Argentina’s Lionel Scaloni has ‘no complaints’ over World Cup draw

DOHA: Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said on Friday that his team’s World Cup draw might have been far worse, with Mexico, Poland, and Saudi Arabia put together.

When the draw was held in Doha, the Albiceleste were the top seeds in Group C.

The two-time champions will kick off their campaign against the Saudis on November 22.

“We cannot complain but we cannot be pleased either,” Lionel Scaloni told Argentine TV channel.

“We think we can have a good group phase but we have full respect for all of them.”

Mexico, whom Argentina overcame in the final 16 of both the 2006 and 2010 tournaments, could be their toughest opponent.

“Historically they are opponents that have been difficult for us,” said Scaloni, who represented Argentina as a player in the 2006 World Cup in Germany, in which is only appearance was against Mexico.

“They played a great match against us and we won in extra-time. It was a very difficult match. Mexico have a history at the World Cup.”

Poland are “a good national team with good players, well-known ones”.

As for Saudi Arabia “they had a great qualification campaign and maybe they’re not the strongest in the group but they will be the home team because it’s the biggest stadium with 80,000 people and it will probably be full of Arabs,” said Scaloni.

In truth, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, Arab neighbours, have had a tense recent relationship.

Saudi Arabia spearheaded a coalition of largely Arab countries that cut ties with Qatar in June 2017 amid allegations of terrorism support.

The diplomatic standoff lasted until January 2021, but not before the Saudi-led coalition wrote to FIFA, requesting that Qatar’s hosting rights be revoked.

For the latest Sports News Follow BOL News on Google News. Read more on Latest Sports News on oldsite.bolnews.com