DEJA VU : GRUDE REMATCH 2006
On 24 June 2006, in Leipzig, Argentina and Mexico met in a pulsating Round of 16 encounter at that year's FIFA World Cup™. The South Americans went through with a 2-1 win, with the Mexicans' hopes of a quarter-final place dashed once again. Four years on, Javier Aguirre’s men are desperate for revenge and have the chance to test themselves against arguably the tournament’s form team. But will they be able to handle charismatic coach Diego Maradona and mercurial maestro Lionel Messi? El Diego will also enjoy the luxury of having a full-strength squad to choose from, free from injuries and suspensions.
For his part, Mexico boss Aguirre has already expressed his disquiet at having finished in second place in Group A, largely because his team has been inconsistent so far. A fine victory against 2006 runners-up France was the highpoint of El Tri’s group games, but it was sandwiched between a draw with hosts South Africa and a narrow defeat against Uruguay.However revenge will be uppermost in Los Aztecas’ thoughts, not least because the current squad contains several survivors of that last, fateful meeting with Argentina including Rafael Marquez, who scored Mexico’s goal in Leipzig four years ago. The objective for Aguirre’s men is plain and simple: to get to that elusive “fifth game” at a FIFA World Cup finals tournament, and to book their place in the quarter-finals for the first time in 24 years.
History is on the side of Argentina; in fourteen matches against Mexico in the last 20 years, La Albiceleste have emerged victorious on seven occasions, with five draws and only two wins for El Tri.
Argentina player to watch: Carlos Tevez The Manchester City striker has been somewhat overshadowed at this World Cup so far by the mesmerising skills of Lionel Messi and the goals of Higuain. That said, Tevez has still been a tricky customer throughout and it could be that placing too much emphasis on marking Messi and Higuain could free up space for Tevez.
Mexico player to watch: Carlos Salcido PSV Eindhoven defender Salcido has been one of the star performers of this World Cup. His marauding, skilful runs up the left flank from the back have caused problems for opposition defences and there is every chance that Argentina's soft under-belly could come unstuck from one of these bursts.
Players to watch
Lionel Messi v Rafael Marquez
The Barcelona team-mates will meet once again as international rivals, as in
2006, when Mexican skipper Marquez opened the scoring and Messi came on as a late substitute with only a matter of minutes left in the game. The FIFA World Player of the Year 2009 is yet to notch his first goal in South Africa 2010, and La Pulga will be hoping to open his account in the knockout stages. Marquez, however, has continued his knack of scoring goals from his defensive midfield position, and scored his country’s first goal of the tournament in the Opening Match against South Africa.Prediction
A real test of Argentina's credentials, Mexico's ability to take the chances they will surely create will shape this game. Perhaps Argentina will not yet have come up against a team truly capable of exploiting their weaknesses.
THE PICK
Take ARGENTINA give 1 goal Hcp >>> MEXICO (Main Bet)
FIXED ODDS
Take ARGENTINA WIN (No Hcp given)
Odda Centre >>> http://www.asianbookie.com/
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