Can Argentina be the 2010 FIFA World Cup’s first team to reach the Round of 16?
Argentina won their first game of the 2010 FIFA World Cup by beating Nigeria 1-0 following a goal from Gabriel Heinze. As a result, they are second in the table behind Korea Republic on goal difference. Nevertheless, if they get 3 more points this morning against the Asians, they will be jumping into the knockout phase, and hence, they will be making history by becoming the first team in the 2010 FIFA World Cup to automatically get into the knockout phase with 6 points on match-day 2.
Argentina will need to make great efforts to make things happen, and in view of the vital fact that Korea Republic scored 2 goals and kept a clean sheet in their opening encounter against Greece, the Argentina vs Korea Republic game is set to be eye-catching. Can the mighty Albicelestes live up to expectations? This is what we are yet to know; nonetheless, if ever they suffer a setback, then it will be their Asian opponents who will be making history.
Will Argentina coach Diego Maradona take his revenge against Korea coach Huh Jung-moo?
Korea Republic and Argentina met in the 1986 World Cup Mexico, in a game where behavior was the Albicelestes’ main concern. Because Diego Maradona – then a player – was considered as the best in the world, the Koreans opted to work out anything they could to stop the ace. The young Huh Jung-moo was the man in charge of containing the Argentina legend, but instead of using defensive tactics to humble Maradona, Jung-moo rather took violence as his prominent weapon.
Although Korea Republic went on to lose the game 3-1 after a wonderful performance from the current manager of the Albicelestes, that game will never be forgotten among the two nations, and referring to this battle, this is what Maradona told the media in December after the 2010 FIFA World Cup Draw: "I remember Huh very well. In 1986 the Koreans played taekwondo, not football, against us.”
Today, Maradona might take his revenge and punish the Koreans, and not by violent strategies, but by profiting of his side’s skills and experience.
Can Korea Republic cause Argentina An Upset in the 2010 FIFA World Cup?
The Koreans wouldn’t want to lose their second match so as to give Nigeria a greater chance of bypassing them in Group B. Though the Asians were positive against Greece, they are likely to employ a negative 4-5-1 formation against Argentina.
This will see the Albicelestes pressuring the Korean defense in search of a goal, but at the same time, one mistake in front could be deadly for the South Americans if ever their enemies move goalwards on the counter. Great players such as Gonzalo Higuain and even Lionel Messi have all revealed their stress during moments when they are contained in a crowded frontline; but today, they will have to deal with any technique the Koreans take hold of, and snatch 3 points.
With Park anticipated to boost the Asian team, Argentina are likely to get at most a draw, if ever Huh’s men succeed in locking their back, at least. In the end, a win will be crucial for both countries, but who will be happy after the referee’s whistle? The answer will be revealed by 13:35 GMT.
Can Lionel Messi score for Argentina for the first time in the 2010 FIFA World Cup?
Lionel Messi did not jump into the scoring sheet against the Super Eagles of Nigeria last Saturday when both teams faced each other. Messi had several of his strikes saved by the goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama; while Argentina were denied a second half penalty following the referee’s inability to notice a handball inside the 18-yard area.
The Ballon d’Or winner scored 47 goals for Barcelona in the 2009-10 season, and since he was unable to dazzle during the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification in the CONMEBOL zone, he will be required to play marvelously and profitably against Korea Republic.
Will the referee let controversy control the game between Argentina and Korea Republic?
Korea Republic were denied 2 penalties and many free-kicks in their match against Greece; while Argentina scored a wrong goal according to FIFA, but were denied a second-half penalty. This is the evidence of the presence of disturbing controversy in Group B, but truthfully, only officials have the authority to open the way to controversy, or to close it.
This morning, Argentina and Korea Republic will be playing each other at the Soccer City in Johannesburg; nonetheless, will divisive decisions from the referee destroy the match? Supporters will be hoping that this does not happen, but whatever the arbitrary does will affect the standings and the outcome of Group B more or less significantly.
