Official Argentina vs Nigeria game thread

[ElNono]

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-05/09/xin_55050109085173476603.jpg

VS

http://karencardona.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/armed-ijaw-militants-in-nigeria2.jpg

Game time: 10 AM ET
TV: ESPN, Univision
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg, South Africa

[poop]

do the nigerians get to use their ak's?

[ElNono]

do the nigerians get to use their ak's?

Doubtful... They won't be using Mikel either (injured)...

[Muser]

God damn Diego was a fat motherfucker

[ElNono]

God damn Diego was a fat motherfucker

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_01nIg59Y3T4/Rgu6IVelFjI/AAAAAAAAAKw/tZmN1_HX6aQ/s400/maradona.jpg

[MaNuMaNiAc]

God damn Diego was a fat motherfucker

Don't worry he's getting back

[ElNono]

Diego's last World Cup game was actually against Nigeria...

I-RzEFziCFQ

[Texas_Ranger]

2-0 arg

[ElNono]

Let's get this shit started... :wakeup

[Pelicans78]

I see Argentina getting an early goal, but Nigeria responds and getting a 1-1 tie.

[symple19]

This should be the first must-see game other than the opener, will be fun.

I like Argentina, but the Nigerians are capable of achieving a draw. Could see 4 goals or more, imo

[symple19]

And oh yeah, I get to see my favorite player...MESSI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[symple19]

I'm really interested to see how Maradona manages this game, how are you Argentines feeling about him right now?

[DAF86]

I can't wait to hear this:


2-XFD5RhZr0

[DAF86]

I'm really interested to see how Maradona manages this game, how are you Argentines feeling about him right now?

I don't know what to think anymore.

[symple19]

I don't know what to think anymore.

:lol you and the rest of the world, seemingly.

[sefant77]

Stark, good Ref :toast

[DAF86]

lol Maradona in a suit.

[DAF86]

OK, I'm out to see the game properly.

[symple19]

OMFG Tevez, should have scored

Messi already with a couple great runs

[TDMVPDPOY]

lol messi

if the brothers are serious of winning this game, they must take out messi definitely

[TDMVPDPOY]

fck heinze

[Muser]

What a goal!

[symple19]

Nice set-piece. Argentina looks very good early

[Spurologist]

This could be a bloodbath

[Pelicans78]

Time for Nigeria to wake up and play aggressively. They look scared out there.

[Pelicans78]

They're not even attacking defensively. They're just waiting for the Argentina attackers to come to them.

[symple19]

Nigerians are giving up wayyyy too much space in the midfield. Looks like they just want to counterattack. That strategy will fail miserably if they keep it up

[TDMVPDPOY]

if nigeria wants to win they must use their speed and size to their advantage, too bad they are not evenly match here

[Pelicans78]

Well, the Nigerians are becoming more active. This match is far from over. They need to keep attacking defensively trying to setup more runs.

[TDMVPDPOY]

good opportunity miss fkn nigerian

[TDMVPDPOY]

this nigerian team isnt even good compared to the teams they used to scam ppl on the internet hahahahah

[MaNuMaNiAc]

we are actually playing like disorganized crap! This shit isn't going to fly with better teams. Maradona still doesn't know shit about to build a proper strategy. We are completely reliant on Messi, Tevez and Higuain to do something, otherwise we look lost out there.

[Muser]

Veron? Haven't seen him for ages..

[TDMVPDPOY]

nigeria playin like shit, cant even clear a ball propely let alone connect a decent pass

[MaNuMaNiAc]

That's the second clear chance Higuain misses.

[Bukefal]

Go Argentina!

[symple19]

Maradona's mullet is looking healthy, lol

[symple19]

Nigerians are terrible at marking up on set-pieces...Just a matter of time before the Argentines score again on one

[Muser]

Argentina should be 3-0 up.

[MaNuMaNiAc]

man, we look fucking awful...

[TDMVPDPOY]

looks like a borin game so far

[TDMVPDPOY]

lol so many missed opportunities from both sides

[ffadicted]

fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck youuuuuuuuuuuu
goddamn it that should've easily been a goal for nigeria. Fucking they got this as long as they stop sending their balls over 9000 yards too far every goddamn pass. Argentina looks weak, beautiful goal though

[MaNuMaNiAc]

and Maradona called this team a Rolls Royce :lmao More like a fucking Pinto

[ffadicted]

Nice play from argentina, beauty save

[TDMVPDPOY]

gk exposing messi, good

[MaNuMaNiAc]

gk exposing messi, good

:lol how the hell is he exposing him? Messi is the only one doing anything out there. You're so fucking transparent

[MaNuMaNiAc]

Heinze needs to shut the fuck up

[TDMVPDPOY]

:lol how the hell is he exposing him? Messi is the only one doing anything out there. You're so fucking transparent

exposed man

[DAF86]

Decent half, if Higuain would have scored in one of the two eeeeeeasy oportunities he had, I would feel a lot more comfortable. He better not miss a chance in the second half 'cause he could lose his starting job pretty quickly. Please one more score, I will be shitting my pants 'till then.

[symple19]

exposed man

you're retarded

[DAF86]

you're retarded

He's just trolling.

[MaNuMaNiAc]

Decent half, if Higuain would have scored in one of the two eeeeeeasy oportunities he had, I would feel a lot more comfortable. He better not miss a chance in the second half 'cause he could lose his starting job pretty quickly. Please one more score, I will be shitting my pants 'till then.

you really think that was a decent half? you don't think that if we play like this against say... England, Brazil, Spain, etc we're going to get demolished?

[Spurologist]

looks like a borin game so far

don't think we're watching the same game

[symple19]

He's just trolling.

and I'm just stating facts

[DAF86]

you really think that was a decent half? you don't think that if we play like this against say... England, Brazil, Spain, etc we're going to get demolished?

Nope, We had several chances on offense and we didn't suffer much on defense. Gutierrez as a side-back isn't working but other than that we're decent, not great but good enough for now.

[MaNuMaNiAc]

Nope, We had several chances on offense and we didn't suffer much on defense. Gutierrez as a side-back isn't working but other than that we're decent, not great but good enough for now.

I disagree. I don't see any organization at all. Basically if Messi doesn't pull something extraordinary out of his ass, we're dead in the water. That just doesn't cut it.

Man, what this team could have done with a coach that's worth a damn

[ffadicted]

Decent half, if Higuain would have scored in one of the two eeeeeeasy oportunities he had, I would feel a lot more comfortable. He better not miss a chance in the second half 'cause he could lose his starting job pretty quickly. Please one more score, I will be shitting my pants 'till then.

lmao... is all I'll say

[symple19]

Nigeria has had a few nice crosses where nobody was on the far post. They need more runs on the weak side to create opportunities

[symple19]

I keep waiting for a bird or some other small animal to pop out of Maradonas hair

[Sense]

I have to agree that this game is very boring. Has Nigeria touched the ball?

[symple19]

Wow, how open can you get...Nigeria is lucky the Argentines haven't scored on every fucking corner...

[urunobili]

Martins could make this game more entertaining... Tevez and Higuain should be replaced shortly

[symple19]

I hold my breath every time Messi makes runs like that. Dude makes shit happen

[symple19]

wowowow, you've gotta convert the 4v2

[ffadicted]

lol Messi sucks so hard

[symple19]

those last 2 Argentine opportunities should have been played on the first touch

[Spurologist]

Could easily be 5-2 right now

[MaNuMaNiAc]

Fucking Higuain needs to go

[symple19]

Last 2 corners for Argentina have been shit...why not continue to go to the middle where the header opportunities have been numerous?

[symple19]

whoa - almost a tie game

[ffadicted]

lmao Messi sucks so hard x2

[symple19]

another horrible corner from the Nigerians...you can't waste those chances

[TDMVPDPOY]

why didnt martins start for nigeria...his a fkn beast

[ffadicted]

LMAO Messi sucks so hard x3

[symple19]

Fucking one-time it Messi!!!! damn!

[symple19]

If i'm a fan of the Argentines, i'm scared now...They look so bad, and Nigeria can still tie...Wonder if DAF has shit himself yet

[Kriz-Maxima]

Argentina looks off

[symple19]

Argentina looks off

every time they get in or near the box, it seems like they get too cute and make one too many touches. Put the fucking ball on frame and eventually a few will go in

[Sense]

It feels like Maradona doesn't coach for shit... it's as if he expect the Argentinians to know how to play and win.... there's no strategy whatsoever. Not the same Argentine team of past years.

[urunobili]

could have easily been a draw match... deserved win for Argentina... Tevez and Higuain sucked.. Messi best player in the world... Milito is a stud

[ffadicted]

So this match pretty much confirms Messi still sucks in international ball. A lot will say he was the only one doing something, but tbh he failed

[symple19]

could have easily be a draw natch... deserved win for Argentina... Tevez and Higuain sucked.. Messi best player in the world... Milito is a stud

I second this

[MaNuMaNiAc]

We keep playing like this we're going home in the round of 16, and the only reason we'll make it that far is because Greece actually sucked worst than us.

[MaNuMaNiAc]

So this match pretty much confirms Messi still sucks in international ball. A lot will say he was the only one doing something, but tbh he failed

you do realize that people can see you coming a mile away. Lame attempt at trolling :lol

[urunobili]

can't believe they scored on a corner kick... with what they showed today this ain't no contender...

[ffadicted]

you do realize that people can see you coming a mile away. Lame attempt at trolling :lol

Dude I'm not trolling, he sucked compared to his standards. This was like Lebron vs. Boston this year

[DAF86]

So this match pretty much confirms Messi still sucks in international ball. A lot will say he was the only one doing something, but tbh he failed

Are you trolling or just retarded? Have you seen the game? Messi was by far the best player of the game. He gets a 9 out of 10 IMO.

[velik_m]

Korea will take this group.

[MaNuMaNiAc]

Are you trolling or just retarded? Have you seen the game? Messi was by far the best player of the game. He gets a 9 out of 10 IMO.

I guess not :rolleyes

[symple19]

Messi, despite some missed opportunities, was the catalyst for a majority of the chances Argentina had. You don't have to score to be the best player on the field, which Lionel definitely was

[ffadicted]

Luis Fabiano > Messi in international play

[DAF86]

Messi, despite some missed opportunities, was the catalyst for a majority of the chances Argentina had. You don't have to score to be the best player on the field, which Lionel definitely was

Not to mention that the corner that provoked the first goal came from a Messi play.

[DAF86]

Luis Fabiano > Messi in international play

I've never seen Fabiano play with Brazil like Messi played today.

[ffadicted]

I've never seen Fabiano play with Brazil like Messi played today.

I know, that's the point

[Whisky Dog]

was it the altitude or the self imposed mental block on the ball? They had some nice touches to get chances but then couldnt put any into the net. In the last few minutes the Nigerians had several good chances to even it.

[MaNuMaNiAc]

DAF86, recognize a troll job when you see one. Come on man! Why do you even argue with him.

[DAF86]

I know, that's the point

I meant as good as Messi played today, Fabiano is a great scorer with Brazil but he doesn't participate in the game like Messi did today. Seriously, the only thing that Messi couldn't do today was score, anything else, he was fantastic.

[ElNono]

Nervous there at the end, but winning the first game is huge and I though we could have easily won this 3-1 or 4-1. Messi was a lot better than in previous games for Argentina and I thought the defense was better than I expected. Good first win.

I'm chewing Heinze crow right now.

[DAF86]

DAF86, recognize a troll job when you see one. Come on man! Why do you even argue with him.

I guess you're right, he fooled me 'cause I haven't seen ffadicted trolling before. Well done.

[ElNono]

Don't feed the trolls...

[ElNono]

BTW, Di Maria sucked...

[ffadicted]

I meant as good as Messi played today, Fabiano is a great scorer with Brazil but he doesn't participate in the game like Messi did today. Seriously, the only thing that Messi couldn't do today was score, anything else, he was fantastic.

lol ok ok I'll stop, game's over no sense in trollin' anymore. Legit speaking here, Messi did have a good game, but his main function for argentina is too broad, that's your guys' main problem. I find he's trying to do too much, and you could see he was getting kinda frustrated/discouraged imo. Kid has heart and talent, but no help, I just don't know if he can be that kind of player and Argentina be very successful (which everybody seems to believe he can), and he has yet to prove me wrong.

[Typhoon]

Deceiving score, Argentina should of won 6 0.

[MaNuMaNiAc]

lol ok ok I'll stop, game's over no sense in trollin' anymore. Legit speaking here, Messi did have a good game, but his main function for argentina is too broad, that's your guys' main problem. I find he's trying to do too much, and you could see he was getting kinda frustrated/discouraged imo. Kid has heart and talent, but no help, I just don't know if he can be that kind of player and Argentina be very successful (which everybody seems to believe he can), and he has yet to prove me wrong.

I'm actually in agreement. Though I do think Messi showed flashes of brilliance today. The same brilliance we are accustomed to seeing from him in Barca. Right now, he IS this team. You can blame Maradona for that.

[Typhoon]

Hard to show what you got when there is 10 cats playing defense, fuck sakes.

Argentina scored and still they were all defending, story of the game.

[Muser]

Nigeria's Goalkeeper was amazing, too bad the rest of the squad are a bunch of lazy fucktards.

[TDMVPDPOY]

and daf CALLS ME OUT FOR TROLLING

[MannyIsGod]

You don't troll, you're just retarded.

:)

[symple19]

You don't troll, you're just retarded.

:)

:tu

[NRHector]

Felicidades Argentinos!!!!! yo estoy con cualquiera de este lado del charco la copa tiene que quedarse aca en America:toast

[Kriz-Maxima]

Nigeria's Goalkeeper was amazing, too bad the rest of the squad are a bunch of lazy fucktards.

Dude must have felt very much alone out there. He managed to keep the final score respectable, even though it often seemed he was the only one defending.

[DAF86]

Felicidades Argentinos!!!!! yo estoy con cualquiera de este lado del charco la copa tiene que quedarse aca en America:toast

Vamos america :toast

[TDMVPDPOY]

that martins guy is a fkn gun, dunno why he started off the bench, he was a star at inter at one stage in his career, now playin newcastle if im not correct

dude has one of the fastest time off the blocks end to end....

[easy7]

Estoy con ustedes y si no que gane mi Espana. :hat

[ElNono]

Both African goalkeepers have shown great form so far... I'm glad Nigeria is over. We should have better games against the two other teams.

[DAF86]

Both African goalkeepers have shown great form so far... I'm glad Nigeria is over. We should have better games against the two other teams.

I don't know, Korea is better than Nigeria IMO.

[ElNono]

I don't know, Korea is better than Nigeria IMO.

They don't stop running, but they're not as physical. Greece was shit and still had 2 or 3 chances to score. I think we'll do better than today.

[TDMVPDPOY]

I don't know, Korea is better than Nigeria IMO.

korea came to play, they are more skilled then the 2 african teams, they are a workhorse..speed is not an issue for them, besides them flopping

[Brazil]

Good W for Argentina !

I liked what I saw, Messi played a very solid game and I found Diego did a good coaching job, being with his players, yelling, speaking to every player.

[sonic21]

impressed by Veron, i thought he was done

[chungoman]

Fairly good game in my opinion, considering it's the first game in the world cup which is always the hardest. Just ask France or England.

We really did a great job today as far as creating goal opportunities, which was actually great to see. The ball just didn't go in. I'm not worried about that, if we continue to play like this on offense, goals will eventually come. Di Maria looked lost out there though.

Defense needs a little more tweaking. Jonas playing the 4 clearly doesn't work. Other than that, I think Maradona made a really good job.

This game exceeded my expectations. Some of you guys seem to forget how bad we've been playing for the last few years.

[diego]

I'm late cause I had to work today, but my 2cents...

1) :lol at the people who on one side of their mouths talk about argentina being a crappy, mediocre team and on the other say they are a disappointment... if we are mediocre then winning a game where the result was in doubt for all of 5 minutes, against a team that didn't lose a single qualifying game is hardly a disappointment

2) double :lol :lol at the people bitching about maradona. the winning goal came from a play he designed! and its not his fault that higuain and messi were unable to beat a quality goalie on the several clear occasions they had... bottom line argentina had both more chances and better chances than nigeria did and like i said, the result was in doubt for all of 5 minutes. If higuain and messi each made one of the 2 clear chances they shot out of bounds we'd be up 3-0 and, you guessed it, they'd still be sucking it :drunk

but yeah, you guys are right, a real coach would have made argentina win this one 3-0 and eventually champs- like bielsa in 02 (his 1-0 win over nigeria was way more impressive than this one!)(i actually went to japan for that one :depressed ), pekerman in 06 (the 2-1 over ivory coast in the opener was much more impressive than this 1-0), nevermind that both of those teams were more balanced and mature, even if they didnt have a messi. and if basile were coach... maybe we wouldnt even be in the WC

and if you are going to insist about maradona being such a disaster, how about making an actual critique instead of crying about "so and so should play instead of so and so". 80% of the team is the same core of players that pekerman/basile used... if you are going to criticize him criticize the way he sets up the team, not which players he uses because there is hardly any difference with his team and the others I mentioned (and of those players that have changed, many are forced by retirement).

3) i'd like to see pastore play in place of di maria or veron according to circumstance, burdisso in place of jonas, and milito in place of higuain. never liked higuain, and milito actually brings different qualities to the table (aerial/post play). I think diego has the right idea playing 4 in the back with mascherano ahead, and essentially 5 forwards in front of them. as far as how I rate argentina/ expect them to do, i think not reaching the quarter finals is a disappointment (the rivals we'll have till then are all beatable) but this is not a well balanced team and they will depend on their ability to score goals to get any further than that (good teams will score on us, regardless of what diego does- we just dont have much quality in the back and a good forward can score on anyone- but we have a lot of good forwards so we need to really make our chances to make up for our mediocre D).

4) aguante argentina mierda!!!

[chungoman]

Also, it was refreshing to see Maradona like that in the postgame press conference. He was spot-on on all his answers. I love him when he's like that, and not telling reporters to suck his cock. But you have to take the good with the bad, I guess.