Saviola confident in partnership with Crespo

HERZOGENAURACH, Germany, June 8 (Reuters) Argentina's strike partnership is showing good movement and will deliver if the pair get two chances each per match, according to Javier Saviola.

''The duo is good, we always get on well. We understand each other and try to be dynamic,'' Saviola told reporters of his partnership with Hernan Crespo.

Saviola and Crespo are expected to start against Ivory Coast in Argentina's opening Group C match in Hamburg on Saturday, going by the line-up in practice this week.

''If we get one or two chances per match we'll be okay,'' the 24-year-old former world youth champion said at Argentina's training base.

''After the Angola game we've been practising with this team for some time,'' added Saviola, referring to Argentina's 2-0 win in a warm-up against the African side in Italy last week.

''Anything can happen, but we hope to continue playing well so that on the day when the coach announces the team we can be in it,'' he said referring to himself and Crespo.

''We've practised different positions up front but we'll see how things develop in the matches.'' Crespo is one of a small handful of veterans from the 2002 World Cup when he was Gabriel Batistuta's understudy who now has the chance to lead the attack in a tough group that also includes Serbia&Montenegro and Netherlands.

Coach Jose Pekerman, who has not confirmed his starting line-up for Saturday, is expected to ask his defence to concentrate on their duties and not venture forward too often.

''I've got no problem playing in my natural position,'' said left back Juan Pablo Sorin, known for his attacking forays that can leave the defence exposed as in last year's Confederations Cup final when Argentina lost 4-1 to Brazil.

''If I have to attack less I'll do so and if I have to defend more I'll also do that,'' team captain Sorin added.

Argentina's line-up in practice has been: 1-Roberto Abbondanzieri; 21-Nicolas Burdisso, 2-Roberto Ayala, 6-Gabriel Heinze, 3-Juan Pablo Sorin; 18-Maxi Rodriguez, 8-Javier Mascherano, 5-Esteban Cambiasso, 10-Juan Roman Riquelme; 7-Javier Saviola, 9-Hernan Crespo.

REUTERS