What: International Friendly Match Who: Belarus - Argentina Where: Dinamo Minsk, Belarus When: Wednesday August 20, 2008, 17:00 GMT

Life Without Argentina’s Olympians

Alfio Basile’s side will come into their relatively low-key friendly match with Belarus missing several of their key players. The likes of Lionel Messi, Juan Roman Riquelme, Sergio Aguero and Javier Mascherano helped Argentina to a 3-0 victory over Brazil in the Olympic Games semi-finals on Tuesday, and will obviously be out. But Argentina still count with a very strong side, and Basile should be happy about the fact that he has the opportunity to test some new players before the restart of the 2010 South American World Cup qualifiers next month.

Los Albicelestes will be up against group leaders Paraguay in Buenos Aires, and will be looking for a win after having been held to draws in their two last qualifiers earlier in the year. They disappointed against Ecuador in a 1-1 tie in Buenos Aires, and then performed slightly better in their goalless draw with Brazil in Belo Horizonte. Argentina will be happy with the return of Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez, who missed both qualifiers because of a suspension and fatigue, after a long European season.

Since Basile was appointed the head coach of the national team he has tested several different players in an aim to find the ideal blend, and this match will be another example of this. Lisandro Lopez will be given a rare opportunity to impress, as will his FC Porto teammate Luis Gonzalez. While new Napoli hitman German Denis is likely to come on in the second half.

Stiff Test Before Belarus’ World Cup Qualifiers

Belarus will kick off their 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign on the 6th of September against the Ukraine in Kiev, and will be delighted to test their strengths against one of the best teams in the world. Former Perth Glory coach, Bernd Stange, counts with a young side who have the potential to challenge for a spot in the World Cup, particularly because of the influence that Alexander Hleb could have on the side.

The former Arsenal midfielder, now of Barcelona, will be Belarus’ main inspiration as they look to get a positive result against the highly fancied Argentines, that would be a major boost for the side before the commencement of their World Cup qualifying campaign. They find themselves in an extremely difficult group with England, Croatia, Ukraine, then more assessable opponents in Kazakhstan and Andorra.

After a 2-2 draw with Turkey in March, and a 1-1 tie with Germany two months later, there is high optimism in their squad. Still, they are a relatively unknown side and will have to be at their very best form to pick up a memorable result against the South Americans.

Team News

Belarus

With Gennadi Bliznyuk and Artem Kontsevoy fit Belarus are more than capable of finding the back of the net against Argentina, although it will obviously be difficult. The addition of Alexander Hleb, who made his Barcelona debut at the Camp Nou against Boca Juniors last week, will add spice to their offense.

Argentina

Argentina obviously confront the match without their Olympians, but will also be without Atletico Madrid’s Maxi Rodriguez, who suffered a muscular injury in training, and has reduced Argentina’s squad to only 16 players. After months of speculation Fernando Cavenaghi will finally have the opportunity to partner Carlos Tevez in Argentina’s intimidating attack.

Probable Starting XI:

Belarus: Khomutovsky, Omelyanchuk, Filipenko, Lentsevich, Verkhovtsov, Puzila, Kulchiy, Hleb, Buliga, Bliznyuk and Kontsevoy. Coach: Bernd Stange.

Argentina: Abbondanzieri, Nicolas Burdisso, Fabricio Coloccini, Gabriel Heinze, Javier Zanetti, Luis Gonzalez, Esteban Cambiasso, Jonas Gutierrez, Lisandro Lopez, Fernando Cavenaghi and Carlos Tevez. Coach: Alfio Basile.

Prediction

Despite missing several of their key players Argentina are likely to prove too strong for this inexperienced Belarus side. Expect a very open contest between two teams who have a lot to prove before the 2010 World Cup qualifiers begin/resume next month. Argentina should win comfortably.

Belarus 1-3 Argentina

Ref From Gregory Sica - goal.com

Barcelona central defender Rafael Márquez has indicated he wants to become a reference point for the team.

The Mexican international has been a regular piece in the Barcelona defense since his transfer from Monaco in 2003.

Márquez showed himself as an ambitious man during the first press conference of the season, having expressed his desire to become “a reference for the team” and one of Barça’s captains.

“It would be an honour to be the captain. I already have experience with the national team and I would like to be a pillar in the team,” said the defender, who admitted that his goal is to play the “highest number of games possible” this season.

When quizzed on the new coach, Josep Guardiola, Márquez did not wish to compare him with Frank Rijkaard.

“Every coach has his own methods,” he said.

The 29-year-old defender, who himself had been linked with a move away, also commented on Ronaldinho Gaucho’s sale, emphasizing the Brazilian’s impact.

“He gave a lot to the club. He is an excellent player and he left through the big door,” he explained.

On Alexander Hleb’s first training with Barça, Márquez said: “He was fine but he showed he lacked rhythm because we had already trained for three days.”

Ref From Luís Mira - goal.com