Our Ways

A Test of Faith in Argentina

ROSARIO, Argentina — Diego Maradona reached into his bag of emotional tricks to try to conjure a victory for Argentina against its archrival Brazil, and save his country’s dimming chances of making next year’s World Cup in South Africa.

Argentina’s bid to reach the 2010 World Cup has floundered since the national hero Diego Maradona took over as the team’s coach.

Maradona, the Argentine coach, had Saturday’s match moved from the capital, Buenos Aires, to a more intimate stadium here. He took the team to church on Thursday, to pray.

But none of it had the effect he was looking for. Argentina played listlessly, losing by 3-1 to Brazil, which clinched a World Cup spot and left Argentina hanging.

It was Argentina’s first loss to Brazil on Argentine soil in a Cup qualifier, and it left Argentina clinging to the fourth and final automatic qualifying spot in South America with three matches to play.

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Madrid still keeps Van der Vaart, Barcelona buys defense

European champion Barcelona strengthened its defense and Real Madrid thinned its out while hanging on to Netherlands midfielder Rafael Van der Vaart as the transfer deadline closed at midnight on Monday. Barcelona was the biggest mover after completing the euro25 million ($35.8 million) transfer of Ukraine defender Dmytro Chygrynskiy from Shakhtar Donetsk.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid right back Miguel Torres joined Getafe on a five-year deal, with the Spanish powerhouse retaining a buyback option on the youth academy player. Although Madrid continued to be linked with Bayern Munich forward Franck Ribery right up until the deadline, it decided to hang on to Van der Vaart in the end. “We had a meeting with Real Madrid, and they assured me that they believe in my qualities, and they want me to stay in the club,” the Dutchman said on his Web site.
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