Maradona omits Inter pair(PA) Wednesday 12 May 2010
Javier Zanetti and Esteban Cambiasso are set to miss the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ after not being included in coach Diego Maradona's 30-man preliminary squad.
The Inter Milan pair have been two of the key players for Serie A champions Inter Milan and have been integral in the team reaching the UEFA Champions League final against Bayern Munich. Real Madrid midfielder Fernando Gago and Barcelona central defender Gabriel Milito are other prominent absentees.
Inter, though, will be represented by striker Diego Milito, defender Walter Samuel while Bayern defender Martin Demichelis has also been selected. Five English-based players have been included - Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez, Newcastle pair Fabricio Coloccini and Jonas Gutierrez and Liverpool duo Javier Mascherano and Maxi Rodriguez.
Colon defender Ariel Garce - who has one cap - Lanus midfielder Sebastian Blanco and Newell's Old Boys defender Juan Manuel Insaurralde are the surprise players. Martin Palermo could play in his first FIFA World Cup at the age of 36 after being selected following his achievements at Boca Juniors where he became their all-time top scorer.
Argentinos Juniors midfielder Juan Mercier, Colon keeper Diego Pozo, Estudiantes wing Jose Sosa (on loan from Bayern Munich) and Velez Sarsfield defender Nicolas Otamendi complete the nine-man home-based players list. Maradona did not speak to the local media while the Argentinian FA revealed the list of players to fight for the 23 berths in the official roster to be revealed by 1 June.
Argentina squad
Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar/Netherlands), Mariano Andujar (Catania/Italy), Diego Pozo (Colon)
Defenders: Nicolas Burdisso (Inter Milan/Italy), Martin Demichelis (Bayern Munich/Germany), Walter Samuel (Inter Milan/Italy), Gabriel Heinze (Marseille/France), Nicolas Otamendi (Velez Sarsfield), Fabricio Coloccini (Newcastle/England), Juan Manuel Insaurralde (Newell's Old Boys), Clemente Rodriguez (Estudiantes), Ariel Garce (Colon)
Midfielders: Javier Mascherano (Liverpool/England), Sebastian Blanco (Lanus), Juan Sebastian Veron (Estudiantes), Jesus Datolo (Olympiacos/Greece), Jose Sosa (Estudiantes), Maximiliano Rodriguez (Liverpool/England), Mario Bolatti (Fiorentina/Italy), Juan Mercier (Argentinos Juniors), Angel Di Maria (Benfica/Portugal), Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle/England), Javier Pastore (Palermo/Italy)
Forwards: Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid/Spain), Diego Milito (Inter Milan/Italy), Martin Palermo (Boca Juniors), Carlos Tevez (Manchester City/England), Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid/Spain), Lionel Messi (Barcelona/Spain), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli/Italy)
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=1209172/index.html#maradona+omits+inter+pair
