โดย peemai » จันทร์ พ.ค. 24, 2010 09:51
Diego Milito will have the same chance as Argentina's other in-form strikers to earn a place in their World Cup side, coach Diego Maradona said on Sunday (May 23) as Argentina prepares for their last World Cup tune up.
Milito, one of six strikers in Maradona's 23-man squad, reached the heights of European football by scoring both goals in Inter Milan's 2-0 win over Bayern Munich in Saturday's Champions League final in Madrid.
Maradona, whose team face Canada in a farewell match at River Plate's Monumental stadium on Monday (1930 GMT), said the players were all in great spirits and anxious to work towards the South Africa finals starting on June 11.
Traveling back from Europe after a victorious weekend, Milito won't play Monday in Buenos Aires, but Maradona said he will have a shot at starting in the talent rich frontline.
"I'm not surprised by Milito. I think he's had a spectacular season, but then so have the others, (Carlos) Tevez, Lio (Messi), 'Kun' (Sergio Aguero). I don't have problems with that issue. Whoever is in the best form will play. Diego (Milito) has proved me right for picking him and we're calm," said Maradona, whose first-choice pair appear to be Messi and Gonzalo Higuain.
Maradona watched over practices this week in Buenos Aires with 20 of the 23-squad he named for the World Cup. Defenders Walter Samuel of Inter and Martin Demichelis of Bayern Munich were the other absentees because of the Champions League final.
Messi seems the only sure starting striker for Maradona, who stately clearly he thinks the 22-year-old is far and away the world's best active player. Expectations are high for Messi, long been thought to be Maradona's heir.
"Each game has it's story and he has to be able to read the games and give the team what it needs. I found it in 1986 and kind of made myself the owner of the ball and the team. And that's what Lio (Messi) needs to do and he knows it. I've said it before, if the ball goes through Lio will have more chances than if the ball goes through someone else," Maradona said.
Maradona had seemed set on a 4-4-2 line-up with Messi and Higuain attacking, but practiced this week with Carlos Tevez as a third striker.
Maradona, considered by many to be the best soccer player of all time, led Argentina to a their last World Cup victory as a player in 1986.
"We know very well we're not the favorites. But we're going to give everyone a good fight, a footballing fight, because we have a good game and good players and because I believe in what I give to my players in each practice. I think this squad are similar to that of '86 because they have hunger for glory," he said.
Argentina also won as hosts in 1978.
Argentina face Nigeria, South Korea and Greece in Group B at the finals in South Africa.
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