Maradona defiant after defeat in Paraguay

By Rex Gowar

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Diego Maradona showed no intentions of giving up his uphill battle to get Argentina into the World Cup finals after they lost 1-0 away to Paraguay for a third successive qualifying defeat on Wednesday.

"I'm not afraid of the critics, I'm not afraid of anyone. I will keep on going and doing my work. I've been fighting since the age of 15 with you guys (journalists) and I'm 48 now," Maradona said in Asuncion.

"Criticism won't break me. While I have a drop of blood in me I will fight for Argentina to qualify."

Paraguay, who scored near the half-hour through striker Nelson Haedo, qualified for their fourth successive finals in South Africa next year.

Argentina dropped out of the top four automatic qualifying berths in the South American group into fifth place which would send them into a two-leg playoff against the CONCACAF's fourth-placed team.

"I've spoken to (Argentine Football Association president Julio) Grondona and I'm going to continue being the national team coach," Maradona told reporters.

Maradona recalled that Argentina only secured their place in the 1986 World Cup with an equaliser in the dying minutes of a home qualifier against Peru before he led the team to the world title in Mexico.

"Remember what I'm saying ... Argentina will go to South Africa."