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Ayala wins 100th cap in Argentina victory
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-05-31 10:03

Central defender Roberto Ayala won his 100th cap when Argentina beat Angola 2-0 in a World Cup warm-up in southern Italy on Tuesday.

Winger Maxi Rodriguez put Argentina in front when he netted captain Juan Pablo Sorin's cross from the left after 29 minutes.

The twice former world champions, who open their campaign in Germany against Ivory Coast on June 10, went further ahead in the 37th.

Sorin crossed again from the left and the ball went inside the far post after taking a deflection off defender Andre Mateus.

Argentina dominated their African opponents, who are going to the World Cup for the first time, and almost scored a third in the 75th minute when Rodriguez hit the bar after a fine move involving substitute Lionel Messi.

Hernan Crespo, who led the attack, was close with two good chances and substitute Pablo Aimar struck a post.

Angola rarely troubled goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri, who made a diving save from Mendonca in the opening five minutes and stopped a shot by Edson close to halftime.

The Africans, whose outstanding player was keeper Joao Ricardo, were largely confined to speculative shots from outside the box.

Ayala, who had an untroubled match at the back and almost scored late on, is Argentina's third most capped player after Diego Simeone (106) and Javier Zanetti (102).

The 33-year-old former captain, who made his international debut in November 1994, could set a new record if Argentina reach the World Cup final in Berlin on July 9 and he plays in all seven of their matches in the tournament.

Argentina also face Serbia & Montenegro and Netherlands in Group C. Angola meet Mexico, Portugal and Iran in Group D.