|
NARAHA, Japan (AP) -- Argentina coach Marcelo Bielsa on Saturday announced that AS Roma striker Gabriel Batistuta will start in the team's World Cup Group F opener against Nigeria. Batistuta's call up for Sunday's match in Ibaraki means no place for Hernan Crespo of Italy's Lazio. "I compared the form of the players available and decided that for this game I would play those closest to their best possible condition," Bielsa told reporters. "Batigol," as he is known, is Argentina's most prolific scorer with 55 goals in 75 games. However, the 33-year-old has had a poor season at Roma, suffering from several injuries and a dip in form that saw him convert just six goals for his club side. Crespo, 26, helped propel Argentina to the World Cup finals, grabbing nine goals in 12 games in the South American qualifiers. In another much awaited decision, Bielsa said he would start Lazio's Claudio Lopez, who edged out Valencia's Kily Gonzalez for the left flank position. Ariel Ortega of Turkey's Fenerbahce was selected to play on the right wing. In goal, Bielsa ended weeks of speculation by picking Celta de Vigo's Pablo Cavallero over German Burgos of Atletico Madrid. In midfield, former captain Diego Simeone of Italy's Lazio was declared fit enough to start. Simeone only recovered in April after a six-month injury layoff caused by torn knee ligaments. He is Argentina's most-capped player, with 104 appearances. Bielsa said his had taken his decision after several weeks of observing his players, both at Argentina's training camp in Japan and in their domestic leagues. He said he expected Crespo -- and others -- to play their part at some stage during the tournament. "Our goal is to play several games in this tournament and I think that everyone will have a chance to play," he said. Argentina is a hot favorite to lift its third World Cup title _ following its successes in 1978 and 1986. But Bielsa is keen to take pressure off his players. "Being labeled favorites makes us proud. But 10 minutes before a game that's no longer valid. Also, six or seven teams are being mentioned as favorites. "I am optimistic because I believe in my players," he said. "Their abilities have been proven. Also, I'm a born optimist. "The players have got to this stage in an almost ideal fashion." Nigeria, which reached the second round in 1994 and 1998, thinks the pressure is on the Argentines. "Nigeria have nothing to lose against Argentina. They do. We have nothing to be ashamed of if we lose," Jay Jay Okocha said. The Nigerians have a history of upsetting favorites. In 1990, the Super Eagles beat then-defending champion Argentina in the opening game of the World Cup in Italy 1-0. Six years later, Nigeria brought the first global soccer trophy to Africa when it topped Argentina 3-2 in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. And at the 1998 World Cup in France, Nigeria got through the group stage before losing to Denmark in the second round. But things deteriorated from there. Although Senegal is the toast of the soccer world after its amazing 1-0 upset of defending champion France on Friday, Nigeria's African Cup of Nations semifinal loss to the Dakar Lions earlier this year was seen as a national disgrace. Coach Shaibu Amodu was fired just as the Super Eagles took third place after beating host Mali. His successor, Adeboye Onigbinde, vowed to rebuild the squad from the ground up. But, led by Arsenal's Nwankwo Kanu and Chelsea's Celestine Babayaro, Nigeria is ready to reclaim its position as World Cup contender despite the tough group. Argentina's only injury concern is Glasgow Rangers winger Claudio Caniggia, who is struggling to shake off a knee injury. The Argentines and Nigerians also face England and Sweden in the opening round. ___ Probable lineups: Argentina: Pablo Cavallero, Mauricio Pochettino Roberto Ayala, Walter Samuel Javier Zanetti, Juan Pablo Sorin, Diego Simeone, Juan Sebastian Veron, Ariel Ortega, Gabriel Batistuta, Claudio Lopez Nigeria: Ike Shorunmu, Efetobore Sodje, Taribo West, Celestine Babayaro, Joseph Yobo, Pius Ikedia, Mutiu Adepoju, Jay Jay Okocha, Benedict Akwuegbu, Julius Aghahowa, Nwankwo Kanu.
|
