David Leggat: Maradona most watchable element of contest so far

So a week in, and who has caught the eye at the World Cup?

Whether it is living up to your expectations probably depends on whether your focus is solely on the on-field action.

Take Diego Maradona, for example. Actually a generation of English fans would have liked to take him and deposit him somewhere unpleasant 24 years ago when he handed England a quarter-final defeat in Mexico.

Now Maradona is back at the cup, larger than life, as Argentina's manager.

It may be coincidental, but their campaign has started impressively, with a couple of wins and they are sure to make the last 16.

How much of that is down to Maradona and his skills as a manager is a moot point, but he's undeniably watchable.

In his tight-fitting suit, and with a backside the size of a small bus, Maradona's sideline antics - pleading, cajoling, remonstrating or celebrating - make him a bizarrely compelling figure.

Quite what the likes of brilliant little Lionel Messi, the game's most compelling figure right now, makes of having his thunder stolen by a grey-bearded fat man with a giant studs in his ears is anyone's guess.

On the field there have been terrific moments, but too much dross. Some games have been dreadful.

France, for example, have been awful, no surprise considering their coach, Raymond Domenech is hugely unpopular and is known to have "lost" the dressing room.

They're most likely on their way out, and having cheated their way into the finals courtesy of Thierry Henry's handled ball in the playoff decider against Ireland, there is a measure of rough justice at play.

Spain need to watch themselves too. Brilliant passers, hugely watchable, but their 1-0 loss to workmanlike Switzerland left them distinctly vulnerable.

And here's a thought. While we should relish surprises - New Zealand drawing with Slovakia, Mexico clipping the French, the Swiss inquisition of Spain - what do you want to see come the business end of the tournament?

A hard-working, if essentially average, side in the last four or the perceived elite duelling for the greatest prize?

Take this eminently possible scenario: Brazil will win group G, putting them on track to meet the runners-up of group H. Right now, there's every chance that could be Spain.

The two title favourites clashing in the round of 16? No thanks.

The permutations change with nearly every result. Upsets are good, but they tend to upset the anticipated order of things.

So what of the All Whites? Slovakia was one thing; four-time champions Italy quite another. If Italy play the game at pace, they could walk the win, so to speak.

However, their cup history makes the point that Italy rarely dish out a hammering. Others, the Brazilians and Argentines for example, can take lowly opponents apart.

Italy are different. Their football tends to be based on safety first. Get a goal or two up and sit tight. Fear rules.

The All Whites will certainly have their chances. That is the way of the game. At some point an opportunity, a half chance, will present itself.

Take it, especially if it comes early, and it's quite possible the Italians will have kittens. Remember, they drew their opening game unconvincingly against a hard-edged Paraguay.

Forty-four years ago Italy lost 1-0 to North Korea. The players were pelted with tomatoes and rotten fruit upon arriving home unexpectedly early.

If the All Whites can "get a result" early on Monday, the dream of qualification to the second round will be well and truly alive.

Who'd have thought it.