Sergio Goycochea tips Argentina for World Cup Final
Goycochea tips Argentina for Final
Posted: 2010-06-27 10:37
Ex-Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Goycochea says the "genius" that is Diego Maradona will guide the South Americans to the World Cup final.
Chatting to KickOff.com Goycochea, best remembered for his penalty saves in the quarter and semifinals during the 1990 World Cup in Italy, predicts a 2-1 win for La Albiceleste over Mexico in round 16 at the Soccer City Stadium tonight. "I think we are going to win 2-1 and after that we are going to the final," he says.
"I'm very, very happy with the team, because Argentina is playing good football. I think Argentina will reach the final," declares Goycochea.
Maradona says his critics, who thought his team could produce the worst Argentina performance in their World Cup history, must hang their heads in shame and say sorry for being detractors of his team, especially during their qualifying campaign. Goycochea, who was in the same team as Maradona in the 1990 World Cup, says he never doubted ‘El Diego'.
"Maradona is a genius. He was a genius when he was playing and now as a coach he is a genius. I have faith in him. Maradona has been brilliant, despite all the criticism during the qualifiers. But I always knew he was going to pull off something special and as I have said I see our team reaching the final," says Goycochea, who partnered Maradona in the latter's TV show, La noche del Diez (the night of the number 10) in 2005.
Goycochea has also hailed Lionel Messi's contribution in the group stages, admitting he previously felt the Barcelona star was not giving his best for the national team.
"I like the way he has changed his attitude. He is playing like the Messi we see at Barcelona… I always felt he was not giving the national team what he was giving Barcelona, but now that has changed and he is giving us the best," concludes Goycochea.
: 2010-06-27 18:34
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