Pekerman says everybody must wait until the end (10 May 2006 01:54 GMT)
Jose Pekerman, who is hosting a pre-World Cup reunion of Argentina internationals outside Madrid, revealed that 16 players called-up for the camp is not definite.
"Those who aren't here need to be patient. Those who are in the group know they are very close (to the World Cup)... but they know they must wait until the end," he said, having 15. May in mind.
Sixteen players - 15 players who play in Europe, plus Boca Juniors goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri - were initially called up for the two-day meeting, although Villarreal midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme and FC Porto midfielder Luis Gonzalez did not attend.
Gonzalez has stayed in Portugal to prepare for Porto's Portuguese Cup final against Setubal next Sunday, while Riquelme has returned to Argentina.
"Riquelme has a personal problem which is connected with the sentimental side. Any player would have been given permission," Pekerman said.
The coach said the gathering had proved very useful, adding those players excluded still have a chance of making the 23-man squad he will announce on May 15.
"If we had held it earlier it would have contained other names. We organized it when we could. There are players like (Javier) Mascherano or (Carlos) Tevez who couldn't be here because of the stage their league is in," he said.
Pekerman said his decision to omit Pablo Aimar was nothing personal and the Valencia forward could also be picked for the World Cup, where Argentina faces Ivory Coast, Serbia-Montenegro and the Netherlands in Group C.
"Aimar's absence is like that of many others. it's nothing special. There's no problem between us," Pekerman said.
Pekerman said he was worried about his team's physical condition, and how it could affect the two-time champion's showing at the World Cup.
Pekerman said it was impossible to determine fitness until the final tournament begins.
"National championships stretch players to the limit. Then the time you have up to the tournament isn't enough to recover from injuries and this leads to doubts right until the end," Pekerman was quoted as saying by news agency Efe. "The big worry is that players, apart from their ability, must be in top physical condition."
source : Associated Press