Maradona wants an apology
June 23, 2010
Diego Maradona said his Argentina team's easy progression to the knockout stages has silenced the critics, who he insisted should apologise for the way they dismissed his side.
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Diego Maradona congratulates Martin Palermo on his goal
Argentina's 2-0 victory over Greece - thanks to late goals from Martin Demichelis and veteran striker Martin Palermo - saw them top Group B with maximum points.
That contrasted sharply with their performances in the qualifying campaign - when they had to win their last two matches to reach South Africa.
"They (the critics) should apologise to the players, who are 100% professional,'' said Maradona. "We are doing our duty, which is to defend the Argentina shirt. Sometimes they are wrong, but those who have also criticised are wrong and should apologise.''
Argentina struggled to break down a stubborn Greece defence whose resistance was finally broken seven minutes from time.
Goalkeeper Alexandros Tzorvas was busy for most of the night but Maradona criticised the often physical approach of Otto Rehhagel's side which he felt was unnecessary.
He added: "Where is the famous fair play? If every time Lionel Messi grabs the ball as thrown to the ground, what are we talking about? They should get a yellow card to stop it, because that is in the rules.''
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