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Mexico scraps plans for friendly vs. Argentina

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After further discussion, the Mexican Football Federation has scrapped plans for a tune-up match for the national team.

Mexico had reportedly been close to lining up a friendly against Argentina, which was supposedly set for May 20 in South America. On Monday, FMF officials insisted that no such match is possible.

"The match against Argentina would not be ideal -- the date, the foreigners, the travel -- there are a lot of complications," FMF executive Nestor de la Torre said. "It's not ideal for the national team."

May 20 is not an international fixture date, which would make it difficult if not impossible for European-based players to join El Tri in the Western Hemisphere for a friendly.

With no game scheduled until June 6, when Mexico plays El Salvador in San Salvador, Javier Aguirre's first match in his return to El Tri will indeed be the qualifying game. In 2001, he faced a similar situation except had several days to prepare for it, instead of a pair of months as is the case now.

Although a tune-up game would have been beneficial, de la Torre said it was not in Mexico's best interests.

"There won't be any games," de la Torre said. "There is that camp [from April 27-29] and Javier would like to have the players with him. There are lots of conditions that prevent us from having a match -- the league, the lack of foreigners." --Goal.com