Batistuta: I wish Maradona could join us on the pitch

June 8, 2002

NARAHA, Japan (AP) -- Argentina striker Gabriel Batistuta on Saturday said he was delighted that Diego Maradona will be allowed to enter Japan -- and joked that he would be a timely addition to the struggling team.

"Unfortunately, he won't be on the pitch!" Batistuta told reporters. "But his presence will give us a moral lift."

Maradona was initially banned from entering Japan because of his past drug convictions. But Japan this week reversed its decision after an appeal from the former midfield great.

Argentina must beat Sweden on Wednesday to stay in the World Cup _ a tournament it had been backed to win.

Argentina beat Nigera 1-0 in its first match but lost 1-0 to England on Friday -- a result that leaves the South Americans in third place behind Sweden and England in Group F. Nigeria has already been eliminated.