Argentina
Group C | World ranking: 9 Coach: Jose Pekerman Key Players: Lionel Messi (forward), Hernan Crespo (forward), Juan Roman Riquelme (midfielder) Past Record: Winners in 1978 and 1986; finalists in 1930 and 1990 Group C Results: June 10: Ivory Coast (2-1 | Report) June 15: Serbia & Montenegro (6-0 | Report) June 21: Netherlands (0-0 | Report) Knockout Stages: June 24: Mexico (2-1 | Report) June 30: Germany (1-1 aet; Germany win 4-1 penalties | Report) Group Summary: Jose Pekerman's side firmly established themselves as the form side of the tournament so far with a hard-fought win over impressive Ivory Coast and a six-goal rout of Serbia and Montenegro which saw them qualify from the so-called "Group of Death" with a match to spare. With Riquelme, Saviola and Crespo all playing well and Messi and Tevez providing further attacking strength on the bench, Argentina have become the side who everybody else wants to avoid. Pre-Tournament Preview: After crashing out in the first round as tournament favorites four years ago, triggering national angst, the two-times champions will be determined to make amends this time around, though once again they find themselves in a very tough group. But Jose Pekerman, having won three youth world titles, has the best of that crop of young players to choose from, including Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez, along with experienced campaigners like Roberto Ayala and Hernan Crespo. Argentina's footballers have been living under a shadow since the end of the Diego Maradona era in 1994. Twenty years since his greatest triumph in Mexico, the Albiceleste will be aiming to add another glorious chapter to their history. SquadGoalkeepers: 1. Roberto Abbondanzieri (Boca Juniors) 12. Leonardo Franco (Atletico Madrid) 23. Oscar Ustari (Independiente) Defenders: 2. Roberto Ayala (Valencia) 3. Juan Pablo Sorin (Villareal) 4. Fabricio Coloccini (Deportivo Coruna) 6. Gabriel Heinze (Manchester United) 13. Lionel Scaloni (West Ham United) 15. Gabriel Milito (Zaragoza) 16. Leandro Cufre (AS Roma) 21. Nicolas Burdisso (Inter Milan) Midfielders: 5. Esteban Cambiasso (Inter Milan) 8. Javier Mascherano (Corinthians) 10. Juan Roman Riquelme (Villareal) 16. Pablo Aimar (Valencia) 18. Maxi Rodriguez (Atletico Madrid) 22. Luis Gonzalez (Porto) Forwards: 7. Javier Saviola (Sevilla) 9. Hernan Crespo (Chelsea) 11. Carlos Tevez (Corinthians) 14. Rodrigo Palacio (Boca Juniors) 19. Lionel Messi (Barcelona) 20. Julio Cruz (Inter Milan)
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