Argentina FIFA World Germany 2006 News and Odds

Argentina vs. Cote d'Ivoire moments

2006-06-12T07:02:00.000-07:00

HAMBURG, Jun 10 (SW) - Welcome to SoccerWay.com's live coverage of the World Cup Group C match between Argentina and Côte d'Ivoire from AOL-Arena in Hamburg.FULL-TIMEArgentina escape Hamburg with a 2-1 victory, but it was never easy to come by as the Elephants of Côte d'Ivoire proved a more than worthy opponent.Early missed chances by the Ivorians will be the most likely thing looked back on when they study their film. Perhaps in their next game they won't be as tense in front of goal.Argentina needed these three points in a big way in the Group of Death, but both Holland and Serbia & Montenegro will need to beware this orange force.90th minute + 3 - Argentina substitutionOn: 16 - AimarOff: 10 - RiquelmeArgentina exhaust their final sub in the dying moments.90th minute + 1 - Côte d'Ivoire bookingBooked: 11 - Drogba 85th minuteArgentina nearly put the game away as Maxi Rodríguez tucks the ball into the goal after a mishandle by Tizié, but the offside flag was up.82nd minute - GOAL CÔTE D'IVOIRE! (2-1)Goal: 11 - DrogbaThe Ivorians finally hit the back of the net as Drogba puts home after a penalty area scramble.The ball starts on the right side of the area, but makes its way over to the left when a cross comes back for him to tuck home. 80th minuteBakary Koné finds another shooting lane - this time from outside the area - but again he misses the target with his shot.77th minute - Côte d'Ivoire substitutionOn: 9 - A. KonéOff: 18 - KeitaHenri Michel brings on a fresh striker as PSV's Arouna Koné replaces Kader Keita in the final stages of the match.76th minute - Argentina substitutionOn: 22 - GonzálezOff: 7 - SaviolaLucho González comes on for Saviola as Argentina look to preserve their lead.70th minuteCôte d'Ivoire have the ball in the area and after having an appeal for a penalty turned down, Bakary Koné fires a shot over the bar.64th minute - Argentina substitutionOn: 14 - PalacioOn: 9 - CrespoThe man who scored the first goal, Crespo, goes off in a straight swap with the inexperienced Rodrigo Palacio taking his place.63rd minute - Côte d'Ivoire substitutionOn: 14 - B. KonéOff: 2 - AkaléBakary Koné is on to offer more attacking options for the Africans.62nd minute - Côte d'Ivoire bookingBooked: 21 - EbouéArsenal defender Emmanuel Eboué goes down for a hard foul on Saviola.56th minute - Côte d'Ivoire substitutionOn: 15 - DindaneOff: 8 - KalouLens striker Aruna Dindane enters in the place of the misfiring Bonaventure Kalou as the Elephants try desperately to get back into the game.55th minuteA free kick from the left by Riquelme goes all the way across the face of goal and goes wide of the far post before anyone can get to it.49th minute - Argentina bookingBooked: 6 - HeinzeGabriel Heinze's rash challenge on Drogba is penalized by the referee with Argentina's second yellow card of the game.48th minuteIt's a good opportunity to make it 3-0. The ball is laid off for Maxi Rodríguez on the right side of the area, but he appears to slow to react and when he does, he fires his shot high.HALF-TIMEArgentina hold a two-goal lead at half-time thanks in part to better finishing than their counterparts in orange.The Ivorians had plenty of chances to get on the scoresheet, and the match should probably be level at 2-2 right now, but their last touch has let them down. They do look a very strong side, however.41st minute - Argentina bookingBooked: 7 - SaviolaThe goalscorer goes down after moving the ball while the Ivorians were preparing to take a free kick.38th minute - GOAL ARGENTINA! (2-0)Goal: 7 - SaviolaWell, the missed chances are haunting the Ivorians now although it appears the goal shouldn't have counted.Javier Saviola is played through on goal by Juan Riquelme and he slides the ball past Tizié, and replays show he beat the offside trap with perfect timing although one of his teammates had drifted off.35th minuteIt's all Côte d'Ivoire, but they can't get it into the net! Kader Keita is the latest victim as he wins a header in the center of the area, but his shot is right at a sliding Abbondanzieri from close range. What a chance!34th minuteKalou will rue this missed chance. A wonderful cross from the left by Yaya Touré finds him at the top of the area, but he shanks his shot wide with more time to fire than he thought.30th minuteThe Elephants are not giving up despite conceding a goal. This time, Bonaventure Kalou has a crack at goal with the right boot, but the ball sails wide of the goal.24th minute - GOAL ARGENTINA! (1-0)Goal: 9 - CrespoA free kick causes mass confusion in the area. The ball lands and no Ivorian players can clear, allowing Hernán Crespo to tuck the ball home to give Argentina the lead!21st minuteThe action is at a frantic pace up and down the pitch with both sides earning corners after getting deep into the area.14th minuteArgentina are crying for a goal to be awarded after Roberto Ayala hits a firm header that Jean-Jacques Tizié parries onto the post. The officials say it didn't cross the line, but it was awfully close and hard to tell by any of the replays. Still 0-012th minuteThe Africans have come out incredibly strong early on here and are enjoying a lion's share of the possession so far, but Roberto Abbondanzieri is yet to be tested.3rd minuteThe Ivorians are attacking early and a cross from the left by Kanga Akale finds Didier Drogba at the top of the area, but the Chelsea striker's header balloons over.KickoffThey're underway in Hamburg!Pre-GameArgentina look to get off to a fine start in the Group of Death and have a nearly fully fit roster to pick from. Gabriel Heinze is fit to start in defense, although it is yet unsure whether Lionel Messi will feature as a substitute.Côte d'Ivoire will field a full-strength side with the attack focusing on captain Didier Drogba, although he will have support from an attacking midfield.LineupsArgentina: Abbondanzieri; Burdisso, Ayala, Heinze, Sorín; Rodríguez, Mascherano, Cambiasso; Riquelme (Aimar 90); Saviola (González 76), Crespo (Palacio 64).Goals: Crespo 24, Saviola 38Booked: Saviola 41, Heinze 49Côte d'Ivoire: Tizié; Eboué, K. Touré, Meite, Boka; Akale (B. Koné 63), Zokora, Y. Touré; Kalou (Dindane 56); Keita (A. Koné 77), Drogba.Goals: Drogba 82Booked: Eboué 62, Drobga 90

Fifa World Cup

2006-06-09T06:45:00.000-07:00

Group C
Argentina, Ivory Coast, Serbia and Montenegro, Netherlands.

A “Group of death” is feature in every World Cup tournament, this year being group C. With great and renamed stars in the Argentina and Netherlands squads, both teams are looking to break down his formidable back line.

The “Oranje” and the “Albiceleste” are third and fourth place respectively in Fifa’s ranking. As a result, the South Americans, who were also drawn in a tricky group in 2002, face a tough battle if they are to fare any better than they did in Asia. Indeed, among sportsbooks, Argentina is one of the favorites not only to pass to the second round but also among is one of the very favorites to raise the Cup.

Serbia and Montenegro enjoyed an exceptional qualifying tournament, edging past Spain and conceding just one goal in 10 matches. This team showed a very strong defense. Their solidity in the last third of field impressed everyone. The “Famous Four”, Serbia’s well known defense player of Manchester United Nemanja Vidic, Mladen Krstajic of Schalke, Kyiv Dynamo's Goran Gavrancic and Sevilla's Ivica Dragutinovic are a formidable unit ready to defend a spot on that group for round 2. There are a lot of expectations for Germany 2006 and Serbia and Montenegro. Watch them as strong as their qualifications could be a headache for any of the other squads on the group.

It’s not going to be easy for the Ivory Coast being in their first World Cup tournament and in this group; but their dedication and good tactic could be a surprise for this group and entire tournament. The Africans are considered the minnows, but they are nonetheless brimming with talent and enthusiasm. Even, sports betting odds are not in their favor and we will have to wait for the opening games to check on their strategy and self belief that makes them a danger for the other squads.

Among this group, the game on June 21st, Netherlands vs. Argentina is one of the most expected games in the group and the whole tournament. If The Serbia-Montenegrins and the Africans stand on their tactic and self belief the “Group of Death” will be much more than entertaining.

Argentina coach may know starting team, but he isn't saying

2006-06-05T14:04:00.000-07:00

Argentina coach Jose Pekerman is not likely to announce his team for Saturday's World Cup Group C opener against the Ivory Coast until an hour before the match.
He has hinted at his first-choice lineup, and a few members on his World Cup squad are bracing to be left out in Hamburg.
Carlos Tevez, the stocky striker regarded by many as Argentina's most dangerous forward, knows he may not start because Hernan Crespo and Javier Saviola are the likely choices up front.

"I don't know if I am going to start or not," Tevez said before Monday's practice. "What I know is that if I get in I'll be doing everything I can for the team. If I sit out the first game, I'll have to support the guys who are playing."
Crespo is the team's only big striker — at six feet one — and is a player who scores almost all his goals lurking in the area. Saviola, Tevez and 18-year-old Lionel Messi are in the five-foot-seven range and appear to be battling for the same starting place playing just off Crespo's shoulder.
Saviola has more experience with the national team, and Messi is billed as a future star. Tevez could be the odd man out.
"We have 23 players with good feet," Tevez said. "It's not just me — Carlitos. There is Saviola, Messi, (Rodrigo) Palacio. If I'm not picked to play and Argentina still wins the World Cup, I'll be happy just the same."
Tevez isn't the only player unsure of his status in the squad. Juan Roman Riquelme, an almost certain starter whose skill led unheralded Villarreal to this season's Champions League semifinals, said he did not know which of his teammates would be alongside him.
"The coach hasn't told us that much," Riquelme said after Monday's practice. "I'd like to play with all of my 22 teammates. That would make me very happy."
The backline, probably Argentina's weakest link, seems sure to start with four defenders — Nicolas Burdisso, Roberto Ayala, Gabriel Heinze and captain Juan Pablo Sorin. Sorin is an attacking defender and, when he moves forward, it's a back line of three.
Heinze has not played since damaging knee ligaments in September in a Champions League game at Villarreal. He says that isn't a bothering him.
"The team's in good shape, there's no problem," Heinze said. "The exception is me having just gone through a long period of inactivity. Our desire and our hopes should erase any physical problems we have."
Roberto Abbondanzieri is likely to be the goalkeeper, although 19-year-old Oscar Ustari is being mentioned. He has yet to play a game for the national team, and the FiFa World Cup Germany 2006 would be a difficult place to start.
The midfield also looks set with Esteban Cambiasso on one wing and Javier Mascherano on the other. Playmakers Maxi Rodriguez and Riquelme will direct things from further up front.
Although Ivory Coast and Serbia-Montenegro look to be difficult games, the key matchup in the group comes June 20 in Frankfurt with Argentina vs. Netherlands. It's a rematch of the 1998 World Cup quarter-final, won 2-1 by the Netherlands.
The Dutch drew 1-1 against Australia on Sunday in Rotterdam, and Tevez was watching on TV.
"The Netherlands is a young team that's up for it, it's very hungry to win," Tevez said. "The Dutch will press you all over the field. It's a team that's in shape to run, but is also very technically talented. On the wings they have very dangerous players, particularly on the left with (Arjen) Robben.
"It will be a very tough game."
In fact, all three will be in what's regarded as the World Cup's toughest group.

Argentina vrs Angola Review

2006-05-31T07:20:00.000-07:00

In general, we have to be pleased…
Angola’s only chances came, as we’ve been predicting for 3 months, from egregious ABBONDANZIERI screw-ups. The defense was air tight, but Abbondanzieri was so bad that we should fully expect every team we face to just unload from half field and crash the net looking for rebounds. So far, Abbo is exactly the time bomb we’ve discussed ad nauseum. Either we’ll pay the price or Franco will be seeing some action.
SORIN was Man of the Match. Two of his crosses ended up in goal. Others should have. He was a lion on defense and ball recovery.
RIQUELME made a nice pass or two but, if anything, this game proved that the team can look pretty good even when Riquelme’s not much of a factor.
BURDISSO held his own and didn’t look out of place aside the always reliable AYALA & HEINZE. Defense generally looked outstanding…SCALONI was decent defending, but man does he lack ball skills. In the passing, everyone was singing the same tune but Scaloni.
MESSI is flat-out unreal. The things that can happen between him, TEVEZ, and AIMAR might be all-time, off the charts. I have to believe Pekerman will start Tevez.
Frankly, Pekerman might be the only person in the world who would start Saviola - Crespo over Tevez - Messi. One thing is certain: If a team is holding a Riquelme, Saviola, Crespo line-up to a draw (or down one). Pekerman has a NITRO button which is to bring on Aimar, Tevez, Messi. I’m hoping he finds a look that blends the two by the time we face Holland. Riquelme, Saviola, Crespo should be more than enough for Ivory Coast however.
Otherwise, MAXI looked great as the scoring threat he’s become (save one dive); CAMBIASSO had a quiet game and MASCHERANO looked solid. He got tagged a couple of times but seemed to recover OK.
In sum (and in my opinion), Argentina has more raw material than any other team in their history, OR in this World Cup. If Pekerman and Abbondanzieri don’t drop any t_rds in the proverbial punch bowl…this should be quite a party. Predictions:
Argentina 4 Ivory Coast 2 (Factoring that Abbo is relieved of duty by Franco after at least one gift goal)Argentina 2 S&M 1Argentina 2 Holland 1
Argentina 3 Portugal 2

Coloccini: Argentina can make semis, but aren't favourites

2006-05-24T10:55:00.000-07:00

Argentina have a realistic chance of making the semi-finals at the upcoming football World Cup in Germany but rivals Brazil are the favourites, defender Fabricio Coloccini said in an interview published on Wednesday.
'I think making the semi-finals is a realistic aim. We should be able to do that once again,' the Deportivo La Coruna player Coloccini told Germany's Sport Bild weekly.
Argentina won the World Cup in 1978 and 1986 but have not been in the final four since 1990 when they lost the final to Germany.
At the 2002 edition Argentina even crashed out in the first round although the team was among the top favourites.
'It is better not be rated among the favourites,' said Coloccini, who like team-mate Juan Pablo Sorin rates the holders and record five-time winners Brazil favourites.
Like in 2002 (against England, Nigeria and Sweden) Argentina face a tough group stage again at the June 9-July event in Germany, drawn against the Netherlands, Serbia and Montenegro and the Ivory Coast.

The World Cup Preview

2006-05-18T12:19:00.000-07:00

By Graham Harvey
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

America loves “World Champions”.

Baseball has “The World Classic”, NFL crowns its version at the Superbowl, and the NBA finds theirs after a grueling season.

However, this summer all these “local” events fade into insignificance when you realize that every country on this planet will be talking about, reading, and watching “THE World Cup” – no exceptions!

It’s taken time for a country that exports its culture to import the World’s favorite game. Even in 1994, those “funny men” running on grass in “silk pyjamas” did not catch John Doe’s imagination in America’s heartland.

So what’s all the fuss about every four years when the world goes crazy and falls into a footballing trance while America carries on with their summer sports?Well, “The World Cup” embodies more than a team trying to win. Footballers transform into “warriors” – national heroes – and the football pitch becomes more than a piece of turf, it’s a battleground for global supremacy.The World Cup is the only event where a team represents a country and 100% of its population gets behind them and lives every kick, breathes every goal, and cries at every defeat.As one famous British manager once told a reporter, "Someone said 'football is more important than life and death to you' and I said 'Listen, it's more important than that'."Footballers have been shot dead for missing penalties, and two nations went to war over a football match (El Salvador and Honduras).It’s the “global game” – that’s why American companies scramble to push their products into every country via this competition. Look at Coca-Cola, Yahoo, and McDonalds – as you guys say, “They’ve got game!”So, who’s going to win?Of course, being English – you would think I would say England. But sadly, after “our” coach (well – he is Swedish really) got caught out by a number of faux pas like having close bedtime relations with an FA secretary (who also had intimate relationships with other high ranking members) who spilled the beans to a “fake Sheikh” in Dubai about the team and then had “secret” meetings (well, secret enough that Britain’s famous media hounds snapped photos of Sven going into these “secret” meetings) with top domestic clubs.You can see why your average “Brit” thinks Sven’s mind is not focused on the Cup.In fact, after all these little snags, the FA decided to wish him “Good luck and goodbye”.Now, in your job – if your company says, “we’ve got a major launch happening and then you’re fired after it”, are you actually going to go the “Whole Ten Yards?” Not likely.In fact, the whole footballing world will be packed into one nation. Deals will be done for players, and it is not against the realms of reality that while Sven is thinking about where he will be in August, his agent will be on the mobile phone talking to rich European clubs about Sven’s future employment.Now, what would you rather focus on – an employer’s ultimate dream after already firing you or a shiny new multi-million dollar contract with one of Europe’s richest clubs? Go figure!For the duration of the World Cup, teams take over hotels and make them secure camps. So, within this secure zone, if you see Sven on the practice pitch or walking around the hotel with his mobile close by – it could be suggested that he is not waiting for Nancy (his other half) to call him to update him on missed episodes of “Lost” or “Desperate Housewives”!So who can win the Cup? Well, obviously it would be boring to say “Brazil”. But sadly, the talent within the side is amazing and a repeat of 2002 Japan’s victory is on the cards.What about another European challenge? Well, everyone knows Italy has a great footballing history. However, the sport is in crisis – it’s so bad that Sven talking to another football club about joining them whilst under contract with the FA – is small fry when you consider what has surfaced in Italy.OK, think about this and I’ll put it in American sporting terms. Of course, before any American lawyers start firing off writs to me – I am not saying that any of the following could or would happen in the NFL. But consider what the outcry would be if the New England Patriots were stripped of their two Superbowl titles. Or if the owner, Robert Kraft, dictated who the on-field umpires would be for all their matches. Or picture the Patriots’ owner locking umpires in their dressing rooms after a game because they didn’t give “favourable” decisions, the owner’s son running the most influential sports agency in NFL, and this same man dictating who gets bought and sold within the whole NFL community. What would happen if the Pats’ leading QB admits to gambling on NFL matches although it is banned? Then the NFL chief commissioner resigns, and to cap it all George “Dubya” Bush takes some time off from his “crusade” in the Middle East to appoint a new commissioner to oversee the “damaged” sport.This scenario is exactly what has happened in the past month in Italy. The Azzuri are truly “blue” and the dark cloud of corruption hangs over the Italian dream – there’s too much baggage being taken to Germany.So, if you discard England and Italy – two of the favourites – where are the dark horses to run against the thoroughbred Brazilians? Holland and Spain usually turn up, and when everyone thinks they’ll be the “belles of the ball” – they trip up on the global dance floor and never see it out to the end. France are always a side that oozes class. Thierry Henry is in his prime, Gallas and many other EPL stars are at their peak – but can eleven stars gel into one cohesive unit? Germany for a month will tell.The minnows always have no chance. Sorry Trinidad & Tobago, Saudi Arabia et al.The winner is easy to predict – it is always the football fan that feasts on this extravaganza. The team that lifts the trophy – well – you always want a pundit to give his opinion and take a good stance. I apologise, but yes, I am realistic and yes, I know my football and yes, I want to be next to a young nubile Brazilian girl when they lift The World Cup on July 9th, 2006!

¡OFFICIAL LIST!

2006-05-18T07:31:00.000-07:00

The official list for the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™ has been confirmed by Pekerman himself, at 5 PM (ES). Here are the details:

Goalkeepers:
Abbondanzieri - Leo Franco - Ustari

Defense:
Coloccini - Cufré - Ayala - Gabriel Milito - Heinze - Burdisso - Sorin

Midfield:
Lucho González - Maxi Rodríguez - Cambiasso - Mascherano - Aimar - Riquelme - Scaloni

Forwards:
Palacio - Crespo - Tevez - Messí - Cruz - Saviola

I am overall pleased with the list, although some people might strongly disagree; I think we have a good combination of players. The absence of Zanetti is of course still intriguing, as well as the selection of some players ahead of others, such as Palacio instead of Agüero.However, with our attack as strong as it is, I can definitely see us going to the finals.After all, you can only win if you score, and only lose if you don’t score (Duh!).¡Vamos Argentina! ¡Vamos Argentina! ¡Vamos Argentina!

World Cup notebook: Argentines fit?

2006-05-09T11:20:00.000-07:00

Argentina coach Jose Pekerman said Tuesday he was worried about his team's physical condition, and how it could affect the two-time champion's showing at the World Cup.
Pekerman, who is hosting a pre-World Cup reunion of 14 Argentina internationals outside Madrid, said it was impossible to determine fitness until the final tournament begins.
"National championships stretch players to the limit. Then the time you have up to the tournament isn't enough to recover from injuries and this leads to doubts right until the end," Pekerman was quoted as saying by news agency Efe. "The big worry is that players, apart from their ability, must be in top physical condition."
Sixteen players — 15 players who play in Europe, plus Boca Juniors goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri — were initially called up for the two-day meeting, although Villarreal midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme and FC Porto midfielder Luis Gonzalez did not attend.
Gonzalez has stayed in Portugal to prepare for Porto's Portuguese Cup final against Setubal next Sunday, while Riquelme has returned to Argentina due to a "personal problem," Pekerman said.

I'll return when I'm ready - Messi

2006-04-24T10:18:00.000-07:00

Barcelona's Argentina international Lionel Messi, recuperating back at home in Rosario after treatment on a leg injury, says he is not going to rush his return.
Messi has not played since he limped out of Barcelona's UEFA Champions League tie against Chelsea at the Nou Camp on 7 March with a torn muscle in his right leg. The problem forced him out of the Catalans' semi-final clash with AC Milan.
He told a press conference on Thursday: "I could return in two weeks, but I don't want to rush myself. I can't give you an exact date for my return."
The South American youngster is anxious to allow himself every chance of a complete recovery in time for for the FIFA World Cup™, with Argentine coach Jose Pekerman due to name his squad on 15 May.

United vow to help Heinze get to Germany

2006-04-17T14:05:00.000-07:00

Manchester United will do everything possible to help Argentina's Gabriel Heinze play at the FIFA World Cup™, manager Alex Ferguson said on Thursday.
"What we should do is to give him every opportunity to be there," Ferguson told reporters. "Gabi is 28 now and you can't deny the lad the chance of playing in the World Cup.
"It's the biggest tournament for any player and therefore we have got to try and help him as best we can. And looking at him in training, in a month's time he will certainly be ready for a big competition."
Heinze is set to return as a substitute following seven months out with a knee injury in United's Premier League game against Sunderland on Friday.
The left-sided defender needs to play games to prove his fitness following surgery but, with United chasing the league title, Ferguson wants to limit his changes to a winning team.
Ferguson said he will try to give Heinze as much time on the pitch as possible to confirm his place in Argentina's squad for the finals in Germany in June.
"He has been training very well and we can't ask any more of him," Ferguson said. "He has got stuck in straight away as if he's never been away and I think that's terrific to see.
"The problem for him really, in terms of the World Cup, is that we only have five games and (Mikael) Silvestre's form has been absolutely fantastic.
"Therefore it makes it difficult. But the best we can do is give him parts of games to impress the Argentinian medical staff and coaches (and show) that he is all right for the World Cup."
The FIFA World Cup kicks off on June and national squads must be announced by 15 May.

Argentina's Heinze close to United return

2006-04-11T10:36:00.000-07:00

Manchester United's Argentina defender Gabriel Heinze, sidelined since suffering a cruciate ligament injury in September, is close to making a first-team comeback.
United manager Alex Ferguson said the left-back, who still hopes to make Argentina's FIFA World Cup™ squad, could play against Sunderland at Old Trafford on Friday.
"Gabi has been back in training for the last three weeks and he is looking fantastic," Ferguson told the club's website. "It was a toss-up as to whether or not he should be on the bench against Arsenal at the weekend.
"He has been tackling like a tiger, has shown great energy in training and his enthusiasm is infectious. He is very close and it may be I give him a go against Sunderland later this week."
Heinze picked up the injury in United's UEFA Champions League group stage draw with Villarreal.

Striking puzzle for Pekerman

2006-04-07T09:40:00.000-07:00

Argentina has produced some of the deadliest strikers in the history of the FIFA World Cup™.
The unmistakable flowing locks of Mario Kempes, the electrifying runs of Ramon Diaz, the cool finishing skills of Jorge Valdano and the heady mix of panache and power personified by Claudio Caniggia and Gabriel Batistuta have all imprinted themselves on the global consciousness.
Today, some 76 years on from their first appearance in the world cup tournament, the Albiceleste are set to unleash a new wave of forwards with a brief to create mayhem for opposing defences this summer. Following a string of injuries to several of the main candidates, FIFAworldcup.com runs the rule over the marksmen hoping to make Jose Pekerman's final squad of 23, and assesses their current form and their place in the coach's plans.

A place on the listAll the indications are that Pekerman will take five strikers to Germany. Even though his shortlist contains no fewer than 11 names, the coach seems to have things very clear in his mind. Three of the contenders are certainties to make the trip and top of the list, as you might expect, is none other than Hernan Crespo.
At the age of 30 and with 11 years of international experience under his belt, the Chelsea forward is the top scorer in the history of the South American qualifiers and is all set to fill the void left by Gabriel Batistuta in 2002. "When he's on song, he's the only irreplaceable forward we've got," Pekerman said recently, an indication of the faith he has in the man who scored the second and final goal of Argentina's disastrous Korea/Japan 2002 campaign.
Second in line comes Carlos Tevez, who rose to prominence at the Copa America in 2004. Later that summer, he showed his impressive range of skills at the Olympic Football Tournament in Athens, where he finished top scorer and was named best player en route to helping his side to the gold medal. Still only 22, Carlitos is in the form of his life with Corinthians of Brazil, who forked out a record fee for his services.

It proved to be a case of money well spent, as the Argentine livewire's goals brought the club the Brazilian league title. It is this firepower, allied to the new-found professionalism that Pekerman has often demanded of the player, that will have defences quaking in their boots come June.
Despite his diminutive stature and tender years, it has taken Lionel Messi a mere nine months to draw the admiration of the entire footballing world. Endearingly known as El Pulga (The Flea) to his many fans, the pint-sized playmaker picked up every award going at the FIFA World Youth Championship Netherlands 2005 before muscling his way into a star-studded Barcelona line-up.
His graduation as a world-class player came in the first leg of his club's UEFA Champions League tie against Chelsea when he outwitted the Londoners' tough-tackling back line with aplomb and not a little courage. "He's a footballing genius, and if he carries on like this he'll bring so much happiness to Argentine football," enthused Pekerman. The kid from Rosario, who has jumped ahead of some more experienced names in the pecking order, will be hoping Germany marks the beginning of a long and successful international career.

Walking the tightrope although in a slightly different situation, Javier Saviola and Diego Milito, in fine form at Sevilla and Zaragoza respectively, look almost certain to make the squad. Only a few short months ago Saviola, a FIFA World Youth Championship winner in 2001, was a regular fixture in coach Pekerman's plans. His goalscoring touch momentarily deserted him, though, and he was dropped for the March friendly against Croatia.
Nevertheless, El Conejito (The Little Rabbit) was quick to heed the message and his scintillating finishing skills were soon in evidence again as he notched six league goals for his side and a brace in the first leg of their UEFA Cup quarter-final.

Milito's surge into the reckoning, meanwhile, has come as a pleasant surprise for Pekerman, who recently described the Zaragoza man as "the most in-form Argentina striker". After starting out with Racing Club Avellaneda, he journeyed into the footballing wilderness with Italian Serie B side Genoa. Nonetheless, his striking prowess soon attracted the attention of the high-flying Spanish first division side, where he has teamed up with his brother Gabriel.
The 26-year-old has repaid his new employers' faith with 20 goals so far this season, including five in two games against Real Madrid. "I'm so happy every time I get an international call-up. I just hope I can do enough to win a place in the side," he said after getting the nod for the Croatia game. Like fellow Spain-based striker Saviola, Milito has the next two months in which to press his case for inclusion.
Staying at home? There are a clutch of other forwards with an outside chance of catching the plane to Germany. Despite continuing to bang in the goals for Inter Milan, Julio Cruz has slipped out of the international reckoning of late. The same is also true of Cesar Delgado, no longer the force he was with Mexico's Cruz Azul and a shadow of the player who graced the qualifiers and the FIFA Confederations Cup 2005.
Luciano Galletti has also dropped off the pace in recent months, having been overtaken by Rodrigo Palacio and Sergio Aguero, two young pretenders enjoying purple patches with Boca Juniors and Independiente respectively. The speedy and gifted Palacio was in the squad for the qualifier against Bolivia in La Paz and was in line for another call-up against Croatia, only for injury to rule him out. A subsequent loss of form seems to have dashed his hopes of making the 23-man squad.
As for 17-year-old sensation Aguero, he is seen by the Argentine press as the most exciting player in the league at the moment and is attracting serious interest from Spain's top clubs. Weighing against his inclusion is his age, and although he made an appearance in the final of the FIFA World Youth Championship, Germany 2006 looks to be a tournament too far at this stage.
"I've decided on 90 per cent of the squad," said Pekerman on his return from Switzerland in March. The make-up of the forward line probably accounts for the remaining 10 per cent, and although there are various candidates in the frame, one thing is for certain: no matter who makes the squad, Argentina will be as dangerous in front of goal as ever.

Ronaldinho and sibling rivalry help Messi bed in

2006-03-31T14:10:00.000-08:00

Lionel Messi has Ronaldinho and some rough football competition from his brothers to thank for a seamless move into the big time.
The Argentina teenager was taken under his wing by Ronaldinho as soon as he broke into Barcelona's first-team squad, gaining from the confidence shown in him by the great Brazilian.
He also learnt from an early age that he did not like losing in fierce kickabouts with brothers Matias and Maxi in which he did not always come out on top.
By the time Messi played at Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League last month, he was hardened enough to shrug off the foul by defender Asier del Horno and the controversy surrounding his own reaction and the Spaniard's red card to go on and help Barcelona win 2-1.
"I remember at Stamford Bridge all the guys were coming up to me at half-time in the dressing room really worried about me, but I was able to say, 'Don't worry, no problem, I'm fine, let's just get on with beating them'," Messi said.
"Ever since I was a kid I've hated to lose. If I played with my brothers Matias and Maxi we'd always end up fighting about something. If I lost they'd tease me and punch me until I cried," he said in an interview in Champions Magazine.
"It's the kind of thing that happens among brothers in a family but they taught me to hate losing," he added in the issue of the magazine being published this week.
"Something deep in my character allows me to take the hits and get on with trying to win," said Messi, who played little part in the second leg of the last-16 tie against Chelsea after pulling a muscle early in the game at the Nou Camp. A 1-1 draw gave Barcelona the tie 3-2 on aggregate.
"I've always had this ability to get up and get on with it. Long ago I made up my mind that the fact that people try to kick you and foul you comes with the territory if you play the way I do," the 18-year-old said.
"Usually the attacks are not malicious. But if they are malicious, you do have to protest a bit. At the start of a match when you are not properly warmed up it hurts a bit more. But by the time the game is in full flow, you're concentrating so deeply on winning, most times you barely notice what has happened."
Messi has been compared with Diego Maradona, even by Argentina's 1986 FIFA World Cup™-winning captain himself, and said he was moved to tears when he received a phone call from him after helping his country win the FIFA World Youth Championship in the Netherlands last year.
"I want to avoid comparisons because for me there has never been anyone quite like him," Messi said.
Messi plays alongside another brilliant player in Ronaldinho who forgot about the traditional rivalry between Brazilians and Argentines to befriend Messi.
"Ronnie was massively important for me," Messi said. "I was so young when I started to come into Barcelona's dressing room, but he made a point of being first to step up to me and look after me.
"I try to copy little things Ronaldinho does but more fundamentally I just try to play for the joy of it. Playing football has always meant joy for me and that's why I do it. Of course, it's easier when you're winning."

FIFA WORLD CUP GERMANY 2006 ODDS!!!