Argentina

But Maradona failed to apologise to Brazilian legend Pele at a news conference following the match.

Pele and Platini had made comments regarding Maradona’s coaching ability, but the Argentinian said: “The other day I spoke about Mr Platini. Mr Platini sent me a letter, saying that he never said what you (reporters) told me he had said.”

He added: “I want to send my apologies, through you (reporters), to Mr Platini… but not Pele,” Maradona said after producing a letter he said was from the French UEFA president.

Platini was reported to have said Maradona was only a good coach as a player, implying he was not any good now.

Maradona had criticised the pair on Wednesday, telling Pele he should “go back to the museum” while describing Platini as arrogant.

Maradona praised his players after Argentina made it two wins from two games to put themselves in control of Group B.

“Argentina played a great match and were unforgiving. We deserved to give ourselves such a win,” he said.

“In (our 1-0 victory over) Nigeria we had come close to playing a match like this but we couldn’t achieve it on the scoreboard,” Maradona added.

“Argentina controlled the ball at will (today). Korea never dominated, they never found the answer to our game apart from one counter-attack,” he said.

Maradona did not blame Martin Demichelis for the mistake that handed the Koreans their goal in the first half on Thursday, saying such a setback merely made his team more determined to play better in the second half.

Central defender Walter Samuel came off midway through the first half with a leg muscle strain but team spokesman Andres Ventura said: “We don’t think it’s a pull but he’ll have to do some tests.”

Samuel, who was replaced by the impressive Nicolas Burdisso, will probably miss their final group match against Greece on Tuesday in which a draw will be enough for them to qualify.

Maradona also had an unexpected answer to a reporter’s question on whether love would win the World Cup given the hugging and kissing that goes on in Argentina’s squad.

“I love women… so people don’t think I’ve turned over,” Maradona exclaimed with wide eyes and made a gesture with his hand.

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