Maradona unearths contenders
Argentina showed no mercy against Haiti as Diego Maradona's side claimed a 4-0
friendly victory in one of their final warm-up matches before the World Cup.
• Maradona impressed by hopefuls
The Albicelestes fielded a home-based team, as it was not a date FIFA had set
for international duty, and the players boosted their chances of making the
30-man preliminary squad to be named on May 11.
Argentina took the lead shortly after the half-hour mark when uncapped Facundo
Bertoglio profited from a defensive mistake by Pierre-Richard Bruny.
They doubled their tally nine minutes later when Boca Juniors' all-time
top-scorer Martin Palermo headed home an Ariel Garce cross from the right.
The hosts extended their lead in somewhat fortunate circumstances five minutes
after the interval.
Lanus midfielder Sebastian Blanco crossed the ball from outside the box and it
flew over his team-mates and into the net past surprised Haiti goalkeeper
Dominique-Jean Zephyrin.
Bertoglio grabbed his second of the night in the 55th minute, beating
substitute goalkeeper Occenat Peterson with a right-footed shot.
Haiti, whose players took photos with Maradona during the break, posed little
danger to their hosts.
Argentina's final friendly will be on May 24 against Canada in Buenos Aires
before they kick off their World Cup campaign against Nigeria on June 12.
Maradona said the players had heeded his advice to take their last chance to impress him ahead of the selection of his intial squad.
Maradona told TyC Sports: "The guys got my message very well. I told them all
of them had one chance and they knew to profit from it.
"There were high peaks in form. I liked several players. I got into this match
looking for some men (for the preliminary squad). I think I got some.''