Diego Maradona has called up 101 players since he took over as
coach of Argentina 15 months ago.
The latest call up for Wednesday's friendly against Jamaica
in the resort town of Mar del Plata includes six who have never
played for the national team. One player - Atletico Tucuman forward
Juan Pablo Pereyra - was later withdrawn because he just had
surgery.
Maradona has faced intense criticism over his handling of the
national team. He has little coaching experience and struggled to
qualify Argentina for the World Cup in South Africa despite having
some of the best players in the world, including Barcelona forward
Lionel Messi.
The original squad also included four players from Copa
Libertadores champion Estudiantes. They were removed after it was
pointed out that they play the following day in the Copa
Libertadores.
The team that faces Jamaica will be made up of players only
from Argentina's domestic league.
Goalkeepers: Nelson Ibanez (Godoy Cruz), Cristian Campestrini
(Arsenal).
Defenders: Matias Caruzzo (Argentinos Juniors), Ignacio
Canuto (Argentinos Juniors), Leonel Galeano (Independiente),
Mariano Echeverria (Chacarita Juniors), Gabriel Mercado (Racing
Club).
Midfielders: Juan Mercier (Argentinos Juniors), Federico
Insua (Boca Juniors), Jesus Mendez (Boca Juniors), Walter Acevedo
(Independiente), Patricio Toranzo (Huracan), Lucas Licht (Racing).
Forwards: Martin Palermo (Boca Juniors), Nicolas Gaitan (Boca
Juniors), Gabriel Hauche (Racing), Franco Jara (Arsenal), Claudio
Bieler (Racing).
