Lakenheath Old Boys

We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!

Monday, July 11, 2011

Argentina v. Costa Rica Live!

It's all on the line for the hosts of Copa America 2011 as Argentina meet Costa Rica in a must-win affair tonight amidst rumors that there will be wholesale changes to the starting eleven. Join me from around 8:30 pm onward to see if they can pull off the win.

109 Comments:

Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Univision is continuing its blackout policy on the Argies - no coverage of the match tonight.

8:42 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Fortunately, I've dialed up ESPN coverage of the match here:

http://nwxyz.blogspot.com/

8:43 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Tevez, Lavessi, Cambiasso are all out tonight.

DiMaria, Higuain and Aguero all in.

8:44 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

The usual tickertape routine before the match. An electric atmosphere in Cordoba.

8:44 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

You can already sense that there's no messing about tonight. Real cut and thrust move there between DiMaria and Higuain.

8:46 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

This is the same bobbly pitch that did Brazil no favors on Sunday.

8:47 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

A win tonight would carry the Argies through second but a draw would really throw things up in the air. Argentina would end with 3 points and both Brazil and Uruguay are currently in third place in their respective groups with one to play. Something's got to give.

8:48 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Things have settled down now after a hectic start. The Ticos have absolutely nothing to lose tonight. They'll be expected to crush under the weight of Argie expectation but anything better would be a historic triumph.

8:51 PM  
Blogger gooner71 said...

I think you're right Bob. I'd seriously worry about walking the calles of Buenos Aires right now if I were Batista. He's called up all the right guys tonight and if they can't take care of the Ticos, he might as well ask the Saudis for asylum.

8:51 PM  
Blogger gooner71 said...

Messi looks like he's taken the criticism to heart. On this showing, Cesc might take his place.

8:55 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Evening, mate. I agree. This is life or death for this current incarnation of the Argentinians.

8:55 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

I know - you just don't see him making those same Messi type runs from the right cutting inside. It's almost as if he's waiting for Xavi or Iniesta to pass him the ball.

8:56 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Oh - nice move there. Long ball over to Aguero who volleyed nicely back to Higuain. He controlled but couldn't keep the volley down. Difficult skill there.

8:57 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Messi's dumped on his bum by Elizondo. Free kick out wide right now.

8:58 PM  
Blogger gooner71 said...

I see Zanetti, Di Maria, Arguero, Messi, Higiuin, all forward thinking players. Batista has stayed with Gago who to my eye in no-where as special as he's made out to be on the Guardian.

8:59 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Aguero is looking very lively out wide left.

9:03 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Lovely run there by DiMaria before he's upended. Corner now.

9:04 PM  
Blogger gooner71 said...

This is a much more determined performance from the Argies. But if this pressure does not yield a goal in the first half, the dread might just be too much for them to deal with.

9:05 PM  
Blogger gooner71 said...

Perfect case in point. That Aguero shot looks like they mean business, but the replay makes him look like he rushed it and dragged it ineffectually wide.

9:07 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Here finally are the lineups:

Argentina: Romero, Zanetti, G. Milito, Burdisso, Zabaleta, Masch, Aguero, Messi, Gago, DiMaria, Higuain.

Subs: Carrizo, Andujar, Pareja, Garay, Rojo, Cambiasso, Biglia, Pastore, Banega, D. Milito, Lavezzi, Tevez.

CR: Moreira, Acosta, Gaitan, Calvo, Cubero, Elizondo, Leal, Mora, Salvatierra, Martinez, Campbell.

Subs: Alvarez, Carvajal, Fajardo, Gatgens, Madrigal, Zuniga, Arauz, Valle, Brenes, Castro.

9:08 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

I agree - if we get to half-time, the nerves are certainly going to set in.

9:08 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Decent pop there from Martinez.

9:09 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Oh - Higuain hit the keeper's feet with a one-on-one shot.

9:09 PM  
Blogger gooner71 said...

Diego Milito is money. What the hell is Batista playing at by leaving him on the bench? Criminal.

9:10 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

I don't understand that at all. Why play two water carriers like Mascherano and Gago and leave Diego on the bench.

9:11 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Referee not impressed with that flop from Messi in the box. The replay shows that he fell acrobatically over his leg.

9:12 PM  
Blogger gooner71 said...

Ohhhh, the dread is setting in. Look at that blatant dive by Messi. Their minds are totally screwed up by this pressure.

9:12 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

The half-hour mark comes. One or two chances but no breakthroughs yet.

9:13 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

I wouldn't be surprised if we didn't see a Mano a dios attempt if this keeps up.

9:13 PM  
Blogger gooner71 said...

Burdisso's header is one way for them to go. Set pieces to the big guy, anything at this point.

9:13 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Oh - first Arsenal warm-up on Wednesday against a Malaysia XI.

9:14 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Speaking of big men, what about that Abby Wambach. LUFC could use a bit of muscle like that up front. Crikey!

9:15 PM  
Blogger gooner71 said...

Are they trying to feed Di Maria through the middle on deep runs? Put him wide where he's fantastic.

9:15 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Nice ball through from DiMaria to Aguero who popped up on the right. Shot was from a tight angle, though.

9:15 PM  
Blogger gooner71 said...

Good spot on the AFC. I would have thought they'd be hitting my inbox hard with offers of a 3 quid offer to watch the highlights. But nothing yet.

9:17 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Now, DiMaria's gone over. Pathetic diving going on now. Get on wi' it!

9:17 PM  
Blogger gooner71 said...

Every time the Argies get tackled, they go over. Your M-O-D prediction would get good odds now.

9:18 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Acosta seems to be gobbling up every errant ball that comes in from the Argie front line.

9:18 PM  
Blogger gooner71 said...

Oh Sergio!

9:19 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

The referee isn't being conned by the diving, though. All they're doing is wasting time at this point. The Ticos gladly knocked the ball out of play and then got it back when DiMaria went over there.

9:20 PM  
Blogger gooner71 said...

Haven't watched any of the womens' games tbf.

9:20 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Have a look at Abby's two goals from yesterday. The way that she muscles the keeper off the ball for the equalizer is vintage!

9:22 PM  
Blogger gooner71 said...

Oh Gonzalo!

9:22 PM  
Blogger gooner71 said...

The Ticos need to take more advantage of the limited set pieces they'll get in the Argie half. Make that clown Romero come out of his goal-he wants to.

9:24 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Wasted corner there.

9:26 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Great tackle by Duarte there. I thought Aguero was in.

9:27 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Oh - Higuain blasts over again!

9:27 PM  
Blogger gooner71 said...

WTF Aguero? That's a terrible touch for a pro.

WTF Higuian? That's just crap with the goal gaping and a very second rate keeper to beat.

9:28 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Batista's booking his flight to Riyadh.

9:29 PM  
Blogger gooner71 said...

I don't see a single Argie that's enjoying his football out there. If only this was England they were up against, this would be fun. It's a bit sad against Costa Rica.

9:30 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Calvo picks up a yellow there. Dangerous position for the free kick.

9:30 PM  
Blogger gooner71 said...

His coffin that he sleeps in will count as both of his bags.

9:30 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

The ref doesn't seem to have his aerosol with him tonight.

9:30 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

GOAL! Right on the stroke of half time Aguero mops up an easy tap in.

1-0!

9:31 PM  
Blogger gooner71 said...

La Volpe almost rope-a-doped his way into the half. All to do now for the Ticos.

9:32 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

There goes the half-time whistle. Cruel on the Ticos; they'll have to readjust their game plan. The Argies seems to have reacted as if the match is over already. 45 minutes to play.

9:32 PM  
Blogger gooner71 said...

Make of this what you will because I found it on Wiki, but "Milito has statistically averaged just over a goal every two appearances, over the course of his 10 year professional career." What must he have done to have been so criminally overlooked?

9:44 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

I don't get it - is it his familial relationship to the previous manager?

9:47 PM  
Blogger gooner71 said...

No that's Sergio that's Diego's son-in-law, isn't it?

9:51 PM  
Blogger gooner71 said...

That's a dumb pass from Aguero.

9:51 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Brenes has replaced Calvo, who was booked at the end of the half. Attacking move.

And Madrigal has also come on. Not sure who he replaced yet.

No changes from Batista yet.

9:52 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Getting really tired of DiMaria's shit at this point.

9:52 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Messi is blocked off the ball. Duarte picks up the yellow. Should have been mere obstruction and an indirect free kick really.

9:54 PM  
Blogger gooner71 said...

I think he did take a kick there. Now Messi, he was clocked.

9:54 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Messi hits the top of the wall with his free kick. Poor.

9:55 PM  
Blogger gooner71 said...

You just knew that was going no-where the way Messi approached that. I'd let Higuian just welly it and take the corner.

9:55 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

DiMaria goes over again in dramatic fashion. He needs a booking.

9:56 PM  
Blogger gooner71 said...

Di Maria might just kill grass the way he's blocking photosynthesis tonight.

9:57 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

GOAL! Aguero again! Clinical pass through from Messi and nice finish.

2-0!

9:57 PM  
Blogger gooner71 said...

More like it. A phenomenal pass from the tricky midget and a good finish from Aguero.

9:58 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

That should about do it.

9:58 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

The Argie fans showing the Mexicans how to do the "Oles." The El Tri fans were doing it at 0-0 in the 3rd minute during the Gold Cup.

9:59 PM  
Blogger gooner71 said...

It's enough to win, but they could really do some damage and probably handing out a hiding to the Ticos would boost squad morale.

10:00 PM  
Blogger gooner71 said...

5 minutes into the last Mexican game their fans were doing the wave. They're muppets.

10:01 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Agreed. What the hell? No footie fan culture there? They're as bad as Yank fans.

10:02 PM  
Blogger gooner71 said...

It's over, La Volpe. Give as many who haven't played yet a game

10:02 PM  
Blogger gooner71 said...

WTF, that's a rock-solid penalty claim for Higuian.

10:06 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Higuain seems to be aiming at a target some five yards over the goal.

10:07 PM  
Blogger gooner71 said...

Another one on a flippin' plate goes begging from Gonzalo. But is Diego Milito putting in his shin pads yet? I don't think so

10:07 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Half an hour left.

10:08 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

3-0! DiMaria! Another great ball from Messi.

10:09 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Keeper beaten at the near post, though.

10:09 PM  
Blogger gooner71 said...

Yeah, that's it. Another opportunity carved out by Messi emphatically finished off by Di Maria.

Put that Koran back on the shelf Batista, but still handy just in case.

10:09 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

This only gets the Argies a berth in the Quarters, probably against Uruguay. I don't fancy them continuing on despite this effort. It is the Ticos after all. No reason to get excited yet.

10:12 PM  
Blogger gooner71 said...

Absolutely. I think the Uruguayans could frustrate and hit on the break. Suarez is overdue.

10:14 PM  
Blogger gooner71 said...

Messi is starting to express himself a little bit now. Nice to see because he's class.

10:17 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Nice stuff there from Aguero down the side.

10:19 PM  
Blogger gooner71 said...

I admire Higuain's motor. For as big a brute as he is, he's run the full 75 minutes now.

10:19 PM  
Blogger gooner71 said...

I just thought of something. This could be the USA that the Argies are making monkeys out of tonight. If we'd not chickened out and declined the invitation to this tournament.

10:20 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Oh - that would have been a super goal for Messi.

10:24 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Training pitch stuff now for the Argies.

10:29 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Did you get booted off the Blogger system again?

10:30 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Aguero's come off to a hero's welcome. He's been excellent tonight. Definitely worth the call up.

Lavezzi comes on for him for the last five minutes or so.

10:30 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Oh - Messi should have made it 4-0 there!

10:31 PM  
Blogger gooner71 said...

Good chance for Messi. Should have gone in and that would quiet down the mob. He's been a different man this half.

10:31 PM  
Blogger gooner71 said...

Who's the blondie that came on when Higuain went off?

10:33 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Good evening BD and Gooner. I am Starbucks ,joining you for the closing stages of the match.

10:34 PM  
Blogger gooner71 said...

Romero with a sharp save, but the Ticos aren't offering him that tantalizing one just out of his reach. Just float one for him to rush out onto and there's joy there.

10:34 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Evening, MUR! How's your Dallas trip been?

10:34 PM  
Blogger gooner71 said...

Welcome Dave. I've got two words for your response to the Scholes piece.... ready? Jack Wilshere. Boom!

10:35 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

The free kick by Campbell wa sdeflected over for a corner . That was close.

10:36 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Lavezzi just makes sure that he won't be considered for the next match, as if there were any question about it.

10:38 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

I am back in Harlingen. How are you Bob and Steve? I am actually a Wilshere fan. I just wish he would work on his temper.

10:38 PM  
Blogger gooner71 said...

That's it boys. There's a queue for the computer so I'm off. Cheers!

10:38 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

And that's the final whistle just as I'm starting to have some trouble with the satellite feed through p2p.

10:38 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

An emphatic victory tonight and all smiles in Cordoba. But - I'll say it again. It was Costa Rica. 3-0.

10:39 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Cheers, mate. Talk to you lads soon.

10:39 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

I guess that's it as Argentina defeat Costa Rica 3-0.

10:39 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Cheers lads.

10:40 PM  

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