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| Friday, September 14, 2001 24:13 EST |
Argentina too much at home
By David Satlin
[ESPN International]
Buenos Aires, Argentina, July 9
Even though the era of Diego Armando Maradona has come to an end in Argentina, the legend of Maradona continues to dominate Argentine culture.
Virtually every Argentine footballer must strive for the success that Maradona had during the 1980's at the club and international level. So when Javier Saviola became the first Argentine player since Maradona in 1979 to lift the Golden Ball award at the World Youth Championships, the whispers began, "is this the next Maradona?"
Javier Saviola is just one of many young Argentinian players on the rise. |
The reality is that while Saviola's 11 goals were a record for this event, the success of Argentina was truly a team effort and a sign that Argentina, which has won three of the last four World Youth Championships, continues to produce quality footballers by the bunches.
In a postgame press conference on Sunday, coach Jose Pekerman referred to the qualify of the players being produced at the club level as the main reason for the success of the Under-20 squad.
Pekerman also cited the financial difficulties of the clubs as a benefit to the development of players. If Argentina clubs were not forced to sell off their players to lower their respective debts, players such as Saviola, Fabricio Coloccini and Andres D'Alessandro may not have developed so quickly.
Pekerman deployed his troops in a 3-3-3-1 formation in Sunday's final against Ghana. If the scouting report on African teams in the last decade has been "Excellent skill and ability, but often a lack of concentration, organization and discipline", then it is quite evident that Pekerman and his kids knew the report.
Just six minutes into the match, four Argentine players were camped out at the back post against only three Ghana defenders. San Lorenzo midfielder Leandro Romagnoli picked out the mismatch and found Diego Colotto alone for the opening goal. Eight minutes later, Ghana failed to adjust to the confusion after a short corner kick. Saviola made lovely near post run and poked the ball into the far corner with a header. 2-0. Game over.
Argentina was never threatened during the remainder of the match. For that matter, with the exception of a tricky match against an improved Chinese team, Argentina was never threatened during the entire tournament.
When you consider that Argentina took the 1978 World Cup as hosts and coasted during this tournament in front of the home supporters, FIFA should note that awarding a future World Cup to Argentina might not be "for the good of the game." Behind the most passionate fans in the world and with talent as deep as anyone in the world, Argentina simply will not drop a game at home.
Back to Saviola. Talk about tough teenage years. This kid is nicknamed the "rabbit" not beacuse he is difficult to catch, but rather because his teeth resemble those of Bugs Bunny. Saviola, a River Plate product, is on his way to Barcelona to practice his trade next season. You can guarantee that "Wabbit Season" will begin in August as the Spanish Liga Primera clubs try and find a away to stop Saviola and his partners, Patrick Kluivert and Rivaldo.
It is often reported that success at the youth international level does not guarantee success at the World Club level. With Saviola, Coloccini, who is reported to be on his way to Zaragoza, Andres D'Alessandro, who was arguably the most skilled player on the field, and Leandro Romagnoli, who showed his excellent poise and vision throughout the tournament, Argentina has a bright future that will continue long after the current legend, Gabriel Batisuta, retires.
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