Mascherano defends Argentina's early arrival

Argentina captain Javier Mascherano has defended his national team's decision to arrive early in South Africa for the World Cup finals.

While several other sides are yet to touch down in South Africa, the South American giants are already settled and have been training since May 29 in Pretoria.

"All the madness and anxiety that the World Cup generated in Argentina didn't give us the privacy that we needed," said the Liverpool midfielder.

"We needed to get away from all that anxiety.

"That is why we believed it was better to arrive here, be together and not only prepare the training sessions but be part of the atmosphere inside the group."

The 25-year-old is delighted with the team spirit within the Argentina camp.

"We could not be any better," he said.

"We have a fantastic group and everybody shares the same enthusiasm from the first to the 23rd player in the squad."

Argentina have been drawn in Group B alongside South Korea, Nigeria and Greece.