MUNICH: Argentina manager Diego Maradona believes he has plenty of public support at home even though  he has been the target of fierce criticism in his country’s media.

Maradona, who captained  Argentina in 1986 when they won the World Cup for the last time, has endured a torrid time as manager, suffering World Cup qualifying defeats in Bolivia, Ecuador and Paraguay and at home to Brazil.

ROME: If Fifa were to come up with a poster, it would probably look like this image with Argentine coach Diego Maradona hiding behind a pair of shades and a Press tag.

Sky Sport Italia claimed Maradona, who has not been invited to the event following his recent two-month ban, has applied for media accreditation and could make an unexpected entrance.

ARGENTINA have lined up their World Cup dream ticket — Diego Maradona and Guus Hiddink, according to The Daily Mirror. Hiddink’s Russia failed to reach the 2010 finals in South Africa last week but the Dutch tactician has been told to expect an approach from the Argentine FA to work alongside volatile manager Maradona.

In a Dutch interview Hiddink revealed: “That would not be a bad idea, would it? “We know each other well. It even makes me smile thinking about it. But I do have a contract with Russia, which covers the period of the World Cup.’’

ARGENTINA manager Diego Maradona has been given a two-month ban and fined over £14,800 (RM83,500) following his globallybroadcast foul-mouthed outburst at the end of last month’s decisive World Cup qualifier in Uruguay.

The 49-year-old Maradona, who faced a potential ban from some of his team’s matches at next year’s World Cup, apologised for his behaviour and showed remorse, Fifa said.

ARGENTINA manager Diego Maradona has hit out at Spanish club Atletico Madrid, insisting that they must invest in their squad or else allow star striker Sergio 'Kun' Aguero to leave the club.

 Aguero, who is also Maradona’s son-in-law, has a contract at Vicente Calderon until 2012 but major European sides such as Chelsea have been previously linked with a swoop for the 21-year old international.

HOLA!

It may be just a friendly but the clash between European champions Spain and Argentina at Vicente Calderon on Sunday (5am) promises to be a sexy thriller as both teams possess all the skills.

ARGENTINA manager Diego Maradona will appear before a Fifa disciplinary committee on Sunday over his foul-mouthed outburst following the match against Uruguay.

Maradona could be sidelined from matches in next year’s World Cup if Fifa decide to hand him a stadium ban for his rant at the end of the 1-0 win in Uruguay that guaranteed his team a place at the finals in South Africa. Maradona will travel to Fifa’s headquarters in Zurich for the hearing after his team’s friendly in Spain on Saturday.

UNSUNG substitute Mario Bolatti, playing only his third international, turned instant hero for Diego Maradona’s team as he struck the winner in the 1-0 win over Uruguay at the intimidating Estadio Centenario this morning to secure Argentina’s direct qualification to the World Cup finals in South Africa next year.

FORMER Argentina international and current San Lorenzo manager Diego Simeone has admitted that he is not looking forward to their decisive match with Uruguay in Montevideo on Thursday (6am).

The winner of the match will be guaranteed passage to the World Cup finals in South Africa next year, while the losers will be waiting anxiously to hear of the result in Ecuador’s match with Chile.

BRAZIL and Real Madrid superstar Kaka says the World Cup in South Africa next year will not be the same without their South American cousins Argentina.