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Argentina announce 30-man provisional squad for FIFA World Cup 2014; No Tevez, Lamela and Pastore

Argentina national football team

As one of the major contenders to lift the World Cup this year, Football fans waited with eagerness to find out Argentina’s squad for the upcoming  tournament in  Brazil.

After a  delay of some 10 hours, Alejandro Sabella has finally disclosed a 30-man provisional squad for the FIFA World Cup 2014.

As expected, Carlos Tevez has been dropped by Sabella even after protests in the country.

Franco Di Santo, Gabriel Mercado and Fabian Rinaudo are the surprise inclusions, but they are not expected to make the final cut when Sabella reduces his team to 23-man on June 2 .

Lionel Messi leads the world class attack of the Albiceste along with Sergio Aguero, Higuan and Ezequiel Lavezzi. However Tottenham winger Erik Lamela has been excluded after a disappointing season in England.

Both Javier Mascherano and Angel Di Maria will be a key figures in Argentina’s midfield while Javier Pastore has been omitted from the squad.

Another upsetting exclusion has to be the in-form Malaga goalkeeper Willy Caballero. Sabella has yet again ignored him and has preferred Sergio Romero in front of goal.

Argentina have been placed in a relatively easier group alongside Nigeria, Iran and Bosnia and Herzegovina. They begin their World Cup campaign against Bosnia on June 15.

Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero, Mariano Andújar, Agustín Orion.

Defenders: Ezequiel Garay, Federico Fernández, Pablo Zabaleta, Marcos Rojo, José María Basanta, Hugo Campagaro, Nicolás Otamendi, Martín Demichelis, Gabriel Mercado, Lisandro López.

Midfielders: Fernando Gago, Lucas Biglia, Javier Mascherano, Ever Banega, Angel Di María, Maximiliano Rodríguez, Ricardo Alvarez, Augusto Fernández, Enzo Pérez, José Sosa, Fabian Rinaudo.

Forwards: Sergio Agüero, Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuaín, Ezequiel Lavezzi, Rodrigo Palacio, Di Santo.

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