Egypt to begin second phase of universal health insurance in Minya    Madrid trade talks focus on TikTok as US and China seek agreement    Egypt hosts 4th African Trade Ministers' Retreat to accelerate AfCFTA implementation    Egypt's Investment Minister, World Bank discuss strengthening partnership    El Hamra Port emerges as regional energy hub attracting foreign investment: Petroleum Minister    Power of Proximity: How Egyptian University Students Fall in Love with Their Schools Via Social Media Influencers    Egypt wins Aga Khan Award for Architecture for Esna revival project    Egypt's Sisi, Qatar's Emir condemn Israeli strikes, call for Gaza ceasefire    Egypt's gold prices hold steady on Sep. 15th    EHA launches national telemedicine platform with support from Egyptian doctors abroad    Egypt's Foreign Minister, Pakistani counterpart meet in Doha    Egypt condemns terrorist attack in northwest Pakistan    Emergency summit in Doha as Gaza toll rises, Israel targets Qatar    Egypt advances plans to upgrade historic Cairo with Azbakeya, Ataba projects    Egyptian pound ends week lower against US dollar – CBE    Egypt hosts G20 meeting for 1st time outside member states    Lebanese Prime Minister visits Egypt's Grand Egyptian Museum    Egypt to tighten waste rules, cut rice straw fees to curb pollution    Egypt seeks Indian expertise to boost pharmaceutical industry    Egypt prepares unified stance ahead of COP30 in Brazil    Egypt harvests 315,000 cubic metres of rainwater in Sinai as part of flash flood protection measures    Egyptian, Ugandan Presidents open business forum to boost trade    Al-Sisi says any party thinking Egypt will neglect water rights is 'completely mistaken'    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile measures, reaffirms Egypt's water security stance    Egypt's Sisi, Uganda's Museveni discuss boosting ties    Egypt, Huawei explore healthcare digital transformation cooperation    Greco-Roman rock-cut tombs unearthed in Egypt's Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Messi aims to extend love affair with Argentina fans
Lionel Messi's Argentina put the love of their fans to a new test in a World Cup qualifier against Paraguay on Friday after the thrill of their captain's nine goals in five games
Reuters Published in Ahram Online on 04 - 09 - 2012

Messi scored hat-tricks in victories against Brazil and Switzerland and one apiece in wins over Colombia, Ecuador and Germany following the jeers from their 1-1 draw with Bolivia last November.
"We knew we had to change things after Bolivia," Messi told a news conference at Argentina's Ezeiza headquarters on Tuesday.
"We knew we had to infect the fans with our results and our game."
Argentina began their five-match winning streak away to Colombia four days after the Bolivia disappointment, coming from behind to win 2-1 with goals from Messi and Sergio Aguero.
A 3-1 win over the Swiss in Berne was followed by a 4-0 rout of Ecuador in Buenos Aires in their next qualifier in June. They beat 2014 World Cup hosts Brazil 4-3 in a friendly in New Jersey a week later and Germany in Frankfurt last month.
The match at the 57,000-capacity Kempes stadium in Cordoba is a sellout.
"The fans are expectant and so are we. Let's hope it will be all good for the national team and we get three points," Messi said.
Messi is under no illusions, though, about how hard Paraguay will be to beat despite playing under new coach Gerardo Pelusso after sacking Francisco Arce due to poor results.
"They are always complicated, whatever form they're in. The qualifiers are very difficult," Messi said.
"Maybe they're not coming here at their best but we know the quality of players they have. They're a tough team and will make things difficult for us."
Argentina are third in the South American group with 10 points from five matches, two points fewer than leaders Chile, who have a bye on Friday, and one behind Uruguay, who visit Colombia.
Paraguay, quarter-finalists in South Africa in 2010, are one from bottom of the nine-team group with four points.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at@AO Sportsand on Facebook atAhramOnlineSports)

Clic here to read the story from its source.