by Darren Douglas

Created on: October 17, 2009   Last Updated: October 18, 2009

Crunch time came and went on Wednesday night for several nations hoping to qualify for next summer's World Cup. A lot of the group winners for the European qualifying section had been decided before its final matches. Instead most fans imagination came to rest on the fate of Argentina, who were dicing with missing their first tournament since 1970.

Of course the South American power- house is perennially mentioned as a possible favourite for each and every World Cup. They are a nation whose past achievements seem to fore go any need to worry about form and players, as with Brazil and Germany (amongst others) there is a fear and an aura when it comes to facing them.

Even so, the past year has not been a harmonious journey for Argentina and their manager, the mercurial Diego Maradona. From the outset of his tenure there have been occasional moments of amusement and bemusement, in varying guises.

His first match in charge was against Scotland on its own territory. A repeat, as fate would have it, of the same venue (Hampden Park) and opposition where he scored his first international goal in 1979.

The most entertaining part of the whole spectacle was not Argentina's goal in the 1-0 win, but rather Maradona's pre-match press conference. He had caused the assembled journalists to chuckle and laugh when he asked them who Terry Butcher was in an exceptionally deadpanned manner, before cracking into a fiendishly playful grin.

Scotland's assistant manager had previously stirred up the 'hand of God' incident when recalling his own experience as part of that England team, admitting that he couldn't forgive the Argentine's actions.

Nevertheless, this exchange via the press goes some way to encapsulating Maradona. On the one hand he has always been close to stirring up controversy and willing to cross a line, but then on the other his charisma and passion could consume and drive all those around him.

Being an unpredictable genius of a loose cannon is something that draws you to Maradona time and time again. His autobiography 'El Diego', is a compelling read and throughout it there are candid retelling of his verbal jousts with players, managers and chairmen.

A recurring theme is his strong will and how he won't hold back from a perceived injustice. He doesn't skirt the controversies either, as he admits to the heavy use of cocaine in Italy and explains the 'hand of God'. And yet despite his misdemeanours, there is always a charm and something strangely admirable about how he conducted

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