The Hindu : Sport : Argentina faces Serbian test

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Friday, Jun 16, 2006

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Argentina faces Serbian test

It's a must-win match for the crisis-hit East European team

HERZOGENAURACH: Another loss, and Serbia & Montenegro will be out of the World Cup before it's just a week old. Another victory, and two-time champion Argentina could be into the final 16 — erasing memories of its early ouster four years ago in Japan.

Squabbles

The Serbs are a mess going into the Friday afternoon game in Gelsenkirchen. Key central defender Nemanja Vidic is out of the tournament with a knee injury; coach Ilija Petkovic and his players are openly squabbling over tactics; and a 1-0 loss to the Netherlands makes a victory imperative.

"Our bags are not packed yet as we plan to stay at the World Cup," said assistant coach Goran Stevanovic. "We have a tradition of creating problems, but we are known for being strongest when we are pushed against the wall," he added.

Petkovic was criticised for being defensive against the Dutch.

He hasn't announced his line-up, but he may start 1.98m forward Nikola Zigic and Stuttgart striker Danijel Ljuboja. The height is aimed at Argentina's relatively short central defenders — Roberto Ayala and Garbiel Heinze.

However, starting those two could further anger regular forwards Savo Milosevic and Mateja Kezman, who have openly said they are fed up with Petkovic.

Petkovic caused trouble when he named his son Dusan in the World Cup squad. A journeyman player, Dusan left the team on the eve of the tournament, saying he didn't want his father "crucified" by the media. FIFA did not allow a late replacement, and Vidic's injury now leaves the team with only 21 players instead of the maximum 23.

Argentina's World Cup has been a honeymoon by comparison.

Strikers Hernan Crespo and Javier Saviola scored in the 2-1 opening win over Ivory Coast. Despite four talented forwards pushing them — including the 18-year-old Lionel Messi and 22-year-old Carlos Tevez — coach Jose Pekerman is expected again to choose his two veterans.

He has been sheltering Messi, who says a thigh injury from three month ago has healed completely.

If there's a change it may come at midfield where Luis Gonzalez could replace Esteban Cambiasso. He would join Juan Roman Riquelme, Maxi Rodriguez and Javier Mascherano.

No overconfidence

Argentine players have been restrained despite the solid opening win. Four years ago, the team also opened with a victory over an African team, then picked up only one point in its final two games.

A win over Serbia, coupled with a Dutch victory the same day over Ivory Coast, would send both teams to the knockout round of 16. That would set up their match on June 21 in Frankfurt with both teams vying to finish first in Group C — considered the toughest World Cup group.

Asked if he expected Serbia's off-field problems to appear on-field, Ayala replied: "For us the game is the same, but we have to see how they react — what kind of character they have. I don't know how Serbia is going to play, but it's a team that played below its ability in the first game. I know the team can play better. Having lost the first game, they are sure to be up for this one."

Argentina is well aware that Serbia gave up only one goal in 10 World Cup qualifying games, topping Spain in its group.

"Serbia is a very organised, compact team that works very hard on defence and upfront it has dangerous people," Heinze said. "We know what we're up against."

Likely line-ups:

Argentina: 1-Roberto Abbondanzieri, 21-Nicolas Burdisso, 2-Roberto Ayala, 6-Gabriel Heinze, 3-Juan Pablo Sorin, 22-Luis Gonzalez, 8-Javier Mascherano, 18-Maxi Rodriguez, 10-Juan Roman Riquelme, 7-Javier Saviola, 9-Hernan Crespo. Coach: Jose Pekerman.

Serbia & Montenegro: 1-Dragoslav Jevric, 4-Igor Duljaj, 6-Goran Gavrancic, 20-Mladen Krstajic, 3-Ivica Dragutinovic, 17-Albert Nadj, 10-Dejan Stankovic, 11-Predrag Djordjevic, 7-Ognjen Koroman, 8-Mateja Kezman, 19-Nikola Zigic. Coach: Ilija Petkovic.

Referee: Roberto Rosetti (Italy). — AP

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