Argentina head to Confederations Cup on World Cup high

Argentina arrive at the Confederations Cup assured of their place in next year's World Cup finals but with coach Jose Pekerman under growing pressure to settle on a team and a system.

Argentina have used 43 players in their 10 matches since their former youth team coach Pekerman (picture) was promoted to the senior job following Marcelo Bielsa's resignation last September.

He is obviously doing something right, however, as Argentina will arrive in Germany on a high after becoming the first South American team to clinch their place in next year's finals when they beat world champions Brazil 3-1 on Wednesday.

That result ensures they finish in the top four of the South American qualifying group although it would now be a surprise if they finished anywhere but first.

Pekerman, though, is fast winning a reputation as a tinkerer, not only switching his personnel but also his tactical system, often in the same match.

Bielsa was often criticised for being stubborn in his selections but Argentines always knew what to expect once the game started. His teams invariably attacked with two wide players and a central striker and always took the game to their opponents.

Even Bielsa's sternest critics admitted that they could not remember a game in his seven-year tenure in which Argentina had handed the initiative to their opponents.

Pekerman, on the other hand, was accused during last Saturday's 2-0 defeat by Ecuador in a World Cup qualifier in Quito of "speculating" - sitting back and sizing up the opposition.

Pekerman defended his policy in an interview with Reuters last April. "Some people would like you to coach the team from memory because it appears this makes them feel more secure," he said.

"If we always play the same and win, everything's fine. And when we lose they ask, 'why we do always play the same players, why didn't we try the others?'"

Argentines are hoping that the Confederations Cup will at least give them some idea of what to expect in Germany next year, even though several regulars will be missing this time around.

Pekerman has left out his most experienced players, such as striker Hernan Crespo, who scored twice against Brazil on Wednesday, central defender Roberto Ayala and midfielder Cristian "Kily" Gonzalez.

He has also omitted three locally-based players - Boca Juniors goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri and River Plate midfield duo Luis Gonzalez and Javier Mascherano - because their teams are involved in the Libertadores Cup.

The competition will give fringe players such as defenders Gonzalo Rodriguez, Gabriel Milito and Martin Demichelis, midfielder Lucas Bernardi and forwards Cesar Delgado, Mario Santana and Luciano Galletti a chance to stake a place in the squad.

For some others, such as Real Madrid defender Walter Samuel and Valencia's attacking midfielder Pablo Aimar, the tournament is a chance to relaunch their international careers after absences during the last year.

"Argentina always have to play to win, there's no other way for us," said Pekerman, when asked about the importance of the FIFA-organised tournament.

"This is a very tough competition where the teams will draw a lot of conclusions but we and the players and the public know that Argentina will give everything."

Argentina play Tunisia in the opening match of the tournament in Group A in Cologne next Wednesday before facing Australia in Nuremberg on Saturday June 18 and hosts Germany, also in Nuremberg, three days later. If they advance they could face arch-rivals Brazil again in either the semi-finals or the final in Frankfurt on June 29.