Hi there, I'm writing this from Jujuy, the province where Ariel ORTEGA was born. I'm not exactly in his home-town of Ledesma, but I'm pretty close to that in a beautiful town called Tilcara.
I just wanted to let you know that I'm so gutted with violence in football. The latest news is that the big clash between Racing Club and Boca Juniors, scheduled for tomorrow (Sunday, 22th.) has been cancelled because of violence-related issues.
You see...Boca Juniors' barra-brava (hooligans) were to be denied of a ticket at Racing's and a national judge (yes, those who are paid by the people to dictate justice!) is not allowing Racing to excercise the right of admission into its stadium. In other words, the judge is working in favour of the violent members of Boca's barrabrava and against football in general.
As a consecuence, the government said they won't send the security forces to take care of people for that particular match and so there are no guarantees for the spectators and public safe.
Hence? Violence have won and the best fixture of this weekend had to be cancelled. I hate it.
8 people (the identified members of that violent group) are again in the way of thousands who wanted to go to the stadium and millions who wanted to watch it on TV or listen on the radio.
I think it is appalling and I can't see a way out of this for football in Argentina until those who have a job to do, do it seriously and with responsibility.
Not like this national judge who has admitted he is a season ticket holder for Boca! Enough said...
Asking Boca or whomever to control their gangs is like asking Lebanon to control Hezbollah. They would like to, but........
ReplyDeleteNow I know why no Boca match last night. I'm one of those millions.... it's a shame!
ReplyDeleteAs a Boca fan I have to say that it's really upsetting that 8 idiots and one judge (should I really say 9 idiots) are preventing the rest of us from watching what could have been a really exciting and enjoyable game. The whole thing is so incredibly stupid and is not helping promote Argentinian soccer...sigh.
ReplyDeleteOn a lighter note perhaps, one Argentinian player abroad had a bit of drama of his own. Mascherano was BITTEN by an opposing player (Defoe) after he tackled Defoe from behind. Both received yellow cards after some pushing and shoving. Defoe denied trying to hurt Mascherano, but rather that he was just being 'playful' since he is a playful guy. His coach said that it was not a bite but only a little nibbling. I don't know whether to laugh at the absurdity of the whole issue or to be horrified that a player actually BIT another player. It's just too weird...
-argentinafan
Messi update-sprained ankle and out of the next match for Barca. Too bad, he has been very dangerous lately. Maybe we will see more of Saviola.
ReplyDeleteHi Seba and All,
ReplyDeleteIt's sad to know that violence has prevailed and an important league fixture has been postponed. There should be a resolution to this problems and hopefully everyone involved will learn their lessons and give Argentinian football a good name.
Yes argentinafan, i feel the defoe incident is just absurd and Martin Jol must be out of his head to defend his player in that manner, it only shows the lack maturity of both of them. The worst thing was the referee was right in front of the incident and only yellow carded defoe when i think a red would have done justice. Is it ok to bite a player? Common Referee!!!
And Johnny, i would really like to echo your optimism of Saviola starting but i think that Rijkaard still thinks he is surplus to requirements. He will only use him if there is no other option and i believe that he will ideally replace Messi with Guily. What else does Saviola need to do to get in? I think he has waited patiently but if Rijkaard does not use him still then i personally think that Saviola should leave for a regular first team berth and i would not mind him joining his fellow contrymen in Zaragoza who seems to be doing excellent now.
Is the Number 10 Albiceleste shirt add extra burden and pressure to the person wearing it?...Eversince the great Diego, i have not seen anyone who really fulfilled as a playmaker for Argentina except for VERON, but even then he was wearing his Favourite No.11. What i believe now is that we need to stabilise a playmaker and when i mean a playmeker, i want him to be (Technically,Physically and most important Mentally prepared) to carry out the responsibilities.
Cheers,
Alwin
Malaysia
I don't think that it's neccessarily the #10 position that carries a lot of responsibility but the fact that all of these players have to live in the shadow of Maradona. Even the great man himself doesn't help things by declaring his natural heir every couple of years. All of his successors in my opinion have been excellent players but the pressure of being as good as Maradona, who is held up as the example of soccer at it's finest, is a lot to ask anyone. I guess that this is where the #10 comes in because it was his jersey. As far as playmakers go, Veron was good in 98, Aimar in 2002 (though he only subbed for Veron, who didn't have a good WC), and Riquelme has some moments of brilliance in 2006 but none of them meet the expectations of the public which is incredibly sad because they are all good (even Veron who I've said that I don't like). I think that the focus needs to be taken of that one player, we need to understand that 1 player cannot always carry a team. If I recall the 78 WC win was more of a group effort (granted I wasn't alive yet to see it but that is how I understand it) and so maybe the public needs to focus on that and not get so hung up over this one position. I don't think that is going to happen but it would be nice if every number 10 wasn't compared to Maradona.
ReplyDelete-argentinafan
Dear argentinafan,
ReplyDeleteYes, i agree with you that not every No.10 should be compared to Maradona but whether we like it or not i think the mojority of people will still compare. What i was trying to touch here was the issue of a true playmaker that had the attributes mentioned above. Yes, Aimar and Riquelme had their moment of brilliance but in my opinion they have not fulfiled the their true potential at a major tournament. But on Aimar's part i must that the he was't really given the chance to go all out from the beginning as he was a backup to Veron (2002) and Riquelme (2006).
Cheers,
Alwin
Malaysia
Alwin,
ReplyDeleteNo I agree with you on the qualities that our future playmaker should have (in your earlier post). I just think that it's going to take a while and I feel like most of them are going to fall short because it's a lot to ask one person. No one can be Maradona apart from the man himself and I don't think the Argentinian fans have grasped that concept. They think back to the better days when we won the WC. I think the point I was trying to make is that even for Maradona the pressure wasn't as great because he didn't have the same expectations to live up to. It's hard to live up to a legend. I do agree though that Riquelme and Aimar in particular haven't lived up their potential though I think they are almost there, they just have to reach that next level which is why I continue to have faith in the latter (I'll have faith in Riquelme as well if he decides to come out of retirement).
Anyway I didn't disagree with you but I was just saying that it would be hard to find someone like that (I'm quite the pessimist today huh? Hehe).
-argentinafan