Next is Argentina. This team is also one of the favorite. I watched focus on what is their condition and what kind of team Ivory Coast is because they are in the "Death Group".
The beginning was Ivory Coast controling game against the expectations of most people. To be frankly, the style of Ivory Coast was much interesting style than Argentina. They attack with side-attacks and dribble from the middle area. Howeverm the first team who get the goal was Argentina. Crespo get a goal in a twinkle from their defensing attitude. After that, they became defensing attitude again but Saviola got a goal again in a twinkle. The movement of the game was just like that Ivory Coast received counter-attack by Argetina.
In 2nd half, Argentina took a lead modifying their defects of 1st half, controling the game with strong mid-field. They put "Maradona 2nd" Messi and Aimar in the bench, which was really splendid for other countries. They used Aimar as a piece of wasting time.
Reffering wasting time, the wasting-time just like Argentina did in this game, they passed in a slower pace to reduce the time of opponent's attacking time, they fall down the ground without any foul, or substitution to gain time, is called as "Maricia". South American countries make the most of this "Maricia" at key points.
The reason that Japan can't keep up with the strong couuntries is told that Japan lacks this "Maricia". This is essential skill to win in Soccer.