Argentina's artistic midfielder Juan Riquelme seemed like a discrete presence in the 6-0 drubbing of Serbia-Montenegro but it was enough to earn the Man of the Match award in a game brimming with talent.
GELSENKIRCHEN: Argentina's artistic midfielder Juan Riquelme seemed like a discrete presence in the 6-0 drubbing of Serbia-Montenegro but it was enough to earn the Man of the Match award in a game brimming with talent.
"It was not easy to choose the Man of the Match because there were several very good players, but we thought that Riquelme had a tremendous influence for Argentina," FIFA jury member Roy Hodgson explained.
"In an Argentine team that played very well, he always asked for the ball. His ability and passing vision were fundamental factors in the great attacking performance that we were presented with here," Hodgson added.
While fellow midfielder Maxi Rodriguez scored twice, forward Javier Saviola scurried around the pitch, Hernan Crespo darted around the goalmouth, Carlos Tevez powered past opponents, or Lionel Messi ran rings around defenders, Riquelme just cantered, looked around and passed.
Despite the praise, the quiet Villareal player said things could get better. "I just hope that Argentina can go on improving and can go on and do better each time," he said after the match.
"Today we're very happy because of what we've done, but our intention is to keep growing as a team."
Riquelme -- who will turn 28 later this month -- is one of coach Jose Pekerman's favourites. The long-legged player uses his left foot to pass or shoot like an artist creates a painting with strokes of the brush.
He revealed only a glimpse of that inspired playmaking in the opening match against Ivory Coast, but that was enough to be behind most of the few chances that Argentina created.
Riquelme split the "Elephants" defence with a languid, almost casual pass to put Saviola clear to score Argentina's second goal.
Against Serbia Montenegro on Friday, Riquelme fed the Seville forward again to set up a fluid cross field movement from the left that was completed by Esteban Cambiasso.
But the long-legged Riquelme needs space to think and find passing opportunities, and he is vulnerable without defensive cover or attacking alternatives from the rest of Argentina's left-sided players.
He was caught lingering with the ball at least once against Serbia-Montenegro, losing possession and leaving his teammates in an awkward position.
However, Pekerman, a successful former youth team coach, has an eye on the whole team.
He often pairs Riquelme with captain Juan Pablo Sorin, an attacking wing back and club mate at Villareal in Spain, or the tougher midfielder Javier Mascherano.
In Argentina's 3-1 qualifying victory in the traditional derby against arch-rivals Brazil in Buenos Aires one year ago, Riquelme's parsimonious style shone against the flamboyant Brazilians.
His reading of the game also helped his club through to the semi-finals of the Champions League in May.
But Riquelme can prove to be fragile under pressure. After his first division debut for trophy winning Boca Juniors in 1996 he caught Barcelona's eye.
But Riquelme struggled with the Spanish club and was loaned to the less prestigious Villarreal, where he eventually stayed.
That fragile nature emerged in the club's elimination from the Champions League, when Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann saved his last-minute penalty.
Argentine observers say the style has changed little from that of the teenage Riquelme in his neighbourhood team, as a technically gifted midfield playmaker who obstinately refused to be rushed.
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