BUENOS AIRES, July 14: He rarely moved faster than a stroll, he struggled to keep pace with the game, and he hobbled off the field in the second half after being banged on the ankle.But there were flashes of vintage Diego Maradona as the former Argentine captain made his fifth - and he says the last - comeback to soccer yesterday.Maradona did not put in a great performance, which these days is hardly expected of him, but he fired up the troubled Boca Juniors team, stuck in the middle of the Argentine First Division table with the season nearly over, and gave the public nearly an hour of his exalted presence.The near-capacity crowd was delighted by the stocky mid-fielder's performance: an overhead scissor kick, some nonchalant back-heels and pinpoint passing as his team, Boca Juniors, beat Racing Club 3-2 in Maradona's first official game in 11 months.Although he struggled at times to keep up, Maradona played a part in all three goals, interchanging quick passes with teammates, before limping off after 60 minutes with a sore ankle.Boca's third goal was scored by defender Nestor Fabbri who rose to head in a free kick by Maradona.His latest return to professional soccer was celebrated in carnival style with fireworks lighting up a drab and wet winter evening. The match was delayed for more than 20 minutes as photographers and television cameramen surrounded Maradona on the field.Within two minutes, the stocky mid-fielder put his stamp on the game, threading a pass through to striker Sebastian Rambert. He then tested Racing's Agrentine national team goalkeeper Ignacio Gonzalez with a low shot which just went wide.Shortly before halftime he almost caught Gonzalez napping as he curved a free kick from outside the box toward the near post only to see it palmed away.He was suspended by Fifa for 15 months in 1991 after testing positive for cocaine following an Italian league game with Napoli. He also was thrown out of the 1994 World Cup and suspended for using banned stimulants.All past sins were forgiven last night. But Maradona's distinctive bow-legged gait became more exaggerated as the match wore on and he slowed down.Eventually it was too much for his 36-year-old frame, and Maradona charged off the field to an ovation 10 minutes into the second half, crossed himself, got a kiss from grateful trainer Hector Veira, and that was all folks.
