World Cup Tean Checks: Argentina
March 18, 2006
World Cup Qualifiers
The 1978 and 1986 World Cup champions played a confident set of qualification matches and ended at the top of the South American group tables.
Stars
Argentinean striker Carlos Tevez and Hernan Crespo are the current team's stars left with the task of filling Maradona's impressive boots. Andres d'Alessandro and Facundo Quiroga, who both play in Germany's Bundesliga for Wolfsburg, will be able to give their compatriots an introduction to the World Cup host country.
Trainer
After facing criticism at home at the start of his tenure as a replacement for Marcelo Bielsa, who unexpectedly resigned after winning the Athens Olympics, Argentinean coach Jose Pekerman has put together a tight-knit team who will be looking to make up for Argentina's early trip home after the group stage of the 2002 World Cup.
World Cup History
1930 runners up, 1934 round of 16, 1958 preliminary, 1962 preliminary, 1966 quarter-finals, 1974 2nd round, 1978 winners, 1982 2nd round, 1986 winners, 1990 runners up, 1994 round of 16, 1998 quarter-finals, 2002 preliminary
Match Schedule: Preliminary Round
June 10: Argentina - Ivory Coast in Hamburg
June 16: Argentina - Serbia and Montenegro in Gelsenkirchen
June 21: Netherlands - Argentina in Frankfurt am Main
World Cup Base
Argentina will be setting into Bavaria's Herzogenaurach during the World Cup.
Outlook
Argentina are going into their 14th World Cup finals as a strong title contender. Some experts think Pekerman's could even push neighbor and arch-rival Brazil aside on the way to winning the Cup.