1110 Votes For Peratta To Make The Trip To South Africa

It was recently reported that Diego Maradona had taken a look at Newell's Old Boys goalkeeper Sebastián Peratta (age 33) and made some comments to the media that he was impressed with his play. In the wake of those comments a group has sprung up on Facebook where fans can join in supporting the hope that El D10S will select Peratta for the trip to South Africa for the 2010 World Cup.

At the moment, the three goalkeeper positions do seem to be up in the air. Sense Maradona took over as coach he has called up no fewer than seven keepers to La Albiceleste:

Mariano Andújar (Catania - Italy - age 26 - 4 caps)
Andújar has won two titles, the 2006 Apertura and the 2009 Copa Libertadores, both with Estudiantes de la Plata. He's been getting his fair share of starts as Catania's No 1 keeper, but playing for the 13th place team in Italy doesn't exactly lend it's self to confidence, something that a World Cup keeper must have if your team is going have any kind of chance to win.

Sergio Romero (AZ - Netherlands - age 23 - 4 caps)
Sergio was a part of a AZ team that lifted two trophies last year, winning the Dutch Championship and the Dutch Super Cup. He was also a member of the Argenine team that won the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2007, as well as a gold medalist when Argentina won the 2008 Olympics futbol tournament. He's been a winner where ever he's gone. If I were making the selections, he'd already be packing his bags.

Cristian Campestrini (Arsenal de Sarandí - Argentina - age 29 - 2 caps)
Only started playing in Argentina's top division two years ago after years spent in the lower levels (not counting his one match stint with Rosario Central to launch his career.) I'm not sure what Maradona saw in Campestrini that earn him a call up, let alone two caps...

Nelson Ibáñez (Godoy Cruz - Argentina - age 29 - 1 cap)
Won the Primera B Nacional Apertura 2005 title with Godoy Cruz before the club gained promotion to the top flight, being relegated, and again gaining promotion. The team is currently tied with Argentinos Jrs at the top of the Clausura standings, so another title could be in the cards prior to the World Cup. If Godoy do win the title, I'd have to think it will increase Ibáñez's chances of winning a ticket to South Africa.

Diego Pozo (Colón de Santa Fe - Argentina - age 32 - 2 caps)
Another keeper who has spent most of his career in the lower division, with no notable titles. Why did Diego call him up?

Juan Pablo Carrizo (Real Zaragoza - Spain on loan from Lazio - Italy - age 25 - 10 caps)
Won the Clausura 2008 with River Plate, and the Coppa Italia with Lazio in 2008, but by that time had lost his place as the top choice keeper with the Italian club. Sense moving to Zaragoza in Spain he's at least getting his starts in, but will it be enough for Diego to select him for the Cup?

Federico Vilar (Atlante F.C. - Mexico - age 32 - 0 caps)
He's been called up, but never played under Maradona. Won the Apertura 2007 in Mexico, and the CONCACAF Champions League 2008–09, both with his current club. Has never played in Argentina's top flight.

Based on all this, if Maradona sticks to the goalkeepers he's called up previously, Iwould think that we'll be seeing Andújar, Romero, and Carrizo in South Africa. However, if Diego isn't happy with any one of those three it leaves room for any of the others to step in... but I don't really see any of them as being that much better than El Flaco Peratta, so why not throw his name in there as a possibility?

(I was, by the way, the 1110 person to join the Facebook group mentioned above.)