Maradona shrugs off loss

Argentinean legend Diego Maradona believes his country can still go on to World Cup glory despite their 1-0 defeat to arch-rivals England.

The result saw England avenge their defeat on penalties at France 98 and the loss to Maradona’s ‘Hand of God‘ goal in Mexico 12 years earlier.

‘‘I say the team with history behind it never loses,’’ said Maradona, who captained his side to their 1986 success.

‘‘Teams like that are always on the edge of something great and Argentina is a team with history.’’

Maradona will be soon travelling from his home in Havana, Cuba, to Japan after finally being granted a visa despite his history of drug-taking.

And the 41-year-old revealed Manchester United’s Juan Sebastian Veron is among the players in the current squad he can identify with.

Maradona said: ‘‘I can identify with the Witch (Veron), with Kily Gonzalez, with Cholo (Diego Simeone) - with boys who really love to play.’’