Argentina Ready for "Clásico" Against Brazil

Frantic, disorganized and brutal: Argentina were all of these as they overcame Mexico in the second Confederations Cup semi-final in Hanover on Sunday.

There was less of the maverick skill and sublime touch that had punctuated their earlier games but their coach Jose Pekerman insisted afterwards that the clásico final against Brazil on Wednesday will see a return to form.

"That wasn't one of our best matches," Pekerman conceded after Esteban Cambiasso knocked in his spot-kick to hand Argentina a 6-5 penalty win after the sides were deadlocked 1-1 after extra time. "But my team has the capacity to produce a good performance against Brazil."

Shorter preparation time no disadvantage

Brazil have the luxury of an extra day's recovery time having seen off Germany in the other semi-final on Saturday, but Pekerman dismissed the notion that fatigue could count against Argentina.

"Okay we've got one day less before the final but my team are young and ambitious and I'm sure we'll be ready for Brazil in two days time," he said.

As well as the lack of recovery time, the grey-haired former Argentine youth coach will also have to make do without striker Javier Saviola after the Monaco star was sent off after an ill-judged tackle on Gonzalo Pineda in the 90th minute.

Young and established stars producing the goods

Pekerman has used the Confed Cup to hand valuable international experience to players like goalkeeper German Lux, who set up Argentina's win when he saved Mexico's sixth penalty taken by Ricardo Osorio.

"Saving that penalty represents an important stage in his career," Pekerman said.

Argentine defender Ricardo Zanetti, who was making his 100th international appearance, added: "As expected it was a hard game but at the end we deserved to win."

Team spirit carries Argentina on

Pekerman believes that despite his team's shortcomings there were plenty of positives to take from the game.

"It wasn't a great performance -- there's always a sense of drama in a game that will take you to the final," he said. "But we showed our fighting spirit, especially in the second half, and we kept our faith when we went a goal down. The players came up with the answers in the end."

"We showed a lot of heart," Argentine captain Juan Pablo Sorin added. "The final against Brazil is a classic, but we're not afraid."