Diego struggling with squad
Source: Agencies |
April 28, 2010, Wednesday
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ARGENTINA coach Diego Maradona has acknowledged he is going to have a difficult time finalizing his 23-man World Cup squad.
Maradona told reporters on Monday that it was going to be painful leaving some players off the squad. Since taking over in late 2008, Maradona has called up more than 100 players.
Two-time winners of the World Cup, Argentina plays in Group B with Greece, South Korea and Nigeria in South Africa.
World Cup teams must submit 30-man preliminary squads to FIFA by May 11 and the final 23-man squads by June 1.
"It's going to hurt to leave players off who have given it their all, or who are having a great season," Maradona said. "But they gave me a team and I have to select. When you have to make a choice, someone has to be eliminated."
Argentina struggled in qualifying despite having some of the world's best players, including Lionel Messi of Barcelona. One of the world's greatest players, Maradona has little experience as a coach and has been widely criticized for his tactics and his inability to decide on his best group of players.
"Relax, like I am," Maradona said. "We're going to have a team that knows how to wear the Argentine colors."
Spain coach Vicente del Bosque is also struggling to pick his team, which has plenty of injury worries.
"We know we're going through a difficult moment because the competitions are nearing their close," Del Bosque said.
"We're up day and night thinking about the national team."
Striker Fernando Torres is on crutches and recovering from knee surgery, while Cesc Fabregas is out with a fracture in his right leg.
Midfielder Marcos Senna is also injured and Andres Iniesta has been hampered by leg muscle problems lately. "We just hope that when the date arrives and we have to give the list, they're all ready to go," Del Bosque said.
The debate in Spain is just who to call up if any of those players do not recover in time. Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente, who played at last year's Confederations Cup in South Africa, appears to have the edge on out-of-favor Sevilla striker Alvaro Negredo. Sevilla teammate Jesus Navas also looks likely to make the team.
Meanwhile, Brazil coach Dunga was forced to call the police to get rid of some local comedians who went to his house wanting him to pick young sensation Neymar for the national team.
Dunga contacted authorities after the comedians parked in front of his house to participate in a live TV show on Saturday night. Carrying a cardboard with Neymar wearing Brazil's jersey, they rang the bell at the coach's house but got no answer. The 18-year-old Neymar is the hottest player in Brazilian football and fans and local media want him at the World Cup in South Africa.
Maradona told reporters on Monday that it was going to be painful leaving some players off the squad. Since taking over in late 2008, Maradona has called up more than 100 players.
Two-time winners of the World Cup, Argentina plays in Group B with Greece, South Korea and Nigeria in South Africa.
World Cup teams must submit 30-man preliminary squads to FIFA by May 11 and the final 23-man squads by June 1.
"It's going to hurt to leave players off who have given it their all, or who are having a great season," Maradona said. "But they gave me a team and I have to select. When you have to make a choice, someone has to be eliminated."
Argentina struggled in qualifying despite having some of the world's best players, including Lionel Messi of Barcelona. One of the world's greatest players, Maradona has little experience as a coach and has been widely criticized for his tactics and his inability to decide on his best group of players.
"Relax, like I am," Maradona said. "We're going to have a team that knows how to wear the Argentine colors."
Spain coach Vicente del Bosque is also struggling to pick his team, which has plenty of injury worries.
"We know we're going through a difficult moment because the competitions are nearing their close," Del Bosque said.
"We're up day and night thinking about the national team."
Striker Fernando Torres is on crutches and recovering from knee surgery, while Cesc Fabregas is out with a fracture in his right leg.
Midfielder Marcos Senna is also injured and Andres Iniesta has been hampered by leg muscle problems lately. "We just hope that when the date arrives and we have to give the list, they're all ready to go," Del Bosque said.
The debate in Spain is just who to call up if any of those players do not recover in time. Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente, who played at last year's Confederations Cup in South Africa, appears to have the edge on out-of-favor Sevilla striker Alvaro Negredo. Sevilla teammate Jesus Navas also looks likely to make the team.
Meanwhile, Brazil coach Dunga was forced to call the police to get rid of some local comedians who went to his house wanting him to pick young sensation Neymar for the national team.
Dunga contacted authorities after the comedians parked in front of his house to participate in a live TV show on Saturday night. Carrying a cardboard with Neymar wearing Brazil's jersey, they rang the bell at the coach's house but got no answer. The 18-year-old Neymar is the hottest player in Brazilian football and fans and local media want him at the World Cup in South Africa.
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