Argentina names 19 overseas players for World Cup qualifiers

BUENOS AIRES, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- Argentina coach Diego Maradona named 19 overseas players on Friday for next month's World Cup qualifiers against Brazil and Paraguay.

Maradona is expected to complete the roster on Aug. 30, naming players from the Argentine league.

Five-time World Cup winner Brazil leads the South American qualifying group with 27 points. Argentina is in fourth place on 22, the last automatic qualifying spot.

Argentina will face off against Brazil on Sept. 5 in Rosario and plays at Paraguay on Sept. 8.

Roster:

Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar, Netherlands), Juan Pablo Carrizo (Zaragoza, Spain), Mariano Andujar (Catania, Italy).

Defense: Nicolas Burdisso (Internazionale, Italy), Javier Zanetti (Internazionale), Gabriel Heinze (Real Madrid, Spain), Fabricio Coloccini (Newcastle United, England), Nicolas Pareja (Espanyol, Spain).

Midfielders: Javier Mascherano (Liverpool, England), Fernando Gago (Real Madrid), Maxi Rodriguez (Atletico Madrid, Spain), JonasGutierrez (Newcastle United), Jesus Datolo (Napoli, Italy).

Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona, Spain), Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid), Carlos Tevez (Manchester City, England), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli), Diego Milito (Internaziole), Lisandro Lopez (Lyon, France).