Hauche hits two in Argentina win
Reuters - Wednesday 25 May 2011, 21:29
BUENOS AIRES - Striker Gabriel Hauche
scored two first-half goals as Argentina beat Paraguay 4-2 in a
friendly international played in Resistencia on Wednesday.
Both countries, warming up for the Copa America in Argentina
in July, fielded teams made up of home-based players which in
Argentina's case is virtually a third string.
Hauche opened the scoring in the ninth minute and added the
third just before halftime following a fine run down the right
by his Racing Club team mate Ivan Pillud, who beat two defenders
before crossing from the goal-line.
Striker Pablo Zeballos equalised for Paraguay in the 14th
minute with a shot that took a deflection and central defender
Federico Fernandez restored Argentina's lead in the 37th,
heading home a free-kick by midfielder Diego Valeri.
Defender Elvis Marecos reduced the deficit 11 minutes into
the second half when he headed a corner inside the near post
from a corner.
Winger Enzo Perez added Argentina's fourth in the 74th.
Argentina coach Sergio Batista has picked an intermediate
squad of foreign-based players on the fringe of his first team
for a tour of Nigeria and Poland next month as he looks to
settle on his 22 players for the Copa America.
The squad, to meet Nigeria in Abuja on June 1 and Poland in
Warsaw four days later, includes the likes of Manchester City's
Pablo Zabaleta, 2010 World Cup defender Nicolas Otamendi of
Porto and Palermo playmaker Javier Pastore.