体坛英语新闻：Maradona names 23-man World Cup squad

BUENOS AIRES, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Argentina coach Diego Maradona trimmed his 30-man squad to 23 on Wednesday for the upcoming South Africa World Cup.

The seven men dropped from the provisional squad are Newcastle defender Fabricio Coloccini, Newell's Old Boys defender Juan Manuel Insaurralde, Jose Sosa of Estudiantes, Olympiakos midfielder Jesus Datolo, Napoli forward Ezequiel Lavezzi, Lanus' Sebastian Blanco and Juan Mercier of Argentinos Juniors.

Two-time champions Argentina were drawn alongside Nigeria, Euro 2004 champions Greece and 2002 semifinalists South Korea in Group B and begin their campaign against the African side on June 12.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar/Netherlands), Mariano Andujar (Catania/Italy), Diego Pozo (Colon)

Defenders: Nicolas Otamendi (Velez Sarsfield), Martin Demichelis (Bayern Munich/Germany), Walter Samuel (Inter Milan/Italy), Gabriel Heinze (Marseille/France), Nicolas Burdisso (AS Roma/Italy), Clemente Rodriguez (Estudiantes), Ariel Garce (Colon)

Midfielders: Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle/England), Maximiliano Rodriguez (Liverpool/England), Javier Mascherano (Liverpool/England), Juan Sebastian Veron (Estudiantes), Angel Di Maria (Benfica/Portugal), Javier Pastore (Palermo/Italy), Mario Bolatti (Fiorentina/Italy)

Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona/Spain), Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid/Spain), Martin Palermo (Boca Juniors), Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid/Spain), Diego Milito (Inter Milan/Italy), Carlos Tevez (Manchester City/England)