Argentina dictated by Riquelme's mood

(Reuters) - Argentina will to build the defense of their Olympic gold medal around Juan Roman Riquelme, though past experience suggests that overdependence on the mercurial playmaker can prove costly in decisive matches.

Riquelme's mood swings have a habit of influencing the entire team and when he has one of his infamous off-days, Argentine suffer with him.

Last year's Copa America was typical. Argentina, with Riquelme in majestic form, won their first five games only to crash 3-0 to Brazil in the final when their arch-rivals hustled the Boca player out of his majestic stride.

Alfio Basile, coach of the senior team, remains an unconditional admirer of Riquelme and there is every indication that the Olympic side, under Sergio Batista, will be built around the former Villarreal and Barcelona player.

Elegant, unhurried and capable of unlocking defenses with geometrical passes, Riquelme is a classic South America number 10 known as "enganche", an increasingly rare breed in the cut-and-thrust modern game.

He was raised at Boca Juniors, the club to which he has returned after falling out with Villarreal coach Manuel Pellegrini last year.

Argentina's supporter will just have to hope that he does not freeze at the crucial moment

(Writing by Brian Homewood in Buenos Aires; Editing by Robert Woodward)

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