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Argentina to take on Mexico
Argentina will take on Mexico in the second round of the World Cup in Leipzig on Saturday, as the world cup enters its knock-out stage.
- Indo-Asian News Service
- Updated: February 25, 2007 10:34 AM IST
Read Time:2 min
Leipzig:
Argentina will take on Mexico in the second round of the World Cup in Leipzig on Saturday, as the world cup enters its knock-out stage. The in-form team's star players including striker Hernan Crespo, playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme and captain Juan Pablo Sorin will return to starting 11 for the match. The winner of this clash is due to the face either hosts Germany or Sweden in the quarterfinals. The Argentina players walked around the Zentralstadion in Leipzig on Friday, a customary practice for the South Americans on the pre-match day. Their training was closed to the media, but coach Jose Pekerman gave some insight into the mood in the camp before the knockout game against Mexico. "We just had a couple of training sessions after the Holland match. But we tried to make maximum use of it. Now we have to see how the physical condition of the players is. I think after the Holland game, the players have become fitter. But we will only make final decisions by tomorrow," said Pekerman. Trusted players Pekerman is reluctant to name his team but is likely to go back to his trusted players for the big match. Juan Roman Riquelme is perhaps the most important player in the line-up for Argentina. Pekerman has used one of his most vital players very prudently, using him in short spells in the first round games. The coach's foresight will only help Argentina, as a fully fit Riquelme returns to the side when the team needs him most. Though Argentina started with Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez in their final group game against Holland, the senior strikers like Hernan Crespo look set to return against Mexico in the crunch game. Other senior campaigners like captain Juan Pablo Sorin and Leandro Cufre are also set to return to the starting eleven. The last time the two teams met on the big stage was in the Confederations Cup in Germany last year. On that occasion, Mexico and Argentina drew 1-1. Crespo and others would like to prove a point on the bigger stage later in the day. (AP)Topics mentioned in this article
Football Argentina
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