Argentine coach apologizes for not playing Messi (Roundup)

By Peter Auf der Heyde Aug 13, 2008, 14:49 GMT

Beijing - Argentina coach Sergio Batista on Wednesday apologized for not fielding Barcelona player Lionel Messi in his side's final Group A game against Serbia, which the defending champions won 2-0.

Argentina had already qualified for the quarter-finals and NBA star Kobe Bryant was in the stands to watch Messi, but he must have been disappointed as Messi stayed on the bench.

Although Messi and Bryant waved at each other before the game, Batista did not bring on the Barcelona player despite the fact that the near-capacity crowd in the 61,000-seater stadium kept on chanting his name and booed every time another substitution was made.

The victory means Argentina top their group with nine points ahead of Ivory Coast, who beat Australia 1-0 through Salomon Kalou's late goal.

Batista said afterwards: 'I hope that the Chinese fans understand we came here to lift the trophy and that is why some of our players need a rest.

'Each and every player belongs to the team and it is good to give others a chance too.

'I feel sorry for the fans, but I have to think for the benefit of the whole team.'

Also through to the quarter-finals are Brazil who have yet to win Olympic gold (3-0 winners against China in Group C on the night), the African trio Nigeria, Cameroon and Ivory Coast, and Belgium, Netherlands and Italy.

Argentina and Brazil will meet in the semi-finals if they beat Netherlands and Cameroon respectively. The other quarter-final matches see Italy take on Belgium and Nigeria face Ivory Coast.

In the Workers Stadium the defending champions opened the scoring in the 14th minute after Marko Jovanovic fouled Angel Di Maria in the area. Omani referee Abdullah Al Hilali pointed to the spot and Ezequil Lavezzi scored.

Serbia could have equalized on the half hour as a free-kick from 30 metres by Aleksandar Kolarov forced Sergio Romero into a good save.

Five minutes from the break Lavezzi nearly made it two for Argentina as he pushed the ball past goalkeeper Vladmir Stojkovic, but Slobodan Rajkovic cleared off the line.

In the second half Serbia had more of the game, but Argentina had the best chance to score after getting a second penalty. Di Maria's spot kick, however, was well saved. The referee then ordered the kick retaken and Stojkovic again saved.

The South Americans scored a second six minutes from the end of the game when Diego Buonanotte hit a well taken freekick that bent over the wall. Serbia ended the game with ten men after Zoran Tosic was sent off.

Brazil finished on nine points in Group C after goals by Diego and a Thiago Neves brace gave them their victory against China. Belgium beat New Zealand to progress.

Earlier, Nigeria beat a ten-man US team 2-1 in a Group B match in the Workers Stadium in a game in which the Americans, who were topping the group going into the last game, were reduced to ten men after just three minutes.

German referee Wolfgang Stark sent off Michael Orozco for elbowing Nigerian forward Solomon Okoronkwo. Although virtually no contact was made the Bundesliga-based forward went down theatrically, leaving Stark few options.

Nigeria scored their opening goal seven minutes from the end of the first half through Promise Isaac, who was set up in the area by Obasi.

In the 79th minute Nigeria scored their second through Victor Obinna who beat Guzan from close range.

America were handed a lifeline three minutes from the end when Vanzekin had a rush of blood and lunged with two legs at Maurice Edu. Stark pointed to the spot and Sacha Kljestan made no mistake in converting.

Two minutes later substitute Charlie Davies saw his header from a Dax McCarthy free-kick hit the crossbar.

Nigerian coach Samson Siasia was highly critical of his team after the victory. 'I actually feel like I lost the game,' he said.

'We were very lucky and we did not play how you are supposed to play against a team with just ten men, especially if they have to play for ten after just three minutes.

'Football is meant to be played by 11 players, not just by one. The players have to get their heads down and play according to instructions.'