Argentina must select five strikers from 14 candidates

	Javier Saviola has yet to live up to his expectations, but he's still one of Argentina manager José Pekerman's favorites. Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
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With less than four months remaining until the opening match of the 2006 World Cup, José Pekerman is evidently in a race against time. The Argentine national team boss is yet to determine the most important part of his squad: the attack.

Some may think his job can't be too difficult when you take into account the wealth of talent that he has at his disposal. But the fact that Pekerman is likely to select only five strikers from a possible 14 candidates makes the job significantly harder. The manager's list, in preferential order, goes something like this:

Hernán Crespo (Chelsea), Carlos Tévez (Corinthians), Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona), Julio Cruz (Inter Milan), Diego Milito (Real Zaragoza), Javier Saviola (Sevilla), Rodrigo Palacio (Boca Juniors), Sergio Aguero (Independiente), Luciano Figueroa (River Plate), César Delgado (Cruz Azul), Luciano Galletti (Atlético Madrid), Lucas Castromán (Vélez Sarsfield), Lisandro Lopez (FC Porto) and Mariano Gonzalez (Palermo).

Clearly Pekerman will have a headache or two before selecting the squad, especially after the '02 World Cup catastrophe Argentina experienced under Marcelo Bielsa, who was criticized for selecting an under-strength forward line that included a 35-year-old Claudio Caniggia.

But since taking over the reigns, Pekerman has had plenty of time to observe his most consistent strikers. He has already fielded more than 50 players in a year's time, and it seems he is not far from finding the ideal blend.

Pekerman has already made clear that Crespo and Tévez will feature in Germany -- based on their recent form, it's hard to argue with that attacking partnership, even though they have yet to appear convincing when playing together. Teenage prodigy Messi has become an instrumental part of the squad and is also guaranteed a spot, meaning there are just two places available for the remaining 11 attackers. But Pekerman, who can get carried away at times, may gamble in adding a sixth striker.

Here's a rundown of the remaining candidates:

Diego Milito: The Real Zaragoza marksman has seen some international fame after putting an incredible four goals past Iker Casillas as his club slaughtered Real Madrid 6-1 in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals last week. But this was no fluke -- Milito has proven he is a world-class striker and has what it takes to secure a spot in the squad.

Since moving to Spain from Genoa this season, he has scored a combined 17 goals in La Liga and the Copa del Rey, becoming the revelation of the season. Although he has only earned one cap with Pekerman, it will be impossible for the national team boss to exclude him if he continues this kind of form.

"Right now, Diego Milito is the best Argentine striker after Crespo," Pekerman said in January, rewarding the talented striker with a call-up for the March 1 friendly match against Croatia in Basel, Switzerland.

Julio Cruz: After two quiet seasons at Inter Milan, the 6-foot-1 target man has shown his true potential this season. He has found the back of the net on 11 occasions in Serie A and Champions League play this season, and although he has had to play second fiddle to Brazilian superstar Adriano, he has become one of the most sought-after strikers in European soccer. "The Gardener" is an ambitious center-forward who has a lethal shot, as well as aerial strength that will come in handy for Argentina when it's up against towering defenses such as that of the Dutch.