The Argentine National team, made up of local players only, defeated Haiti in a FIFA International friendly that was held in the city of Cutral-Co in Neuquén. The main reason behind this match was to raise funds for Haiti; however, Diego used this chance to define his world cup list.
Lineups

Argentina: Diego Pozo; Ariel Garce, Paolo Goltz, Juan Insaurralde, Cristian Villagra; Patricio Toranzo, Juan Mercier, Sebastian Blanco, Facundo Bertoglio; Martin Palermo and Ariel Ortega

Haiti: Jean Zephirin; Frantz Gilles, Bruny Richard, Jean Paulin, R. Ednerson; Vaniel Sirin, James Marcelin, Judelin Aveska, J.M Alexandre; Eliphne Cade and J.B Fritzson

The match finished 4-0 in favor of Argentina. The goals were scored by Facundo Bertoglio (2), Martin Palermo and Sebastian Blanco. Haiti did not cause any trouble to Argentina; in fact, the goalkeeper was never really tested. However, it is great to see these players perform in the football pitch after such a devastating earthquake they suffered.

Palermo was confirmed within the World Cup list, the third goalkeeper will be a tight decision between Diego Pozo (Colon) and Adrian Gabbarini (Independiente). Another player that has a very good chance of going to the world cup is Juan Mercier (Argentinos Juniors), the midfielder has seduced the coaching staff with a very good level in the Argentine league and a low profile, making him a perfect member for the group.

One more surprise that Diego could announce is the inclusion of Javier Zanetti and Ariel Ortega; both experienced players could make the list in the last minute. After calling more than 100 different players, Diego will make the 30-man list public on Monday, and we expect to see surprises, it wouldn’t be Maradona if he didn’t. The final 23-man roster is due on June 1st.

Argentina defeats Haiti during an International friendly

Buenos Aires, Argentina – April 14th 2010

After Sunday’s scoreless tie against Atletico Tucuman, team which stands in the last place of the Argentine league with 6 points and will most likely end relegated, Leonardo Astrada was removed from the position of head coach of the first team.

Before the announcement was, Daniel Passarella already had a name in mind to precede Leonardo Astrada, his name Angel Cappa. The official decision was taken that afternoon in what Passarella called a unanimous vote from the board. However, sources state that some members suggested the name of Ramon Diaz (7 titles with the club in 4 years). Diaz came out on radio shows and TV stations saying “I would even coach for free; I want to return to River”. This statement not only created problems for Passarella, but sparked certain hopes in the Millonarios.

Passarella held a press conference Tuesday morning in which he said “Don’t be afraid, we are going to challenge for the championship next season”. He explained the reasons behind the removal of Astrada and the selection of Angel Cappa. He also said “This is not the moment for Ramon Diaz, the club is not ready for that”. In this excerpt, he refers to the expensive taste of the coach when it comes to choosing his players and his elevated salary (U$ 1,8 Million a year).

Angel Cappa will have a very hard job, the fans are already hopeful to see the results, like he did in Huracan. His team played well, created opportunities, scored goals and won. Something that River needs to do TODAY; I cannot remember the last time River strung 6 passes together, the teams has a very hard time creating chances, and when they do they cannot finish them. It has been 450 minutes since the team last scored a goal, it is also the amount of time that River has without winning, which is 5 games.

River suffers from a cancer, the whole philosophy is broken down. The youngsters (17, 18 and 19) are expected to perform like veterans, and the veterans are expected to run like youngsters. Matias Almeyda (36) and Daniel Alberto Villalba (17) and Rogelio Funes Mori (18) are probably the best examples. A few years back, I can remember seeing Hernan Crespo and Ariel Ortega on the bench, they had to wait for their turn, and when they were brought it was for a few minutes, when the game was aleady decided. Today River depends on these youngsters, and that is a lot of pressure for them.



Let’s forget about this tournament, the quicker it ends the better. Cappa is already working for next year, and he has asked for some very familiar faces: Mario Bolatti (Fiorentina), Matias De Federico (Corinthians), Paolo Goltz (Huracan) and Patricio Toranzo (River Plate- Loaned to Huracan), the board is also looking at JP Carrizo, Diego Lugano, Walter Ervitti, Nestor Ortigoza, Juan Mercier, Santiago Silva, Mariano Pavone, Osmar Ferreira, Fernando Cavenaghi, Walter Samuel, Marcos Perez and Hernan Crespo.

Added to this, is expected that Diego Buonnannote will make his return to the first team after the car accident he suffered early this year in which three of his friends were killed. The club needs to resolve 17 contracts which are expiring, many which will be left unsettled (Andres San Martin, Talamonti, Gerlo…) the 3 that call the attention are Ariel Ortega, Marcelo Gallardo and Matias Almeyda. From the the three, only Gallardo and Almeyda have chances to continue.
It is time to rebuild the quad, and dream with the TIKI TIKI in River Plate.

On a side note, yesterday Daniel Passarella was named the vicepresident of AFA, charge previously held by JM Aguilar.

Daniel Passarella takes the necessary steps to get River out of the hole

This decision handed down by FIFA in Zurich today on Argentine coach Diego Maradona is the reason why people in South America and in Argentine football fear Julio Grondona. He is a picture perfect clone of an old Vito Corleone.


How much influence Grondona? How about the little letter he wrote Blatter. Between this decision and his unilateral diplomacy by simply rescinding the television contract that AFA had with TSC and placing the matches on public television (thanks to the huge bailout he got from the government), he pulled off two of the biggest power plays of the century and did it with hardly any opposition.

No one knows exactly what it said, but there must have been something regarding alternative solutions to the whole Maradona fiasco. People know that part of Grondona's responsibilities is to be active with the FIFA disciplinary committee. So anyone that says he has nothing to do with this decision needs to see who really is in charge at FIFA. Is it Blatter and his bafoonery or is it the cold and calculated Grondona? This is why today's suspension of Diego Maradona raised so many eyebrows.


The Argentine national coach will have to serve a two-month ban effective immediately and will return to his duties on January 15th. This is a reduced sentence since he did "apologize and showed sincere remorse upon being handed down his decision". He also will not be able to take part in any football related activity. Sounds tough on paper, right? Of course, there are two details one must look at. First of all, there are no FIFA dates until February (African Cup of Nations) and March (Argentina are scheduled to play Germany).

Thus, he will only miss the tentative match that the Albiceleste have against the Catalunya select side at the Nou Camp on December 22nd. That preparations for leading up to that match will be handled by Maradona's top assistant and former Vélez Sarsfield star Alejandro Mancuso. That match was schedule to see two of the greatest players in the history of humanity face off on the sidelines as Johan Cruyff will make his debut as Catalan coach.

Second of all, it is going to be a relaxing summer vacation for El Diego. If punishment means that I will be able to go spend some free time in any exotic beach in the world that is not in the US, well hurt me bad.

So everyone wins. FIFA look good for being tough. Maradona is "punished" for berating the media the way he did. Everyone will be happy and when he returns, he will be D10S once again. They have as much of a short memory over in Argentina as much as fans here in the US. To be honest with you, this decision is the equivalent of suspending Alex Ferguson for the entire summer for his comments the other day.

So now that "Fuck the Police"-"I Fought The Law"-Yankee Imperialist-check out how I kiss my Ché Guevara tat-while I smoke a Cohiba attitude will probably be more submissive than before. I mean how can he afford to lose €16,600 and be exposed to possibly worse reprimands if he repeats this behavior? That type of money might see him in the poor house.

Maradona Decision Shows True Power Of Grondona