May 16, 2002

BUENOS AIRES, May 16 (AFP) -- Diego Maradona has been drummed into service as a television cheerleader to rouse his sleeping countrymen into getting up for Argentina's World Cup matches.

The former Argentina captain stars in an advert for satellite DirectTV where he madly bashes away at drums to wake up the soccer-mad nation in time to catch the action from Japan and Korea.

"I really enjoyed the job, I hope it'll help wake everyone up in time for the matches," said Maradona.

Because of the time difference Argentina's first round Group F matches against England, Nigeria and Argentina will take place either in the dead of night local time or early in the morning.