Australia were without Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, along with pace trio Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc
cricket1 hour ago
The send-off marked the latest sign of growing confidence in coach Diego Maradona, who has had a turbulent tenure since taking over the team more than 18 months ago.
Chanting fans crowded a highway leading to the Buenos Aires international airport as a bus carrying the team moved slowly towards their flight.
“We’re all with Diego,” said Martin Bertaina, a 39-year-old horse trainer who rode his horse 20 kilometers to see the team.
“Maybe a few months ago we weren’t, but Argentines are like that. One day we love you, the next we don’t. But Maradona is special.”
Argentina, World Cup champions in 1978 and 1986, are widely seen as one of the tournament’s most talented teams led by striker Lionel Messi, who was voted Europe’s player of the year.
Maradona, one of the game’s greatest players, had a wobbly start as coach. His side advanced to the World Cup finals after winning their last qualifying match, narrowly avoiding a playoff.
However, two wins in friendlies against Germany and Canada, and strong showings by many of the team’s top players with their club teams in Europe, have raised expectations for the team in South Africa.
“We possibly have some of the best players in the world,” said 68-year-old clothing store owner Carlos Paradela, who cheered the team while carrying his five-year-old grandson Joel on his shoulders. “Diego is going to lead us to the championship.”
Argentina have been drawn in Group B for the World Cup finals along with Nigeria, South Korea and Greece.
Australia were without Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, along with pace trio Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc
cricket1 hour ago
The diversity of matter decomposing under the mud produces a spectrum of smells ranging from the mildly unpleasant to the outright repulsive
europe1 hour ago
Hundreds of brushfires have broken out in New Jersey and Connecticut in recent weeks amid an unseasonably warm and dry fall, say reports
americas1 hour ago
Scientists voice concern about the growing number of mammals becoming infected by bird flu, even if cases in humans remain rare
americas1 hour ago
Princess of Wales's last public appearance was in October when she met the bereaved families of three young girls who were murdered in northwest England
europe1 hour ago
The scale and strength of Trump's comeback has sent shockwaves through the defeated Democratic Party
americas2 hours ago
Houthi militants have launched attacks on international shipping near Yemen since November last year
world2 hours ago
The president-elect is meeting with potential candidates to serve in his administration before his Jan 20 inauguration as president
americas2 hours ago