MADRID, May 16 (Reuters) - Spain players have expressed their surprise at the omission of Liverpool striker Fernando Morientes and Valencia midfielder Ruben Baraja from the squad for the World Cup.
"It's very strange," Baraja's Valencia colleague David
Albelda was quoted as saying in Spanish daily El Mundo on
Tuesday.
"The midfielders that are going like (Marcos) Senna,
(Andres) Iniesta and Cesc (Fabregas) have very few caps between
them.
"(Coach) Luis (Aragones) is the one who decides and he will
have his reasons, but it leaves a bad taste in my mouth that
Ruben won't be going because he deserves to go to this World
Cup.
"He's got more caps that all the other midfielders and his
absence is the one that has most surprised me."
Liverpool midfielder Luis Garcia expressed similar
disappointment after Morientes was left out of the 23-man squad.
"It's a real shame for Morientes, because he is a great team
mate and he's always ready to help the team."
Morientes has found the net just nine times for Liverpool
this season, but has an impressive record when he has played for
Spain, scoring 26 times in 43 games.
His omission means that Valencia's David Villa, Atletico
Madrid's Fernando Torres and skipper Raul are the team's only
out-and-out forwards.
Baraja and Morientes were the most high-profile absentees
from the squad for Germany, but Aragones also decided to
overlook Valencia winger Vicente who has only recently recovered
fitness after missing much of the season because of an ankle
injury.
Instead, Aragones opted to strengthen his defensive
resources with the inclusion of Valencia centre-back Carlos
Marchena and also added youngsters Andres Iniesta and Fabregas
to give him more options in midfield.
Fabregas, who will be pitted against Iniesta in Wednesday's
Champions League final between Arsenal and Barcelona, said he
was overjoyed at being included.
"It was the happiest news I've ever received," said the
19-year-old Arsenal player. "I didn't want to get my hopes up
until it was made official ... It has been a marvellous year and
I'm sure I'll never forget it.
"There are still things to achieve, though. On Wednesday
I've got the Champions League final and then I've got the World
Cup. I think the best is still to come."
