Argentina vs Colombia World Cup Qualifier Preview

The Antonio Vespucio Liberti Stadium in Argentina will welcome Diego Maradona’s Albiceleste and Coffee Makers Colombia as both teams clash against each other on June 6, in yet another intriguing World Cup qualifier in South America’s group zone.

The Argentines appear to be completely devastated after suffering a shocking 6-1 hammering in the hands of Bolivia on April 1.

This defeat went down in the country’s football history as an unforgettable moment in Maradona’s career; The controversial living legend will have to overturn this shameful result with further convincing results and ultimately a place in next year’s World Cup finals if he wants to appease the pressure caused by critics and moaning fans around him.

Maradona to brush away Argentina’s last defeat

Maradona earlier declared—before this disastrous loss to Bolivia – that his eyes were set on clinching the World Cup in South Africa; now he’ll prefer to take it game by game and prove his capacity at every occasion.

Maradona is said to announce his squad later this month as he prepares himself for a tough encounter against Colombia. One outstanding player who will not take part in Argentina’s next qualifiers is Lionel Messi’s club mate rival and Real Madrid Star Higuain.

Speaking to TyC Sports television, Maradona revealed a little part of his full man-squad choices.

"There could be a surprise,"

"We are talking about a surprise from the midfield to the attack. However, it is not Higuain's moment,” declared Coach Diego Maradona.

"I have Licha (Lisandro Lopez), (Diego) Milito, (Carlos) Tevez, (Lionel) Messi, and (Sergio) Aguero. That is enough for me."

Then turning his attention on Argentina’s defense, he said of Lazio’s inactive keeper, Juan Pablo Carrizo:

"I am worried because Carrizo does not play. When he comes we will talk about it. A keeper who does not play for so long loses shape."

Hot debates surrounding the appointment of Maradona as coach of the Argentina national football team seemed to have ceased a bit when the 48-year-old managed to win his first three games against Scotland, France, and Venezuela respectively.

But his 100% record run quickly ended in the most astonishing manner as Bolivia trashed them 6-1 to turn Argentina into the greatest April Fools on the day, giving a reason to Maradona’s critics to revive their negative feelings against him.

There is no doubt that the Argentine people and the country’s FA will have a close eye on Maradona’s choices and upcoming results. Juan Roman Riquelme’s sudden resignation from International football already seemed to have influenced Argentina to a poor form that resulted in their 6-1 loss to Bolivia.

The Argentines surely have one of the best attacking trios in the world with Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, and Carlos Tevez all in the same national squad. Now, one thing that Argentine fans would love to see is their team’s defense backing up after conceding six goals.

Maradona will have the chance to heal his wounds when Argentina play Colombia in front of their own supporters. The Albiceleste will play not only to get all three points, but to try and brush away the immeasurable disappointment and anguish suffered after their 6-1 defeat.

Argentina have slipped unto fourth in the table, just two points above fifth place Uruguay while their goal-difference has considerably being minimized to only five compared to Uruguay’s eleven.

They may grab the opportunity of winning against an out-of-form Colombian side. The Coffee Makers have won only once in their last eight games and their joy of winning 2-0 at home to Bolivia on March 28, quickly faded away with a reverse score line in Venezuela three days later.

Can the Coffee Makers have a toast after the game?

However, if one may brush off Colombia’s chances of posing any threat come Saturday, June 6, one could also remind that their last victory in the qualifiers—before enduring an all but torrid run—came against Argentina in Colombia.

Nevertheless, statistics also reveal that the Colombians are yet to win an away game in their World Cup qualifying campaign, managing a total of four draws and two defeats away from home. It might be time for Colombia to break this curse by making the double against Argentina in their bid to qualify to the finals of the World Cup in South Africa.