SPORTS> Soccer
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SPORTS> Soccer
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Embattled Maradona vows to fight on
(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-09-11 11:04 ASUNCION, Paraguay: Embattled Argentina coach Diego Maradona promised to fight on despite losing 1-0 on Wednesday at Paraguay, a result which qualified Paraguay for South Africa 2010 and left Argentina in real danger of missing their first World Cup since 1970. Nelson Valdez scored in the 27th minute from a slick passing move, giving Paraguay their fourth straight ticket to the finals.
The loss was Argentina's fourth in their past five qualifiers and is sure to turn even more heat on Maradona. Maradona said after a 3-1 loss to Brazil on Saturday that he would not resign. "As long as I have a drop of blood left, I will fight to get Argentina qualified," said Maradona, captain of the country's 1986 World Cup winning team. "We're not out of the World Cup," he said. "I'm not afraid of criticism. I'm not afraid of anybody. I'm going to continue no matter who criticizes me." In the other four matches in South American qualifying it was: Brazil 4, Chile 2; Bolivia 1, Ecuador 3; Uruguay 3, Colombia 1; Venezuela 3, Peru 1. Brazil, who qualified on Saturday, lead with 33 points followed by Paraguay with 30. Chile have 27, Ecuador 23, Argentina 22 and Uruguay and Venezuela each have 21. Colombia have 20. Qualifying wraps up next month with all South American teams playing on Oct 10 and Oct 13. Valdez struck the post in the 7th minute and Jonathan Santana smashed a shot against the bar in the 23rd before Paraguay took a deserved lead. Sergio Aguero started up front for Argentina in place of Carlos Tevez, who missed the match with a knee injury. Paraguay were boosted by the recovery of goalkeeper Justo Villar, who shrugged off a shoulder injury to make the starting lineup. Argentina's hopes of a comeback were dealt a blow when Juan Sebastian Veron was sent off for a second yellow card at the start of the second half. Striker Nilmar scored a hat trick to lead an under-strength Brazil to a 4-2 win over Chile. Brazil played just well enough to beat the Chileans at the Pituacu stadium in northeastern Brazil.
Chile, who needed a win to clinch a World Cup berth, erased an early 2-0 deficit with goals by striker Humberto Suazo in the 45th and 53rd. Brazil earned their 11th win in a row, even though coach Dunga was without regulars Kaka, Lucio and Luis Fabiano because of yellow-card suspensions, while Robinho was out with a right-leg muscle injury. "I knew this match was a great opportunity for me," Nilmar said. "It gave me a chance to get some playing time and score goals to show what I'm capable of doing." Chile were able to keep Brazil from pressuring and created some scoring opportunities on attack at the beginning of the match. The team coached by Argentine Marcelo Bielsa also matched Brazil in attack for much of the game, but in the end the hosts were able to capitalize on their scoring chances and seal the victory. "Chile always tries to attack when they play against us," Dunga said. "But sometimes that gives us more space and our players know how to take advantage of that." Ecuador made the biggest jump with their 3-1 win at Bolivia behind goals by Edison Mendez, Antonio Valencia and Cristian Benitez. Uruguay and Venezuela also stayed in the mix. Substitute midfielder Andres Scotti scored the winner in the 76th for Uruguay with other goals from Luis Suarez and Sebastian Eguren. Nicolas Fedor Miku scored either side of halftime to lead Venezuela past Peru 3-1. AP |
