Monthly Archives: June 2010

Robben ready to rock for Holland

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Arjen RobbenBert van Marwijk has played down fears Arjen Robben is an injury concern ahead of Holland’s World Cup opener against Denmark in Johannesburg on June 14.

The Bayern Munich flyer missed the 4-1 international friendly rout over Ghana in Rotterdam on Tuesday because of a slight hip problem and van Marwijk said there was little point in risking him.

He said: “Arjen has a little bit of a problem with his hip. It is not serious, but in the run-up to the World Cup we want as little risk as possible.”

Robben’s replacement, Dirk Kuyt of Liverpool, opened the scoring in a one-sided international friendly win which extended Holland’s unbeaten run to 18 matches.

Second-half efforts from Rafael van der Vaart, Wesley Sneijder and Robin van Persie saw the hosts ease to a comfortable win and the Dutch are now overwhelming 1/7 ante-post favourites with totesport.com to qualify from Group E.

Holland, on paper at least, boast a formidable-looking attack including the likes of van der Vaart, Sneijder, van Persie and Robben.

Arsenal talisman van Persie has come in for praise from his team-mates off the back of his goals against Mexico last week and is excited at the prospect of being his country’s figurehead.

“I heard their opinions and it pleases me that we appreciate each other’s qualities,” said van Persie.

The Emirates Stadium favourite could attract some interest at 16/1 with totesport.com to finish the international extravaganza as World Cup 2010 Top Goalscorer given that van Marwijk’s men appear to have been handed a favourable group including Denmark, Cameroon and Japan.

However, the 26-year-old says the team is more important than personal plaudits and is convinced Holland can go far in South Africa.

He added: “It is a party to play with them. They all are good players who are creative and think offensive.”

The former Feyenoord star was a doubt for the World Cup because of a serious ankle injury he sustained playing for Holland in a friendly against Italy last November.

However, he bounced back towards the end of the domestic season and will arrive in fresh to spearhead the Dutch.

Holland can be backed at 13/2 to end the tournament as the Top European Team and their price to win the World Cup outright has firmed up at 10/1.

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Messi wants Rooney showdown

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Barcelona and Argentina star Lionel Messi (Argentina 13/2 to win the World Cup) has revealed that he wants to go toe to toe with England’s Wayne Rooney in the final of the World Cup.

The World Player of the Year would relish the chance to play the Three Lions key player on the biggest stage.

Messi has had an excellent season with Barca, scoring 47 goals in 53 appearances, and wants to transfer his good form to the international scene.

England are high up on the list of teams the 22-year-old would like to face at this summer’s tournament in South Africa and Rooney is the type of player he wants compete against.

He said: “It would be great to play against Rooney, although I don’t think I would see much of him because we mostly play at opposite ends of the pitch.

“For me, England have a good balance. They look very dangerous when Peter Crouch  plays with Rooney up front. I like Steven Gerrard  and Frank Lampard,  too, but Rooney will be the key.

“It would be good to play against him in South Africa  – preferably in the final, if that is possible,” he added.

Messi is currently preparing for the World Cup with the Argentina squad before their first match of the competition against Nigeria on June 12, the same day England face the USA (England 4/9, draw 3/1, USA 6/1).

The last time Argentina lifted the World Cup trophy was in Mexico in 1986 when they beat England in the quarter-finals thanks to the infamous ‘hand of God’ goal by Diego Maradona.

Messi has been referred to as the next Maradona and will be hoping to beat the English, like his predecessor, if the teams play.

The playmaker has revealed his admiration for the England players and the Premier League.

He said:  “I know there is a lot of history between England and Argentina, but I also know our players admire the English game.

“Mentally they are strong, and they have good quality players. Capello has made them strong, I have seen them play many times on TV and I have been impressed with England.

Messi also believes that Spain, Brazil and Italy all have good chances of winning the final which takes place in Johannesburg on July 11.

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Barca confirm Cesc offer

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Cesc Fabregas moved a step closer to realising his dream of re-joining Barcelona on Wednesday when it was revealed the Spanish champions have entered into formal talks with Arsenal (6/1 with totesport to win the 2010/11 Premier League).

The Spain midfielder has openly expressed a desire to return to the club he left as a 16-year-old in 2003 and is understood to have told manager Arsene Wenger he wants to move back to his homeland.

“An informal conversation with Arsenal became formal on 1 June and now an official approach has been made to the club,” said a Barca spokesman.

The Catalan giants have long held an interest in Fabregas, who is currently with Spain’s World Cup squad, and have now registered a formal offer for the 23-year-old.

The Barca spokesman added on BBC Sport: “Before 1 June, under English rules, we could not make an official approach to Arsenal for Fabregas, but that changed on Tuesday.

“I don’t think there is a special advance on, say, the price or anything, but it has moved on now.”

Earlier on Wednesday, Xavi insisted he was now “certain” his Spain (21/10 to be Europe’s top team at the World Cup) team-mate would leave north London for the Nou Camp.

“It had to be like this,” said Xavi. “Two years ago, I said Cesc would end up playing for Barcelona, and now it is clearer than ever.

“He has also expressed publicly that he wants to come to Barcelona and when a player wants to move to some place he ends up going. It is clear that Cesc will come to Barcelona.”

Fabregas signed an eight-year contract with the Gunners in 2006 but has made no secret of his desire to play for Barcelona.

Barca director general Joan Oliver revealed on the club’s official website: “Everyone knows that Cesc wants to play with Barca and everyone knows we want him to sign but here there is a third actor that is Arsenal.

“Yesterday [Tuesday] we presented a concrete offer and have written to Arsenal.”

The vice-president of the Catalan club, Rafael Yuste, added: “We are hoping we can sign Cesc as soon as possible.

“I am optimistic. It is clear that he is family and we would greet his return with a warm embrace. For this reason we don’t want to do anything that would harm his signing. We don’t want to rush but neither will we stop.”

Fabregas would become Barca’s second major signing of the summer following the capture of Spain team-mate David Villa for £34m from Valencia.

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Hodgson cool on Inter rumours

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Fulham’s chances Roy Hodgsonof doing well in the Premier League next season have been boosted by the news boss Roy Hodgson has committed his future to the club.

Hodgson has worked wonders since taking over at Craven Cottage and it came as no surprise when his former club Inter Milan where linked with a swoop following the departure of Jose Mourinho.

‘The Special One’ will take some replacing but it is easy to see why Hodgson’s name has been thrown into the frame after the miracles he has worked in west London.

Hodgson has changed Fulham from a side struggling in the Premier League to one pushing for Europe and last season’s run in the Europa League showed what a remarkable job the former Blackburn boss has done.

The Cottagers may have lost in the final but the fact they got there in the first place was an amazing feat and something Hodgson will be looking to build on.

“Me to Inter? I am surprised,” he revealed. “I don’t know. I have not spoken to anyone. I have not heard from Inter. My name is in the same speculation as Benitez and Capello (as they both have contracts elsewhere, like Hodgson).

“I am under contract with Fulham, and I am happy there. When I hear something then we will see, but I cannot say anything at the moment.”

Speculation has been rife linking the likes of Bobby Zamora with a move away from the club, but the crucial factor for Fulham will be keeping hold of Hodgson.

Players can come and go but as long as Hodgson is at the helm then Fulham are in safe hands and can look to the future. Without him there is a danger they could return to battling for their lives near the foot of the division.

The main worry for Fulham fans is will Hodgson think he has taken the club as far as he can or will he believe they are capable of winning some silverware?

The top seven never mind the top four will take some breaking into next season as Liverpool finished there in the last campaign, while the big guns have started to take the FA Cup seriously again.

That just leaves the Carling Cup and Hodgson, despite his denials may find it impossible to turn down the chance to coach the European Champions again.

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Walcott out of Three Lions squad

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England coach Fabio Capello has sprung a big surprise by leaving Theo Walcott out of his World Cup squad, but Shaun Wright-Phillips, Stephen Warnock and Joe Cole have got the nod.

Walcott made the headlines four years ago when then-boss Sven Goran Eriksson included him in his 23 for the World Cup in Germany, despite the fact he had hardly figured for Arsenal and never played for England.

The youngster did not make it on to the pitch back in 2006 and he will not be stepping out in South Africa either after Capello decided to leave him out.

The news does come as a surprise as Walcott played a key role in helping England qualify and he looked a certainty to be named in the squad when he scored a hat-trick as the Three Lions romped to a 4-1 victory in Croatia.

Since then the winger has struggled for fitness and form and he failed to convince Capello in the games against Mexico and Japan that he was worthy of a place on the plane.

Walcott’s final delivery came in for heavy criticism and it seems as though that could have been the deciding factor.

Capello has opted to go with Shaun Wright-Phillips, who hardly played for Manchester City in the second half of the season as he was kept out of the side at Eastlands by Adam Johnson, who has amazingly been left out of Capello’s 23.

Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole is another player to have survived the cull despite only just returning to full fitness, but it is easy to see why Capello has included him.

In the striking department, Sunderland forward Darren Bent, who banged in 24 goals for the Black Cats last season, has been left out of the squad, while Emile Heskey who managed just three goals for Aston Villa and was kept out of the side by John Carew, gets the nod.

It is argued that Heskey would complement Wayne Rooney, who is 10/1 to finish the tournament as the top goalscorer, more but that will not wash with Bent who will be left wondering what elese he could have done to get into the squad.

It also means that Capello will just be taking four strikers in the form of Rooney, Heskey, Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch, when many believe you should take five.

Elsewhere, decisions had to be made at the back with Warnock getting the nod ahead of Leighton Baines, while Ledley King made it ahead of his Spurs team-mate Michael Dawson.

Capello has also confirmed that Gareth Barry will be fit enough to be included despite struggling with ankle ligament damage that could force him to miss the opening game against the USA.

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Xavi admits England fear

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Spain midfielder Xavi has admitted he sees England as strong contenders to emerge victorious at the World Cup in South Africa (England 6/1 to win the World Cup).

The Barcelona star was instrumental in Spain’s Euro 2008 success, a tournament England were absent from, but he feels the Three Lions could enjoy a very successful World Cup.

Spain remain the favourites ahead of the tournament, despite a less than convincing 3-2 win over Saudi Arabia yesterday, but Xavi feels England are just as strong as his own nation.

“People say that the strongest nation is Spain – but after us I really think it is England,” explained Xavi. “Perhaps their goalkeepers aren’t world class but apart from that you struggle to see a weakness.

“The World Cup isn’t won on paper but after us I think England have the second-best team. It’s not a surprise really when you consider so much of the England set-up is made of players from Manchester United and Chelsea.”

England boss Fabio Capello is yet to whittle down his 30 man squad to 23, but the Italian claims he knows 20 players who will be going and has just three places left to fill.  However, the likes of Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard will almost certainly be involved in South Africa and Xavi believes England’s strong contingent from Manchester United and Chelsea will help them progress in South Africa.

In the betting markets Spain remain favourites, with Brazil second and England third.  However, Xavi believes Argentina will be a threat in South Africa due to the talents Lionel Messi, Xavi’s Barca team-mate, possesses.

The 30-year-old believes Messi is the best player in the world but he also feels there is a “group of players” who are not far behind the Argentine superstar and he classes Rooney in that bracket (Wayne Rooney 14/1 to win the Golden Ball (player of the tournament)).

Many pundits feel the United striker could be instrumental England’s World Cup campaign after his impressive exploits for the Old Trafford side last season.  The former Everton man has always been a goal-threat but last season, following Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Real Madrid, Rooney shouldered the burden of scoring the majority of United’s goals and the 24-year-old demonstrated he could also be an excellent positional player and find the net with his head as well as from range.

Xavi believes England have a strong spine, he highlights defender John Terry and midfielder Frank Lampard as the other players who he feels can lead England to glory.  Spain and England cannot meet until at least the semi-final stage, with England drawn in Group C and Spain Group H, with Xavi wary of the threat Capello’s side could pose.

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Eto’o threatens to withdraw from World Cup

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Inter Milan striker Samuel Eto’o has threatened to withdraw from Cameroon’s World Cup squad (Cameroon 9/2 to be top African team at the World Cup).

Eto’o was responding to criticism of his performances for his national team, from the former Cameroon striker Roger Milla.

The former Barcelona striker revealed that he is considering whether he should participate in the tournament: “Is it worth me going to the World Cup?”

“I still have a few days to think about it but I will see if my participation is important because I don’t need this in my career.”

“What has Milla done? He did not win the World Cup. They played in a quarter-final and with what a team.

“And you wonder, ‘are they my people?’. Are they really my people?”

The Cameroon skipper has scored 44 goals in 94 appearances for the Indomitable Lions and is hugely important to their World Cup campaign (Eto’o 33/1 to be the World Cup top scorer).

Eto’o is the record goalscorer in the African Nations Cup and comes into the World Cup off the back of a successful debut season for Inter Milan, in which they won the Champions League, Serie A and the Italian Cup.

Such achievements have not impressed Milla, who criticised Eto’o’s contribution for Cameroon: “For me, for the moment, Samuel still hasn’t brought anything to our national team.

“The people of Cameroon expect a lot of him at this World Cup, that he show his true face as he did at Barcelona or as he just did at Inter Milan.”

Milla scored 28 goals for Cameroon in his 102 appearances, between 1978 and 1994. He is best remembered for his exploits in the 1990 World Cup, where as a 38-year old he scored four goals, as Cameroon reached the quarter-finals of the competition.

The former Saint-Etienne and Montpellier star, defended his criticism of Eto’o: “I have a right to criticise things that aren’t going well in the country, in my national team, because I fought for this team to be where it is today.

“If I can’t criticise it then I don’t know who can. Now that he is captain, Samuel has to give a good example.”

Cameroon have been drawn in Group E of the World Cup, alongside Holland, Denmark and Japan.

Since the success of 1990, Cameroon have failed to progress from the group stages in 1994, 1998 and 2002, and did not qualify in 2006.

They are rated as contenders to emerge from Group E, but would surely struggle if they were to be without the services of the talismanic Eto’o.


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