Zanetti left OUT
Former Argentinean captain Zanetti has been dropped for the coming World Cup by Argentina’s coach Jose Pekerman. He played for Argentina during 98 and 2002 world cup’s and has been presenting almost all the 18 encounters during the qualifying round.
Nineteen-year-old Oscar Ustari was included as the third-choice goalkeeper but there was no place for his Independiente club-mate, 17-year-old forward Sergio Aguero, regarded as one of Argentina’s most exciting prospects.
They have Ivory Coast, Netherlands and Serbia & Montenegro in their first round group. In 2002 they were out in the first round which could be a bit mentally disturbing although coach seems to be positive. “We respect the players … and of course these decisions are painful, there’s never going to be a logical explanation,” said Pekerman. “This is the squad in which I have confidence. There’s been a constant renovation of players and I’m enthusiastic about this” he said.
The other surprises were the inclusion of Boca Juniors forward Rodrigo Palacio, one of only three home-based players in the squad, and Inter Milan striker Julio Cruz. Cruz scored 17 goals for Inter in Serie A and will provide an alternative to Hernan Crespo as a big target man up front.
This exclusion has disturbed Zanetti. He is disappointed and said, “Nobody told me what I did wrong to not be in the World Cup squad. I’m calm because I think I did my best to be on the list and I’ve been always available for the national team when they needed me. We’ll never know if I’ve been excluded because of football reasons or not.” Well this is most certain to have a reaction after you have been with team for so long and have been performing consistently and effectively and suddenly you are left with no reasons asked or given.
Argentina plays their opening Group C match against Ivory Coast on 10 June and will also meet Serbia & Montenegro and Holland. Well as we all know everything can’t be explained so is the selection, people have questioned Walcott’s inclusion in England squad and now, may be speculating on Zanetti’s exclusion. It’s all happening before the world cup Walcott, Zanetti, Rooney and so many others like Henry, Ferdinand, Beckham etc all in news and speculations. It’s all heating up and I guess the fever is just rising.
The Argentina team composition is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Roberto Abbondanzieri (Boca Juniors), Leonardo Franco (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Oscar Ustari (Independiente)
Defenders: Roberto Ayala (Valencia, Spain), Gabriel Heinze (Manchester United, England), Juan Pablo Sorin (Villareal, Spain), Fabricio Coloccini (Deportivo Coruna, Spain), Gabriel Milito (Zaragona, Spain), Nicolas Burdisso (Inter Milan, Italy) Leandro Cufre (AS Roma, Italy), Lionel Scaloni (West Ham United, England)
Midfielders: Javier Mascherano (Corinthians, Brazil), Esteban Cambiasso (Inter Milan, Italy), Luis Gonzalez (Porto, Portugal), Juan Roman Riquelme (Villareal, Spain), Maxi Rodriguez (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Pablo Aimar (Valencia, Spain)
Forwards: Hernan Crespo (Chelsea, England), Carlos Tevez (Corinthians, Brazil), Lionel Messi (Barcelona, Spain), Javier Saviola (Sevilla, Spain), Julio Cruz (Inter Milan, Italy), Rodrigo Palacio (Boca Juniors, Argentina)
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