ARGENTINA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Argentina coach says leg pain could keep striker Sergio Agüero out of Bolivia World Cup qualifier

Record ID: 187106

  • Title: ARGENTINA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Argentina coach says leg pain could keep striker Sergio Agüero out of Bolivia World Cup qualifier
  • Date: 12th November 2011
  • Summary: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA (NOVEMBER 10, 2011) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF ARGENTINE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION ARGENTINA COACH ALEJANDRO SABELLA ENTERING NEWS CONFERENCE SABELLA POSING FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SABELLA SAYING: "We had a little problem with (Sergio) 'Kun' (Aguero) in practice today in the afternoon. He had some pain in his left leg, so he's in doubt for tomorrow's game." BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA (NOVEMBER 09, 2011) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF SABELLA AND ARGENTINE TEAM PRACTISING BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA (NOVEMBER 10, 2011) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SABELLA SAYING: "There's distinct possibility -- I can't say 100 percent because we'll have to see how Kun is and I could also decide on someone else -- that if Kun is not there it's probable I could decide on Javier (Pastore)." BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA (NOVEMBER 09, 2011) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF SABELLA AND ARGENTINE TEAM PRACTISING BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA (NOVEMBER 10, 2011) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SABELLA SAYING: "I have to try to commit the least about of mistakes possible, and obviously the responsibility I have is very large. That's what I try to do. The first thing I have to do is recognize errors to not commit them again." SABELLA LEAVING NEWS CONFERENCE BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA (NOVEMBER 09, 2011) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF SABELLA AND ARGENTINE TEAM PRACTISING VARIOUS OF ARGENTINA PRACTISING
  • Embargoed: 27th November 2011 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Argentina, Argentina
  • Country: Argentina
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA3YNMS09OXAML8SG0V5SBLYWBI
  • Story Text: Argentina Coach Alejandro Sabella said Thursday (November 10) striker Sergio Aguero is questionable for Friday's World Cup qualifier with Bolivia after having leg pain.
    Aguero was a prime component of a three-pronged attack set up by Sabella to break a Bolivia side that will sit back and try to keep Argentina off the goal.
    Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain were to be Aguero's partners, but now Sabella may have to look elsewhere.
    "We had a little problem with (Sergio) 'Kun' (Aguero) in practice today in the afternoon. He had some pain in his left leg, so he's in doubt for tomorrow's game," Sabella said.
    Sabella added he may replace Aguero with playmaker Javier Pastore, who many Argentina fans think is the perfect match for Messi.
    "There's distinct possibility -- I can't say 100 percent because we'll have to see how Kun is and I could also decide on someone else -- that if Kun is not there it's probable I could decide on Javier (Pastore)," Sabella said.
    The pressure is on under-performing Argentina to win after dropping an embarrassing second-round match to upstart Venezuela.
    Sabella sounded wary after and almost apologetic after the loss to Venezuela.
    "I have to try to commit the least about of mistakes possible, and obviously the responsibility I have is very large. That's what I try to do. The first thing I have to do is recognize errors to not commit them again," he said.
    Football giant Argentina has struggled with Bolivia of late, dropping a 6-1 qualifier in La Paz before the 2010 World Cup and drawing as hosts of the Copa American this year.
    Sabella had already lost left winger Angel Di Maria while Messi has recovered from a stomach bug that kept him out of Tuesday's practice at the team's headquarters on the city outskirts.
    Argentina were humiliated by Venezuela 1-0 in their last qualifier a month ago having made an auspicious start to their South American group programme with a 4-1 rout of Chile four days earlier.
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