Argentina Under-20s coach Walter Perazzo has affirmed that he is desperate for success in the 2011 Panamerican Games, as his side begin their campaign to take gold home from Mexico.
The squad, composed of players under the age of 22 in the local leagues and featuring Boca Juniors’ Sergio Araujo and Michael Hoyos of Estudiantes, will kick off the tournament tonight with a mouth-watering clash against Brazil in Group B. Costa Rica and Cuba are the other participants in the first stage of the competition.
With two teams qualifying from each of the two groups, Argentina will expect at least a place in the semi-finals. Perazzo, however, has set his sights on taking the top prize.
“I hope we win the gold,” the coach told reporters before turning his sights on clubs that were less than willing to release their best youngsters for the tournament.
“Sometimes these clubs put their own interests first. They do not understand that the national team has to be the priority. But we are wrong to want to win the Games by any means necessary. The experience we will take from Guadalajara is also valuable.”
The coach also looked forward to the match against Brazil, who lifted the U-20 South American Championship at the start of the year and followed it up with the World Cup title in Colombia.
“I have already told the lads that we cannot afford to relax. The game will be extremely difficult, because despite not having some of their World Cup stars, Brazil have kept a solid base.”
Line-ups:
Argentina: Esteban Andrada; Adrián Martínez, Germán Pezzela, Leandro González Pires, Lucas Kruspzky; Leonardo Ferreyra, Matías Laba, Ezequiel Cirigliano (or Alan Ruíz), Carlos Luque; Michael Hoyos, Sergio Araujo.
Brazil: César; Madson, Luccas Claro, Romário, Henrique Miranda; Lucas Zen, Misael, Felipe Anderson, Lucas Patinho; Henrique, Rafael.
Stadium: Chivas de Guadalajara
Kick-off: 7pm (Argentina)
buenosairesherald.com