Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Argentina vs Greece Time and Live Score: FIFA World Cup 2010

Argentina takes on Greece on 22 June at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane with a view to clinching a point, and thus, ensuring their progress to the round of 16. Greece, however, would be looking for 3 points from the encounter in their pursuit of making it to the knock out stage.

Time

The match kicks off at 18:30 GMT and 20:30 local time. As per Argentina time, the match starts at 15:30, while the match begins at 21:30 in Greece time. In the US, the match starts at 14:30 in New York time and at 11:30 in California time.

Live Score

Football fans can get the live score of the match in the following link:

http://www.goalzz.com/main.aspx?wc=h

Following two victories over Nigeria and South Korea, Argentina is now leading the Group B point table with 6 points. Greece, on the other hand, did not have a good start in the tournament as they lost to South Korea 2-0 in their World Cup opener. However, they clinched full points against Nigeria winning the affair 2-1.

Both South Korea and Greece have 3 points with a match in hand. With South Korea facing Nigeria in their final group match, Greece knows there is every possibility the Koreans could clinch a win over the Nigerians, and thus, amassing 6 points to their credit. In that case, Greece would need to win over Argentina so that they remain level on points with South Korea.

There are many who believe that Argentina has already ensured their place in the second round. However, the fact is that the there is a slight possibility Argentina could be even eliminated from the tournament at the group stage. On pen and paper, it appears to be impossible, but mathematically it is very possible.

Argentina now has a +4 goal difference, whereas both Greece and South Korea have -1 goal difference. Now, if Greece can defeat Argentina 3-0 and South Korea wins over Nigeria by the same margin, both Greece and South Korea would have equal +2 goal difference and Argentina would have +1 goal difference.

In that case, Argentina, Greece and South Korea would have 6 points each, but Greece and South Korea would get into the next stage ahead of Argentina on better goal difference. However, it seems less likely that Argentina would be defeated 3-0 by Greece, considering the squad strength and recent form of the North Americans.

Though Argentina would play for full points against Greece, even just one point would not disappoint the Argentines as it would be enough for them to reach the next stage as the group champion. Keeping in mind that Argentina can even afford a 2-0 loss at the hands of Greece, coach Diego Maradona has decided to rest some of his regular players and bring in some bench players in the starting eleven.

Maradona has already declared that star striker Lionel Messi would be captain for the showdown with Greece as regular captain Javier Mascherano along with some other senior players would be rested. Attacking midfielder Veron and defender Gabriel Heinze would also be rested.

So, there is a possibility Nicolás Burdisso or Clemente Rodríguez could play on the left back position, while Mario Bolatti could take Mascherano’s place. Liverpool midfielder Maxi Rodríguez could start against Greece as Veron would be rested.

Greece can not afford to feature their bench players as it is a crucial encounter for the Euro 2004 champions. They have some quality players in Sotirios Kyrgiakos, Giorgos Karagounis and Georgios Samaras who can pull the string for their team. Greece generally plays defensive style of football, but to clinch 3 points from the match they have to concentrate on attack too.

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