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A warm welcome from fans greeted the Argentine World Cup squad as they arrived back in Buenos Aires. The airport was sealed off by police, who feared an angry response from the public after the side crashed out of the tournament in a 4-0 quarter-final defeat to Germany; a bus took the team directly from the tarmac to Argentina’s Football Association headquarters, avoiding the terminal building. Only passengers, flight crews and airport workers were allowed to pass within two miles of the airport. Nevertheless, thousands of people lined the streets outside in support for the players and their coach Diego Maradona. Several among the players have asked Maradona to remain as national coach despite their somewhat embarrassing exit from this competition. Argentina squad Coach: Diego Maradona Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar), Mariano Andujar (Catania), Diego Pozo (Colon) Defenders: Nicolas Burdisso (Roma), Martin Demichelis (Bayern Munich), Walter Samuel (Inter Milan), Gabriel Heinze (Marseille), Nicolas Otamendi (Vélez Sarsfield), Clemente Rodriguez (Estudiantes), Ariel Garce (Colon) Midfielders: Javier Mascherano (Liverpool), Juan Sebastian Veron (Estudiantes), Maximiliano Rodriguez (Liverpool), Mario Bolatti (Fiorentina), Angel Di Maria (Benfica), Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle), Javier Pastore (Palermo) Strikers: Sergio Aguero (Atlético Madrid), Diego Milito (Internazionale), Martin Palermo (Boca Juniors), Carlos Tevez (Manchester City), Gonzalo Higuaín (Real Madrid ……
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