Big loss to Argentina against Bolivia (6-1)

[e-sam]

By Dan Baynes

April 2 (Bloomberg) -- Bolivia handed Argentina its biggest soccer loss in half a century with a 6-1 World Cup qualifying victory that ended Diego Maradona’s perfect record as coach.

Striker Joaquin Botero scored three goals in La Paz yesterday as Argentina slumped to its heaviest defeat since losing by the same score to Czechoslovakia at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden. Marcelo Martins, Didi Torrico and Alex da Rosa added the other goals.

“Every Bolivia goal was a stab in my heart,” Clarin newspaper cited Maradona as saying at a news conference.

The defeat, which came four days after a 4-0 win over Venezuela, was Argentina’s first since former national team captain and playing icon Maradona’s appointment in November. Argentina, which last failed to reach the World Cup in 1970, slipped to fourth in a South American group headed by Paraguay from which four qualify for the 2010 tournament in South Africa.

Botero, who plays in Mexico’s second division, got his first goal from the penalty spot in the 34th minute and added a second-half double to complete his hat-trick.

Martins had put the home team ahead in the 11th minute before Luis Gonzalez scored the visitor’s only goal to tie it 14 minutes later. Argentina had Angel di Maria red-carded in the second half, seven minutes after he came on as a substitute.

“We have to give merit to Bolivia who were better than us in every part of the field,” Maradona, 48, said. “They beat us well and now we have to start all over again.”

Check the source for the full report

Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid= ... in_america

[tarantula]

[TranceFusion]

[samlbronkowitz]

I watched this game live and must say it was the most entertaining footie match i've seen in YEARS!! those damn bolivians had a dozen shot from 25-35meters out and they all required da ridiculous save by the keeper OR the crossbar! Granted the altitude and bad pitch helped but this was a beating for 90minutes. Great to watch!!!!

[Night Stalker]

to Argentina defence:

1. Bolivia is hardest ground to play on for foriegners in the planet... 3,600 meters.. yes 3.6 kilos above sea level!!

2. Most argentinian players had to endure 14+ hour flights from europe, and played the following day!

funny thing, international matches were BANNED from being played in Bolivia due to the high altitude, only for Maradona himself to campaign for the rule to be overturned, and now it came back and BIT HIM IN THE ASS!

[samlbronkowitz]

[[IN]Head-Kay]