Maradona turns on critics after Argentina qualify

By Rex Gowar

MONTEVIDEO (Reuters) - Diego Maradona hit out at critics of his coaching after his Argentina team qualified for the World Cup on Wednesday and said he had issues to discuss with his boss.

"For those who didn't believe in this national team, for those who treated me like garbage (I say) today we are in the World Cup with all the honours, beating a team like Uruguay," Maradona said.

Argentina secured their berth at the 2010 finals in South Africa with a 1-0 away win over arch-rivals Uruguay at the Centenario, scene of the first World Cup final in 1930.

"I am black or white, I'll never be grey in my life," Maradona, who in Argentine eyes could no wrong as a player, told reporters as he criticised the media for inventing stories about differences within the national team staff.

Maradona has been under fire for most of the qualifying matches since he took charge a year ago, for inconsistencies in selection and tactical errors that left Argentina on the brink of failing to qualify.

He lost four matches and won four, including the last two against Peru and Uruguay that left Argentina in the last of South America's four automatic qualifying berths behind Brazil, Paraguay and Chile.

Fifth-placed Uruguay play off next month against Costa Rica, of the CONCACAF region, for another place.