Argentina interim coach Sergio Batista strengthened his case to be given the job full time when the Albiceleste defeated Ireland 1-0 Wednesday night on Angel di Maria's goal in the 20th minute.
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Di Maria lobbed the ball over goalkeeper Shay Given. Ireland's players claimed it should have been disallowed because the winger was offside when he collected Gonzalo Higuain's flick on the ground from a goal kick.
Batista is Argentina's youth team coach and was put in charge of the national team last month when Diego Maradona was fired following a 4-1 loss to Germany in the World Cup quarterfinals.
Lionel Messi, part of the 2008 Olympic gold medal winners under Batista, was ruled offside in the 13th, but his attempt to lift the ball over Given was blocked by the goalkeeper.
Ireland captain Robbie Keane played his 100th match for the national team.
SOURCE: The Associated Press
