Maradona's reign begins in earnest

Diego Maradona's reign as Argentina coach begins in earnest when his side face Venezuela in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday, his home and competitive debut.

Maradona's presence is expected to revive public enthusiasm in the national side which has dipped after a run of uninspiring performances under his predecessor Alfio Basile.

The atmosphere at the Monumental stadium has been strangely subdued in recent games, far from the intimidating, paper-throwing crowd which has traditionally greeted visiting teams.

Despite a hike in prices, large queues formed from the early hours when tickets went on sale on Wednesday.

Argentina have played two friendlies under Maradona, winning 1-0 in Scotland last November and 2-0 in France in February.

Though not the most testing opponents, especially away from home, Venezuela are capable of pulling off upsets and last June managed to beat Brazil in a friendly.

Maradona's team, on the other hand, badly need three points.

Argentina are third in the 10-team South American group with 16 points from 10 games but are only four points clear of sixth place, which would mean missing out on South Africa.

They have a difficult run-in with matches in Paraguay and Uruguay as well as at high altitude in Bolivia and Ecuador plus a home game against Brazil.

But captain Javier Mascherano said he was not contemplating failure.

"I don't imagine a World Cup without Argentina," he said. "It would be a failure of unimaginable proportions."

Venezuela coach Cesar Farias has startled critics by including 10 members of the under-20 squad.

He has refuted suggestions that he has given up qualifying for 2010 and is already concentrating on 2014.

"We haven't given up on anything," said Farias, whose team are eighth with 10 points. "We have picked a group of players who have shown they have the talent and capabilities.

"They are not boys, they are men. They weigh as much as a man, they are the size of a man, they have the experience of a man and the focus of a man. They are ready.

"We've already beaten Brazil, so why can't we beat Argentina?"