Argentina eye big prize after Brazil humbling
Thursday, 21 August 2008
BEIJING, Aug 20 (AFP): Argentina, euphoric after their 3-0 humiliation of arch- rivals Brazil, believe they will go on and defend their Olympic football crown against Nigeria in the final here Saturday.
The Argentines, with Lionel Messi proving a handful and skipper Juan Riquelme rock-steady in midfield, inflicted one of Brazil's most painful defeats and intensified pressure on their under-fire national coach Carlos Dunga.
After a stalemate opening half, Argentina cut loose with two goals in six minutes from Atletico Madrid forward Sergio Aguero followed by a Riquelme penalty.
Nothing is more sweeter in Argentinean football than to put one over Brazil and their semi-final victory at the Beijing Workers' Stadium Tuesday will rank as one of the best efforts against their South American adversaries.
"I didn't imagine that we would score like this, it was such a big margin," Messi said. "We are ready for gold."
It was a particularly significant victory for coach Sergio Batista, who now has the opportunity of plotting back-to-back football gold medals for Argentina against 1996 Atlanta champions Nigeria.
"This Argentinean team has committed themselves to each match at the Olympics in order to win the gold medal," he said.
The Argentines, with Lionel Messi proving a handful and skipper Juan Riquelme rock-steady in midfield, inflicted one of Brazil's most painful defeats and intensified pressure on their under-fire national coach Carlos Dunga.
After a stalemate opening half, Argentina cut loose with two goals in six minutes from Atletico Madrid forward Sergio Aguero followed by a Riquelme penalty.
Nothing is more sweeter in Argentinean football than to put one over Brazil and their semi-final victory at the Beijing Workers' Stadium Tuesday will rank as one of the best efforts against their South American adversaries.
"I didn't imagine that we would score like this, it was such a big margin," Messi said. "We are ready for gold."
It was a particularly significant victory for coach Sergio Batista, who now has the opportunity of plotting back-to-back football gold medals for Argentina against 1996 Atlanta champions Nigeria.
"This Argentinean team has committed themselves to each match at the Olympics in order to win the gold medal," he said.