuain might take some pressure off Messi. Tevez and Higuain had 29 goals each for Manchester City and Real Madrid, respectively, last season.
Diego Milito, who had 30 goals in all competitions for Italy’s Inter, is expected to be available off the bench.
“This team doesn’t just depend on me,” Messi said. “There are many players who can determine a match.”
South Korea is coming off another tournament-opening victory, 2 – 0 over Greece on Saturday. It held a 16 – 6 shot advantage and never appeared to be in much danger.
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