ARGENTINES BOOK BERTH.BUENOS AIRES Buenos Aires (bwā`nəs ī`rēz, âr`ēz, Span. bwā`nōs ī`rās), city and federal district (1991 pop. : Diego Maradona's Argentina survived a turbulent World Cup qualifying campaign to finally clinch their place in South Africa South Africa, Afrikaans Suid-Afrika, officially Republic of South Africa, republic (2005 est. pop. 44,344,000), 471,442 sq mi (1,221,037 sq km), S Africa. next year with a 1-0 win over neighbours Uruguay on Wednesday. Substitute Mario Bolatti stabbed home the winner in the 85th minute to seal the fourth automatic spot for Argentina, who had been in danger of missing out on the finals after a rollercoaster year under Maradona's leadership. Maradona, who has used more than 70 players in his time in charge, wept and hugged his coaching staff and insulted the media after Argentina joined Brazil, Chile and Paraguay as South America's representatives in South Africa next year. Uruguay, who finished fifth in the 10-team South American group, will have another bite at the cherry via a playoff with Costa Rica Costa Rica (kŏs`tə rē`kə), officially Republic of Costa Rica, republic (2005 est. pop. 4,016,000), 19,575 sq mi (50,700 sq km), Central America. over two legs. It is the third consecutive World Cup qualifying campaign where Uruguay's fate will be decided by a playoff - the twice world champions beat Australia to qualify for the 2002 tournament and lost to the same opponents four years later. Ecuador were the other team who went into Wednesday's matches with a realistic chance of qualifying but their hopes were killed off with a 1-0 defeat in Chile. Humberto Suazo Humberto Andrés Suazo Pontivo (born May 10, 1981 in San Antonio, Chile), also known as Chupete is a Chilean football player, who currently plays forward for CF Monterrey in Mexico. , the competition's leading scorer, scored the winner with his 10th goal of the campaign to leave Ecuador sixth with 23 points, one behind Uruguay. Brazil finished top of the group with 34 points but completed their campaign with a lacklustre lacklustre or US lackluster Adjective lacking brilliance, force, or vitality Adj. 1. lacklustre - lacking brilliance or vitality; "a dull lackluster life"; "a lusterless performance" goalless draw at home to Venezuela in Campo Grande Cam·po Gran·de A city of southwest Brazil west-northwest of São Paulo. It is a major processing and shipping center. Population: 718,000. - the first time they have failed to beat their northern neighbours in 19 competitive internationals. Paraguay (33 points) missed a chance to pip Brazil when they lost 2-0 at home to Colombia, Gustavo Ramos and Hugo Rodallega Hugo Rodallega Martínez (born on July 25, 1985 in El Carmelo) is a Colombian footballer who currently plays for Necaxa in Mexico. Rodallega became the all time top goal scorer of the South American qualification for the FIFA U-20 World Cup when he scored 11 goals in 9 games and scoring in the last half hour. They dropped to third behind Chile on goal difference. Argentina finished fourth with 28, but a defeat against Uruguay, coupled with an Ecuador win on Wednesday, would have seen Argen-tina miss out on their first finals since 1970. Despite leading Argentina to qualification, huge doubts still surround Maradona's coaching abilities and temperament. Copyright 2009 Gulf Daily News Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company |
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