Maradona's Gimnasia raise Superliga survival hopes

MAR DEL PLATA, Argentina - Diego Maradona's Gimnasia eased their relegation fears with a 3-0 victory at Aldosivi in the Argentine Superliga on Sunday.

Maxi Coronel and Erik Ramirez scored first-half goals before Matias Garcia completed the rout in the 70th minute at the Jose Maria Minella stadium in the coastal city of Mar del Plata.

It was Gimnasia's third win in their past five outings, lifting them to 22nd in the 24-team standings with 10 points from 13 matches.

"I'm very happy with this win. We work hard all week so that games turn out like this," Maradona told reporters.

The 59-year-old, who took charge of Gimnasia in September, was given a warm reception before kickoff by Aldosivi fans, many of whom continued to chant his name during the match.

It came less than two weeks after Maradona's former club, Newell's Old Boys, gave him a throne to sit on during their match in Rosario, which Gimnasia won 4-0.

"I'm not surprised, but this is really incredible," he said of the affection shown to him at stadiums around the country. "It's fantastic that wherever I go the fans, presidents, officials ... [react] in this way."

The 1986 World Cup winner, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers ever, revealed a desire to extend his contract beyond May, when it is due to expire.

"I want to continue. I spoke to the president [Gabriel Pellegrino] and I hope to stay for another year to build a competitive team," he added.