Post by Taxigirl on Nov 9, 2005 11:06:12 GMT
www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/nov9d.html
Julio Cruz is delighted at being recalled to join the Argentina squad who will play England in Switzerland on Saturday.
It is the first time that the striker has been invited to the national set-up since playing in the build-up to the 2002 World Cup in Japan and Korea.
Cruz, who has been one of the few shining lights in what has been a dark start to the season for Inter, has scored eight goals already this term – six of them as substitute.
El Jardinero also came to his side’s rescue in the Champions League recently when, trailing 1-0 at home to Porto, he came on for Adriano and scored twice to save the Nerazzurri’s hopes of getting through to the next round.
Indeed the 31-year-old, who came to Europe in 1997, where his goals helped Feyenoord to the Dutch title before he moved on to Bologna in 2000, considers this to be his best year since leaving his native South America.
"I am happy to have been recalled to the national team," he said on Tuesday. "Perhaps this is the best season I’ve had since coming to Europe."
But Inter’s unsung hero, who is desperate to play in next year’s World Cup Finals after narrowly missing out last time around, is not taking anything for granted.
"Although I’m delighted, I want to take it one step at a time," added the former River Plate man.
"This call up is recognition for everything I have done in all these years playing in Europe."
Julio Cruz is delighted at being recalled to join the Argentina squad who will play England in Switzerland on Saturday.
It is the first time that the striker has been invited to the national set-up since playing in the build-up to the 2002 World Cup in Japan and Korea.
Cruz, who has been one of the few shining lights in what has been a dark start to the season for Inter, has scored eight goals already this term – six of them as substitute.
El Jardinero also came to his side’s rescue in the Champions League recently when, trailing 1-0 at home to Porto, he came on for Adriano and scored twice to save the Nerazzurri’s hopes of getting through to the next round.
Indeed the 31-year-old, who came to Europe in 1997, where his goals helped Feyenoord to the Dutch title before he moved on to Bologna in 2000, considers this to be his best year since leaving his native South America.
"I am happy to have been recalled to the national team," he said on Tuesday. "Perhaps this is the best season I’ve had since coming to Europe."
But Inter’s unsung hero, who is desperate to play in next year’s World Cup Finals after narrowly missing out last time around, is not taking anything for granted.
"Although I’m delighted, I want to take it one step at a time," added the former River Plate man.
"This call up is recognition for everything I have done in all these years playing in Europe."