By Anna Italia
Covering the 2008 Summer Olympics Game in Beijing  from an Italian Perspective
 

                          Italian Soccer Serie A  Congratulate Argentina 
 and our  Italian Serie A Players with Argentina  Napoli Forward 
                           Ezequiel Lavezzi and goalkeeper Navarro
                   for winning the Gold Medal against Nigeria
   and to Chievo forward Viktor Obbina  for winning the Silver Medal with Nigeria.

                                      Nigeria 0 - 1  Argentina
                                       57' Di Maria

Argentina survived and crowned themselves as winner of the Gold Medal of the 2008 Men Football Olympic Tournament!  Although Nigeria pressured Argentina and marked Messi well, it was goalkeeper Romero to save Argentina from losing this match with at least 3 super saves. The golden goal by Di Maria was enough to secure Argentina's victory and winning their second consecutive Olympic Gold Medal.

Argentina and Napoli forward Ezequiel Lavezzi came in the 92nd minute substituting Lionel Messi.  Lavezzi scored 2 goals in this tournament, one in  the quarterfinals against Netherlands and the second one against Ivory Coast. Navarro was called in emergency and did not play. Well done Lavezzi and congrats Argentina!


Chievo Forward OBINNA Nsofor Victor played the complete match.  Obinna scored 3 goals in the tournament.  In the first stage against Japan and United States, and in the quarterfinals against Ivory Coast.  Well done Obinna and congrats Nigeria!


Here is the starting lineup chosen by Argentina Coach Batista to play the final match for the Gold Medal against Nigeria at the National Stadium.

    

(From top L) Argentinian midfielder Juan Riquelme, defender Nicolas Pareja, goalkeeper Sergio Romero, defenders Ezequiel Garay and Pablo Zabaleta and midfielder Fernando Gago, (from bottom L) forwards Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero, defender Luciano Monzon, midfielders Angel Di Maria and Javier Mascherano pose prior to the kick off of the men's Olympic football final Argentina vs. Nigeria at the national stadium in Beijing during the 2008 Beijing Olympic games on August 23. 2008. AFP PHOTO / FABRICE COFFRINI


               

 (From top L) Nigerian forward Peter Odemwingie, midfielder Sani Kaita, defenders Dele Adeleye and Chibuzor Okonkwo, midfielder Promise Isaac and goalkeeper Ambruse Vanzekin, (from bottom L) forward Solomon Okoronkwo, defender Onyekachi Apam, forward Victor Obinna, defender Olubayo Adefemi and midfielder Ebenezer Ajilore pose prior to the kick off of the men's Olympic football final Argentina vs. Nigeria at the national stadium in Beijing during the 2008 Beijing Olympic games on August 23. 2008. AFP PHOTO / FABRICE COFFRINI


Guys, I see Nigeria pressing way too much Argentina!   Practically, they are killing every attempt to score from Lionel Messi!!!  Here is the chance to pass the turn to Di Maria with less personal marking to see whether he can score soon. Nigeria gets a man behind Messi whenever he touches the ball.


For example, in the 15th minute when "EL KUN" Aguero sees Messi on the right hand side of the box, immediately you see a Nigerian defender moving around to block Messi. 

Anyway, I think Argentina played better with Brazil.   Right now, they look so tired and the pressing from Nigeria is not allowing free space to create goal opportunities.  Plus the weather is hot that Referee gives breaking time to drink water in the 31st minute.

                

I wonder why they played this Final Match at noon time when the heat was so high!  You bet players appreciate the "water breaking time." Otherwise, they might faint or suffer dehydration.   photo: ap

       
Argentinian midfielder Angel Di Maria (C) is tackled by Nigerian forward Solomon Okoronkwo (bottom, L) next to Nigerian defender Dele Adeleye (front) during the men's Olympic football final at the national stadium in Beijing during the 2008 Beijing Olympic games on August 23. 2008. AFP PHOTO / JEWEL SAMAD

CLICK HERE to buy Your Official Argentina National Team Football / Soccer Gear today Home Jersey                   Argentina Matches 2008 Men Olympic Football Tournament Group A- Argentina Fixtures and Results Goals in favor:  4 Goals against:  2 Finished Leader in Group A with 9 points August 7, 2008 Ivory Coast 1 - 2 Argentina August 10, 2008 Argentina 1 -0 Australia August 13, 2008 Argentina 2 - 0 Serbia GROUP  - QUARTERFINALS Saturday, August 16, 2008 Argentina 2 - 1 Netherland SEMIFINAL Argentina 3 - 0 Brazil

Argentinian forward Lionel Messi runs with the ball during the men's Olympic football final at the national stadium in Beijing during the 2008 Beijing Olympic games on August 23. 2008. AFP PHOTO / JEWEL SAMAD


It's amazing how wherever Argentina goes, they find fans from all races. I love this photo from Chinese fans supporting Argentina and encouraging to keep pressuring to win the Gold Medal.

                     

Fans dressed in Argentine jerseys watch the men's gold medal soccer match between Argentina and Nigeria at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, August 23, 2008. REUTERS/Claro Cortes (CHINA)

                    
     What a scary moment for Argentina and just look at the ace of Argentinia goalkeeper Romero!  Garay also running to make sure the ball won't get on Nigeria's way.  Great save! Photo: ap


                      

Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (L) fights for the ball with Nigerian midfielder Sani Kaita during the men's Olympic football final at the national stadium in Beijing during the 2008 Beijing Olympic games on August 23. 2008. AFP PHOTO / FRANCK FIFE

Now guys, here comes the GOLDEN MOMENT, the moment Di Maria is about to shoot the goal that will symbolize the GOLD MEDAL for Argentina... In the 57th minute, Di Maria gets the assist from Lionel Messi, who was unmarked,  set the ball on his right foot, prepares to shoot and millions of Argentinians fans following every move... until BAM, BAM, BAM, GOOOOAAALL for Argentinaaaaaaaa
Nigeria 0 - 1 Argenntina

                 
        These legs delivered the most precious goal of the tournamanet.... the winning goal for the GOLD MEDAL
photo: ap.

             
    Here he comes DI MARIA with all his faith to score, he shoots and Nigeria goalkeeper cannot stop this ball because millions of Argentinians are putting positive energy to convert that ball in goaoooll..... and there it was... Di Maria following the action of the balll blasting the net of Nigeria!!! Photo ap

            

You better believe it, it is true, I scored!!!! Seems to yell Di Maria and ready to hug his teammates for this team effort.  A moment of joy, a moment to remember, a moment to frame in a nice picture.. this goal was the "Golden Goal... taking Argentina directly to the podium...." Photo ap.


                    

Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (C) is challengeb by Nigerian forward Victor Obinna (L) and defender Dele Adeleye during the men's Olympic football final Argentina vs. Nigeria at the national stadium in Beijing during the 2008 Beijing Olympic games on August 23, 2008. AFP PHOTO / FABRICE COFFRINI

Good to see Chievo Verona Obinna putting much effort to defend his team and trying to win this Gold Medal.  Certainly, Obinna has had a good Olympic tournament.


                      
  Argentinian goalkeeper Romero making one of his super saves to protect the GOLD MEDAL ! Photo ap


In the 71st minute, Referee Kassai Viktor gives another breaking time to drink water. Unbelievable, but it must be so hot that this breaks are necessary.

Finally, Lavezzi is coming in the 92nd minute to substitute Lionel Messi. !!!!!  Wow, good, few minutes better than nothing. Cheer leading dance for Lavezzi..

Go Lavezzi, Go Lavezzi, Go Lavezziii!!!

What an agonizing end..... Nigeria never gave up and pressured until the end. However, it was written, "Argentina destined to their second consecutive Gold Medal."  Congratulations Argentina for a well done job and to our Italian Serie A Players Napoli forward Ezeuiel Lavezzi and goalkeeper Navarro for winning the gold and to Chievo forward Obinna for winning the silver medail. Well done guys.  We feel proud of each one of you representing your respective countries and our Italian Serie A football with your respective clubs.



LINEUPS

 
Gold Medal Match 2008 Men Football Olympic Tournament
Nigeria 0 -  1 Argentina
Match 32 Beijing
Beijing National Stadium
Attendance: 89,000 approx.

Referee: Kassai Viktor


Match Officials

• Referee: KASSAI Viktor (HUN)
• Assistant Referee 1: EROS Gabor (HUN)
• Assistant Referee 2: VAMOS Tibor (HUN)
• Fourth official: SKOMINA Damir (SVN)

Cautioned: Obinna (N), Apam (N), Di Maria (A), Monzon (A), Riquelme (A).

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Your thoughts on Argentina? Do you like the match, which part you like better?  How about players, which one makes the difference? 



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