Caniggia and Ayala give Argentina more options

June 9, 2002

HIRONO, Japan, June 9 (AFP) - Argentina received a double boost on Sunday ahead of Wednesday's must-win encounter with Sweden as defender Roberto Ayala and veteran striker Claudio Caniggia reported fit for duty.

Ayala has missed both the opening win over Nigeria and Friday's morale-bursting loss to England with a leg strain and Diego Placente has deputised.

But the former has been back in full training over the past two days and is now expected to press for a starting berth.

Rangers striker Caniggia is ready to take his place on the bench, team spokesman Andres Ventura revealed, as coach Marcelo Bielsa puts together the strongest possible formation to rescue a campaign which threatens to come off the rails.

Bielsa described Caniggia last month as the only missing piece in his jigsaw as the 35-year-old laboured under a knee injury picked up during Rangers' Scottish Cup final victory over Celtic earlier.

Sweden and England already are a point clear in the 'Group of Death' and if England draw with Nigeria, Argentina would have to take full points to avoid being left unceremoniously by the World Cup wayside.

The squad were having Sunday morning off ahead of an afternoon training session.

Argentina are set to keep faith with Gabriel Batistuta in attack and hold both Caniggia and Hernan Crespo in reserve.

Roma star Batistuta insisted that "the team is not at all downcasst" following the England defeat in Sapporo while midfielder Javier Zanetti was a little more circumspect.

"The pain is still present after the defeat - but we are strong and thus we are ready to launch ourselves at the next challenge."