Paraguay add to Maradona's woes

Paraguay secured their place at next summer's World Cup finals with a well-deserved win over Diego Maradona's hapless Argentina on Wednesday night.

A first-half goal by Nelson Haedo Valdez helped Gerardo Martino's side join hosts South Africa and the already-qualified England, Ghana, Australia, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Holland, Spain and Brazil.

Argentina, meanwhile, suffered their fourth defeat in the last five qualifying games and went down to the play-off position in the standings.

Maradona remained defiant, despite his side's latest loss.

‘It is down to poor form and failures as a team.

‘We must re-start and do the puzzle again. I didn't think we were going to be like we are. I wanted to be higher (in the table).

‘This is the reality we must live and I will face it like always in my life. We still have a chance and we are holding it.’

He added: ‘I don't fear critics. I don't fear anybody.

‘I do my job, I coach my team and I will keep going ahead. I've been battling critics since I was 15. Now I am 48 and I will keep fighting journalists.’