Maradona believes he still enjoys public support at home

MUNICH - Argentina coach Diego Maradona believes he has plenty of public support at home even though he has been the target of fierce criticism in his country's media.

Maradona, who captained Argentina in 1986 when they won the World Cup for the last time, has endured a torrid time as coach, suffering World Cup qualifying defeats in Bolivia, Ecuador and Paraguay and at home to Brazil.

At one point, it was feared his team might even miss out on the finals for the first time since 1970.