Spain's woes will spice up Argentina match, says Pekerman

MADRID, Oct 10 (Reuters) Former Argentina coach Jose Pekerman believes that Spain's defeat by Sweden at the weekend will add extra spice to tomorrow's friendly between the two sides.

''The setback they suffered in Sweden will affect the game, but for Spain playing against Argentina is always more important than a mere friendly,'' Pekerman told Spanish sports daily Marca today.

''They will take it very seriously and it has the makings of a very attractive game.'' Spain suffered their second Euro 2008 qualifying defeat in a row when they lost 2-0 in Stockholm on Saturday.

Pekerman was the Argentine coach during the World Cup, but resigned after his team were knocked out by hosts Germany in the quarter-finals following a penalty shoot-out.

He said that if they had managed to win that game his side would have reached the final.

''I've watched the game over and over again. If we had won the penalty shoot-out, I saw the team in the final. The team improved throughout the tournament.

''We played good football and that was despite the fact that we had 19 players who were making their World Cup debuts.'' But Pekerman said criticisms of his refusal to make more use 19-year-old Barcelona forward Lionel Messi were unjustified.

''People expected Messi to be the Maradona of the World Cup, but he is only taking his first steps in the very good team that is Argentina. I hope the experience will serve him in good stead in the future.

Pekerman's successor, Alfio Basile, took charge for the second time in his career in early August, having led the team to Copa America titles in 1991 and 1993.

Argentina were beaten 3-0 by old rivals Brazil in his first match at the helm on Sept. 3, but the Spain game will bring his total of matches as coach of the national side to 50.

''It is the perfect opportunity for us to get rid of the bad taste that the Brazil defeat left in our mouths,'' the former defender was quoted as telling sports daily AS.

Spain have only beaten Argentina three times in 10 attempts and lost the last time they played, 2-0 in a friendly in Seville in November 1999.

REUTERS PDS PM1744