Maradona: We can win World cup

(GSM) – Argentina boss Diego Maradona has declared that his side have a very realistic chance of winning the World Cup this summer.

Maradona has not had it easy since he became manager of the national team in 2008, but a 1-0 win over Germany in Munich on Wednesday night showed that his side are primed and ready for the World Cup.

The Argentina boss said, “This game had the character of a World Cup quarter-final and this is the level we were looking for.”

“Maybe the press in Argentina won’t like it, but we are going to play a very good World Cup in South Africa.”

A goal from Gonzalo Higuain earned Argentina the win and they also hit the crossbar as they controlled proceedings against a tired, timid and disorganised Germany.

“Argentina were very solid and extremely confident on the ball,” said Germany coach Joachim Low. German boss also praised opponent’s team spirit.

Low bemoaned his side’s lack of courage, but that aspect of Argentina’s performance is what impressed Maradona the most at the Allianz Arena.

He was so impressed with how his team played that he recognised it had made his life even more difficult.

“What we showed is that we have a team who can become world champions for the first time after 24 years,” said Maradona, who as a player was the instrumental figure in Argentina’s 1986 triumph.

“But now I have got to reduce my squad from 30 players to 23. That is not going to be easy. We showed a lot of courage and the whole of Argentina was looking forward to this game.”

While comparing his team with Germany, “Germany has great potential and Argentina showed that they are on a par with them.”

Lionel Messi, despite not putting in one of his best performances, was still a constant danger to the Germany defense while Juan Sebastian Veron rolled back the years to dominate the centre of midfield with Javier Mascherano.

The legend praised Messi for his brilliant display, “I thank God that Messi is Argentinean and I will thank God if he can make us world champions again.”

He also showed his intention, “That is what we will go to South Africa to do – become world champions.”