Monthly Archives: June 2010

Gerrard prepared for penalties

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Newly-appointed England captain Steven Gerrard feels that his side are fated to be involved in a penalty shootout at some point in the World Cup and he hopes he will handle the pressure (7/1 to win the World Cup).

The Liverpool midfielder was named as captain after Rio Ferdinand was ruled out of the tournament when he picked up a knee ligament injury in the first training session since the team landed in South Africa.

Gerrard believes that penalties are inevitable if the side make it past the group stages of the competition.

He said: “I’ve got a feeling we might have to go to penalties at some point and as a player going into a World Cup,  you’ve got to be prepared for a shoot-out, it’s as simple as that.

“The games when you get further into a tournament are so tight. Hopefully we get a bit more luck this time – and I take a better penalty.”

Gerrard missed a penalty in the defeat against Portugal in the quarter-finals of the competition which was just one of many spot-kick heartbreaks for the Three Lions in major tournaments.

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard is England’s regular spot-kick taker but he has not been able to convert his last two penalties – the first was against Portsmouth in the FA Cup final at Wembley with the second in the pre-tournament friendly with Japan.

Gerrard believes that is impossible to replicate the pressure that is placed on a player during a penalty shootout.

He said: “When you practise penalties in training you pick a ball up and shoot within a few seconds.

“But in the World Cup… what is it, a 30-second walk from the half-way line when you’ve got millions and millions of viewers back home wanting you to score? You can’t prepare for that.

“What you can do is be ready and not shy away from it and have the bottle to step up there for another go – especially when you’ve missed one before. I’ll be ready.”

England are currently preparing for their opening match of the World Cup against USA on June 12 (England 4/9 draw 3/1 USA 6/1 – match betting).

Gareth Barry has taken part in his second day of training since coming back from the ankle injury he picked playing for Manchester City against Tottenham.

The Three Lions will be hoping for no more injury worries ahead of that first game against USA before they take on Algeria and Slovenia in Group C.

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Drogba injury rocks Ivory Coast

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Ivory Coast (33/1 to win the World Cup) have been rocked by the news that star striker Didier Drogba will miss this summer’s World Cup tournament in South Africa after suffering a broken right arm in a pre-tournament friendly against Japan.

The striker was helped off the pitch having collided with Marcus Tulio Tanaka and according to Manchester City defender Kolo Toure the player’s “World Cup is finished.”

It was originally believed that the player had fractured his right elbow but later reports showed that their was a break in the right arm.

Drogba had scored the Ivoirian’s first goal in the match after his free-kick was deflected past the keeper before he went in for a challenge with Tanaka.

After the match former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson was very concerned with his star player’s condition he said: “It’s an elbow injury. How bad it is, I don’t know. He had a lot of pain.

“Of course I’m worried. He’s captain and one of the world’s best players,” he added.

Although Eriksson was devastated by the news of the injury, he did not believe that it was a bad challenge by the Japanese player.

He said: “It was unlucky. It wasn’t bad or stupid. He didn’t want to hurt anyone. Football is a game of contact,” added Eriksson.

Drogba is a key player for the African side who have been seen as the strongest team from the continent ahead of the tournament.

The 32-year-old has been a major player for the national side and for his club Chelsea.

The Blues won the Premier League title from rivals Manchester United and were victorious in the final of the FA Cup against Portsmouth.

This was the first domestic double in the club’s 105 year history, a season in which Drogba scored 29 Premier League goals, winning the golden boot award.

Ivory Coast are in Group G also known as the ‘group of death’ as they face Portugal (Ivory Coast 9/4, draw, 23/10, Portugal 11/10 in the match betting), North Korea and Brazil.

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Dawson admits to crazy day

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Michael Dawson has been forced to make a hasty change of plans for the summer after being called up to the England (7/1 in the outright winner market) squad for the World Cup, after Rio Ferdinand was ruled out of the tournament with a knee injury.

The Tottenham centre-back had been preparing his holiday plans after getting the chop from Fabio Capello’s 30-man preliminary squad, when the final 23 was announced on Tuesday.

However during England’s first training session in South Africa, captain Ferdinand suffered an injury to his left knee ligaments following a tackle from Emile Heskey, and after a trip to the hospital, the Manchester United star’s World Cup dream is now over.

Dawson had been asked if he was available while Ferdinand was undergoing scans, and has now been called over to South Africa following confirmation of the bad news.

“It’s a crazy game and things can change in a split second,” Dawson told Tottenham’s official website.

“One minute I’m trying to arrange my holiday, then I get a call asking if I was on holiday because Rio had pulled out of training.

“I said ‘no’ and then I was just waiting by the phone before getting a call saying I would be picked up in an hour. It’s been a crazy day.”

Ferdinand had been about to take part in his fourth World Cup, with the added honour this time around of actually skippering the side, and Dawson knows that there will be no words to make the devastation of missing the sport’s biggest tournament go away.

“For Rio to get injured, there would be no worse feeling for him as a player. To miss the biggest tournament in the world as the captain, I feel for him,” said Dawson.

“I missed the Carling Cup final in 2008, and there was nothing anyone could have said to me that could have made me feel any better. For Rio, the feeling will be the same.”

Liverpool playmaker Steven Gerrard, who wore the armband in Capello’s first game in charge of England, has now been confirmed as captain for the upcoming showpiece.

Dawson will be vying with Ledley King, Jamie Carragher and Matthew Upson for the central defensive position alongside former skipper John Terry for England’s opening game against USA next Saturday.

The Three Lions are 4/9 favourites in the match betting to kick off their campaign with a win, with the Americans on offer at 6/1 and the draw at 3/1.

Capello’s men are 2/7 favourites to win Group C, ahead of USA at 4/1, while Slovenia are available at 11/1 and Algeria the outsiders at 18/1.

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Ferdinand shocker for England

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England skipper Rio Ferdinand has been sensationally ruled out of the World Cup (England 7/1 to win the competition) after he suffered a serious knee injury in the Three Lions’ first training session out in South Africa.

Ferdinand was sent for a scan on the injury and, after limping away from the hospital on crutches, it appeared the Manchester United defender had picked up a serious problem.

It was then subsequently confirmed that he would miss England’s campaign – which gets underway against USA a week on Saturday – in what is a major blow to coach Fabio Capello’s plans (England to win 2-1 – 7/1).

Ferdinand was expected to partner John Terry at the heart of the England defence but now the Italian will have to find his replacement with Ledley King, Jamie Carragher and the now called-up Michael Dawson in contention for a starting berth.

The injury will come as a shock to the England camp just a day into their preparations for the tournament but gives Dawson, who narrowly missed out on Capello’s final 23-man squad, the chance to earn his first cap later this month.

Ferdinand has struggled with several injury problems of late and a combination of back and calf problems meant he missed large chunks of the season with Manchester United in the season that has just finished.

He was set to figure in his fourth World Cup but now faces up to the prospect of cheering his team-mates on from the sidelines with Liverpool star Steven Gerrard ready to be promoted to skipper for the campaign.

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Barry back in England ranks

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Gareth Barry returned to training on Friday and now has just over a week to improve his match fitness before England start their Group C campaign against USA on June 12 (4/9 England 3/1 draw 6/1 USA – match betting).

The Manchester City midfielder was in danger of missing the showpiece tournament in South Africa when he damaged his ankle ligaments in the defeat to Tottenham at Eastlands on May 5.

Fabio Capello had always considered the 29-year-old would be able to resume full training the day after the Rustenburg opener, but the sight of Barry in full flow on Friday has heightened speculation he could make his competitive return against the Americans.

The Italian has bent his own rules to accommodate Barry in his 23-man cut and his inclusion protecting the back four would allow Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard to push further forward.

The former Aston Villa favourite was wrapped in cotton wool in a light work-out with the rest of the first-team squad at the Royal Bafokeng north of Johannesburg but will be given every chance to improve his match sharpness.

Tottenham defender Ledley King, whose fragile knees are well documented, was also included in the training session.

However, veteran goalkeeper David James was not involved in the outdoor session and worked alone in the gym.

Capello is aware England will have to hit their straps if they are to make a statement in South Africa and accepts USA pose an immediate obstacle (1/20 England – To Qualify From Group C).

Bob Bradley’s men caused an international upset last year when they stunned reigning European champions Spain 2-0 in the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup in Bloemfontein, South Africa – a result which brought about Spain’s first defeat since November 2006 and snapped a world-record 15-game winning streak and 35 without loss.

Capello said: “The United States are always strong at the World Cup and the first game is always the tough game for all of the teams.”

The Three Lions will then play Algeria in Cape Town on June 18 and Slovenia in Port Elizabeth on June 23. The World Cup betting suggests England should progress with ease, but the manager is taking nothing for granted.

Capello has argued the two nations are more dangerous because they can enjoy a pressure-off situation and feels all of England’s Group C opponents should be treated with caution.

He added: “Algeria are more dangerous than most people think. I saw the statistics relating to qualifying and they were the fifth highest scorers in qualifying.

“I also remember when we played Slovenia at Wembley that they were very good technically.”

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Crouch is Capello’s number nine

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Peter Crouch and Rio FerdinandPeter Crouch has been handed the number nine shirt for the World Cup by England coach Fabio Capello – potentially boosting his chances of starting the first match against USA (Crouch 5/1 to be First Goalscorer v USA).

The Tottenham marksman has edged out club colleague Jermain Defoe and Aston Villa forward Emile Heskey for the famous shirt, worn by England legends Nat Lofthouse and Sir Bobby Charlton at previous World Cup finals.

Crouch, 13/2 to be Top England Goalscorer, has got a better than one-in-two goal ratio for England – finding the net 21 times in 38 appearances, not all of them starts, and will be tough to dislodge from the starting line-up if he dovetails well with Wayne Rooney in the opening match.

Aaron Lennon (11/1) and Joe Cole (9/1 to be First Goalscorer v USA) could be in line to fill the wide berths in the opening match, with Lennon inheriting David Beckham’s number seven shirt and Cole taking the number eleven jersey.

Further clues to Capello’s starting line-up can be drawn from David James taking the number one shirt over rival goalkeepers Joe Hart and Robert Green while fitness doubt Gareth Barry has to make do with the number fourteen shirt.

Frank Lampard, who boasts 20 international goals from 78 matches, keeps the number eight he wears for Chelsea and could be a big price in the Top Premiership Scorer in World Cup 2010 market after his sensational season with the Blues.

Lampard (16/1) hit 22 goals from midfield last term, the same number as Argentina’s Carlos Tevez (14/1) and more than both Nicolas Anelka (11/1) and Fernando Torres (4/1).

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Rafa walks alone as search begins

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Liverpool have begun the search for a manager they hope will help them challenge for the Premier League title (10/1 to win) next season after confirming Rafa Benitez has left Anfield.

The Spaniard has finally paid the price for last season’s dismal campaign and after the two parties agreed a severance package earlier today, he was sent on his merry way.

Rumours over the future of Benitez have been rumbling on for the last few months but it only broke late on Wednesday night that he could be heading for the exit door.

The 50-year-old says it is with regret that he leaves Anfield after six years at the helm but he will have no problem getting fixed up elsewhere, with Inter Milan keen to land him.

“It is very sad for me to announce that I will no longer be manager of Liverpool FC,” Benitez revealed. “I would like to thank all of the staff and players for their efforts. I’ll always keep in my heart the good times I’ve had here, the strong and loyal support of the fans in the tough times and the love from Liverpool.

“I have no words to thank you enough for all these years and I am very proud to say that I was your manager. Thank you so much once more and always remember: You’ll never walk alone.”

Benitez will always be remembered for winning a fifth European Cup but it is ultimately his failure to bring the Premier League title to Anfield that has cost him.

Last season’s seventh place finish, coupled with an early exit from the Champions League, did not help matters and with clubs abroad showing an interest, the two parties have come to a mutual agreement to end Benitez’s tenure.

The race is now on to find his successor with Kenny Dalglish (5/2f to be next Liverpool manager) and Martin O’Neill (5/2f) the early frontrunners, while Roy Hodgson (7/2) and Guus Hiddink (10/1) have also been mentioned.

It would have been interesting to see if Jose Mourinho would have fancied it but he has just taken over at Real Madrid and is out of the running.

Despite Liverpool’s struggles on and off the pitch over the last couple of seasons it is still arguably one of the biggest jobs in world football and there will be no shortage of top names declaring an interest.

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Grant wants good times back at West Ham

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New West Ham boss Avram GrantNewly appointed West Ham boss Avram Grant is hoping to bring the good times back to Upton Park and is looking forward to the challenge of next season.

The Hammers struggled last season under the leadership of Gianfranco Zola and only managed to secure their place in the Premier League with a couple of games to spare.

Zola was axed by co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan as soon as the season was over and it soon became clear that Grant was the man they wanted.

Slaven Bilic, Sam Allardyce and Ian Holloway had all been linked with the job but Grant was always hot favourite to take the job as soon as his duties with Portsmouth came to an end.

The Israeli worked wonders under very difficult circumstances at Fratton Park and even though they were relegated after being deducted nine points for going into administration, he still managed to guide them to the FA Cup final before losing to Chelsea.

Grant admitted that leaving Pompey was always going to be tough after building up a great relationship with the fans and he will be looking to do that again at Upton Park with the Hammers faithful.

“I’m proud and honoured to be the manager of West Ham. It’s an exciting challenge and I’m ready to do my best,” Grant told the club’s official website.

“West Ham is a fantastic club with great fans and a history that is respected around the world. I’m already looking forward to getting to work with my players in July and preparing for the new season.”

Grant now has the job of making sure the Hammers are nowhere near the drop zone next season and if he gets the backing of the board, he should be able to get the club moving in the right direction.

The former Chelsea boss inherits a squad of talented players that boasts the likes of Matthew Upson, Carlton Cole and Scott Parker and he will be hoping to keep hold of his star trio before adding to his ranks.

The board have said everyone apart from Scott Parker is up for grabs but Grant will want to keep his key men if he is to get the Hammers pushing for the top 10.

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Lippi settles on surprise 23

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Italy winger Mauro Camoranesi was a surprise inclusion in coach Marcello Lippi’s final 23-man squad for the World Cup in South Africa (Italy 3/ 4 to score eight or more goals in Group F).

Camoranesi, who helped Italy win the trophy in Germany four years ago, pulled out of altitude training in the Alps on Tuesday with a knee injury.

But Lippi has gambled on the damage not being serious, though he did not answer reporters’ questions concerning the make-up of the squad.

AC Milan striker Marco Borriello and Villarreal forward Giuseppe Rossi were left out the squad, while Fabio Quagliarella made the list.

Goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu, defender Mattia Cassani and midfielder Andrea Cossu were the other players from a provisional 28-man squad to miss out on the trip to South Africa (Italy 9/4 to be eliminated in the quarter-finals).

Rossi was born in New Jersey to Italian parents and has dual citizenship. He played well for Italy at last year’s Confederations Cup, scoring twice in the opener against the United States, but struggled during the second half of this season with his Spanish club Villarreal.

Borriello scored 14 goals for AC Milan this season but plays centre forward, a position where Lippi prefers Alberto Gilardino, Vincenzo Iaquinta and Giampaolo Pazzini.

Nine players remain from the team that won the World Cup four years ago in Germany: Gianluigi Buffon, Fabio Cannavaro, Gianluca Zambrotta, Camoranesi, Daniele De Rossi, Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo, Gilardino and Iaquinta.

Fabio Grosso, the left-back who converted the decisive penalty kick in the final against France four years ago, had already been cut two weeks ago after being named to the preliminary 30-man squad.

Italy have been training in Sestriere at 6,670 feet since May 23 and will depart for South Africa on June 8. The World Cup betting suggests they are in with a chance of repeating their appearance in the final four years ago.

The Azzurri have friendlies set up against Mexico in Brussels on Thursday and Switzerland in Geneva on Saturday.

At the World Cup, Italy opens against Paraguay on June 14 and will also face New Zealand and Slovakia in Group F.

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Morgan De Sanctis (Napoli), Federico Marchetti (Cagliari).

Defenders: Salvatore Bocchetti (Genoa), Leonardo Bonucci (Bari), Fabio Cannavaro (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Domenico Criscito (Genoa), Christian Maggio (Napoli), Gianluca Zambrotta (AC Milan).

Midfielders: Mauro Camoranesi (Juventus), Daniele De Rossi (AS Roma), Gennaro Gattuso (AC Milan), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina), Angelo Palombo (Sampdoria), Simone Pepe (Udinese), Andrea Pirlo (AC Milan).

Forwards: Antonio Di Natale (Udinese), Alberto Gilardino (Fiorentina), Vincenzo Iaquinta (Juventus), Giampaolo Pazzini (Sampdoria), Fabio Quagliarella (Napoli).

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Socceroos confident on Kewell

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Australia star Harry Kewell has been backed to return to full fitness before the World Cup starts (Australia 150/1 to win the World Cup).

Coach Pim Verbeek said he was happy with the way the Galatasaray forward is recovering, even though he did not train with the Socceroos squad in Monday morning’s session.

The tournament starts on June 11 in South Africa and Australia plays its first Group D game against former champion Germany two days later.

“Harry’s OK, he will go through another tough training session tomorrow… the expectation is that he will start training on Thursday with us,” Verbeek told reporters at the Socceroos’ Johannesburg training camp.

“It is good that we have 10 days and he is perfectly on track, that is exactly what we had planned.”

Kewell, one of the 20th-ranked Socceroos’ most high profile players, could play in the final friendly against the United States on Saturday.

Former national captain Paul Wade said Verbeek should start Kewell against Germany and not use him as a super sub amid speculation that he may only get a substitutes’ role against the three-time champions in Durban (Australia 11/2 to beat Germany).

“He won’t be 100 percent, we know that, so let’s use him early in a short burst,” Wade told the Daily Telegraph.

“Let him do something special and then bring on players who might be fitter and can work hard to hold a lead or even the chance of a draw.

“I can understand why they’re not risking him in the warm-up games, but at some point you’ve got to test it, and if he’s anywhere close he has to start.”

Captain Lucas Neill, meanwhile, joined the growing list of players criticising the official World Cup ball.

“On the ground, in the air it makes control difficult and it means you have to watch the ball right onto your foot,” he said.

“Any slight pass that is 10, 20 centimetres off target usually stays 10 or 20 centimetres off target and it’s hard to reach.”

The Adidas ball, known as ‘Jabulani’ which means to celebrate in Zulu, is particularly tricky for goalkeepers.

The game will be played at 1,600 metres altitude and Neill said that would make the ball even more difficult to control compared with playing at sea level.

“It’s going to be a good test for everybody and with altitude obviously that makes it that little bit harder,” he said.

“I feel sorry for the ‘keepers most of all because the ball is going to move a hell of a lot in the air.”

Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas on Sunday described it as a “beachball” due to its light weight and unpredictable movement. Italy’s Gianluigi Buffon slammed the ball as “shameful”.

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