Saturday, June 5, 2010
Torres set for return
Torres is the only member of Del Bosque's 23-man squad not to see any action in this week's two friendly wins, over Saudi Arabia and South Korea, as the Liverpool man continues his recovery from the knee operation he underwent in April........Read More
Herbert upbeat despite defeat
New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert remains bullish about his side's chances at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ despite going down 3-1 to Slovenia in a warm-up match in Maribor on Friday.
Two excellent free-kicks from star Milivoje Novakovic, and a tap-in from Andraz Kirm following a goalkeeping error from Mark Paston, was enough to see off the challenge from the New Zealanders, who saw Rory Fallon drive home their solitary goal in the 20th minute.
The All Whites created several other clear-cut chances but Chris Wood fired one wide and headed another over the bar before being denied by a superb reaction save from Samir Handanovic six minutes from half-time.
New Zealand stepped things up in the second half to keep Slovenia scoreless, while both Tommy Smith and Winston Reid - who were again solid at the back alongside skipper Ryan Nelsen - were both off target with headers from set-piece plays.......Read More
World Cup 2010: Nigeria's John Mikel Obi ruled out
The 23-year-old underwent minor knee surgery in May and feels he has not recovered sufficiently.
"We have dropped Mikel from the squad after he said he did not want to risk his career," said a Nigeria spokesman.
Nigeria will replace Obi Mikel with the uncapped Brown Ideye, a striker from French club Sochaux........Read More
Friday, June 4, 2010
Tevez facing selection battle
Carlos Tevez admits he faces a battle to force his way into Argentina's starting line-up before the World Cup.Tevez has been one of the form players in Europe this season, scoring 23 goals in the Premier League, but he faces competition from fellow strikers Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Diego Milito, Sergio Aguero and Martin Palermo.
Tevez scored just one goal in qualification for South Africa and, with Messi and Aguero having scored four and Higuain finally in the side following a fine season with Real Madrid, the Manchester City star knows he may be out of favour.....Read More
France Loses 1-0 to China in World Cup Warmup
SAINT-PIERRE, Reunion Island (AP) -- France lost 1-0 to China in its final warmup match before the start of the World Cup in South Africa.
Deng Zhuo Xiang scored in the 68th minute with a swerving free kick from 25 yards.
The result dealt a blow to France's confidence as the 2006 World Cup finalist has allowed a goal in each of its last three friendlies while scoring just three times.
''It's the type of match where you know that no matter what we do, it couldn't go in. That's too bad,'' France coach Raymond Domenech told TF1 television.
''I'm like everybody, I'm disappointed. But the World Cup isn't today, it starts the 11th,'' Domenech said. ''We still have a week to put everything in place, study our options.''
France drew 1-1 with Tunisia last weekend and beat Costa Rica 2-1 last month. It will open its World Cup schedule against Uruguay on June 11, before taking on Mexico and host South Africa in Group A.......Read More
Deng Zhuo Xiang scored in the 68th minute with a swerving free kick from 25 yards.
The result dealt a blow to France's confidence as the 2006 World Cup finalist has allowed a goal in each of its last three friendlies while scoring just three times.
''It's the type of match where you know that no matter what we do, it couldn't go in. That's too bad,'' France coach Raymond Domenech told TF1 television.
''I'm like everybody, I'm disappointed. But the World Cup isn't today, it starts the 11th,'' Domenech said. ''We still have a week to put everything in place, study our options.''
France drew 1-1 with Tunisia last weekend and beat Costa Rica 2-1 last month. It will open its World Cup schedule against Uruguay on June 11, before taking on Mexico and host South Africa in Group A.......Read More
England Captain Ferdinand Taken to Hospital
RUSTENBURG, South Africa (Reuters) - After the loss of another of his captains, England manager Fabio Capello was left with more puzzles to solve as he revised his plans for his injury-hit team's World Cup campaign.
The exit of Rio Ferdinand, with a left knee ligament injury suffered during England's first serious training session on Friday, meant he had to reshuffle his defence, call up uncapped reserve Michael Dawson to join the squad and appoint a new captain in Steve Gerrard.
Dawson was scheduled to fly out to South Africa overnight on Friday and join up with the squad on Saturday morning after abandoning his plans for a holiday. "It's a crazy game," he said......Read More
The exit of Rio Ferdinand, with a left knee ligament injury suffered during England's first serious training session on Friday, meant he had to reshuffle his defence, call up uncapped reserve Michael Dawson to join the squad and appoint a new captain in Steve Gerrard.
Dawson was scheduled to fly out to South Africa overnight on Friday and join up with the squad on Saturday morning after abandoning his plans for a holiday. "It's a crazy game," he said......Read More
World Cup 2010: England announce squad numbers
England boss Fabio Capello has revealed his squad numbers for the World Cup in South Africa, with Joe Cole, David James and Peter Crouch in his first 11.
James has been given the number one jersey, while Crouch is handed the number nine shirt ahead of Aston Villa striker Emile Heskey. Cole gets the number 11 jersey and now may have a chance of starting against the United States on 12 June.
As expected, Spurs winger Aaron Lennon will wear the number seven.
Holding midfielder Gareth Barry, an almost certain starter before suffering an ankle injury on 5 May, has been given the number 14 shirt. It remains to be seen whether he recovers full fitness in time for Capello to play him in the opening match......Read More
Joy and pain for World Cup squads
Coaches finally put World Cup hopefuls out of their misery when they named their final squads for the tournament, shattering some dreams while also handing out the opportunity of a lifetime.
World champions Italy sprung a surprise with coach Marcello Lippi choosing Napoli striker Fabio Quagliarella ahead of AC Milan striker Marco Borriello and Villarreal forward Giuseppe Rossi who both miss out on the finals.
England winger Theo Walcott, surprisingly called up for the 2006 tournament aged 17, was unexpectedly left at home this time when Fabio Capello cut his squad to 23 players on deadline day........Read More
World champions Italy sprung a surprise with coach Marcello Lippi choosing Napoli striker Fabio Quagliarella ahead of AC Milan striker Marco Borriello and Villarreal forward Giuseppe Rossi who both miss out on the finals.
England winger Theo Walcott, surprisingly called up for the 2006 tournament aged 17, was unexpectedly left at home this time when Fabio Capello cut his squad to 23 players on deadline day........Read More
Decision time for Parreira
South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira will use tomorrow's final warm-up match against Denmark to decide on his starting XI for the FIFA World Cup™ opener against Mexico.
Just seven days before the tournament kicks off in Johannesburg, Parreira has admitted he is still not sure what his best team is. His most pressing concern centres on who will fill in in the holding midfielder's role, with Fulham's Kagiso Dikgacoi and Thanduyise Khuboni in contention, while Tsepo Masilela and Lucas Thwala are vying for the left-back position........Read More
Just seven days before the tournament kicks off in Johannesburg, Parreira has admitted he is still not sure what his best team is. His most pressing concern centres on who will fill in in the holding midfielder's role, with Fulham's Kagiso Dikgacoi and Thanduyise Khuboni in contention, while Tsepo Masilela and Lucas Thwala are vying for the left-back position........Read More
Messi on a mission
There is not much that has not already been said about Lionel Messi. Still only 22, the 2009 FIFA World Player of the Year has won everything there is to win with his club Barcelona and is a familar face in the four corners of the globe, his public appearances attracting legions of admirers.
Yet, as he explains in an exclusive interview with FIFA.com, the Argentina No10 still has one dream left to fulfil: to win the FIFA World Cup™. As well as discussing that lofty objective, the magical Messi gives us his thoughts on the pressure that comes with spearheading La Albiceleste's challenge at South Africa 2010, and his desire to keep reaching new levels of excellence.....Read More
Yet, as he explains in an exclusive interview with FIFA.com, the Argentina No10 still has one dream left to fulfil: to win the FIFA World Cup™. As well as discussing that lofty objective, the magical Messi gives us his thoughts on the pressure that comes with spearheading La Albiceleste's challenge at South Africa 2010, and his desire to keep reaching new levels of excellence.....Read More
Bafana captain sets cap record
Captain Aaron Mokoena became the first South African to win 100 caps when the World Cup hosts beat Guatemala 5-0 in a warmup friendly before the football showpiece begins in 10 days' time.
The Portsmouth defender wore a shirt with the number 100 emblazoned on the back as his side scored five goals in a single game for the first time in more than 250 internationals since returning to world football 18 years ago.
For a second successive match the Bafana Bafana were awarded two generous penalties to help them on their way to victory in Polokwane......Read More
The Portsmouth defender wore a shirt with the number 100 emblazoned on the back as his side scored five goals in a single game for the first time in more than 250 internationals since returning to world football 18 years ago.
For a second successive match the Bafana Bafana were awarded two generous penalties to help them on their way to victory in Polokwane......Read More
Ferdinand ruled out of World Cup
RUSTENBURG, South Africa -- England captain Rio Ferdinand has been ruled out of the World Cup after injuring ligaments in his left knee in training Friday.
The 31-year-old center back, who hobbled out of a hospital on crutches, was injured while defending against striker Emile Heskey during England's first full training session in South Africa, barely a week before England's opener against the United States in Rustenburg on June 12.
Ferdinand immediately went to the Netcare Ferncrest Hospital for scans and he later left the building on crutches, getting into an ambulance marked "Royal Bafokeng."It wasn't immediately clear if he was returning to the Royal Bafokeng Sports Campus, where England is based.
Steven Gerrard will step up and fill Ferdinand's role as team captain, sources told ESPN.
Tottenham defender Michael Dawson, who was cut from the preliminary 30-man squad on Tuesday, was put on standby as a possible replacement for Ferdinand. Under FIFA rules, players can be replaced up to the day before the opening game......Read More
The 31-year-old center back, who hobbled out of a hospital on crutches, was injured while defending against striker Emile Heskey during England's first full training session in South Africa, barely a week before England's opener against the United States in Rustenburg on June 12.
Ferdinand immediately went to the Netcare Ferncrest Hospital for scans and he later left the building on crutches, getting into an ambulance marked "Royal Bafokeng."It wasn't immediately clear if he was returning to the Royal Bafokeng Sports Campus, where England is based.
Steven Gerrard will step up and fill Ferdinand's role as team captain, sources told ESPN.
Tottenham defender Michael Dawson, who was cut from the preliminary 30-man squad on Tuesday, was put on standby as a possible replacement for Ferdinand. Under FIFA rules, players can be replaced up to the day before the opening game......Read More
Italy midfielder Pirlo has calf injury
MILAN (AP) — Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo is resting at home following a calf injury that could force him to miss the World Cup in South Africa. The AC Milan midfielder injured his left calf muscle in the friendly loss to Mexico on Wednesday and will now sit out the exhibition against Switzerland on Saturday.
The Italian Football Federation says Pirlo will travel with the team to South Africa and continue to be evaluated ahead of Italy's first match against Paraguay on June 14.
Pirlo was man of the match in the 2006 World Cup final and took a penalty kick in the shootout victory over France. He also scored Italy's first goal of the tournament in a 2-0 victory over Ghana.(Foxnews)
The Italian Football Federation says Pirlo will travel with the team to South Africa and continue to be evaluated ahead of Italy's first match against Paraguay on June 14.
Pirlo was man of the match in the 2006 World Cup final and took a penalty kick in the shootout victory over France. He also scored Italy's first goal of the tournament in a 2-0 victory over Ghana.(Foxnews)
No Cup for Drogba? Captain breaks arm
SION, Switzerland -- Didier Drogba told teammate Kolo Toure that he will miss the World Cup after breaking his right arm Friday in a warmup match.
"For him, he said, the World Cup is finished," Toure said.
The 32-year-old Drogba was taken off 15 minutes into Ivory Coast's 2-0 win over Japan after a high challenge by Japan defender Marcus Tulio Tanaka. He was then rushed to a hospital.
"We can just see on his face that he was sad, and when he is like that you can't ask more," Toure said. "It is difficult for us because he is such a really important player."
Team spokesman Eric Kacou told The Associated Press that "it is a fracture in his right arm," but coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said the team hadn't officially ruled out its captain.
"We are not sure yet," Eriksson said, saying Drogba's participation was "still a possibility."
Toure said Ivory Coast's players were hoping for a surprising recovery, and said the team would know more later Friday.
Read More.......
"For him, he said, the World Cup is finished," Toure said.
The 32-year-old Drogba was taken off 15 minutes into Ivory Coast's 2-0 win over Japan after a high challenge by Japan defender Marcus Tulio Tanaka. He was then rushed to a hospital.
"We can just see on his face that he was sad, and when he is like that you can't ask more," Toure said. "It is difficult for us because he is such a really important player."
Team spokesman Eric Kacou told The Associated Press that "it is a fracture in his right arm," but coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said the team hadn't officially ruled out its captain.
"We are not sure yet," Eriksson said, saying Drogba's participation was "still a possibility."
Toure said Ivory Coast's players were hoping for a surprising recovery, and said the team would know more later Friday.
Read More.......
Artificial grass woven into real turf at World Cup
DENDERMONDE, Belgium (AP)—Artificial grass is teaming up with the natural stuff and taking root at the World Cup, blade by blade.
A generation after fully artificial surfaces outraged football fans and players around the world, this year’s World Cup in South Africa will debut a surface with 20 million threads of synthetic grass fibers woven in between and beneath the natural grass.
The first World Cup test of the surface, which is already being used at some major stadiums in Europe, will be on June 13 in Polokwane when Algeria plays Slovenia. The stadium in Nelspruit will also use the same type of turf.
“It will be a World Cup premiere,” said Marc Vercammen, the general manager of Desso Sports Systems, which produces the surface.
Natural grass still predominates. The artificial threads are driven 20 centimeters (8 inches) into the surface and intertwine with the roots of the real grass to give the surface a smooth robustness that tackles—or even pop concerts—find hard to undo.
Desso, a company headquartered about 35 kilometers (22 miles) outside Brussels, has already graced the fields of Arsenal and Liverpool and the training grounds of Real Madrid, among others. Its GrassMaster system is also used by the Denver Broncos and the Philadelphia Eagles.
No competition, however, compares to the World Cup.
“Our image will go into territory where we haven’t gone before,” Vercammen said......read more
A generation after fully artificial surfaces outraged football fans and players around the world, this year’s World Cup in South Africa will debut a surface with 20 million threads of synthetic grass fibers woven in between and beneath the natural grass.
The first World Cup test of the surface, which is already being used at some major stadiums in Europe, will be on June 13 in Polokwane when Algeria plays Slovenia. The stadium in Nelspruit will also use the same type of turf.
“It will be a World Cup premiere,” said Marc Vercammen, the general manager of Desso Sports Systems, which produces the surface.
Natural grass still predominates. The artificial threads are driven 20 centimeters (8 inches) into the surface and intertwine with the roots of the real grass to give the surface a smooth robustness that tackles—or even pop concerts—find hard to undo.
Desso, a company headquartered about 35 kilometers (22 miles) outside Brussels, has already graced the fields of Arsenal and Liverpool and the training grounds of Real Madrid, among others. Its GrassMaster system is also used by the Denver Broncos and the Philadelphia Eagles.
No competition, however, compares to the World Cup.
“Our image will go into territory where we haven’t gone before,” Vercammen said......read more
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