World Cup veterans Javier Mascherano and Juan Veron have thrown their support behind embattled Argentina coach Maradona ahead of tomorrow's crucial qualifier against Peru.
World Cup veterans Javier Mascherano and Juan Veron have thrown their support behind embattled Argentina coach Maradona ahead of tomorrow's crucial qualifier against Peru.
"Maradona has all our support," Liverpool midfielder Mascherano said after a closed training session at the general headquarters of the Argentine Football Association. "He's the coach and he knows what he does," the Canadian Press reported.
His comments come a day after Maradona, acknowledged as one of football's greatest ever players, said he may quit as coach if he cannot continue on his terms, even if Argentina qualifies for South Africa 2010.
Estudiantes de Argentina playmaker Veron, who is unavailable for the Peru match due to a suspension, defended Maradona's stance.
"Diego isn't satisfied, or doesn't like something, it's not bad that he demands certain conditions to continue," he said.
Argentina is in danger of missing out on next year's World Cup, and most of the blame has been placed on Maradona who has failed to mould a team out of some of the world's best players including Barcelona star Lionel Messi and Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez.
Maradona put Messi and Gonzalo Higuain in the attack during Wednesday's practice session and in all likelihood, the pair with start tomorrow.
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