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WorldCup2010 Monday, June 7, 2010

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Monday, June 7, 2010

World Cup 2010 Preview

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INSIDE YOUR 24-PAGE PULL-OUT Gerrard’s World Cup memories...................... P4-5 The Carragher comeback................ P6-7 Mark Lawrenson’s England view and predictions ................ P8 The Everton man with the whole world on his shoulders .................. P10-11 Yes – it’s the World Cup wallchart! ............P12-13 Why Argentina can provide the silver lining....................P14-15 Goodison duo’s grand ambitions ............P16-17 Bet on the country’s top tipster Chris Wright to pick you a World Cup winnner .................... P18 Meet the stars set to light up the African skies ......................... P19 Find out why Fernando Torres is dreading the summer ............... P22-23

Sky’s the limit: Construction work takes place on the stunning Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, the venue for this year’s World Cup final

Ian Doyle Chief Football Correspondent IT has taken 80 years, but the world’s greatest celebration of football finally arrives in the Mother Continent this week. When the first ball is kicked on Friday at Johannesburg’s vast Soccer City stadium, it won’t just be a monumental moment for host nation South Africa. It will be an historic occasion for the whole of Africa, the first time the continent – which has never held an Olympics before – has been entrusted with hosting a sporting event of such magnitude. Sure, South Africa was the venue for the Rugby Union World Cup in 1995, the African Cup of Nations 12 months later and the Cricket World Cup in 1997. But nothing will have truly prepared the country for the scrutiny it has come under since FIFA president Sepp Blatter announced on May 15 2004 that their bid to host the 2010 finals was successful. Having banished almost 50 years of Apartheid in the early 1990s, it was further confirmation of the blossoming of a free country. However, not everyone was convinced. South Africa has one of the highest crime rates in the world and the struggles to contend with such problems do not disappear overnight. Indeed, throughout 2006 and 2007, rumours circulated that the finals could be moved elsewhere. Some people, including Franz Beckenbauer, expressed concern over the planning, organisation and pace of South Africa’s preparations. For the detractors, January’s terrorist attack on the Togo team bus ahead of the African Cup of Nations in Angola that left three people dead was an indication the continent may not be ready for the World Cup. FIFA, though, stood firm. And with the stadiums built, the teams arrived and the infrastructure largely in place, the global football jamboree now prepares to step into the unknown. Certainly, those lucky enough to be travelling to South Africa will encounter a World Cup unlike any other, the enthusiasm, colour and noise of the sport-mad populace providing a unique backdrop to the tournament. Having overcome the strike of 70,000 construction workers last year over low pay, the stadiums look impressive, from the historic Ellis Park Stadium, the Wembleyesque Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban and the

local stylings of the 91,000-capacity Soccer City in Johannesburg that will host the opening game and the final. Organisers will pray mascot Zakumi is better received than recent incarnations – does anyone remember the preposterous Goleo VI of Germany 2006, or the Spheriks of Ato, Kaz and Nik from four years earlier? – while the Jabulani football has already caused angst. But for all the talk of breaking new ground, the ultimate legacy from Africa’s first World Cup will come from the action on the field. Hopes are high, with nearly all of the world’s leading players having qualified and emerged fit from their domestic campaigns. Indeed, the problems that have cursed so many of the expected star performers this season may turn out to be a blessing, with the likes of Fernando Torres, Cesc Fabregas and Steven Gerrard unburdened by the worries of fatigue that have marred recent World Cups. Injury, though, has robbed the tournament of Michael Ballack and Michael Essien, while Champions League winners Esteban Cambiasso and Javier Zanetti haven’t even been included in Argentina’s squad. Another landmark for the tournament is that it is the first World Cup that does not include any teams that are qualifying for the first time, although two of the qualifiers – Slovakia and Serbia – have previously appeared only as parts of former competing nations. That duo, though, will not be among a number of countries to realistically fancy their chances, although Brazil and Spain are the undoubted pre-tournament favourites. The Samba may be beating to a different rhythm these days – don’t expect a repeat of the enthralling Brazilian sides of 1970 or 1982 – but Dunga has fashioned a team difficult to beat and, as demonstrated in last season’s Confederations Cup, one that knows how to win in a competitive situation. So too Spain, whose Euro 2008 triumph lifted the weight of perennial underachievers from their shoulders. Vicente del Bosque’s side have, if anything, improved since that triumph, and have no obvious weaknesses other than the infamous brittle temperament they managed to hold steady two years ago. Italy, though, were poor in the European Championships and will hope Marcello Lippi, back at the helm, can revive the glory of Berlin in 2006. It’s unlikely, though – it was telling Inter Milan won the Champions League without a single Italian in their starting line-up. Lionel Messi’s efforts to cement his position as the best player in the world could well be undermined by the erratic leadership of Diego Maradona. That said, if Maradona keeps his head screwed on and his nose clean, the pool of talent means Argentina are serious contenders.

Monday, June 7, 2010

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prepares to horizons Holland are another danger. 100% during qualifying, coach Bert van Marwijk has a plethora of attacking options to build on their thrilling showing in Euro 2008. Elsewhere, Portugal and Ivory Coast will lean heavily on their star players Cristiano Ronaldo and Didier Drogba, but the draw means one will almost certainly be missing from the knockout stages. Germany can never be ruled out but the absence of skipper Ballack is a hammer blow to their chances, while France are a team in transition and may even have a fight to emerge from a group that contains Uruguay, Mexico and the host nation. The open nature of this 19th World Cup means there is plenty of scope for a surprise or two, with South Korea, Australia and the United States the most likely to ruffle a few feathers. And what of England? Whisper it quietly, but this is their best chance of making a lasting impression on a World Cup since reaching the semi-finals in 1990. The first winter finals since Argentina 1978 means the weather will be in their favour, many of their top players are in their prime and will also have a point to prove after the disappointment of Germany 2006 and failure to qualify for Euro 2008. While the spotlight will fall on Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard, it’s the impact of the supporting cast that will prove decisive, with Frank Lampard, Joe Cole and James Milner likely to play pivotal roles. There are worA South Africa fan – complete with vuvuzela ries over the goalkeeping position and that any injuries to key players could ruin their bid. But the same applies to nearly every other team. Then there is the Fabio Capello factor, the master Italian coach whose presence has given the country hope after the stupor of Sven-Goran Eriksson’s farewell and Steve McLaren’s regrettable tenure. On July 11, we will discover who emerges triumphant. But the country of South Africa – and the continent of Africa as a whole – is on the threshold of an even greater victory.

World Cup 2010 Preview Get ready to be stung by a swarm of angry bees by Ian Doyle MESSI, Ronaldo, Torres, Rooney, Gerrard. Names that are universally expected to be at the forefront of conversation during the World Cup. But there is another that will have perhaps even greater dominance. Vuvuzela. Anyone who watched last summer’s Con- Ian Doyle federations 1. Brazil Cup in South Africa cannot 2. Spain fail to have no- 3. England ticed what sounded like a huge swarm of angry bees accompanying every fixture. Plastic, a metre long and brightly coloured, the

vuvuzela has come to symbolise the sport in the country. It hasn’t gone down too well with the opposition, though. Xabi Alonso was a vocal critic of the tuneless trumpet last year, and former England skipper Bryan Robson, whose Thailand team lost in South Africa during a recent friendly, reckons it could benefit the hosts. “With that noise they could have an advantage in the World Cup,” says Robson. “The coaches at the World Cup are definitely going to have to inform their players beforehand that they will have to communicate effectively with each other on the field. It’s very difficult to get any message to the players from the bench.” No wonder South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira is happy for the vuvuzela to continue when the tournament starts. “We have to reinforce that advantage,” he says. “We want it louder and louder.” In a rare outbreak of common sense, FIFA refused to entertain requests from TV broadcasters to ban the noisy trumpet after complaints it drowned out their commentators (not so bad if it’s Peter Drury doing the talking, though). So, should you get your hands on a vuvuzela, how do you play such an implement? Supplier Boogieblast offers this advice: “Put your lips inside the mouthpiece and almost make a ‘farting’ sound. “Relax your cheeks and let your lips vibrate inside the mouthpiece. As soon as you get that trumpeting sound, blow harder until you reach a ridiculously loud ‘boogying blast’.” You have been warned.

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World Cup 2010 Group C A brief history of the world...

URUGUAY 1930 Final: Uruguay 4-2 Argentina Top scorer: Guillermo Stábile (Uruguay) 8 goals ITALY 1934 Final: Italy 2-1 Czechoslovakia Top scorer: Oldrich Nejedlý (Czechoslovakia) 5 FRANCE 1938 Final: Italy 4-2 Hungary Top scorer: Leonidas (Brazil) 7 URUGUAY 1950 Final: Uruguay 2-1 Brazil Top scorer: Ademir (Brazil) 8 SWITZERLAND 1954 Final: West Germany 3-2 Hungary Top scorer: Sandor Kocsis (Hungary) 11 SWEDEN 1958 Final: Brazil 5-2 Sweden Top scorer: Just Fontaine (France) 13 CHILE 1962 Final: Brazil 3-1 Czechoslovakia Top scorer: Garrincha (Brazil), Vavá (Brazil), Leonel Sánchez (Chile), Dra an Jerkovic (Yugoslavia), Flórián Albert (Hungary), Valentin Ivanov (USSR) 4 ENGLAND 1966 Final: England 4-2 West Germany Top scorer: Eusebio (Portugal) 9 MEXICO 1970 Final: Brazil 4-1 Italy Top scorer: Gerd Muller (West Germany) 10 WEST GERMANY 1974 Final: West Germany 2-1 Holland Top scorer: Grzegorz Lato (Poland) 7 ARGENTINA 1978 Final: Argentina 3-1 Holland Top scorer: Mario Kempes (Argentina) 6 SPAIN 1982 Final: Italy 3-1 West Germany Top scorer: Paolo Rossi (Italy) 6 MEXICO 1986 Final: Argentina 3-2 West Germany Top scorer: Gary Lineker (England) 6 ITALY 1990 Final: West Germany 1-0 Argentina Top scorer: Salvatore Schillaci (Italy) 6 USA 1994 Final: Brazil 0-0 Italy (Pens: 3-2) Top scorer: Hristo Stoichkov (Bulgaria), Oleg Salenko (Russia) 6 FRANCE 1998 Final: France 3-0 Brazil Top scorer: Davor Suker (Croatia) 6 JAPAN/SOUTH KOREA 2002 Final: Brazil 2-0 Germany Top scorer: Ronaldo (Brazil) 8

England

‘What’s the difference this time? Just one man..’ Ian Doyle Chief Football Correspondent IT is the question on the lips of every long-suffering England supporter. After the dethronement of 1970, the wilderness years of 1974 and 1978, the disappointment of 1982, the controversy of 1986, the heartbreak of 1990, the embarrassment of 1994, the penalty woes of 1998, the free-kick of 2002 and the underwhelming showing of 2006, those that follow the Three Lions want to know one thing. Why should this summer be any different? During the past four decades, a succession of managers and players have tried but failed to emulate the achievements of Sir Alf Ramsey and his charges back in 1966. Disappointment has followed disappointment, great expectations swiftly replaced by the realisation England had, once again, fallen short when it mattered most. It was the same story in Germany four years ago when the team travelled with self-proclaimed hopes of glory only to slip out with a whimper after an uninspired campaign. So, just why should this summer be any different? Steven Gerrard believes he has the answer. “For me, the main difference is the Fabio Capello factor,” says the Liverpool captain. “Look at how we performed during qualifying, we got through comfortably and we played some good stuff along the way. “With Capello, we have a manager who is right on top of the players, keeping us on our toes. We know we cannot afford to slack off when he is around. The one thing that he has done is instil a winning mentality into the players. That has been very

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GERMANY 2006 Final: Italy 1-1 France (Pens: 5-3) Top scorer: Miroslav Klose (Germany) 5

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Steven Gerrard is a big fan of the Fabio factor verbial ‘final hurdle’ that has proven important, and has given us a lot of so difficult for us in the past. confidence.” “The team spirit is certainly high. The hype of England’s impressive We know what is expected of us. The qualification has been deflated someperformances can get better and for what by a series of subsequent inme that’s an encouraging sign. But as different friendly performances, but a squad we know how to win games Gerrard reveals the squad have in now. any case been at pains “We’ve been togethto keep their feet er for a long time. I firmly rooted to the David Prentice don’t think there are ground. too many excuses for “We aren’t going to 1. Brazil this team any more. go around saying It’s time to deliver.” ‘we’re going to win the 2. Germany A perennial talking 3. Spain World Cup’,” he says. point throughout Ger“We have fallen into rard’s England career that trap before and it – 80 caps and counting – is where he puts too much expectation on us. should be best employed. “But we know we have a chance. Capello has preferred to use GerThe manager won’t let us get affected rard as the answer to his team’s probby any expectation, and he wants us lematic left wing role, but the Livto play without fear. erpool man shone when pressed into “If we can play well, and keep a central role in the recent warm-up building on our confidence, and get victories against Mexico and Japan. that little bit of luck on the way that Gerrard has also been used as an every team needs, then we have an attacking foil to Wayne Rooney, but opportunity of getting over the pro-

who will win?

the player himself believes he can do a job wherever Capello sees fit. “Everyone knows I always enjoy it when I play in the middle,” he says. “I’ve always said that if I make it to the final squad, then I’m aware the manager is going to want me to play in different roles and I’m happy and ready for that. “Maybe earlier on in my career I’d have sulked a bit if I was asked to play in a few different positions. But I think now I have the maturity and experience to know what is best for the team, and I actually quite like playing in different positions. “It helps me develop as a player and you learn more about yourself and opponents when you can see the game from different perspectives.” England begin their campaign against the United States in Rustenburg on June 12, after which come games against Algeria and Slovenia. And Gerrard says of the Group C opponents: “If we play well I’m confident we can beat them, but I wouldn’t disrespect the other countries and think it’s going to be easy – they will all be tough games.” The World Cup has not been kind to Gerrard. He was absent in 2002 because of a groin injury and missed a penalty in the quarter-final shoot-out defeat against Portugal four years later. And having just turned 30, the midfielder knows time is running out for him to leave a lasting impact on football’s biggest tournament. “Missing a penalty in the quarter-final was the loneliest place in the world and I want to put that right,” says Gerrard. “It’s bad enough losing, but to feel you are responsible is the worst kind of failure. “If I want to win the World Cup I’m going to need to do it soon. I’m in good shape and I believe I’ve still got five years to fight for the big prizes in football. “I don’t know if this will be my last World Cup but I want to give it everything.”

Algeria

Desert Foxes hunting a scalp THE distance between Algeria and South Africa is 6,891 kilometres. But Madjid Bougherra knows, for the people of his homeland, the World Cup must have felt like it was a million miles away at times. It has been 24 years since the north African nation last graced the world’s greatest football competition, securing their place at this summer’s tournament in November 2009 when they beat bitter rivals Egypt in a qualification tie-breaker. The Desert Foxes enjoyed back-to-back World Cup campaigns in 1982 and 1986, with

their involvement the first time around probably best remembered for their controversial exit as West Germany and Austria appeared to engineer the result that would take them through at the Africans’ expense. Since then, it has been a long wait to take their place at the top table. As far as Bougherra is concerned, this summer’s journey to South Africa will be worth the wait as Algeria prepare to face Slovenia, the USA and England, who, in his opinion, are one of just three teams capable of claiming the silverware.

“For Algeria, the World Cup is immense because, for 24 years, we were not at the World Cup,” says the Rangers defender. “You can see everywhere the happiness we give to the country. Brazil, Spain and England – for me, they are the three teams who can win the World Cup. “It is good to play with players such as (Wayne) Rooney, (Steven) Gerrard and (Frank) Lampard. For all of the Algerian people and the team, it’s going to be a good test. “We play football to play this game – that’s it.”

Madjid Bougherra

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World Cup 2010 Group C

Why Johnson’s happy not to be on holiday again got to keep trying to do the job to the best of my ability,” he says. IT is the one sentence that “It was a childhood dream of neatly encapsulates the mine to play in a World Cup for thoughts of everyone associated England. with Liverpool. “I didn’t get picked for the When Glen Johnson was last one and I remember watchasked to surmise the reing the games while I was on cently-completed Anfield camholiday in Dubai. paign, his response was simple. “But I never lost heart. I’ve “Next season can’t be as bad, always been confident in my surely,” said the right-back. own ability. When I was out of While Johnson was referring the England squad I just foto the injury problems that cused on getting my head down hampered his debut term since and doing the best I could for arriving from Portsmouth for my club. £17million, his words struck a “If England came around universal chord at the club. again I vowed to try to grab For the 25-year-old, there is that opportunity.” now the Johnson chance to at suffered a least eradicdifficult time ate some of for his counthose memortry last year ies with a when a numtrip to South ber of Africa this high-profile summer. mistakes led Certainly, to calls for fitness won’t him to be be a problem dropped. judging by However, Johnson’s Capello encouraging Johnson in action against Japan leaped to the performdefence of a ances during the warm-up vicplayer he regards as “one of the tories against Mexico and Jabest right-backs in the world”. pan, the former of which saw “It’s always nice when a manthe Liverpool man break his inager shows he believes in you – ternational duck with a specit gives you that extra bit of tacular strike. confidence,” says Johnson. And Johnson has an extra in“Fabio is a great manager centive after missing out on and a nice man. He’s fantastic England’s last World Cup tilt in with the lads. He lets everyone Germany in 2006. know when it’s time to knuckle Having earned his first cap down and get the job done and I three years earlier, Johnson think the boys have responded lost his place as understudy to to that. His training regime is Gary Neville following a poor spot on and his tactics are performance against Denmark second to none. in the build-up to the finals. “Fabio tells us regularly that It meant the defender on our day we can beat anyone. watched England’s disappointHe gets the best out of the boys ing World Cup campaign while and has definitely instilled a lot on holiday in Dubai. of confidence in the squad. I’ve Now, however, Johnson is been lucky enough to work firmly established as England’s with some great managers like first-choice right-back under Jose Mourinho, Harry Fabio Capello and is raring to Redknapp, Rafa Benitez and Famake amends for missing out bio. last time. “They are all very different “I’m pleased with the way and have their own ideas but I’ve been playing and I’ve just I’ve learned from them all.”

by Ian Doyle

Italy

Steven Gerrard is hopeful of greater things for England this summer Sat Jun 12: England v US (Rustenburg) ITV 7.30pm, Sun Jun 13: Algeria v Slovenia (Polokwane) BBC 12.30pm, Fri Jun 18: Slovenia v US (Johannesburg – Ellis Park) BBC 3pm, England v Algeria (Cape Town) ITV 7.30pm, Wed Jun 23: Slovenia v England (Port Elizabeth), US v Algeria (Pretoria) BBC 3pm

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Slovenia

Smells like team spirit to captain Koren CAPTAIN Robert Koren is determined to help Slovenia qualify for the knockout stages in South Africa and banish the memory of their only previous World Cup experience. With optimism high for the 2002 tournament in Japan and South Korea, Slovenia were soon on the plane back to Europe after three successive defeats condemned them to bottom spot in Group B without a single point to their name. The squad was also torn apart with star player Zlatko Zahovic sent home after the team’s opening

game following a row with coach Srecko Katanec. But midfielder Koren, who helped West Brom to promotion last season, is keen to stress things are different now – both on and off the pitch. Slovenia, populated by just two million people, showed harmony and belief aplenty as they shrugged off the tag of underdogs to qualify for the finals by triumphing on away goals in their play-off with mighty Russia. Koren says:

“Eight years after and nobody is thinking too much about what happened in 2002. “We are playing a different style. Before we only had one star in the team (Zahovic). But now we try to play more like a team and don’t have one star. “We are very good friends and have a good team spirit. It’s a massive difference. “You can’t compare these two teams, it was a long time ago when that happened. We just want to show the people

that we are good enough and can get through the group stage.” To achieve their aim Slovenia must break their World Cup duck and gain a winning start in their opening Group C match against Algeria on June 13. A potential qualifying decider against USA follows before they end the first stage with a clash against group favourites England. And Koren insists anything is possible for Matjaz Kek’s side. “We are in the World Cup and we deserve that,” he says.

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Monday, June 7, 2010

World Cup 2010 Group C

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USA

England won’t be scared... but we can compete with anyone by Ian Doyle TIM HOWARD has enjoyed revelling in the role of underdog for much of his Everton career. Now the United States goalkeeper is determined to pull off another surprise and ensure World Cup misery for the country in which he plies his trade. When England begin their South Africa campaign, their main task will be to find a way past the Goodison shot-stopper. As many a Premier League striker will testify, it’s no easy task. It has been an encouraging 12 months for the 31-year-old, who was part of the USA team that surprised many in last summer’s Confederations Cup, where they bravely went down 3-2 in the final to superpowers Brazil after beating European champions Spain 2-0 in the semis. But when he steps out with his team-mates in Rustenburg on June 12 for their Group C opener, Howard does not believe Fabio Capello’s side will be “shaking in their boots”. And having grown accustomed to overcoming the odds at Everton, that suits the goalkeeper just fine. “I think it’s getting better,” says

Howard. “But I don’t think we step on matured, and we saw what it takes to the field and anyone goes, ‘Ohhh, here play against Italy, against Brazil, against comes the US’. Spain at the highest level every single “We did some really great things last match. summer and we drew against Argentina “You’ll never get a run harder than two years ago. But I don’t think people that, so it was something that we are overawed by us.” will take a lot of confidence from, Four years ago, Howard could only and hopefully if we are mature look on from the sidelines as understudy enough we’ll use those experito Kasey Keller as the USA slumped out ences in a positive way.” of the World Cup in the group stages in While England have won all Germany, a huge disappointment after seven friendly games against the reaching the last eight in 2002. USA – the most recent of which Now, however, the Everton was a 2-0 Wembley man is now firmly ensconced as win two years – their the first-choice goalkeeper untwo competitive der national coach Bob Bradley clashes have ended in having established himself as a defeat. regular at Goodison after fallAlexei Lalas inspired ing out of favour at the States to a 2-0 triManchester United. umph in the US Cup in Howard believes the confid1993, but the most notence garnered by their Confedable victory came in the erations Cup run last summer 1950 World Cup when has given the USA hope of England were stunned emerging from a group that 1-0. Landon Donovan also contains Algeria and SlovSo can the USA do it enia. again? “We are hoping so,” says “The Confederations Cup gave us conHoward. The one thing that night fidence and belief,” he says. “On the against Spain taught us is that anything best days we can arguably compete can happen. We almost did it against against the best teams in the world. I’m Brazil and those experiences have given hoping it shows that as a team we’ve us a belief.”

Blame Moyes if United States triumph! SHOULD England relive the nightmare of Belo Horizonte next month, then David Moyes will have a lot to answer for. As a proud Scot, the Everton manager would no doubt take great delight in seeing the Auld Enemy tumble to defeat in their World Cup opener against the USA. After all, Moyes will have helped hone the talents of two of the greatest threats to

England progressing to the knockout stages. Tim Howard’s reputation continues to be enhanced, and at the other end of the field Landon Donovan has emerged as a genuine talent. USA captain Donovan made a huge impression after joining Everton on a 10-week loan from Los Angeles Galaxy in January, adding an extra dimension to the attack, bagging a couple of goals and

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earning the instant adoration of the fans. “My experience puts me in a stronger position for the World Cup,” admits Donovan. “The biggest plus is I now have the confidence to play against anybody and not fear anyone or team at all. “My game has improved so much from playing in England, but I believe in my ability and what I can do. “I know what I have to give

and I bring that out of myself a lot more often. “It’s been really great and I can’t imagine many players in the world, let alone Americans, can say they have played against and beaten Chelsea and Manchester United in the space of 10 days. That has to be the highlight. “It’s absolutely improved me as a player, it’s impossible not to.”

Listen to the Kit Kat men, Fabio and cross Nick Smith Comment MARTIN PETERS perhaps summed it up best when asked why England should get the 2018 World Cup. “We gave the game to the world,” moaned one of the goalscorers in the only major final this nation has been in. “Some countries have had it two or three times, but we’ve only had it once.” Peters is probably right that England’s turn as a host is long overdue. But the attitude that because the game originated here, the rest of the world should show its eternal gratitude and simply roll over whenever we want something has festered for far too long. Let’s hope that 2010 is the year when it’s finally extinguished.

For too long England has laboured under the delusion that because it has the oldest grounds, the newest grounds, the best league, the most passionate fans – all theories open to debate – it should be leading the world game on the pitch too. Wanting to win and believing you can win are fine. Feeling you have a right to win is when the rot sets in. In football you have to earn what you get and self-satisfied arrogance gets you nowhere. As was proven in the excruciating build-up to the last World Cup – we can only hope the lessons from 2006 have been learned. For years pundits, press men and fans salivated at the thought of that year, when Gerrard, Lampard, Terry, Ferdinand, Joe Cole, Beckham and Owen would supposedly be ‘at their peak’. Add in the bonus of the acceleration of Wayne Rooney to world class superstar and it was in the bag. All those players, with varying de-

grees of form, fitness and ill discipline, actually made it to Germany, where the greatest show on earth turned into a non-event for England. For golden generation read wasted youth. But nothing went disastrously, head-scratchingly wrong. If the England football team was a golfer, going out on penalties to Portugal in the quarter-final would be going round in par. But the collective exasperation in some parts is what happens when you try to set the bar too high before you’ve even got off the ground. Sometimes you have to accept that other countries will have better players and – shock horror – some of the best in the world don’t even play in the Premier League. That’s still the case now so there’s no reason to think we should do any better this time. Gerrard and Lampard are now the wrong side of 30, Beckham and Owen long gone, Terry and Ferdinand un-

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World Cup 2010 Group C

Why Carragher is go for international rescue HIS retirement provoked a furore. His return prompted a frenzy. Now Jamie Carragher is intent on sending England’s followers frantic for all the right reasons this summer. Of all the players charged with ending 44 years of England hurt, the Liverpool centre-back is the one that has caused the greatest surprise. Small wonder. Carragher had been retired from international football for almost three years when, with England’s defensive resources stretched by injury, the call came from Fabio Capello that his services would be required for the forthcoming World Cup. It was a controversial move, with Carragher having caused a right old rumpus when, after the frustration of being continually overlooked led to his international retirement in 2007, he admitted playing for Liverpool was more important than appearing for his country. After some deliberation, the Bootle-born defender accepted the challenge. Fears Carragher would be jeered on his return in the friendly against Mexico at Wembley last month thankfully proved unfounded. Now, from being an outcast, 32-year-old Carragher finds himself employed in the role as elder statesman, the oldest outfield player in Capello’s squad for South Africa. But, as he admits, it’s an opportunity he hadn’t even considered un-

Ian Doyle Chief Football Correspondent til recently and is proud to be representing the nation once more. “It’s not something I have thought about over the last two or three years,” says Carragher. “I know I have been criticised in the past for saying that Liverpool was the most important thing to me but that’s just the way it is. “But the World Cup and the Champions League are the two biggest tournaments you can play in during your career. Also, coming to the end of my career, I am proud of the fact that I have been selected to go at the age of 32. “There are not too many players of my age going. When I was last in the squad, you had people like Michael Owen, Gary Neville, David

Beckham, Sol Campbell – all vastly years ago having been introduced experienced. from the bench by then England “So that was the strangest thing coach Sven-Goran Eriksson specificthis time, finding that I was the ally to take a spot kick. oldest outfield player. Do I feel I The Liverpool man had previhave extra responsibility? Not ously been absent from the 2002 really. But if my experience can World Cup through injury and help, that will be fantastic. failed to see any action in Euro “The starting line-up hasn’t ac2004 despite being included in the tually changed too much from squad. 2006. Maybe someone made the But has life with England mistake of calling us the Golden changed much in his three years Generation and building us up. away? “It does feel a little bit dif“But all these playferent,” says Carraers now have four gher. “Most of the years more experiplayers are the James Pearce ence, are four years same, all the backmore wise and hoperoom staff, the sec1. England fully that will keep us retaries at the FA. 2. Spain in good stead. I think It’s been fine. The 3. Brazil we have been bitten only difference was that many times, the change of manpeople don’t want to ager.” fall into the same trap again.” That change of manager, with Carragher, along with Steven Capello having replaced Steve Gerrard and Frank Lampard, missed McLaren, was a significant reason in the penalty shoot-out against behind Carragher’s U-turn. Portugal in the quarter-final four The defender has made no secret of his desire to remain in the game after his playing days and is eager to learn from the Italian. “It is an experience working with Capello,” says Carragher. “I regard the two best defenders of all time as Franco Baresi and Paolo Maldini. That will be a great education for me over the next weeks. One of the main reasons for coming back was to work with him. “You pick up things from everyone. If you go into management, you do what you think is right.” The likelihood is Carragher’s international comeback will be brief, with players returning to fitness after the tournament. But it is one he is determined to enjoy. “Having finished with England three years ago, I never thought I would be in this position,” says the Liverpool man. “I am glad I am here now, though.”

Carragher consoles Gerrard in England’s 2006 shoot-out exit

your fingers – it’s your only hope of glory stable, emotionally and physically respectively. And there’s still no world class keeper. Pepe Reina isn’t even Spain’s first choice but you’d have him with his back to the kicker in a shoot-out before you’d back any of England’s three to perform penalty heroics. Even Rooney isn’t guaranteed to be a success. Yes, he had a great season for Manchester United but so did Cristiano Ronaldo two years ago. But come Euro 2008 he failed to build on the momentum of his 42-goal club campaign and he was a peripheral figure in Portugal’s underwhelming showing. But as long as Fabio Capello is aware that everything in the English garden isn’t as rosy as many here believe it to be, there may be some hope after all. The immediate euphoria of England’s convincing qualification has long since subsided. All Capello really did was turn a team that couldn’t beat Croatia into one that could.

who will win?

Okay, 9-2 on aggregate over the two qualifying games was a stunning turnaround and he deserves credit for that. But it’s what he is paid to do. He made the best of the considerable quality he had at his disposal. Now the real stuff starts and the recent showings in the warm-up games hardly inspire confidence that the stroll of the qualifying campaign will be repeated. So it’s time to be realistic and accept that anything England do achieve in South Africa will be down to luck rather than ability. At least the message seems to be getting through to the not exactly hype-shy chocolate advertisers. Four years ago, Mars replaced the brand logo on their bar with the word ‘Believe’. Nobody did. Thankfully, Kit Kat’s marketing men seem to have hit the right note with their slogan this time around – Cross your fingers. Good advice. Advice we would all – including Capello – do well to heed.

England’s route to South Africa Sep 6 08 Andorra (A) 2-0 (J Cole 2) Sep 10 08 Croatia (A) 4-1 (Walcott 3, Rooney) Oct 11 08 Kazakhstan (H) 5-1 (Ferdinand, Kuchma og, Rooney 2, Defoe) Oct 15 08 Belarus (A) 3-1 (Gerrard, Rooney 2) Apr 1 09 Ukraine (H) 2-1 (Crouch, Terry) Jun 6 09 Kazakhstan (A) 4-0 (Barry, Heskey, Rooney, Lampard) Jun 10 09 Andorra (H) 6-0 (Rooney 2, Lampard, Defoe 2, Crouch) Sep 9 09 Croatia (H) 5-1 (Lampard 2, Gerrard 2, Rooney) Oct 10 09 Ukraine (A) 0-1 Oct 14 09 Belarus (H) 3-0 (Crouch 2, Wright-Phillips) European Qualifying Group 6 Final Table ENGLAND ....... Ukraine ............ Croatia ............. Belarus ............ Kazakhstan...... Andorra............

P 10 10 10 10 10 10

W 9 6 6 4 2 0

D 0 3 2 1 0 0

L 1 1 2 5 8 10

F 34 21 19 19 11 3

A Pts 6 27 6 21 13 20 14 13 29 6 39 0

Monday, June 7, 2010

World Cup 2010 Analysis

In association with

Mark Lawrenson

Another quarter-final exit just will not cut it

ENGLAND’S brief for the forthcoming World Cup should be simple – nothing less than the semi-finals is good enough. This is the best 11 England have had for a long time. Better than Germany in 2006 and better than South Korea/Japan in 2002. The key, of course, will be keeping 70 to 80% of the first-choice players fit. But if they are then England shouldn’t be accepting anything less than getting to the last four. There are no major injuries at this stage, the climate will be fine – there’s really nothing working against England in the build-up to this tournament. For me, it’s just about Fabio Capello making sure he gives his players their best chance of success. And I think he should do this by playing a 4-2-3-1 formation. On a bad day England give the ball away too much and if you’ve got strikers stuck up front then it’s a waste. So Wayne Rooney can play up front on his own. Behind him there would then be a compact unit with plenty of players – Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, Aaron Lennon – capable of making things happen and pulling a goal out of the bag. So you don’t need two centre-forwards to achieve that. And if the passing does go astray a bit, there are enough bodies in there to ensure the opposition can be pressurised and possession can be won back. In that system though, I think

Players like Lampard and Gerrard remain the key for England Rooney, Gerrard and Lampard have to be at their best. They are the three key men. The question is, if the Plan A fails, does Capello have a Plan B? Or rather, does he have sufficient quality to give him one?

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To that end, I was surprised by the omission of Theo Walcott and Darren Bent. I think it’s got to the stage now where we struggle to see what Emile Heskey gives England. He was a great foil for Michael Owen but I

just can’t see him up there with Rooney, nor is he someone you throw on when you need a goal. So that just doesn’t work for me. And when Walcott hits the heights he can take teams apart as we saw in Croatia during qualifying. Maybe he hasn’t done it as often as Capello likes but surely he would say the same about Shaun Wright-Phillips? I thought Capello would have liked to have Walcott, Bent, Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch as his impact substitutes. It’s a genuine surprise to me that he seems to have limited his goalscoring options by leaving two of those out. As for the defence, well the manager is an Italian so he’s bound to stock up in that department. And don’t forget, in the latter stages you can win a game 0-0. So the question for me is, can England handle tournament football? We know Brazil and Germany can, and France and Spain have also proven they have the stomach for it in recent years. It’s all about character. In a six or seven-game campaign you will have a bad day and it’s how you respond and react to that that can make you stronger as a tournament goes on. A bit like Italy four years ago after they wobbled against Australia in the second round. So if England do get to the last four, what then? There are plenty of players who have been in Champions League latter stages and know what a semi-final is all about. It’s time to transfer that to the biggest stage of all.

NewBrazil,sameoldstory I MIGHT have fancied Argentina for this World Cup – but sadly for them, they’re not allowed to leave the manager at home. Diego Maradona is definitely the weak link but he’s such a powerful figure nobody will be strong enough to undermine his influence. It’s not like in France where Raymond Domenech is sidelined and players like Thierry Henry run the show. Maradona’s status in Argentina means nobody will take him on and I think a great set of players could be seriously hampered, as they were during that ridiculous qualifying campaign.

But I do think that the en’t at anything like full World Cup could be strength in the friendly destined for South Amer- in Qatar back in Novemica. ber, I think England It sounds strange to were shocked at just how say it but if Brazil do strong and powerful the win, it won’t be down to Brazilians are. the quality of When you their football add that to the as much as the touch, control physical side of and movement, their game. it’s a formidThis able prospect. new-style Of the other Brazil are agcontenders, gressive, physSpain will be in ical and even there but I their goalkeep- Maradona think you can er Julio Cesar get at them and is one of the best in the dominate physically. world. I can’t see where It’s the defensive qualItaly’s goals will come ities that make them from to defend their such a strong outfit now. crown, while Holland Even though they wer- are too fragile mentally.

Mark Lawrenson was talking to NICK SMITH

Who’ll get through the groups? GROUP A France are not the force they were but will go through, with Uruguay my pick to join them as I tend to fancy South American qualifiers. Home advantage will help South Africa but not enough and Mexico looked defensively naive against England. France and Uruguay GROUP B I don’t fancy Greece to shock us like they did in Euro 2004 – you can only get away with 27 men behind the ball and scoring from set-pieces for so long. South Koreans are still raw at this level. Argentina and Nigeria GROUP C An outstanding group for England. They get their hardest game with the USA out of the way first and after that, I don’t see too many problems for either of those teams against Algeria and Slovenia. England and USA GROUP D Germany won’t slip up and I fancy Australia’s great team spirit and determination to edge out Serbia and Ghana. Germany and Australia GROUP E Netherlands will sail through and I think Samuel Eto’o will give Cameroon the edge over Japan, who are too inexperienced, and Denmark, who are strong defensively but don’t have the quality. Netherlands and Cameroon GROUP F Forget New Zealand for starters, and I would give Slovakia the nod over Paraguay. Italy and Slovakia GROUP G North Korea couldn’t have had a worse draw and I think the Group Of Death will claim Portugal. Ronaldo and Nani they might have but it’s one tournament too far for the likes of Deco and Carvalho. Brazil and Ivory Coast GROUP H Honduras and Switzerland can’t match Chile’s technique and steely desire. Spain and Chile

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World Cup 2010 Group C

England’s World Cup story...

Capello is right up Ramsey’s street – Charlton

1930 – Did not enter 1934 – Did not enter 1938 – Did not enter

1950 – Group stage: Chile 2-0, USA 0-1, Spain 0-1 1954 – Group stage: Belgium 4-4, Switzerland 2-0. Quarter-final: Uruguay 2-4 1958 – Group stage: USSR 2-2, Brazil 0-0, Austria 2-2. Group stage play-off: USSR 0-1 1962 – Group stage: Hungary 1-2, Argentina 3-1, Bulgaria 0-0. Quarter-final: Brazil 1-3 1966 – Group stage: Uruguay 0-0, France 2-0, Mexico 2-0. Quarter-final: Argentina 1-0. Semi-final: Portugal 2-1. Final: West Germany 4-2 1970 – Group stage: Czechoslovakia 1-0, Brazil 0-1, Romania 1-0. Quarter-final: West Germany 2-3 1974 – Did not qualify 1978 – Did not qualify

1982 – Group stage: France 3-1, Czechoslovakia 2-0, Kuwait 1-0. Second round: West Germany 0-0, Spain 0-0. 1986 – Group stage: Portugal 0-1, Morocco 0-0, Poland 3-0. Second round: Paraguay 3-0. Quarter-final: Argentina 1-2 1990 – Group stage: Republic of Ireland 1-1, Holland 0-0, Egypt 1-0. Second round: Belgium 1-0. Quarter-final: Cameroon 3-2. Semi-final: West Germany 1-1 (pens 3-4). Third-place play-off: Italy 1-2

1994 – Did not qualify

1998 – Group stage: Tunisia 2-0, Romania 1-2, Colombia 2-0. Second round: Argentina 2-2 (pens 3-4) 2002 – Group stage: Sweden 1-1, Argentina 1-0, Nigeria 0-0. Second round: Denmark 3-0. Quarter-final: Brazil 1-2 2006 – Group stage: Paraguay 1-0, Trinidad and Tobago 2-0, Sweden 2-2. Second round: Ecuador 1-0. Quarter-final: Portugal 0-0 (pens 1-3)

Fabio Capello has similar traits to England’s 1966 manager Sir Alf Ramsey (inset below) according to World Cup winner Bobby Charlton

by Simon Stone

LDP SPORTS CORRESPONDENT SIR Bobby Charlton believes England manager Fabio Capello has similar characteristics to those which helped Sir Alf Ramsey inspire England to their 1966 World Cup success. Charlton, 72, was a member of Ramsey’s World Cup-winning side who claimed their place in history with a 4-2 extra-time victory in the final against West Germany. England have gone 44 years since without claiming a major trophy, but Charlton is optimistic they can end that run with Capello at the helm. While Charlton does not believe England will take the most talented squad to South Africa this summer, he believes Capello, who has pledged to stay on until after Euro 2012, has the uniting influence to turn them into potential world beaters. Asked if he saw the qualities of

Ramsey in Capello, Charlton says: “Yes absolutely. “That’s the first thing I thought of when they were talking about who was going to be the manager and I thought ‘Well, you have to you have to have someone that can that can bring all these different people from different clubs playing different systems’. “Bring them all together. That’s what Alf did. “At the moment England appear to me to have the right manager. “He knows how to handle all these players that are making fortunes as footballers. “Somebody has to knit it all together and I think Fabio Capello is a first-class choice as England manager – it’s made for him. “That’s how good I think he is.” While optimistic, Charlton does not believe that England are one of the most likely nations to lift the World Cup trophy in Johannesburg on July 11, instead pointing to the likes of Argentina, Spain

and Germany as the main contenders. “I think England have got a good manager and I think that we’ll do okay,” he adds. “I’m not getting carried away to say that we will win it but we could. But we’re not the favourites. “I think Argentina are going to be a big threat. I say that often – usually every four years I think because they have a lot of good players. “I think the Spanish can win obviously and the Germans again. They (Bayern Munich) lost the final of the Champions League and I think that might have a little effect on them. “But I think it’s quite open, especially going to a country like South Africa where the pitches might not be the beautiful man-

icured pitches that we have here.” Charlton also voiced his concerns about the weight of English expectation on star striker Wayne Rooney heading into the finals. The 24-year-old was in career-best form for Manchester United this season, but Charlton is fearful that has created a level of expectation among the English media and fans that could overwhelm the striker. “I would feel a bit better if they didn’t seem to put everything on his shoulders,” Charlton adds. “If suddenly he has a little a little patch of bad form or whatever you know I hope he’s not going to take the blame for everybody that’s in the team. “But he’s got great ambition and he’s not afraid.”

Overall record: P55 W25 D17 L13 F74 A47

Balls a handful warns Seaman FORMER England number one David Seaman believes that the ball being used at the forthcoming World Cup will be a “nightmare” for goalkeepers to handle. Critics believe the ball’s weight – it weighs just 440 grams – will make it fly unpredictably through the air with England keeper David James describing the ball as “dreadful”. “It’s always the same before a World Cup or a European Championships, they bring out a new ball and it does totally different things than what we’re used to,” says Seaman. “The players will have had a bit of training with it now but for goalkeepers it’s a nightmare. “It’s getting lighter and faster and the swerve it gets is just so unpredictable that it is frightening. “As a goalkeeper you have no idea where it’s going to go so it’s going to be very hard to stop.”

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Monday, June 7, 2010

World Cup 2010 Group A

Greatest World Cup shocks

Papa Doc, GBH and the army sergeant USA 1-0 England (1950) The original and still the greatest World Cup shock, and one England will be hoping to avoid in Rustenburg. You know the drill – Haiti-born matchwinner Joe Gaetjens was later presumed murdered by henchman of François “Papa Doc” Duvalier, while the London press thought the scoreline was a typing error. But were you aware England played in royal blue shirts that day? North Korea 1-0 Italy (1966) Middlesbrough isn't the most welcoming of places as Italy found out when Pak Doo-Ik became immortalised by his winning strike. After the game, Pak, who was a corporal in the North Korean army, was promoted sergeant, while Italy arrived home to a barrage of tomatoes. Still, that'd be the last they'd see of those pesky Koreans. South Korea 2-1 Italy (2002) Ahem. Christian Vieri's missed sitter and Francesco Totti's red card for being fouled in the penalty area left the stage clear for Ahn Jung-Hwan (left) to net a golden goal winner. Ahn, inevitably, played for an Italian club in Perugia, whose president promptly declared the Korean would never appear for the club again. He changed his mind the following day, though. Bless. Argentina 0-1 Cameroon (1990) Never mind Nery Pumpido fumbling François Omam-Biyik's header over the line or the fact Argentina were the World Cup holders. What we all remember

from this game is a lung-busting Claudio Caniggia sprint that, after riding two attempted assaults from opposing defenders, was finally ended by Benjamin Massing's GBH. West Germany 1-2 Algeria (1982) Lakhdar Belloumi's winner sent Algeria into raptures. But the real shock was that West Germany still later eliminated the Africans with a 1-0 win against Austria that put both European sides through. A game that was in no way a fix. At all. Honest.

Bulgaria 2-1 Germany (1994) With their country having failed to qualify, England's supporters turned to their second team – whoever was playing Germany. And an entire nation chuckled when Yordan Letchkov's diving header (right) dumped the holders out of the competition and gave everyone a further chance to admire Borislav Mikhailov's suspicious hair and Trifon Ivanov's scary beard.

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The World on his shoulders

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Everton’s Steven Pienaar carries the hopes of a nation as the playmaker for hosts South Africa

Mexico

Franco dictates Mexico bid THOSE England fans who believe Sven-Goran Eriksson failed to get the best out of the country’s ‘Golden Generation’ can chuckle now. Having been unceremoniously jettisoned by Manchester City, the Swede was snapped up by Mexico in the hope that he could guide them to their fifth

successive World Cup, but his appointment proved controversial. Defeats against Honduras and Jamaica ensured that Eriksson was relieved of his duties in February 2009 and marked the entrance of new coach Javier Aguirre. Aguirre instantly turned to Argentina-born striker

Guillermo Franco, a decision which paid immediate dividends. Franco scored twice in six appearances to help Mexico to qualification. “The coaching team, Javier and his staff, they all know me very well and that’s why I played a big part in the qualifying campaign,” he says.

Franco (left) and England’s Ledley King

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World Cup 2010 Group A

South Africa

Ian Doyle

“My view is that we are ranked so low because of one thing – poor results. It’s also a good thing for us. We know a lot of people aren’t expecting anything from us. It means we can go out, enjoy ourselves and make the best of it. “There are only three games in the first Chief Football Correspondent round, and we can give 150% in those and make sure our lives depend on them. Then we will HE may stand at only five foot seven inches take it from there. tall, but Steven Pienaar has had little option “For us to go to the second round, that is but to acquire some broad shoulders in recent what many people hope. I think we can get out times. of the group. Mexico and Uruguay play quite After all, having carried the weight of Eversimilar to us, only France will be a bit of a ton’s creativity during an outstanding personal challenge. campaign, the midfielder now finds himself “The crowd will boost the players and we burdened with the hopes of a nation. will be confident with them behind us.” As his team’s stellar and most high-profile With almost 500,000 seats still unsold less performer, all eyes will be on Pienaar when than a month before the first match, there have South Africa step out against Mexico in Jobeen suggestions local support for the tourhannesburg on June 11 to begin the World Cup nament, initially hampered by difficulties in finals. gaining match tickets, will tail off once South Apprehensive? Perhaps. But Pienaar is Africa are eliminated. simply keen to get the ball rolling. Pienaar, however, allays such fears. “I’m sure “I am getting more nervous now,” he admits. a lot of people will be disappointed if we don’t “Before, you used to think it was another year qualify for the second round,” he says. “But away but soon it will be there. The closer you South Africa is a football crazy country so I get then the more tense you become. But I’m don’t think the stadiums will be empty if South looking forward to it, I can’t wait. Africa get knocked out early on. “It will be a really special moment, not only “The people want to see the for the players but for the whole best players in the world and of South Africa and the whole of those are coming to South the continent. It will be a day of Africa.” history like when Mandela Christopher Beesley While the global economic came out of prison.” 1. Spain downturn and concerns over That is no understatement. his country’s high crime rate The opening game will be the 2. Brazil are expected to limit the numrealisation of a dream not just 3. England ber of foreign visitors during for the player, not just for his the finals, Pienaar has country, but for the whole of Africa as the continent prepares to host its first launched a staunch defence of his homeland. “People ask me about the crime and I keep ever World Cup finals. on telling them it is like anywhere in the world That Johannesburg’s Soccer City stadium – that if you don’t look out for yourself there can which has been revamped to accommodate be problems,” he says. “It’s a beautiful country. more than 90,000 fans for the finals – was the And there will be a great atmosphere during site of Nelson Mandela’s first speech in the city the World Cup. following his release from prison further em“It’s the name of the country that’s at stake phasises the point. and you just have to hope and wish that it all Mandela presented South Africa with the goes well.” rugby union World Cup in Johannesburg in Pienaar had first-hand experience during his 1995 but it would be a huge upset if the counupbringing in Johannesburg of the issues that try’s football team, known as Bafana Bafana, South Africa are striving to address. are similarly successful. “It was very tough to be raised by a single South Africa qualified for the World Cup in mother in a gang-infested area,” he says. “But I 1998 and 2002 but have since been in decline, was quite fortunate that I had a really strong failing to make Germany four years ago and mother that believed in us and wanted the best entering the finals with only North Korea befor us and made sure we were always indoors low them in the FIFA rankings. and kept away from the bad stuff. Carlos Alberto Parreira, the Brazilian para“Sometimes when I look back, a chuted back into the role of coach after the lot of things could have happened if firing of compatriot Joel Santana, faces a difI was back in South Africa and I’m ficult task with South Africa also drawn very fortunate I’ve had an opporagainst former champions Uruguay and tunity to do something with my talFrance. ent.” There were encouraging signs last summer, Pienaar now cannot wait to however, when Bafana Bafana reached the march out at the Soccer City stasemi-finals of World Cup warm-up tournament dium in Soweto this Friday. the Confederations Cup before losing to Brazil. “Not far from where my mother No host nation has ever failed to progress lives you can actually see the stafrom the group stages, and Pienaar is determdium,” he says. “I used to dream of ined that remains the case. playing in the old stadium, so to “As a country, we are definitely ready for the play in this new one... that is world to come to South Africa, and as a team something.” we are ready also,” says the Everton man.

who will win?

Fri Jun 11: South Africa v Mexico (Johannesburg – Soccer City) ITV 3pm, Uruguay v France (Cape Town) BBC 7.30pm, Wed Jun 16: South Africa v Uruguay (Pretoria) BBC 7.30pm, Thu Jun 17: France v Mexico (Polokwane) BBC 7.30pm, Tue Jun 22: Mexico v Uruguay (Rustenburg), France v South Africa (Bloemfontein) ITV 3pm

France

Hungry Cisse fit to make up for lost time after finals misery by Ian Doyle PETER CROUCH, Harry Kewell and Emile Heskey are among the surprisingly lengthy list of former Liverpool strikers who will be displaying their wares in South Africa this summer. But there is another forward with Anfield connections that few would have expected to see at the World Cup. With a penalty in the Champions League final, two goals in the UEFA Super Cup and another strike in the FA Cup final, Djibril Cisse played a major role in the success of Rafael Benitez’s first two seasons in charge at Liverpool. Yet within days of helping the Anfield outfit see off West Ham United at the Millennium Stadium, the poor fortune that has dogged Cisse throughout his career reared its head once again. Having suffered a sickening double fracture at Blackburn Rovers in 2004, Cisse’s hopes of appearing in the 2006 World Cup were dashed when he suffered another broken leg in France’s final warm-up friendly against China. “The doctors think my bones aren’t flexible enough,” he says. “Instead of absorbing the shock, they break. It’s painful. I set alarms off when I go through airport metal detectors!” Cisse left Liverpool and, after

Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg

Ace Forlan serves up Uruguay threat with a European medal safely tucked in his back pocket. At one point he did not look destined for a career in football at all as tennis vied for his attention as a youngster – resulting in him not even taking up football seriously until the age of 16. “My father was a footballer so it was better for

me to play football,” says Forlan junior. Considering the way his career has blossomed in the last few years, he can have few complaints about the choice he made. Forlan netted in both legs of the Europa League semi-final with Liverpool to put Atletico through to the final against Fulham,

spells at Marseille and Sunderland during which he missed out on Euro 2008, the forward ended up at Panathinaikos. Since then, he has taken Greece by storm. “Not many people rated my chances, but here I am today,” he says. “I’m happy with my choice.” Indeed, top scorer in Greece this season, he can also point proudly to winner’s medals in both the league and cup, as well as a return of 29 goals in 47 outings. It earned Cisse a surprise international recall against Spain in March after two years in the wilderness, and now the former Liverpool man has been preferred by outgoing France coach Raymond Domenech to Real Madrid’s big-money signing Karim Benzema.

And Cisse says: “I’m a firm believer in my World Cup chances. “If you judge me by my displays on the pitch alone, I think I’ve done enough. I’ll do whatever Domenech asks of me. “He knows I’m hungry. If I only get to play for five minutes, I’ll give absolutely everything for those five minutes. He knows as well that a striker needs confidence. You get it by scoring goals and that’s what I’ve done this season.” While France have what appears a simple progress to the knockout stages – South Africa, Mexico and Uruguay hold no fears – their struggle in reaching the finals makes it unlikely they can replicate their runners-up finish of four years ago.

THE PEN & WIG

Uruguay

IF things had panned out a little differently, Liverpool and Fulham would have contested the Europa League final and Diego Forlan would now be preparing for Wimbledon. Instead, the prolific Atletico Madrid striker is heading to South Africa as one of the most feared goalscorers on the planet

France’s former Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse clutches the broken leg he suffered in a friendly with China that ended his World Cup dreams in 2006

where his two goals earned the Spaniards a 2-1 victory in Hamburg. “I’ve spent a lot of time in Europe and I’ve gained much more experience in the process,” says Forlan “I think I’ve become a better player since then.” Now Forlan will be hoping his goals can help Uruguay.

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GROUP A Fri June 11

15.00

Fri June 11

19.30

URUGUAY

Wed June 16

V V

Soccer City Stadium

MEXICO

Thurs June 17

Lotus Verfsfld Stadium

URUGUAY

Thurs June 22

Peter Mokaba Stadium

MEXICO

Sun June 27

15.00

WINNER GROUP B

Free State Stadium

SOUTH AFRICA

GROUP B Sat June 12

SOUTH KOREA

Sat June 12

ARGENTINA

Thur June 17

12.30 Nelson Mandela Stadium

15.00

GREECE

GREECE NIGERIA

Thur June 22

ENGLAND

Sat June 26

19.30 Royal Bafokeng Stadium

GAME 57

GAME 51

Sun June 27

15.00

GAME 60

WINNER GROUP D

GAME 53

Mon June 28

WINNER GROUP E

GAME 55

Tue June 29

Soccer City Stadium

SOUTH KOREA Free State Stadium

NIGERIA

15.00

WINNER

19.30

Gre

WINNER

15.00 Nelson Ma

WINNER

Sat July 3 15.00

WINNER GAME 55

ENGLAND

Wed June 23

BOTSWANA

Durban Stadium

Loftus Versfeld Stadium

GAME 54 Mon June 28

19.30

Ellis Park Stadium

GAME 56

19.30

Green Point Stadium

GROUP E WINNER GROUP G Tue June 29

WINNER GROUP H

V RUNNER UP GROUP H

NAMIBIA

V RUNNER UP GROUP G

Upington

SOUTH KOREA ARGENTINA

Kimberley

Springbok

UNITED STATES

Peter Mokaba Stadium

SLOVENIA

Ellis Park Stadium

UNITED STATES

19.30

Green Point Stadium

Beaufort West

ALGERIA

15.00 Nelson Mandela Stadium

ENGLAND

Cape Town

15.00 Loftus Versfeld Stadium

UNITED STATES

Free

WINNER

V RUNNER UP GROUP G

Durban Stadium

15.00

V RUNNER UP GROUP F

19.30 Royal Bafokeng Stadium

SLOVENIA

ALGERIA

GROUP D

George Knysna

15.00 Loftus Versfeld Stadium

Sun June 13

Fri June 18

Free State Stadium

V RUNNER UP GROUP C

15.00

WINNER GROUP F

19.30

12.30

Wed June 23

Sun June 13

Fri July 2

WINNER GAME 53

V RUNNER UP GROUP D

Ellis Park Stadium

15.00

ALGERIA V

Fri June 18

Sat July 3

19.30

WINNER GAME 52

V RUNNER UP GROUP A

GROUP C Fri June 18

Soccer City Stadium

19.30 Peter Mokaba Stadium

GREECE

Sun June 13

GAME 59

WINNER GAME 49

V RUNNER UP GROUP B

NIGERIA

12.30

ARGENTINA

Sat June 12

Fri July 2

GAME 50

WINNER GROUP C

URUGUAY

15.00

FRANCE

Thur June 22

GAME 52

GAME 58

15.00 Royal Bafokeng Stadium

MEXICO

Thur June 17

15.00 Nelson Mandela Stadium

WINNER GROUP A

FRANCE

19.30

FRANCE

Sat June 26

Green Point Stadium

19.30

SOUTH AFRICA

GAME 49

IC ANT ATL CEAN O

POST SPORT S 2010 WORLD CUP WALLCHART

SOUTH AFRICA

Quarter Fin

Round of 16

SERBIA V

19.30

GERMANY V

GHANA

Durban Stadium

AUSTRALIA

12.30 Nelson Mandela Stadium

GERMANY V

Sat June 19

Wed June 23

SERBIA

15.00 Royal Bafokeng Stadium

GHANA V

19.30

Soccer City Stadium

19.30

Mbombela Stadium

GHANA V

Wed June 23

AUSTRALIA

WORLD CUP FINA Sunday July 11

WINNER GAME 61

GERMANY

19.30

Soccer City S

WINNER GAM

SERBIA

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nals

Semi Finals

occer City Stadium

GAME 61

R GAME 50

Fri July 2

WINNER GAME 58

19.30

Soccer City Stadium

WINNER GAME 57

GROUP E Mon June 14

Mon June 14

reen Point Stadium

GAME 62

R GAME 51

Sat July 3

WINNER GAME 59

19.30

WINNER GAME 60

ZIMBABWE

MOZAMBIQUE

andela Stadium

R GAME 54

e State Stadium

R GAME 56

Polokwane

Rustenberg

Pretoria

3 56

Nelspruit

Sat June 19

Thur June 24

Sun June 20

East London

IAN N D IN CEA O

SLOVAKIA

IVORY COAST

Tue June 15

Royal Bafokeng Stadium

19.30

LOSER GAME 61

Nelson Mandela Stadium

LOSER GAME 62

SOCCER CITY STADIUM Johannesburg Cap: 94,700

ELLIS PARK STADIUM Polokwane Cap: 46,000

FREE STATE STADIUM Bloemfontein Cap: 48,000

MOSES MABHIDA STADIUM Durban Cap: 70,000

NELSON MANDELA STADIUM Port Elizabeth Cap: 50,000

GREEN POINT STADIUM Cape Town Cap: 70,000

SLOVAKIA

12.30

Free State Stadium

PARAGUAY

Mbombela Stadium

NEW ZEALAND

15.00

Ellis Park Stadium

ITALY

NEW ZEALAND

15.00 Nelson Mandela Stadium

19.30

BRAZIL V

19.30

BRAZIL V

PORTUGAL

Ellis Park Stadium

NORTH KOREA

Soccer City Stadium

IVORY COAST

12.30

PORTUGAL

NORTH KOREA

Green Point Stadium

NORTH KOREA

15.00

BRAZIL

15.00

Wed June 16

ME 62

Durban Stadium

Mbombela Stadium

IVORY COAST

GROUP H Sat July 10

ROYAL BAFOKENG STADIUM Phokeng Cap: 44,530

15.00 Peter Mokaba Stadium

Tue June 15

Fri June 25

Third Place

Green Point Stadium

PARAGUAY

15.00

Fri June 25

Stadium

12.30

ITALY V

Mon June 21

Port Elizabeth

Green Point Stadium

NETHERLANDS

GROUP G Sun June 20

PARAGUAY V

Durban

LOFTUS VERSFELD STADIUM Pretoria Cap: 51,762

JAPAN

19.30

Thur June 24

Port Shepstone

ITALY V

SLOVAKIA

19.30 Royal Bafokeng Stadium

GROUP F

Thur June 24

LESOTHO

MBOMBELA STADIUM Nelspruit Cap: 43,500

DENMARK

19.30

CAMEROON

Sun June 20

DENMARK

Thur June 24

Durban Stadium

JAPAN

19.30 Loftus Versfeld Stadium

CAMEROON

NEW ZEALAND

Bloemfontein

Sat June 19

Free State Stadium

CAMEROON

12.30

NETHERLANDS

Tue June 15

SWAZILAND

Johannesburg

15.00

Mon June 14

Soccer City Stadium

PETER MOKABA STADIUM Polokwane Cap: 46,000

DENMARK

JAPAN V

Green Point Stadium

12.30

NETHERLANDS

HONDURAS

Wed June 16

Mon June 21

Fri June 25

12.30

15.00

SPAIN V

CHILE

Mbombela Stadium

Durban Stadium

SWITZERLAND

15.00 Nelson Mandela Stadium

CHILE V

SWITZERLAND

19.30

SPAIN V

SWITZERLAND

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Fri June 25

Ellis Park Stadium

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World Cup 2010 Group B Argentina

Nigeria

Yakubu and Yobo lead the charge to prove Pele was right after all by Neil Jones IT may be 10 years late, but Pele’s famous prediction that an African side would win the World Cup by 2000 has been revived. As football’s biggest tournament enters the continent for the first time ever this summer, the Brazilian legend will have a keen eye on Africa’s contenders, waiting for a chance to say “I told you so”. At the head of that queue will be Nigeria, coached by experienced Swede Lars Lagerback and featuring Everton stars Joseph Yobo and Yakubu. Lagerback is a newcomer to the job, having only taken over from Shaibu Amodu in Febru- Nigeria's ary, but is confident that side can spring a surprise or two. “Nigeria have a great chance to do well at the World Cup,” he says. “Even when I coached a small country like Sweden, I have always had the ambition and belief that we could do well and win matches.” For Yakubu, the trip to South Africa represents a chance to rediscover the form that made him worth £11.25million to Everton back in 2007. Goodison manager David Moyes has been frustrated by the striker’s struggle for fitness, but believes that once ‘The Yak’ gets going, he will

take some stopping. “He has had a difficult year with his Achilles injury,” says Moyes “It has been tough for him. To have a ruptured Achilles tendon like David Beckham has is a really bad injury and to get back is hard.” And for Yobo, the need to find his form is equally pressing. The defender starred the last time Nigeria qualified for a World Cup, back in 2002 and his performances then paved the way for his move to Goodison. This time around, Yobo may need another good summer to secure his Everton future. And the 29-year-old is relishing the prospect of a World Cup on his home continent, especially if he gets the chance to mark Lionel Yakubu Messi when his side meet Argentina in Johannesburg on June 12. “Messi is unbelievable and just seems to get better and better,” says Yobo. “Every time he’s on the ball you know something is going to happen. He deserves to be the world’s best. “It’s very special in Africa because it is bringing out Africa as a continent – especially South Africa the host country. “It’s a great opportunity and we want to make sure this time – we don’t know when an African country will next host – we show how good African teams are, especially Nigeria.”

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by Neil Jones

LDP SPORTS CORRESPONDENT WHEN Liverpool supporters tire of the hype and expectation placed upon England’s shoulders at this summer’s World Cup, where can they turn for an alternative team to support? Many will see Spain, featuring Fernando Torres, Pepe Reina and their aesthetically-pleasing style of play, as the ideal ‘second team’. But what about Argentina – traditionally a rival of the English, but now a team housing two of Liverpool’s finest? Both Javier Mascherano and Maxi Rodriguez, despite problematic starts, enjoyed stellar campaigns at Anfield this season. Both will be key next season if Liverpool are to recover from the disappointment of 2009-10. Mascherano turns 26 just four days before Argentina’s opening Group B game with Nigeria in Johannesburg on June 12, but it feels as if he has been around a lot longer. Named as captain by Diego Maradona in one of the maverick coach’s more sensible moves, the midfielder is set to be one of the key players for his country this summer. In a side containing Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero, that is some achievement. Rafael Benitez, not one prone to bouts of hyperbole, believes Mascherano deserves to be mentioned in the very top bracket of midfield players. “He is captain of Argentina, one of the best teams in the world, so if you say to me ‘How many?’ I would say there are four or five players at this level in the world and he is one of them,” says Benitez. “He’s a player every manager would like to have in their team.” Fortunately for Liverpool, and for Argentina, they have him. Having bounced back from a curiously disappointing start to his career in English football with West Ham United, Mascherano has blossomed from a promising talent into a bona fide star. In a position pioneered by Frenchman Claude Makelele, Mascherano is now the benchmark for defensive midfield play. Argentina are well fancied this summer, with most identifying Barcelona superstar Messi as the key component of Maradona’s plans. Not that the coach agrees with this, of course. “I say Mascherano and 10 more,” is the 1986 World Cup winner’s response to being asked who is Argentina’s most important player. “After him you have Carlos Tevez or Lionel Messi. Mascherano is much more important than Messi.” Praise indeed. And Maradona rates Mascherano so highly, he has seen fit to leave out the likes of Fernando

Gago, Esteban Cambiasso and Javier Zanetti from his final squad. Mascherano admits to feeling greater strain now he is captain but is confident he can maintain his form long enough to help his nation to a glorious summer. “As captain you feel a more general pressure of the team, rather than just as an individual,” he says. “I have learned a lot very quickly from being captain of the national team and it has made me a better player and a stronger person.

“But I don’t think any player can stop and say ‘This is my best form’. The day you say that, you are finished as a player because nobody is complete. “I’m not going to win any personal awards because of the position I play in and the way I play. I just try to do what I do well and help the team, that’s all. “Every morning when I get up I know I’ve got to give my all to keep on progressing. Only after your career has finished can you look back and

Sat Jun 12: South Korea v Greece (Port Elizabeth) ITV 12.30pm, Argentina v Nigeria (Johannesburg – Ellis Park) BBC 3pm, Thu Jun 17: Argentina v South Korea (Johannesburg – Soccer City) ITV 12.30pm, Greece v Nigeria (Bloemfontein) BBC 3pm, Tue Jun 22: Nigeria v South Korea (Durban), Greece v Argentina (Polokwane) BBC 7.30pm

Greece

Cult Kyrgiakos a cut above for Greece by Neil Jones FOR Sotirios Kyrgiakos, it has been a whirlwind season. From apparently winding down his career with AEK Athens, the mane-haired defender has risen to Liverpool cult-hero status amid a troubled season at Anfield. Now he is looking to shine as Greece participate in

their first World Cup finals for 16 years. Having missed out with a knee injury in 2004 as Otto Rehaggel’s men defied all expectations to clinch their maiden international triumph at the European Championships, Kyrgiakos is set to anchor the Greek backline in South Africa in a group containing,

among others, fellow Merseyside stars Javier Mascherano, Maxi Rodriguez and Yakubu. “I have been pleased with my form,” he says. “I have a good relationship with the fans and I can see that they like me because I give everything for the club when I play. “Some of my

team-mates have told me that I have become a favourite among the fans and I am proud of that because it is important for a player to be remembered in a positive way once he has gone. “But this isn’t the time to reflect. After the summer I will analyse the season because I have the World Cup with Greece – providing I am fit, of course!”

Monday, June 7, 2010

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Alternative medicine to the hype overdose

Maxi Rodriguez takes on Philip Lahm and Michael Ballack in Germany in 2006; (main pic) Liverpool and Argentina team-mate Javier Mascherano

point out the best moments and the worst moments, otherwise you can lose focus and a determination to become better.” For Maxi Rodriguez, things are a little bit different. The winger was seemingly heading down a career Nick Smith cul-de-sac before Liverpool stepped in and 1. Spain offered him the 2. Brazil chance to move to An3. Argentina field back in January, but after a strong showing at the back-end of the season, the 29-year-old survived Maradona’s cull and will be hoping for a chance to

shine in South Africa, as he did four years ago in Germany. The former Atletico Madrid man already has plenty of fans on Merseyside, with both Dirk Kuyt and Sammy Lee praising his attitude, and Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard saying: “Maxi is a fantastic player. He’s got good movement and as a footballer it’s a pleasure to play with good players, and that’s what Maxi is. He’s a fantastic player.” This summer, both Mascherano and Maxi will be looking to follow in

who will win?

the footsteps of their coach by lifting the biggest prize of all. Argentina have been handed a friendly-looking draw, with Greece, Nigeria and South Korea joining them in Group B, and Mascherano is confident his side can shrug aside their recent inconsistencies at World Cups – they are yet to reach a semi-final since 1990 – and, perhaps, go all the way. “We have some great players who are in fantastic form and the challenge for us is to reproduce that for the national team, which is something we didn’t do in the qualifiers,” he says. “It’s a big challenge to be captain as you have to be able to rise to the occasion.”

South Korea

Koreans won’t Park in group

Ji-Sung Park

PARK JI-SUNG insists South Korea are best placed to carry the fight for Asia at this summer’s World Cup. Semi-finalists on home soil in 2002, South Korea are slowly making an impression on foreign fields too. Led by Park, their players are gaining more experience in European leagues and are regarded as one of the most progressive sides outside the

traditional European-South American axis. Drawn in a group containing Argentina, Nigeria and Greece, Park and his team-mates have genuine ambitions of reaching the knockout stage. “If one of the Asian teams get through the group stage, that would be regarded as a success in Asia,” said Park. “I hope it will be us be-

cause I truly believe we are the best team in Asia. “It helps us that more Korean players are in Europe. “Before, we didn’t have any experience outside our own country. “Now quite a few players are getting experience in different parts of the world. It makes us more confident to play against African or European teams.”

World Cup 2010 Group B Greatest World Cup games

Plaques, punches and penalties Italy 4-3 West Germany (1970) The semi-final dubbed the ‘Match of the Century’. Five goals were scored in extra time – the only time this has happened in the World Cup – as the players tired in the Mexican heat. So good was this game, there is a plaque commemorating it in front of the Azteca Stadium. West Germany 3-3 France (1982) Another semi-final, another thriller. France surrendered a 3-1 extra-time lead to ultimately lose the World Cup’s first-ever penalty shoot-out, but the abiding memory was an unconscious Patrick Battiston leaving the field on a stretcher minus two teeth after being brutally decked by Harald Schumacher. Goal kick, said the referee. Italy 3-2 Brazil (1982) A scintillating Brazil side were huge favourites, but overconfidence and a hat-trick by Paolo Rossi (left) ent them crashing out. When Bobby Charlton, summarising for television, was told to cut short his post-match assessment for the news, he responded: “But this is the news!” England 4-2 West Germany (1966) You didn’t think we’d miss this one out, did you? Geoff

Hurst’s hat-trick, Wolfgang Weber’s injury-time equaliser, Bobby Moore’s pass, Kenneth Wolstenholme’s commentary, Nobby Stiles’s jig. Oh, and it definitely crossed the line. Austria 7-5 Switzerland (1954) The most goals ever scored in a World Cup game. Hosts Switzerland raced into a 3-0 lead inside 19 minutes, but 20 minutes later Austria were winning 5-4 and stayed ahead to reach the semi-finals. The referee was a Scot called Charlie Faultless – which is more than can be said for the defending. West Germany 3-2 Hungary (1954) The Miracle of Berne. Hungary had swept all before them en route to the final, including an 8-3 group thrashing of a second-string West Germany side. The Mighty Magyars duly went 2-0 up but West Germany fought back and Helmut Rahn netted a late winner. Brazil 4-1 Italy (1970) The greatest World Cup team put on a suitably great display in the final. Jairzinho (right) became the first and so far only player to score in every match in a finals but the most memorable goal came from Carlos Alberto, who capped a superb team move.

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Monday, June 7, 2010

World Cup 2010 Group D

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Australia

Germany

Keeper worry is Low blow for Germany GERMANY head to the 2010 World Cup as one of the favourites but with doubts still lingering over the position they used to be able to rely on more than any. Rene Adler was set to be Joachim Low’s first-choice goalkeeper in South Africa this summer but will now miss the tournament as he needs surgery on a broken rib. Either Schalke’s Manuel Neuer or Werder Bremen’s Tim Wiese will be handed the gloves and there is a noticeable lack of experience among the pair, which Low will be hoping does not prove a problem. Neither has ever played a competitive match for Germany, and only Wiese has played European football this term, in the Europa League. Robert Enke of Hannover may have headed to South Africa as Germany’s number one, but he committed suicide last November after a long battle with depression in an incident which cast a shadow over the whole GerJoachim Low man season. Things are also looking far from rosy for Germany at the other end of the pitch, with Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski desperately short of goals this season, while Mario Gomez has hardly set the world alight in his first campaign at Bayern Munich. Germany, though, are blessed with several young attacking midfielders. Bayern duo Thomas Muller and Toni Kroos and Werder Bremen’s Mesut Ozil will be among the best young players at the tournament. But there is the absence of injured Michael Ballack to contend with and a tough first-round challenge. “It’s far from being an easy group,” says Podolski. “The first job is to stand your ground against all these teams. “There are no easy opponents these days. But I’m convinced that if we play to our potential, we’ll qualify from our group and could go far.”

Cahill is congratulated after scoring against Japan in 2006

Golden boy name ‘Johnny on the spot’ from Goodison manager David Moyes. That Cahill was involved in those finals in Germany at all was testament to his drive and determination having suffered knee ligament damage barely two months earlier. Now, though, the midfielder is free from injury and bolstered by four goals in his final seven games for Everton this season. “I know I was lucky to play in the last World Cup,” admits Cahill. “Basically, I did my posterior (knee ligament) and the physio said I had no chance. I was lucky that with good strapping and good physio they got me out there. “But now I’m going to a World Cup fully fit. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime to make something special for Australia.” Cahill’s importance to the Australian set-up under coach Pim Verbeek has risen given the retirement of Mark Viduka and in-

being drawn alongside Germany, jury problems of Harry Kewell. Serbia and Ghana. But far from being fazed by the Along with Cahill, the likes of extra responsibility, the Harry Kewell, Lucas Neill, Brett 30-year-old simply takes it in his TIM CAHILL will have to go some Emerton, Vince Grella, Craig stride. to better his impact at the last Moore and Mark Schwarzer will “I just take it as a compliment,” World Cup. But then the Everton says Cahill. “I wouldn’t be part of once again spearhead the team’s man and his Australian Australia’s World Cup squad if I charge but, with all past their team-mates have made a habit of wasn’t playing great domestically 30th birthday, the fear is that defying expectation. and internationwhile Verbeek’s Cahill’s name will forever be ally. troops have four etched in the Socceroos history “Australia needs years more experbooks after four years ago becomPhil Kirkbride leaders and there ience they are also ing the first player to score for his are a lot of leaders four years slower. country at the World Cup. 1. Brazil in this team. If Cahill, though, Having failed to find the net in 2. Argentina that is passed on expects Australia’s their previous finals appearance to me then I accept 3. Spain fitness to prove in 1974, Australia were seemingly it because it’s a reone of their strong on their way to defeat in their sponsibility we depoints. opener against Japan in 2006 serve because we play at some of “We have to concentrate on bewhen Cahill emerged from the the biggest clubs in the world. ing one of the fittest teams in the bench to score twice in the final “There are expectations on our competition because after 80 six minutes and help turn a 1-0 shoulders and without being minutes is when I feel a lot of the reverse into a 3-1 triumph. overly confident, you have to try football’s going to be won,” he It was, of course, no surprise to and fulfil people’s dreams.” says. Everton supporters, with Cahill’s There is no doubt the Socceroos “We’ve got that in abundance reputation as the man for the big face a tough challenge to reach and the main focal point is keepoccasion earning him the nickthe knockout stages again after ing the majority of the team fit.” If Australia do progress to the knockout stages, they could face a Sun Jun 13: Serbia v Ghana (Pretoria) ITV 3pm, Germany v Australia (Durban) ITV 7.30pm, Fri Jun tie with England. And who would 18: Germany v Serbia (Port Elizabeth) BBC 12.30pm, Sat Jun 19: Ghana v Australia (Rustenburg) bet against Cahill and co defying BBC 3pm, Wed Jun 23: Australia v Serbia (Nelspruit), Ghana v Germany (Johannesburg – Soccer convention then once again? City) ITV 7.30pm

by Ian Doyle

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who will win?

Ghana

Serbia Vidic itches for ‘Death’ reckoning

It’s Ghana be tough now

NEMANJA VIDIC has an understandable desperation to be involved in the 2010 World Cup after injury denied him the chance to participate four years ago. But luck was not on Serbia’s side in the draw when they were dumped in a ’Group of Death’. Little wonder Vidic is eager for Serbia to get off to a fast start this time around. “It is very important to start well,” says the Manchester United man. “We had a problem

GHANA coach Milovan Rajevac is still coming to terms with news that his star player Michael Essien will not be fit in time for the World Cup. The Chelsea midfielder was ruled out of the finals in South Africa after it was discovered that a knee injury suffered at the African Nations Cup in January is taking longer to heal than initially anticipated. His absence is a major blow for the Black Stars and their Serb coach, who says: “I am really disap-

with injuries last time. We were in a difficult group to start with and it just didn’t go well. “Obviously it is not easy this time either but I don’t think we should complain. We have some players who are at good teams in Europe.” Serbia’s strength has been evident for some time now. In topping a qualifying group that contained France, they gave notice they will not be an easy touch, helped by new Liverpool striker Milan Jovanovic.

pointed that Michael Essien will not be at the World Cup. “He is an important player on and off the field. “Essien brings lots of advantages. He brings so many things to the team and always gives us options. “I hope and believe that the other players would give off their best. “We want to achieve with this team and must work hard. “We will focus on the task ahead and hope we have a good World Cup.”

Monday, June 7, 2010

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World Cup 2010 Group E

Holland

Heitinga’s confidence in Dutch courage by Ian Doyle WHEN it comes to the World Cup, Holland have all too often been to squad unity what England are to penalty-taking. Rarely a tournament goes by without stories emerging from inside the Dutch camp of a simmering discontent that threatens to undermine the undoubted talent at the country’s disposal. John Heitinga, though, is convinced there will be no such problems when Holland aim for glory in South Africa this summer. Bert van Marwijk’s side will be regarded as dangerous outsiders after romping through their European qualifying group, securing a 100% record while ending the hopes of Scotland and Norway. And Heitinga, who enjoyed an excellent debut season for Everton since arriving from Atletico Madrid last August, believes this group of players has learned from the mistakes of past Holland squads. “We want to keep everything within four walls but in previous tournaments there’s always been something,” he says. “In the last one (at Euro 2008) a player’s wife (Khalid Boulahrouz) was pregnant and the baby died. “But we’ve played together with the same team and when there’s a disappointment we’re better equipped to handle it. For the team it’s how strong you are for the games. “It’s better all the faces are staring in one direction for the tournament because you only have one chance every four years to win the title.” Hopes are high within the Dutch camp of a successful tournament, with the advantage they arrive in South Africa without the burden of pressure heaped on their near rivals. “With the squad we have I hope we can win it, but it’s difficult,” says Heitinga. “That’s our goal though. Now we have had (Robin) van Persie injured, so we will see how he recovers. But we still have a good team, with people like (Wesley) Schneider and (Rafael) van der Vaart, and a lot of the

Holland’s John Heitinga Mon Jun 14: Holland v Denmark (Johannesburg – Soccer City) ITV 12.30pm, Japan v Cameroon (Bloemfontein) BBC 3pm, Sat Jun 19: Holland v Japan (Durban) ITV 12.30pm, Cameroon v Denmark (Pretoria) ITV 7.30pm, Thu June 24: Denmark v Japan (Rustenburg), Cameroon v Holland (Cape Town) BBC 7.30pm

players are 26, 27 or 28, when they should be at their peak. Hopefully we can show the world we are the best. “There is more pressure in England than in Holland. Holland’s a small country and for many years England – looking at the players they have – usually could win the tournament. “But there’s been a lot of pressure on the English team for many years.” Having been drawn alongside Denmark, Cameroon and Japan in the group stages, Holland will fancy their chances to progress deeper into the tournament. That said, the Dutch have flattered to deceive in recent World Cups. They failed to qualify in 2002 and, with Heitinga in the team, reached only the last 16 four years ago in Germany before being dumped out in a brutal game against Portugal. It was a similar story in the European Championships two years ago, when a scintillating display in the group stages came to a shuddering halt with defeat in the quarter-finals to Russia. “Two years ago we were in with Italy, France and Romania and played well,” says Heitinga. “Then, after the group stage, we lost to Russia, so it’s hard. “I would first like us to win the group stage but then there are so many big teams you could face like Brazil, Argentina and England. There is a strong Merseyside presence in the Dutch squad, with Heitinga joined by Liverpool duo Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel. Kuyt has been a mainstay of the Holland team since making his debut in 2004 but Babel’s place was in doubt until an improved second half of the campaign at Anfield bolstered his claims. And Heitinga believes his season in the Premier League has proven the ideal preparation for South Africa. “My time with Everton has prepared me well as some of the top players in the World Cup play in the Premier League,” he says. “It is good for a defender to play against the likes of Rooney and Drogba.”

Can Agger do well? Yes, says fan Laudrup TO many Liverpool fans of a certain vintage, Michael Laudrup will always be regarded as the one that got away. But the Danish legend is convinced Anfield is now the home of one of his country’s most precious talents. While Laudrup’s move to Liverpool fell through in 1983, 23 years later Daniel Agger successfully made the switch and has overcome injury problems to emerge as one of the key members of Rafael Benitez’s team.

Bassong: Axe wasn’t wrong SEBASTIEN BASSONG admits it hurt him to miss the African Nations Cup but he is hoping the decision to stay with his club helps him secure a place for the world’s biggest tournament. Bassong’s omission from Cameroon’s squad raised eyebrows after a big-money move from Newcastle in the summer and a solid start to his Tottenham career. However, there was a theory behind the selection, as Paul Le Guen explained to his centre-back. Keeping him at White Hart Lane meant a run of games for Harry Redknapp’s side rather than warming the bench in Angola. Sebastien “Of course, it hurt that I Bassong didn’t go to the African Nations Cup,” Bassong admits. “I was talking with Harry (Redknapp) and Paul Le Guen, and he took his decision. He had his own reasons that he explained to me. “If I went to the African Nations Cup I wouldn’t be playing so he thought it was better for me to stay at Tottenham to compete for my place here and help them stay in the top four. “I don’t know if Harry spoke to him but it was a good thing, maybe the best thing for the club but not for Cameroon.”

Japan Not Endo the world THE World Cup often represents the pinnacle of a footballer’s career but for Yasuhito Endo that dream was soured somewhat in 2006 when he was confined to the bench for all of Japan’s three group games. However, he now looks set to be an integral part of Japan’s challenge in South Africa this summer. In the intervening four years, Endo has become the heartbeat of a Gamba Osaka side that won the 2008 Asian Champions League. He has also established himself in the national team under Takeshi Okada. “My only regret from the 2006 tournament was that our team and I myself couldn’t get through the group stage,” says Endo. “Because I couldn’t play there in 2006, however, I have worked harder on developing my game. So, it turned out to be good for me, I suppose.”

B.JENKINS & SONS

Denmark

by Ian Doyle

Cameroon

Agger will form the heartbeat of Denmark’s defence at the World Cup having helped guide Morten Olsen’s side beyond Portugal and rivals Sweden to qualify top of their European group with just one defeat from 10 matches. And Laudrup believes Agger’s experience and influence will prove crucial. “I coached him at Brondby when I was manager a few years ago,” he says. “He came directly from the youth team and you could see right from the beginning that he had great potential. “I wasn’t surprised when he went to Liverpool. “If he can stay fit

then I think he can definitely be one of the best central defenders in the game. Liverpool have had many great defenders in the past. Daniel is a very good player and if he can play at a high level in the next few years, then maybe you will be talking about him in the same breath.” With Denmark having failed to qualify for the World Cup in 2006 and Euro 2008, this is Agger’s first chance to make an impression on a major international tournament. And Laudrup adds: “He’s hugely important. The main players are people like Thomas Sorensen, Agger and Christian Poulsen. If they are fit then Denmark will have a good chance of progressing to the latter stages.”

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Monday, June 7, 2010

World Cup 2010 Betting and TV Guide

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Samba stars look set to light up African skies Chris Wright LDP SPORTS STAFF ONE recent survey reckoned 71% of football fans in Liverpool would rather our two Premier League clubs succeed than England lift the World Cup. It makes you wonder how they came about the figure and why it was so low. The rest of the country and the bookmakers think England have a real chance of glory in South Africa, but they are not good value at a mere 6-1 to end 44 years of hurt despite boasting the mercurial Scouse duo of Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney. So unless you are a patriotic punter who can only back his homeland, on Merseyside it’s best to get your Samba on your feet and cash in on yet another World Cup set to be played out to a samba beat. The Latin triumvirate of Brazil, Spain and Argentina appear the most likely to light up the South African skies and the five-time champions can make it six in Johannesburg next month. Brazil may not be as irresistible as their 1970 version, as flamboyant as the 1982 vintage, or have one of the greatest goalscorers the game has ever seen like in 2002, but they have gelled into an all -round team under coach Dunga capable of going all the way. They are similar to the side in which their coach excelled and captained to World Cup glory in 1994. They have top-class attacking talent in Luis Fabiano, Robinho and Kaka. But it is as much the solid base provided by Inter Milan triumvirate – keeper Julio Cesar, Lucio and Maicon fresh from their treble-winning exploits in European club football – that

Luis Fabiano can help fire Brazil to a World Cup victory makes them the team to beat. Added to this the fact that Brazilian football and footballers live and breathe the World Cup as well as being the only side to win the trophy outside their own continent (Sweden 58, USA 94 and Japan and South Korea 2002) they look the best betting option. Brazil must progress from the obligatory ‘Group Of Death’ (Portugal, Ivory Coast and also North Korea – well, they are rumoured to

Making a splash! Come along and see why...

have nuclear weapons). But it will only make them battle-hardened for the knockout phase and give them confidence of taking gold. European champions Spain got the monkey of perennial losers off their back two years ago and are sure to have a real crack at the first World crown. But with injury concerns over the likes of Fernando Torres and Cesc Fabregas and the task of living up to the tag of favourites, they may just fall short. That said, reaching the dream final for neutrals against Brazil is a very real prospect. Argentina qualified by the skin

of their teeth and have had many problems under the nation’s chief footballing hero Diego Maradona. But like when the Maradona-inspired Argentina landed the trophy in 1986, they have the best player in the world in their ranks in Lionel Messi. If he plays as he has for Barcelona and is helped by the likes of Inter Milan hero Diego Milito, Manchester City’s Carlos Tevez and Liverpool stars Javier Mascherano and Maxi Rodriguez, Argentina could easily put their troubles behind them. And what of England? A run to the quarter-finals and typical exit? I would bet on it. As Brazil are likely to go far Luis Fabiano could easily emulate past Brazil Golden Boot winners Leonidas Da Silva, Ademir, Garrincha and Vava and most recently the mighty Ronaldo in 2002. Fabiano has a great strike rate for his country with 25 goals in only 36 appearances, and was Brazil’s top scorer in qualifying. He scored 21 in 34 games for Sevilla and is bound to be among the goals. With North Korea up first, he has a big chance to get off to a flying start in the top scoring stakes. Argentina’s two strikers Carlos Tevez and Diego Milito have been in fine form this season. While it is hard to know whether both will play every game, at odds of 33-1 and 40-1 they look decent each way value against their South American rival. Tevez may be Argentina’s penalty taker as well. Of the eight groups there are usually one or two that are not won by the favourites. Most in danger look to be France in Group B and Uruguay could be the value to pip them to top spot. The South Americans can start as they mean to go on and shock a French side in a transitional period with a win on the opening day. Portugal, to my mind, appear the most likely big gun to fall by the wayside early on. In with Brazil and Ivory Coast, defeat by the latter in the opening match could be the start of the end of Cristiano Ronaldo and co.

Your World Cup best bets

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HERE are the stand-outs bets for the World Cup in South Africa. Winners: Brazil to win the World Cup (5-1 Blue Square, bet365, Paddy Power), Argentina to win the World Cup each-way (15-2 Coral). Finalists: Brazil-Spain final (11-1 William Hill, bet365, Paddy Power), Brazil-Argentina final (20-1 Stan James, Blue Square, bet365, Paddy Power) Top scorers: Luis Fabiano (12-1 Ladbrokes, William Hill, Stan James, bet365, Boylesports, Paddy Power) to be tournament top scorer each-way. Other alternatives Carlos Tevez (40-1 most firms)

and Diego Milito (33-1 most firms) each way. World Cup winner/top score double: Luis Fabiano (25-1 William Hill, bet365, Skybet, Boylesports) England: To go out in the quarter-finals (7-2 Sportingbet), Peter Crouch to be England’s top scorer (9-1 William Hill, Stan James, Blue Square, Betfred). Group stages: Uruguay to top Group A (7-2 most firms); Uruguay to beat France in their opening match (3-1 bet365, Victor Chandler); Portugal not to qualify for knockout stages (7-5 bwin.com); Tim Cahill to be Australia’s top scorer (7-2 William Hill, Betfred).

Ian Doyle on the box One Lineker is plenty, thanks THE World Cup is the pinnacle of football, representing the very best of the beautiful game. So who better to analyse such luminaries than James Corden and Danielle Bux? Yes, it’s that time when television companies take leave of their senses and attempt to make football more accessible to the masses who tune in once every four years in the hope England might actually score a penalty or two. And, when it comes to gimmicks, ITV once again lead the way. James Corden’s World Cup Live will follow every evening match shown on the channel, a show featuring a “World Cup legend” (their words, not ours), a celebrity guest... and the host presumably laughing a lot at his own jokes. Corden will also have his very own human World Cup wallchart. We cannot wait. Still, if that wasn’t enough, the recently hitched Danielle Lineker will give GMTV her “unique” – ie rubbish – guide to the tournament with topics as insightful as the squad’s suits and treatment regimes. Keen not to be left James Corden behind, the BBC intends to introduce a “3D matrix-style device” called Libero that will generate virtual camera images to back up key talking points. However, it will still not help explain the “pure” co-commentary of chief-stater-of-the-obvious Mark Bright, who will be joined by Mick McCarthy, Martin Keown and our very own Mark Lawrenson. With Adrian Chiles having defected to help host ITV’s coverage, the BBC have promoted Colin Murray to highlights duty. The Beeb’s commentary team comprises Guy Mowbray, Jonathan Pearce, Steve Wilson, Simon Brotherton and Steve Bower. Where’s John Motson, we hear you ask? Fear not. Motty will be present every day on the BBC website. Those worried about the invasion of foreigners in the Premier League will be shaking their head at the line-up of pundits on either channel. ITV have Patrick Vieria, Marcel Desailly, Edgar Davids, Francois Pienaar – no relation to Steven – and token Englishman Kevin Keegan. At least the BBC will be led by the usual line-up of Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Lee Dixon, with Gordon Strachan providing the laughs, Harry Redknapp the prerequisite Cockney element and Roy Hodgson the speech impediment. But with Jürgen Klinsmann, Clarence Seedorf and Emmanuel Adebayor throwing in their oar, it won’t be entirely biased. Over on Radio 5 Live, 250 hours of programming will include expert punditry from Everton manager David Moyes, Graham Taylor, Robbie Savage and Chris Waddle. Danny Mills will also be on air. Throw in the interweb, the iPlayer, the red button and looking through the round window, it will be almost impossible to avoid the tournament over the next few weeks. You might want to give Mrs Lineker a miss though, like.

Monday, June 7, 2010

World Cup 2010 Analysis

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Watch out for those stars in the making by Neil Jones PELE, Geoff Hurst, Johan Cruyff, Diego Maradona, Zinedine Zidane. All names synonymous with one thing. The World Cup. The greatest football tournament on the planet. For any footballer, the idea of making your name on the biggest stage of all is uniquely appealing. It is where good players become household names, almost overnight. So, who will write their name indelibly into the minds of the world in South Africa this summer? Here are nine names you might just be hearing a little bit more about over the next few weeks. Diego Milito (Argentina) Not content with scoring the goals which clinched the Italian league and cup double for Inter Milan, Milito illuminated the Champions League final in Madrid last month with a pair of sublime finishes to sink Bayern Munich and seal an unprecedented treble for Jose Mourinho’s men. The 30-year-old has struggled to nail down a starting role in the Argentine national team, but surely coach Diego Maradona can’t ignore a man who has had a season like his? Pedro (Spain) Scoring in six different competitions in one season is a pretty impressive achievement. To do it aged 22 for Barcelona in your first full senior campaign is even more special. Pedro is the latest star to emerge from the Catalan side’s

James Milner

fabled ‘Cantera’, following in the footsteps of Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi. Operating anywhere across the forward line, he picked up 23 goals – more than record signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic – in a record-breaking season for Pep Guardiola’s side, and has barged his way into Vicente Del Bosque’s squad. Luis Suarez (Uruguay) Uruguay may not be well fancied in South Africa but few sides can boast such a prolific front line. Never mind compatriot Diego Forlan, Suarez has torn up the goalscoring record book this season, shining in an Ajax side committed almost exclusively to attack. With 49 goals in all competitions, he is Europe’s top scorer. Quick and strong, with good movement and immaculate technique, Suarez looks the complete package. Alexis Sanchez (Chile) Under the wily Argentine Marcelo Bielsa, Chile could well be a dark horse this summer. Their group, containing Spain, Switzerland and Honduras, is negotiable. And if they do succeed, then the likelihood is that the 21-year-old Sanchez will figure prominently. Already pretty well-travelled despite his tender years, the winger-cum-forward is settled in Italy with Udinese. Quick, two-footed and precociously gifted, the former River Plate man has a huge future ahead of him. Starting in South Africa. Mesut Ozil (Germany) Germans eh? All power, discipline and rigid efficiency, right? Not exactly. A new generation of technical, speedy players is emerging in the Bundesliga, and leading the way is the supremely talented Ozil.

The 21-year-old has flourished at Werder Bremen after stepping into the void left by the departure of Brazilian star Diego, and is now widely considered to be one of German football’s biggest stars. An old-school dribbler who is maturing fast, Ozil will carry plenty of responsibility on his shoulders this summer, especially after skipper Michael Ballack was ruled out with injury. Yoann Gourcuff (France) While the days of Zinedine Zidane, Patrick Vieira and co are gone, the presence of Yoann Gourcuff offers ample hope for the future for France. The 23-year-old Bordeaux star is a playmaker in the Zidane mould, and has emerged as the driving force – surpassing even the lauded Franck Ribery – for Raymond Domenech’s inconsistent side. Can shoot from range with either foot, and possesses a calmness and a sense of balance

FROM Laurie Hughes and Alex Parker, through Ray Wilson and Roger Hunt, and now Steven Gerrard and Tim Cahill, Merseyside has always had a strong presence at the World Cup. But this summer there promises to be a host of former Liverpool and Everton players lighting up the tournament, with 19 former Merseyside-based players set to feature. The England squad alone houses four, with former Liverpool stars David James, Peter Crouch, Stephen Warnock and Emile Heskey along with Wayne Rooney, once of Everton persuasion.

France are next on the list. While most will instantly think of former strikers Nicolas Anelka and Djibril Cisse, few will remember the third ex-Liverpool man – Alou Diarra. Spain, too, have strong Liverpool connections. Vicente del Bosque will call upon Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa, both of whom left Anfield for Real Madrid a year ago. Australia are another with a pair of former Merseysiders, with Harry Kewell and Lucas Neill appearing in red and blue respectively. Only one other nation houses two former players, al-

Xabi Alonso

though Everton fans would probably prefer not to admit it. Morten Olsen’s Denmark selection has a blue edge to it, with both Lars Jacobsen and Per Kroldrup among the 23. Between them they made just six league appearances at Goodison, with Everton fans hard pushed to recognise either. They will recognise Landon Donovan though. The 28-year-old is USA’s captain and all-time record goalscorer, and became a firm favourite during a two-month loan spell at Goodison earlier this year. Which leaves the rest, and there are one or two Merseyside blasts from the past lurking

Diego Milito

Pedro

Luis Suarez

Alexis Sanchez

Mesut Ozil

Yoann Gourcuff

Gervinho

Maicon

of which even ‘Zizou’ would be proud. Gervinho (Ivory Coast) His first name might be Gervais, but Ivory Coast’s latest striking sensation is no laughing matter – for defenders at least. The 23-year-old has shone in France for the past three years, first at Le Mans and now at Lille. Powerful and pacy, Gervinho has added goals to his game, and offers genuine versatility across the forward line. Ivory Coast are probably the best-equipped of all the African nations at the tournament, and it’s because of the likes of him. Maicon (Brazil) The muscular defender has come into his own since joining Inter from Monaco in 2006, and the fact that he is chosen before Dani Alves for Brazil says enough. His forward raids can pin back even the most daring of wide men, his athleticism means getting the better of him de-

among the so-called lesser nations. Rigobert Song, once of Liverpool, will be appearing in his fourth World Cup finals with Cameroon this summer, while winger Mark ‘Speedy’ Gonzalez will make his debut with Chile. Philippe Senderos failed to make much of an impact during a loan spell at Everton this season, but will play for Switzerland this summer, and England could well run into former Liverpool defender Carl Medjani when they take on Algeria in their Group B clash. Medjani, like Diarra, failed to make a senior appearance during three years at the club, but will now do something Ian Rush and Neville Southall never could – play at the World Cup.

fensively is a tall order, and has enjoyed a glorious campaign at club level. A World Cup win would make things just about perfect. James Milner (England) It is testament to his development that James Milner will be England’s most sought-after player this summer. After bursting on to the scene as a 16-year-old at Leeds United, the versatile midfielder had made steady but unspectacular progress into his early-20s. But over the past 18 months, the boy has become a man. Milner spent much of this season as a central midfielder after a career spent largely on the wings, and he has blossomed. Two footed and with energy, drive and maturity in all that he does, the 24-year-old has played his way into Fabio Capello’s plans with typical humility, and is edging ever nearer to a starting berth.

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Hang on.. didn’t he used to play for us? by Neil Jones

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Monday, June 7, 2010

World Cup 2010 Group F

In association with

Italy

Champions Italy won’t just pay Lip service by Cindy Garcia-Bennett

LDP SPORTS CORRESPONDENT iTALY go into the World Cup buoyed by the positive vibes that have returned with coach Marcello Lippi. The veteran tactician stepped down after leading the Italians to World Cup glory in 2006, but became coach again following the Azzurri’s weak performance at Euro 2008 under the charge of Roberto Donadoni. “I felt a certain debt towards the Italian Federation,” says Lippi. “And turning down other offers in order to return was a way for me to pay that debt. “I came back to win, to enjoy the same sensations once more, the feelings of triumph but also of the unity and cohesion of the whole group.” The debt Lippi felt is due to the Italian Federation never wavering in its commitment to him when his son was under scrutiny for his role with a sports agency owned by the son of disgraced former Juventus general manager Luciano Moggi. However, Lippi has faced significant challenges since returning to the helm. With players of the calibre of Francesco Totti and Alessandro Nesta retiring from international duty since the success in Germany four years ago, and others like Alessandro Del Piero and Marco Materazzi reaching the latter stages of their career, Lippi has been forced to look for new talent. “We still have a group of players who won the World Cup four years ago and we need to build on that strength,” says Lippi. “But not everyone will continue. This group needs to be integrated, the right balance has to be found.” Two reasons why there is so much optimism about Italy’s

Whole world in his hands: Marcello Lippi with cup in 2006 chances have been the play of Fiorentina forward Alberto Gilardino and Udinese striker Antonio Di Natale. Both players have stood out in their respective teams and have been rewarded for their impressive campaigns with spots in the national side. Moreover, World Cup winner Gilardino appears to have rediscovered his touch in front of goal. Since moving to Fiorentina from AC Milan two years ago, Gilardino has gone from strength to strength – he netted against Liverpool in the Champions League at Anfield – and become one of

Mon Jun 14: Italy v Paraguay (Cape Town) BBC 7.30pm, Tue Jun 15: New Zealand v Slovakia (Rustenburg) BBC 12.30pm, Sun Jun 20: Slovakia v Paraguay (Bloemfontein) BBC 12.30pm, Italy v New Zealand (Nelspruit) ITV 3pm, Thu Jun 24: Slovakia v Italy (Johannesburg – Ellis Park), Paraguay v New Zealand (Polokwane) ITV 3pm

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highest-rated forwards in Italy. Gilardino finished as the Azzurri’s top scorer in qualifying with four goals, including a hat-trick in a 3-2 triumph over Cyprus. Therefore, unlike the previous two tournaments, the Azzurri will not have to rely on one player to provide the firepower up front. Defence has traditionally been their strongest weapon and it remains so with just seven goals conceded in qualifying. The midfield remains largely unchanged. Daniele De Rossi of Roma, Gennaro Gattuso and Andrea Pirlo have all been included

in the squad but there is no place for Simone Perotta. Lippi fully expects to have a strong team in all areas. “We will try to play an aggressive, expansive and resourceful game,” he says. “A great side needs to be able to do everything, attack and defend.” One bonus is the players will be well rested since all but one Italian club this year failed to reach the quarter-final stages of any European club competitions. Only Inter Milan reached the last eight of the Champions League. Injuries should also not be a big factor. Buffon has fully recovered from a knee injury and striker Vincenzo Iaquinta will be fit. Since taking over the team, Lippi believes he has seen a vast improvement in a squad that topped Group Eight of its World Cup qualifying campaign with a six-point advantage over the Republic of Ireland, with seven wins and three draws. “My national team does not have any weaknesses,” he says. “We are preparing to win another World Cup.” Lippi will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of legendary coach Vittorio Pozzo, who led the Azzurri to consecutive World Cup triumphs in 1934 and 1938. One thing Italy and Lippi have in their favour is that they know what it takes to go all the way in a tournament. “Experience can be useful because now we know the conditions and how much consistency and unity is needed to win,” says Lippi. Whether Italy are past their best, though, remains to be seen.

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Paraguay

Cruz at beck and call ROQUE SANTA CRUZ and his wife are known as Paraguay’s equivalent to ‘Posh and Becks’ with the amount of gossip column inches they generate but there he will be hoping the similarities end. For while David Beckham will feel his injury nightmare even more keenly as he is forced to watch the World Cup from the sidelines, Santa Cruz will be hoping this summer signals an end to his problems. The Manchester City forward has made not much more than a handful of appearances this season following his £17.5million move from Blackburn but he is still set to spearhead the Paraguay attack, especially in the ab-

sence of star striker Salvador Cabanas, Paraguay’s top goalscorer during the qualifiers who was left clinging to life after he was shot in the head while in a bar in Mexico City. “Paraguay have always had a reputation in South America for having one of the strongest defences on the continent,” says Santa Cruz, who is playing in his third World Cup. “But lately we’ve also become known for our attacking qualities. “This combination will make us hard to beat. We are hopeful of going further than the round of 16 for the first time. “This is a great chance to show the world how much we’ve improved.”

Slovakia

Skrtel eager for a dream comeback SLOVAKIA make their long-awaited World Cup debut in their own right this summer – and Martin Skrtel is determined to mark the occasion with his presence. The centre-back has not played for Liverpool since fracturing a metatarsal in the Europa League victory at Unirea Urziceni in February. However, Skrtel was on the bench for the final game of the season at Hull City having worked hard to recover his fitness. And now the defender is convinced he will be available for Slovakia’s opening Group F clash against New Zealand. “It is a proud moment for my country to have qualified and I hope to be there with them,” says Skrtel. “It has been a Martin Skrtel very frustrating time for me being injured and not being available for Liverpool. “I’ve had great support from the medical staff at Liverpool and my family, so I will do everything I can to be fit for the World Cup. “It’s a big thing for Slovakia to have qualified for our first finals. It’s a dream for everyone to get to South Africa. Now we have to show what we are all about and give our best.” Indeed, there is every chance of Slovakia – for whom Everton-bound Jan Mucha is the first-choice goalkeeper – making an impact after a favourable draw pitched them alongside Paraguay and New Zealand in what is likely to boil down to a race for second place behind Italy.

New Zealand

Rory’s all right for All Whites NEW ZEALAND are heading to the World Cup this summer for the first since 1982 and the squad have high hopes of progressing past the initial group stage. The All Whites secured their qualification last November after registering a 1-0 victory over Bahrain in a play-off with a goal courtesy of Plymouth striker Rory Fallon. “It was surreal,” says Fallon. “My phone was red-hot and the game was shown over and over again on TV. I think to play in the World Cup would put me top of the family pecking order. “Nobody can take away from me the fact that I got the goal that took New Zealand to the World Cup. “Of course people will say we have no chance but it’s a brilliant group for us. Nothing is impossible and I believe we can finish second. “Italy have already won the group so the battle is for second place. I’m certainly not saying we will beat Italy, but we’ve got a very good chance against the other two.”

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World Cup 2010 Group G Ivory Coast

Portugal

Things could get Messi for Ronaldo this summer IT seems almost crazy to suggest it, but Cristiano Ronaldo heads to this summer’s World Cup with a point to prove. The 25-year-old is unquestionably one of the finest players on the planet and has quickly settled into life at Real Madrid following his world record £80million move from Manchester United. The problem, however,

is not Ronaldo’s own form, but rather that of Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, the man who stole the Portuguese’s crown as World Player of the Year in 2009 and appears the hot favourite to retain the title this year. As you might expect, Ronaldo is not lacking in confidence. When questioned on his aspirations for football’s

showpiece event, he responds: “Above all to arrive in my best form. I plan to have a great World Cup.” Pressed on whether the tournament could be remembered as his World Cup, Ronaldo adds: “I hope so, yes. I will go there with this attitude and do everything I can to take Portugal as far as possible.”

Ronaldo

Brazil

Ojeitobrasileiro... athingofthepast? OVER the course of an illustrious, record-breaking history, one date remains painfully etched on to the psyche of Brazilian football. The fall-out from defeat by Italy at the 1982 World Cup in Spain proved to be a turning point for the Selecao, inducing a gradual evolution from poetry to pragmatism culminating in Dunga’s current unappetising blend of physical prowess and tactical austerity. Tele Santana’s side illuminated the 1982 competition with a brand of football even more magical than their 1970 trophy-winning counterparts. Yet their failure to progress beyond the second-round group stage – when they needed only a draw – shocked them to their core as Italy, spearheaded by master poacher Paolo Rossi, dumped them unceremoniously out and on to a plane home. Fast-forward 28 years and the legacy of that heartbreaking 3-2 defeat is plain to see. The bewitching rhythm of the samba beat has become more of a monotonous humdrum as flair has given way to efficiency. Excitement is more subdued than for many a year owing to the fug of discontent surrounding the national side’s style, or lack of it. But in truth the Selecao have never been better placed to take the honours. Chris Wright Dunga’s practical approach is epitom1. Brazil ised by his choice of 2. Spain personnel. Gilberto 3. Argentina Silva, effectively scrapped by Arsenal two years ago, remains as midfield linchpin. Julio Baptista, another former Gunner, is a key man for his physical prowess rather than his often-disappointing footballing performance. Goalkeeper Julio Cesar, centre-half Lucio and right-back Maicon are regarded by many as the world’s finest in their position. Gone is the reliance on misfiring superstar enigmas such as Adriano and Ronaldinho, replaced by a team ethic centred on efficiency, ruthlessness and tactical savvy.

Why Drogba will not be Coasting in South Africa CHELSEA striker Didier Drogba will go into this summer’s World Cup knowing that life is much more important than football. The Ivory Coast are in a difficult group with North Korea, Portugal and Brazil but Drogba is still haunted by the sights he witnessed as they progressed to the finals in South Africa. Drogba scored two goals as Ivory Coast beat Malawi 5-0 in a game that was still staged following the tragedy at the 45,000-capacity Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium. Nineteen people, including two children, died and more than 130 spectators were injured when part of a wall collapsed as ticketless fans stormed one of the entrances. “I am disappointed by what happened, it is hard to take,” says Drogba. “Football is nothing. You are talking about the deaths of 19 people. When things like that happen it makes you realise how much people care about their country and their team. Peace to them. It is sad.” Drogba and his team-mates will hope for better than in Germany four years ago, when after anoth-

er tough draw they went home after the first round. Drogba says: “I am very happy indeed because Ivory Coast is going to the World Cup for the second time.” Drogba will be ably assisted in South Africa by Chelsea team-mate Salomon Kalou, who has grown in stature in a season that has seen Chelsea win the domestic double. Kalou, 24, has enjoyed his fourth season at Chelsea. “Every time I have the chance to work with him I listen to what he has to say – he is very important to me,” says Kalou. “When you’re talking about strikers in the game today, Didier is one of the best.”

North Korea

Korea to go nuclear NORTH KOREA became household names in 1966 with an epic run to the World Cup quarter-finals and reached South Africa with an equally incident-packed qualifying campaign. It took a mammoth campaign spanning 20 months and 16 games, including four controversial clashes with neighbours South Korea. North Korea haven’t been in the finals since shocking Italy 44 years ago, and it will be an even greater surprise if they gain even a point this time around. But with so little known about the squad, it will be intriguing to discover how they fare against such lofty opposition.

Socrates celebrates his goal against Italy with Junior, Falcao and Zico but Brazil coach Dunga (inset) is out to avoid a 1982 repeat Where once there was Socrates now sit Gilberto and Felipe Melo, ultra-conservative holding midfielders. There remains a capacity for flair, with Kaka first choice as playmaker and Robinho still afforded a creative birth behind consistent goal-getter Luis Fabiano. However, put simply, if Brazil are to win this World Cup, they will win it on the break. The counter-attack is king, with swashbuckling full-backs a respectful nod to the tradition of ‘o jeito brasileiro’, the Brazilian way. “Since the last World Cup when Dunga started, we have adjusted ourselves to achieve our results as well as adjusting the style of playing according to the situation we face,” Gilberto admits. “All the team are working so hard

who will win?

and with the way we are playing we have got the confidence of Brazilian people again.” There were the customary blips in qualification – a few disappointing home draws, defeat at altitude in Bolivia – but while rivals Argentina scraped in by the skin of their teeth, Brazil kept their composure to top the standings by a point. “Qualification in South America is always going to be very difficult,” adds Gilberto. “And at the time we didn’t understand the pressure on Dunga. We turned things around because of our commitment to our country. “We want to win things, for us and for the people of our country.” Dunga has so far confounded his many critics by getting results. Ultimately, though, even glory in South Africa would still leave many to accuse him of betraying ‘o jeito brasileiro’.

Tue Jun 15: Ivory Coast v Portugal (Port Elizabeth) ITV 3pm, Brazil v N Korea (Johannesburg – Ellis Park) ITV 7.30pm, Sun Jun 20: Brazil v Ivory Coast (Johannesburg – Soccer City) BBC 7.30pm, Mon Jun 21: Portugal v N Korea (Cape Town) BBC 12.30pm, Fri Jun 25: Portugal v Brazil (Durban), N Korea v Ivory Coast (Nelspruit) BBC 3pm

Didier Didier Drogba Drogba

Monday, June 7, 2010

World Cup 2010 Group H Chile

Spain

Alexis happy to be in crew ALEXIS SANCHEZ has great expectations heading into his first World Cup this summer. The “wonder boy”, as he is known in South America, was a pivotal player for Chile as they earned their ticket for the first time since 1998. The Udinese forward scored three goals while providing numerous assists in qualifying to help Chile book a place in South Africa. “For any player it is a dream to play for the national team,” says Sanchez, who at 21 has scored nine goals in 24 appearances for Chile. “It’s all the more amazing to be able to take part in a World Cup.” His performances have led some to compare him to Brazil’s AC Milan forward Alexandre Pato. He says: “Do I feel like Pato of Milan? I don’t like comparisons, I am only Alexis.” In the meantime, Sanchez is just focusing on getting there. “I want to be one of the best players in the world,” he says. “I know I have to work hard and I’ve no fear of doing so.”

Honduras Guevara ready for a new revolution HONDURAS needed a late USA goal against Costa Rica to qualify for their first finals in 28 years. Yet if the manner of their qualification was a trifle fortuitous there is more hidden depth than befits a “happy to be here” outfit. Tottenham’s Wilson Palacios and Wigan duo Hendry Thomas and Maynor Figueroa are the key names of a team skippered by former MLS playmaker Amado Guevara. “On the pitch we’ll be 11 against 11 and the team that does things better will be the one that settles the match,” says Guevara.

Reina refuses to pull his punches again ANYONE who has seen the no-nonsense style of Pepe Reina on the field will know the Liverpool goalkeeper is not someone to be trifled with. So when stories emerged from inside the Spanish camp of a bust up between Reina and Victor Valdes, few would have exchanged places with the Barcelona man. However, rumours of a bad relationship between the goalkeeping rivals were quickly dispelled by Spain captain Carles Puyol. “Outside, a lot of things can be said that we can’t control, but inside our dressing room we are all together,” says Puyol. “They have a good relationship and there is no problem.” Reina could be forgiven for feeling a bit edgy. Despite an outstanding season personally, in which he was regarded by many as Liverpool’s player of the year and won the Golden Gloves award for a fourth time, the Anfield outfit missed out on Champions League qualification. And at international level, the outstanding Reina has the misfortune to have the same nationality as the similarly excellent Iker Casillas. “It would be great to win the World Cup, but it definitely wouldn’t make up for this season with Liverpool,” says Reina. “To win a Premier League title with Liverpool would be amazing.”

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Torres the reluctant favourite Ian Doyle THERE was a time not too long ago when England and Spain found themselves constantly regarded in the same bracket at international level. Mention the phrase ‘great underachievers at major tournaments’ during much of the last 40 years, and it’s a fair bet the names of those two countries will have instantly sprung to mind. Not any more. While England continue to deceive and disappoint, Spain finally banished their hoodoo by ending 44 years without a trophy when lifting the European Championships two years ago. That the triumph was achieved while sticking firmly to their footballing principles has made Vicente del Bosque’s side favourites, alongside Brazil, to claim glory in South Africa this summer. However, with such success comes great expectation, something that sits uneasily on the shoulders of Liverpool striker Fernando Torres, the man whose goal against Germany won the Euro 2008 final for his country.

“We are considered as one of the favourites, which is to be expected,” says Torres. “But I recall back in 2004 when everyone in Spain said we were favourites for the European Championships in Portugal and it was the same for the World Cup in Germany. “We hadn’t won any trophies, and we were not seen as favourites elsewhere. In Spain we think that everything revolves around us and that we are always favourites. “We are now considered by others as one of the candidates, and we can’t escape that favourites tag. We don’t like being considered as favourites for the title but its something we have to live with. “We feel it’s our chance and we want to take advantage of it. We feel it’s our turn and we want to continue to make history.” Spain have never won the World Cup – indeed, their best finish of fourth place came 60 years ago in Brazil – but having lost just one of their last 46 games, a nation most certainly expects. Coping with such pressure, though, has too often proven their

downfall, most notably when they wilted in the spotlight as hosts back in 1982. There is a reminder of that tournament this time around with del Bosque’s side drawn in the same group as Honduras, who held the Spaniards to a shock 1-1 draw 28 years ago. With Chile and Switzerland making up the remainder of Group H, Spain should face a straightforward passage to the knockout stages where more testing challenges await. But a wary Torres says: “On paper it’s an easy group, but still it’s a World Cup and we don’t want any problems. We have the experience of what happened to us at the Confederations Cup, but I think that we should qualify from our group without too many problems. “The matches should serve as preparation for the knockout stages. But people have forgotten what happened to us against USA at the Confederations Cup. They weren’t given a chance, but they qualified from their group and went on to beat us.”

Wed Jun 16: Honduras v Chile (Nelspruit) ITV 12.30pm, Spain v Switzerland (Durban) BBC 3pm, Mon Jun 21: Chile v Switzerland (Port Elizabeth) BBC 3pm, Spain v Honduras (Johannesburg – Ellis Park) ITV 7.30pm, Fri Jun 25: Chile v Spain (Pretoria) ITV, Switzerland v Honduras (Bloemfontein) ITV 7.30pm

World Cup quiz

30 questions to tackle just for fun (only 1. How many countries participated in the first World Cup finals competition in 1930?

8. Which Liverpool player made three appearances for England at the 1958 tournament?

14. Which striker skippered Germany against England in the 1966 World Cup final?

2. Which country were beaten finalists in 1930?

9. Name the Everton defender who represented Scotland at the 1958 World Cup finals.

15. Who netted West Germany's winning goal against England in their quarter-final clash in the 1970 tournament?

3. Which country hosted and eventually won the 1934 competition? 4. Which Caribbean team made their only appearance to date at the 1938 finals? 5. What significant role did Englishman George Reader play at the 1950 tournament? 6. Which South American country knocked England out of the 1954 tournament at the quarter-final stage? 7. Name the Frenchman whose 13 goals at the 1958 tournament remains the most scored in a World Cup finals tournament.

10. Name England's head coach at the 1962 tournament. 11. What was the unique fact about English centre-forward Gerry Hitchens at the 1962 tournament?

16. The 1970 tournament featured which colourful footballing first?

Question 15

12. Three stadiums which hosted matches at the 1966 World Cup finals no longer exist – name them.

13. Name the three countries who England faced in the group stages at the 1966 World Cup finals.

17. What was midfielder Jurgen Sparwasser's famous contribution to the 1974 World Cup finals in West Germany?

18. Who were Africa's only representatives at the 1974 tournament? 19. Name Scotland's manager at the 1974 World Cup finals. 20. For what moment of great individual skill was Sweden's Gunnar Ols-

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World Cup 2010 Group H Switzerland

The USA, of course, inflicted Spain’s only competitive defeat since being eliminated by France in the second round of the World Cup four years ago with a surprise 1-0 triumph in the semi-finals of last year’s Confederations Cup. It was a reminder Spain cannot rest on their laurels this summer, although the memory of previous World Cup surrenders against the likes of Paraguay, Northern Ireland and Nigeria will no doubt further focus the mind. “We learned a lot at the World Cup in Germany,” says Torres, who is confident he has fully recovered from the knee operation that prematurely ended his Anfield campaign in April. “We were on a learning curve and had developed a style, but we probably lacked maturity and France swept past us. “They had plenty of self-belief, they believed that we could beat anyone, that their time had come, and they had to make the most of the opportunity. And that’s exactly what they did. They lost in the final but at least they were there. As for Spain, we laid the foundations and created an identity between 2006 and 2008, a style which is still very strong today. “We won the European Championships and realised that we could be successful playing how we wanted to

Fernando Torres

World Cup quiz

if your memory is any good, that is!) son the unwitting fall-guy in a match against Holland in the 1974 tournament?

the scoring against France in a group game in the 1982 tournament?

21. Which country remained undefeated in the 1978 World Cup finals but did not win the tournament? 22. Which Dutchman was inches away from winning Holland its first World Cup when his late effort struck the woodwork in the 1978 final Question 28 against Argentina? 23. After how many seconds did England's Bryan Robson famously open

24. Which Bournemouth striker, signed from Tranmere Rovers, made three appearances for Northern Ireland in the 1986 World Cup finals in Mexico? 25. Which African country made their first appearance for 56 years at the 1990 tournament in Italy?

26. Liverpool and Everton each supplied one player for Scotland’s squad

Can Swiss roll on for seconds?

play the game. We just needed self-belief. Right now we have to enjoy ourselves and to also try to make the most of this opportunity.” Despite his magnificent scoring record for Liverpool, and that Euro 2008 winner, Torres has not found goals as easy to come by for his country as strike partner David Villa. But of feeling any pressure to be the tournament’s leading scorer, the 26-year-old adds: “No, but I know that, along with Villa, I’m lucky enough to be one of the strikers in a team that are among the favourites, and that brings certain privileges.” Torres is joined in the Spain squad by Liverpool team-mate Pepe Reina and former Anfield favourites Alvaro Arbeloa and Xabi Alonso. And the striker believes the country where he plies his trade could prove a threat to hopes of glory in South Africa. David Randles “England will 1. Argentina be a tough 2. Brazil team to 3. Spain face, and Brazil are always up there or thereabouts,” says Torres. “Argentina haven’t been playing well, but they are always in with a shout. “The big teams will make it though to the final stages. If England can overcome their mental barrier then Spain versus England would be the perfect World Cup final. “People say that Spain have the best starting XI in the world but when you look at England on paper, they have the second strongest XI in the world. “In John Terry and Rio Ferdinand they have two of the best defenders. Stevie Gerrard is the greatest central midfielder on the planet and Wayne Rooney is one of the in-form players in football along with Lionel Messi. All they need to do now is break the mental barrier of going out at the quarter-final stage creates.” As Spain and Torres have shown, it can be done.

SWITZERLAND striker Eren Derdiyok believes his side have the quality to reach the last 16 of the World Cup. With European champions Spain expected to top Group H and Honduras widely anticipated to be the whipping boys, it looks like a straight fight between Switzerland and Chile for second place. And Bayer Leverkusen man Derdiyok feels confident his team-mates have the quality to progress. “I believe very much that we will qualify for the last 16, even though the group is very, very difficult for a small football country like Switzerland,” he says. “We are never favourites, but we can be giant-killers.” Switzerland’s World Cup record is less than inspiring and this will be only the third time since 1966 – and the ninth time overall – they have competed. Their two appearances in recent times, in the United States in 1994 and Germany in 2006, saw them reach the second round, most notably last time around when they topped a group which included France. That time, under popular coach Kobi Kuhn, they went out of the tournament without having conceded a goal. And they have high hopes of again making it into the knockout stages with former Bayern Munich boss Ottmar Hitzfeld at the helm. “We are very determined,” said Derdiyok. “We will prepare very seriously in Switzerland and in South Africa and do everything to play as good a tournament as possible.” Not bad for a country that started their qualification campaign with a home defeat to Luxembourg.

who will win?

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at the 1990 World Cup finals – name them. 27. A dog wearing a red, white and blue football kit, what was the name of the official mascot at the 1994 World Cup finals in the USA? 28. Which squad number did Michael Owen wear for England in the 1998 tournament in France? 29. Name the Italian defender who skippered his country to World Cup final glory in 2006. 30. Which South African city will host this summer's World Cup final on July 11?

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ANSWERS: 1. 13; 2. Argentina; 3. Italy; 4. Cuba; 5. He was the referee for the final between Brazil and Uruguay; 6. Uruguay; 7. Just Fontaine; 8. Alan A’Court; 9. Alex Parker; 10. Walter Winterbottom; 11. He was the only member of the squad who played for a club side outside England (Inter Milan); 12. White City Stadium, London; Ayresome Park, Middlesbrough; Roker Park, Sunderland; 13. Uruguay, Mexico, France; 14. Uwe Seeler; 15. Gerd Muller; 16. First use of red and yellow cards; 17. His 77th minute goal for East Germany defeated hosts West Germany 1-0 in a group match; 18. Zaire; 19. Willie Ormond; 20. Holland legend Johan Cruyff executed his famous ‘Cruyff Turn’ to get past the Swedish right-back; 21.Brazil; 22. Rob Rensenbrink; 23. 27; 24. Colin Clarke; 25. Egypt; 26. Gary Gillespie and Stuart McCall; 27. Striker; 28. 20; 29. Fabio Cannavaro; 30. Johannesburg

Monday, June 7, 2010

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