PLANET DT: Argentina wins football gold; retains Olympic football title

Argentina has retained its Olympic football crown, winning a second successive gold medal by beating Nigeria 1-0 in the men's football final earlier today.

Going into this match, the talk in the media had been about both sides seeking revenge from past clashes between the nations. Some of the players on both teams had played in the 2005 World Youth Cup final, when Argentina beat Nigeria 2-1 courtesy of 2 goals from Lionel Messi. So the talk was of Nigeria desiring to avenge that result. Argentina, on the other hand, had unhappy memories of the 3-2 loss to Nigeria in the men's Olympic football final at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Some say that loss was controversial, as Nigeria's third & winning goal in the last minute was considered by many to be offside. As it turned out, it was Argentina who got their revenge in the Beijing Olympics football final.

The match, played at the Beijing National Stadium, did not turn out to be the classic that many had expected or hoped. No doubt that this was significantly due to the searing heat. Nevertheless, Argentina tried to take the game to the Africans, & they did get into some promising positions via their trademark fluent passing game. Nigeria, meanwhile, were more cautious than usual, undoubtedly in recognition of the threat that Argentina posed with such fine talents as Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Angel Di Maria & Fernando Gago. No doubt they would have taken notice of the 3-0 devastation Argentina inflicted on their arch-rivals Brazil in the semi-finals. Yet the Nigerians have their own attacking talents, too, in Obinna, Odemwingie & Okoronkwo. And what speed these players possess! The Nigerians were very dangerous, with their pace causing much concern for the South Americans, though some of the chances that Nigeria did get was due to some defensive slackness of the Argentinians. No such thing from the Nigerians, who were defensively very well organised. This ensured the halftime score was goalless.

The second half continued in much the same vein, with Argentina trying to pass their way into the lead, while Nigeria continue to threaten with their pace. Then suddenly, in the 57th minute, Argentina struck. Messi broke in midfield, & unleashed a superb through pass to the left-sided midfielder Di Maria, who had been advancing from deep. Di Maria latched on to the ball, took it towards the Nigerian penalty area before chipping the oncoming Nigerian goalkeeper. A superbly taken goal out of nothing, fantastic improvisation from the Argentines. A goal worthy of winning any match, & it indeed proved to be the winning goal. Not that the Nigerians were short of chances themselves. They fought admirably & gallantly, & came close to equalising, though again, the hesitancy & jittery Argentine defence contributed to some heart-stopping moments. Argentina also had a couple of chances to increase the lead, but Di Maria's strike proved to be enough to clinch the gold.

One should pay Nigeria huge credit & praise for their contribution to the Olympic football final. Beaten, but certainly not disgraced, the Africans can hold their heads high, & many of the Nigerian players will surely go on to good things at club level & at senior national team level. Perhaps Nigeria could have been victorious had they been playing anyone besides Argentina. Perhaps. But it's fair to say that overall, Argentina have been the best team at the Olympics & on that basis deserved to have won the gold.

Argentina simply produces the best young footballers in the world. They are the reigning champions at youth level, having won the last 2 World Youth Cups in 2005 & 2007. They have now won 2 successive Olympic football tournaments. Now all they need to do is to win at senior level - go for the 2010 World Cup - to confirm their football supremacy. There's no reason that Argentinian football should stop there. They should also try to make it a youth hat-trick by winning the 2009 World Youth Cup. They should also consider trying for an Olympic gold hat-trick by winning the football at the 2012 London Olympics - & perhaps they should try that without any overage players. Now that would certainly be nice!