BUENOS AIRES, July 2 - Argentina want to play
arch-rivals Brazil at Rosario Central and not River Plate in
their World Cup qualifier on Sept. 5 to generate more support
from the fans, coach Diego Maradona said on Thursday.
Players had asked to move the game to Rosario Central's
tight Gigante de Arroyito ground because they needed more
support as they sought a place at the 2010 finals in South
Africa, he said.
"The other day in Ecuador (the crowd) ...they all shouted
and here (in Buenos Aires) nothing happens," Maradona said
complaining of the lack of atmosphere at River.
"'We need more support (from the fans)' is what the players
always said to me so that's why we'll go to Rosario," he told
Radio La Red.
River's Monumental stadium has a running track around the
pitch and the crowd is not close to the action.
Maradona was also scathing last month about the state of
River's stadium and pitch, which had held a rock concert days
before the laboured 1-0 win over Colombia on June 6.
Argentina are fourth in the South America group five points
behind leaders Brazil. The top four qualify automatically and
the team finishing fifth will meet the fourth-placed nation in
the CONCACAF region for another berth in South Africa.
Argentine Football Association president Julio Grondona
said world governing body FIFA would inspect Central's
installations to see if they pass requirements for World Cup
qualifiers.
Rosario, Argentina's second city 400 km north of Buenos
Aires, held 1978 World Cup matches at the stadium.
(Reporting by Luis Ampuero; writing by Rex Gowar, editing by
Greg Stutchbury; to query or comment on this story email
sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)