Two pieces of news regarding Argentine selecciones today, both of which took place on Sunday whilst the league action was going on. In the Brazil 2008 FIFA Futsal World Cup, Argentina drew 2-2 against Ukraine in a frantic end to a highly entertaining match which saw all the goals come in the closing minutes (in spite of which it was a cracker throughout). Argentina’s eleven-a-side manager Alfio Basile has also named six home-based players to add to the squad for the forthcoming World Cup 2010 qualifiers, including four San Lorenzo player, and You Know Who. The complete squad list is here.
The futsal saw a tremendous Group C match in Brasilia which, all the same, looked like it was destined to end without goals until Leandro Planas stabbed home from close range in the 32nd minute of the second half. Just five minutes on, though, Ukraine were back level thanks to an equaliser from Dmytro Ivanov. Sergey Cheporniuk thought he’d won it in the final minute as, pushing for a winner, Argentina got caught up the pitch and the Ukrainian lobbed goalkeeper Santiago Elias from inside his own half with a spectacular effort. As stoppage time ticked down, though, Elias atoned in amazing fashion, throwing a ball out of his box to himself before running past three of Ukraine’s four outfield players on his way into the opposing area. As he was tackled he then did enough to stab the ball back to Diego Giustozzi, who hammered home an equaliser. Argentina now top Group C with 7 points from 3 matches. You can see highlights from the match here.
Argentina full squad vs. Uruguay and Chile, World Cup 2010 qualifiers, October 2008
Goalkeepers:
Juan Pablo Carrizo (Lazio, Italy)
Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar, Netherlands)
Agustín Orion (San Lorenzo)
Defenders:
Fabricio Coloccini (Newcastle United, England)
Martín Demichelis (Bayern München, Germany)
Gabriel Heinze (Real Madrid, Spain)
Nicolás Burdisso (Internazionale, Italy)
Daniel Díaz (Getafe, Spain)
Luciano Fabián Monzón (Real Betis, Spain)
Javier Zanetti (Internazionale)
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City, England)
Midfielders:
Esteban Cambiasso (Internazionale)
Javier Mascherano (Liverpool, England)
Pablo Barrientos (San Lorenzo)
Juan Román Riquelme (Boca Juniors)
Angel Di María (Benfica, Portugal)
Cristian Ledesma (San Lorenzo)
Leandro Somoza (Vélez Sársfield)
Forward:
Lionel Messi (Barcelona, Spain)
Carlos Tevez (Manchester United, England)
Diego Milito (Genoa, Italy)
Sergio Agüero (Atlético de Madrid, Spain)
Gonzalo Bergessio (San Lorenzo)
Rewards for various domestic players for their recent good form, then, not least Gonzalo Bergessio who’s been scoring for fun with San Lorenzo, and Leandro Somoza, who was last included in a national squad when Argentina lost 3-0 to Brazil in London in 2006. Cristian Ledesma’s move back to Argentina has obviously done him some good as well – he’s in the squad for the first time since he started as the cinco for the ‘B’ side who drew 0-0 with Chile in April 2007. Barrientos gets his call-up as a replacement for Maxi Rodríguez, who came off injured after scoring for Atlético de Madrid on Saturday during their 6-1 mauling at the hands of Barcelona in Camp Nou.
Hasta El Gol Siempre 
Kudos to Coco for picking out of San Lorenzo this time and not Boca. I hate to say it, but I would not have been bothered if he had left Roman off the squad. Boca is in trouble right now and Riquelme is still below par. On the other hand, Russo, who led Boca to their Libertadores win is getting his revenge.
Is this the first time Augustin Orion has been in the squad?