Argentina one of the most formidable teams in the world of football, along with Brazil and Spain are dubbed as favourites to go all the way, in the upcoming FIFA world cup in South Africa next month.
Coach Maradona, a world cup winner himself, has announced the 30 man probable squad for the mega event, and there are a few surprise inclusions and exclusions in the side. Inter Milan’s Estaban Cambiasso and Zanetti, a veteran of the 1998 and 2002 World Cups, who has made a record 136 appearances for his country, have been overlooked, which comes as a shock given the performance both have been putting in for the Italian champions, who are also set to play Bayern Munich in the Champions league final in Madrid.
Liverpool's latest signing Maxi Rodriguez and Newcastle's Fabricio Coloccini though did make the cut, in the initial 30.
But the final 23 will have to be revealed by June 1st, out of 30 there are only 5 players who are currently applying their trade in England, which include Manchester City’s ace striker Carlos Tevez, Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano, both of whom started their English journey in a shock move to West Ham 3 seasons ago, and Newcastle midfielder Jonas Gutierrez.
Inter Milan are not the only big club to have 2 key players omitted from the squad, Real Madrid’s duo of Fernando Gago and Barcelona central defender Gabriel Milito have also been overlooked.
Inter Milan’s striker Diego Milito and, Walter Samule form Defence are in the squad, and their opponent in the champion’s league final Martin Demichellis is also among the 30.
Maradona during his year and a half in charge has called up around 100 players, but the number of players that performed well in a 4-0 win against Haiti in a friendly match has been selected.
The defender from Colon Ariel Garce, who in003 made two appearances for Argentina, while playing at River plate, played his third international against the Haitians. Midfielder Juan Mercier,also got his 3rd cap against Haiti has been in good touch for his club Argentinos Juniors who are title favourites in Argentina. Boca Juniors striker Martin Palermo is part of a 7 man frontline which also includes Barcelona striker Lionel Messi.
Looking at other men in the attack, Gonzalo Higuain has been on the score sheet regularly in the last 2 seasons for Real Madrid, and his awareness in front of goal is his biggest asset, combined with Messi’s trickery and intelligence, could be a lethal duo, while the physical approach of Tevez can be a handful for any defence, and Messi might be the one playing a free role, while Tevez and Higuian may stick to the task of being the target men. This makes a deadly force going forward.
Considering the amount of talent in midfield, Masecherano Veron, Gutierrez, Sosa and company will surely be providing enough from the middle for the front men to pounce on. Defence although missing Zanetti is still a world class one, with Demichellis who can be at times too clever for his own good, but good enough to stand up to physical side of the game, Walter Samuel who is a model of composure. Garce who can be very miserly in the middle of defence and off course former Manchester united and real Madrid man Gabriel Heinze, who an asset is going forward from the left.
Looking at all the options at Maradona’s disposal, it surely will be hard to drop 7 from the 30 man initial squad, and there certainly is no doubt that there is enough talent and flair at Maradona’s disposal to take on any team in the world. The question remains that looking at the way Argentina sneaked through in qualifying, is Maradona good enough as a manager to lead his side to glory as he was as a player, the world will know in due time.
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