Three To See – The Weekend’s Football (28.3.09 – 30.3.09)

Groan. Its international week. Club football largely goes on hold this weekend, as attention turns to international football, friendlies and World Cup qualifiers. For many fans (not to mention managers) these weekends bring an unwelcome disruption to the rhythm of the season, a distraction from what some describe as ‘real football.’ I, for one, will not be watching a meaningless, low-tempo, substitution high friendly between England and Slovakia.

But there are some compelling fixtures out there even this weekend. Here are our ‘Three to See’ for the week:

1, Portugal vs Sweden (UEFA World Cup Qualifier) 20.45 GMT, Saturday 28th March 2009

Portugal’s World Cup qualifying campaign under new coach Carlos Queiroz has not started well. Four games played, one win, one defeat and two draws sees Portugal currently lying in fourth spot, having also played a game more than group leaders Denmark.

All is not rosy on the Iberian peninsula and the poor start has also negatively affected morale. “It’s not a tranquil team, as the results haven’t been those we want,” Cristiano Ronaldo told reporters ahead of the Group One tie in Porto. They need results to improve starting now.

Sweden have also struggled somewhat. They sit in 5th place, level with their opponents Portugal on goal difference but with a game in hand and undefeated. Facing an away trip to the 2006 World Cup semi-finalists is difficult enough, but they must also do so without key player Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is suspended. Henrik Larsson, still going strong at 37, is expected to start upfront.

2, Argentina vs Venezuela (CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifier) 22.10 GMT, Saturday 28th March 2009

For all this game’s importance in terms of vital points for World Cup qualification, really this match at the Monumental is about one man – Diego Armando Maradona. With the nation’s wait finally over, Maradona will once again lead Argentina out into battle on the international scene, this time as coach, for his first game of any real importance against Venezuela.

Argentina have not set the world alight in qualification for South Africa 2010 so far, and trail group leaders Paraguay by seven points. With the top four all qualifying for the World Cup this does not represent real danger (they are four points ahead of sixth place Ecuador – the fifth placed team goes to a playoff), but national pride in Argentina dictates that being the third place team in South America as they are now is simply not good enough.

Venezuela go into the game wanting to prove they are not simply there to make up the numbers, but realistically speaking a home win seems inevitable. Venezuela have not claimed so much as a point against Argentina in 15 World Cup qualifiers.

All the talk pre-match in Argentina has centred around debating which eleven will make Maradona’s first team. Juan Roman Riquelme has already been condemned to the scrapheap. It is likely that Maradona will press forward with three upfront – Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez. That is how he approached a practice game during the buildup, whilst also experimenting with other formations.

The start of the Maradona regime will be one to keep an eye on.

3, Mexico vs Costa Rica (CONCACAF World Cup Qualifier) 23.00 GMT, Saturday 28th March 2009

Its crunch time for Sven Goran Eriksson. The knives are out, sharpened, polished and ready. The Mexican press, like an angry pack of starved wolves, are waiting impatiently, poised to pounce. And the nation’s fans are, in a strange way, serene, knowing that in some respects they cannot lose. Defeat for Mexico against Costa Rica and Sven will be sacked; victory brings with it a much-needed three points to truly kickstart the nation’s World Cup campaign.

Any Englishman will relate quite profoundly with the average Mexican football fan right now. For Sven is about as popular there as he was in England, with supporters and press alike. El Tri only narrowly made it to the final six for qualification after lumbering their way through a group they should have navigated with ease.

Mexicans already angered by thos
e travails then had to witness what for them represents the ultimate disgrace – a lifeless 2-0 defeat to the United States of America, their neighbours and great rivals. Mexico are just not supposed to lose to USA at football.

This game against Costa Rica is therefore crucial. Costa Rica for their part have started the campaign well, beating Honduras 2-0 at home. Despite their promise, Sven Goran Eriksson will be well aware that anything but victory for Mexico here will probably result in his dismissal.

Keeping in touch with these games? Watching others? Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment.

Argentina, Costa Rica, Mexico, Portugal, Sweden, Three to See, Venezuela