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AP - Mexico named its 23-man
World Cup squad Saturday, putting its hopes in European-based players
such as FC Barcelona defender Rafael Marquez and Bolton striker Jared
Borgetti.
Injury-hit midfielder Jaime Lozano, Cruz Azul defender Joel Huiqui and
Toluca midfielder Israel Lopez were left out, despite the latter two
training with coach Ricardo Lavolpe for the past month.
Marquez, who has helped Barcelona win a second straight Spanish league
this season and reach the Champions League final, will captain Mexico in
a first-round group including Portugal, Iran and Angola.
Also in defence will be 37-year-old Claudio Suarez, who played in the
1994 and 1998 World Cups but missed the 2002 edition because of
injuries.
Borgetti, 33, is Mexico's joint leading scorer. However, since joining
Bolton in August he has spent more time on the bench than in the penalty
area.
Alongside him in attack will be Guillermo Franco, who helped Spain's
Villareal reach the semifinals of the Champions League. Franco is an
Argentine and naturalized Mexican citizen, while midfielder Antonio
Naelson was born in Brazil - provoking some fans to complain that
foreigners are taking Mexican jobs.
A notable absentee was striker Cuauhtemoc Blanco, known for his "Blanco
Bounce" at the 1998 World Cup in France - hopping past two defenders
with the ball between his ankles.
Lavolpe said in April that Blanco would not be included because he does
not fit it into his "football system." Blanco, known for caustic
comments on and off the field, claims that he has been left out because
of a personal grudge and has told Lavolpe to watch his back.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Oswaldo Sanchez, Jesus Corona, Guillermo Ochoa.
Defenders: Rafael Marquez, Claudio Suarez, Francisco Rodriguez,
Jose Antonio Castro, Mario Mendez, Ricardo Osorio, Carlos Salcido, Jose
Guardado, Gonzalo Pineda.
Midfielders: Antonio Naelson, Luis Perez, Pavel Pardo, Gerardo
Torrado, Jose Garcia, Ramon Morales.
Forwards: Guillermo Franco, Jared Borgetti, Francisco Fonseca,
Jose Arellano, Omar Bravo. |
