May 24, 2002

NARAHA, Japan (AP) -- Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa, whose star-studded squad is already firing on all cylinders, said Friday he has only decided on two-thirds of his starting lineup.

"I don't have my final team determined yet. Some of those who started yesterday will be in, others won't," Bielsa told a news conference at Argentina's secluded training camp in eastern Japan, referring to a warmup match against Japanese champion Kashima Antlers that ended 5-1.

"I know 70 percent of my team, but not the other 30 percent. There are still some decisions to be made."

Bielsa has a vast array of talent at his disposal, the envy of almost every coach on earth as one of the favorites prepares to open June 2 against Nigeria.

Up front, he can choose between Gabriel Batistuta and Hernan Crespo. On the wings, it's a toss-up between Kily Gonzalez, Claudio Lopez, Ariel Ortega, Gustavo Lopez and Claudio Caniggia. Anchoring play in the middle, there's the vast experience of Diego Simeone or the hugely gifted Juan Sebastian Veron. He has three goalkeepers _ and says they're all of the same high standard.

"We're trying to obtain the ideal form. We haven't managed to get it yet -- but we're not far off," Bielsa said, ominously.

Argentina broke its gentle routine at its J-Village camp on Thursday, breezing past Kashima Antlers with Batistuta bagging four goals in a cameo 40-minute appearance.

The two-time world champion, which will also play England and Sweden in the toughest of all the qualifying groups, has scheduled two other friendlies against Japanese opposition next Tuesday -- one of which is likely to feature Bielsa's favored lineup and the other a second team.

The Argentines have come in for some criticism back home after their defense looked shaky in World Cup warmups against Wales and Cameroon, both of which ended in draws.

But Bielsa said Friday that his back three -- almost certain to be Roberto Ayala, Walter Samuel and Mauricio Pochettino -- look "impeccable" and that it's the attacking third that needs the most attention.

"The team seemed to be compact and impeccable in defense," he said. "But there was a lack of finesse in the final movements. The final ball still needs some work. In the next 10 days I'll try to have the team polished."

Caniggia -- Bielsa's main injury concern -- is expected to have fully recovered from a knee injury within three days, as will midfielder Matias Almeyda. That would leave the squad with a clean bill of health.

With a typically intense scowl, Bielsa described his mission at the World Cup as a search for "a certain purity." He spoke for an hour, clutching the base of a microphone and staring at the table in front of him, rarely making eye contact and showing only glimpses of emotion.

Inevitably, he was pressed repeatedly about whether he plans to select Batistuta or Crespo as his sole central striker. And, inevitably, the response was inconclusive.

"It's not good to be an absolutist in soccer -- that wouldn't be ideal for Argentina," he said. "But one would have to play beside the other, or one behind the other -- and I don't think that works for either. It wouldn't be good for them -- or for us.

"I am observing them, looking for details that favor one or the other. I have to admit there are discrepancies on this issue ... but I'll try to make the right call. I can't say I won't pay attention to Batistuta's four goals, but I also can't say it will be a determining factor."

In other words: the debate will continue throughout the World Cup -- and, most likely, well beyond.