International Friendlies: All eyes on Maradona but let's not forget the real action is on the pitch

Internationals / Alsy / 19 November 2008 / Leave a Comment

Alister Morgan gives us his take on Maradona's first game in charge of Argentina against a Scotland side that aren't just turning up to admire the great man or the likes of Aguero and Tevez on the pitch. Plus a look at the Rep of Ireland's clash at home to Poland.

Poland pay a visit to Croke Park Wednesday night to face the Republic of Ireland but it wouldn't surprise me to spot Nigel Worthington hiding in the crowd with his Northern Ireland team trailing Poland by three points in World Cup qualifying Group 3. Instead, Giovanni Trapattoni's team will play for mere pride, not points, but he will expect to extend their recent good form of six matches unbeaten.

The Republic have long had a talented group of players but the wily Italian master has instilled a renewed sense of belief that is clearly paying dividends. His team is an intriguing fusion of old heads and young, emerging talent and both groups should get a chance to impress Wednesday night.

An injured Robbie Keane has withdrawn from the squad giving Shay Given another chance to lead out his country. The Newcastle stopper remains a highly-respected talent achieving cult status with Irish fans but, more importantly, his goalkeeping talents show few signs of diminishing.

Hull striker Caleb Folan is likely to replace Keane at the focal point of attack which could be bad news for Poland's defence. Folan is an imposing figure with genuine pace and an eye for goal. Injury prevented him from making his full international debut for Steve Staunton but I sense, aged-26, that he's eager to make up for lost time and gain his second full cap.

Poland remain a very capable team under Leo Beenhakker. They will be looking to win the match and can be backed at [3.8] for victory. At [3.35] the draw seems a little generous but it's a perennial possibility in international friendlies between two evenly-matched sides. However, all things considered, I would look to the in-form team to win and would back Republic to win at [2.24].

Over in Scotland, regardless of the result it's likely that Maradona will dominate the back pages come Thursday morning. His return to Hampden Park has already been punctuated with excitement from hugging Hampden ball-boys to witty dismissals of tiresome reminders about a certain handball decades ago. Regardless of the media coverage, the most memorable entertainment will definitely be out on the pitch.

Lionel Messi remains absent for friendly matches after his Olympic exploits but there are other great talents to admire including Carlos Tevez, Javier Mascherano and the ever-impressive boy-wonder of La Liga, Sergio Aguero. Scotland will have their work cut-out to retain possession so the timely return of Captain Barry Ferguson in midfield is a welcome bonus for George Burley's team.

After initial criticism, Burley has earned a measure of grudging respect from his critics. Losing his opening World Cup qualifying game to Macedonia was poor but Scotland responded with a win over Iceland and a draw against Norway. Now a young Scottish team will have the chance to measure themselves against one of the world's best sides.

Argentina are very warm favourites and can be backed to win the game at [1.69]. The draw is at [3.9] or you can back Scotland to win at a whopping [6.2]. The price of a Scotland victory instinctively seems far too generous to me - yes Argentina are a fantastic side but they're not without problems too.

They have an injury crisis in defence, 50,000 screaming Scots to process and a manager so infamous that he'll always overshadow events on the pitch. Watching Scotland narrowly fail to qualify against Italy for Euro 2008 proved to me that this squad, at its best, can compete at the top level.

Unfortunately for Scotland, Burley's own squad (like Fabio Capello's South of the border) has been decimated with late withdrawals making it difficult to predict anything but a first win for Maradona on the pitch where he started his international career. Back Argentina to win but their new-look defence will take some time to bed in so I'd also back "No" in the Argentina clean sheet market at [1.66].