Monthly Archives: June 2010

James sweating on USA start

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David James has played down the fact he has been handed the number one shirt by England coach Fabio Capello for England’s 2010 World Cup campaign (20/1, All 3 English goalkeepers to play during the tournament).

The veteran is fighting it out with West Ham’s Robert Green and Manchester City’s Joe Hart for the honour, with the battle the closest in years as Capello keeps his cards close to his chest.

James, Green and Hart have all been given game time by the Italian ahead of the Group C opener against USA in Rustenburg on Saturday as he keeps everyone guessing and on their toes (England 4/9 to win – 90 Minutes).

And James insists he is paying little attention to the fact he has been handed the number one jersey with Green set to wear 12 and Hart 23.

The former Liverpool, Aston Villa, West Ham and Manchester City man said: “I genuinely believe England are going to be successful, I want that above everything else. I want to be part of that success so I want to be number one.”

James added in the Daily Mirror: “A long time ago I stopped trying to second-guess people. I get stressed about Portsmouth losing and so I haven’t burdened myself with the extra stress of wondering what’s in the mind of Fabio Capello.

“I don’t think about the numerical position in the squad. It may be that the number one is the fittest and plays, but the idea is that all three are out there, trying their best to be the number one.”

Capello has included Joe Cole, Peter Crouch and Aaron Lennon in his ‘first XI’ in terms of numbers and it remains to be seen if the 63-year-old has shown his hand or not.

Cole, who will leave Chelsea this summer, admits he is desperate to start the tournament in England’s side.

He said: “It’s a great feeling being at a World Cup. I love coming away for these tournaments.

“I remember how excited I was for my first World Cup (in 2002). It was new and amazing. I still have that hunger and it would mean the world to me to play against America.

The main thing is that we get the result because the first game of the tournament is so important.”

Ahead of the game, USA coach Bob Bradley insists he has not formulated any rough-house tactics for Wayne Rooney whose temperament was again questioned following his yellow card against the Platinum Stars on Monday in the Three Lions’ final warm-up game (7/2 – Rooney to receive a red card during the tournament).

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England squad want veteran David

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England’s players have told head coach Fabio Capello they want David James (9/1 to win the Yashin Award) to be their goalkeeper for the World Cup.

The 39-year-old Portsmouth player has declared himself fit to face USA in Saturday’s Group C clash in Rustenberg, despite sitting out training this week.

James, who has 50 international caps, is the most experienced of the three keepers Capello has taken to the finals, but he did not feature in Monday-s 3-0 warm-up victory over Platimum Stars – when rivals Joe Hart and Robert Green got 45 minutes each.

Everton keeper Tim Howard (66/1), who will be the USA’s number one choice, says he believes Hart is the best of the three and voted for him in the Professional Footballers’ Association’s Team of the Year poll.

But both Howard and James are agreed on the unsuitability of the new Jabulani World Cup football, as are Spain’s Iker Casillas (5/1) and 2006 Yashin Award winner Gianluigi Buffon (6/1).

The former Manchester United shot-stopper Howard believes the current wave of criticism from keepers and strikers alike may only be the tip of the iceberg with the finals due to begin on Friday.

“It’s terrible,” said Howard. “You will hear that a lot next week, next month.

“We are trying to get used to it, trying to read an unreadable situation. Hopefully it’s not going to come back and bite us but you are going to see some crazy things with the ball.

“What does it do? What doesn’t it do, would be a better question.

“It moves all over. If you hit five balls with the same striking motion you wouldn’t get the same result.”

Fans could be forgiven for expecting a goal glut during the finals (5/6 to be over 160.5 goals in Total Number of Goals Scored) with last time’s total of 147 under threat from the Jabulani ball.

“It’s very weird,” Brazilian striker Luis Fabiano said. “All of a sudden it changes trajectory on you. It’s like it doesn’t want to be kicked: like someone is guiding it……….it’s supernatural.”

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Chelsea announce trio to leave

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Joe Cole, Michael Ballack and Juliano Belletti will leave Chelsea (13/8f with totesport to win the 2010/11 Premier League title) this summer after failing to agree new terms at Stamford Bridge.

Cole’s contract saga has been the source of much speculation over the last couple of months, with the 28-year-old now due to leave on a free transfer.

The former West Ham man has spent the last seven years at Stamford Bridge, but has found himself struggling for first-team football following a lengthy spell on the sidelines through injury.

Cole suffered cruciate knee ligament damage in January 2009 and although he helped the Blues to the 2009/10 title, the form of Florent Malouda saw him spend a large chunk of the season on the bench.

Chelsea were keen to keep the England international but a new deal could not be agreed, with Premier League clubs now queing up for his signature.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp, who worked with Cole at West Ham, has already expressed an interest while Arsenal and Manchester United have also been linked.

The player himself (16/1 to be England’s top World Cup scorer) insists the news will not distract his attentions away from the task in hand for his country at the World Cup.

Cole insisted: “My future will sort itself out. It won’t distract me. It has been going on for a while and it is a story to be told at another time.

“I want to try and do my best for England over the next few weeks.”

Meanwhile, Ballack will also bring to an end his spell with Chelsea when his contract expires at the end of June.

The Germany captain, who will miss the World Cup through injury, had been optimistic of signing a new deal with the Premier League champions.

Ballack, who said Chelsea were his “first option” was seeking a two-year deal and Chelsea are understood to have been offering a 12-month contract.

His agent, Michael Becker, says the midfielder would have been willing to take a pay cut and admitted he was “completely surprised” by the news.

Belletti leaves Stamford Bridge after three years at the club and will also be available on a free transfer this summer.

The Brazilian, who was omitted from his country’s World Cup squad, is now 33 and has not been offered a new contract with the west London outfit.

Having joined Chelsea from Barcelona, there are early suggestions that the defender could head back to Spain during the close season.

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Burdisso demands winning start

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Argentina defender Nicolas Burdisso has called on his team-mates to secure a win against Nigeria (13/2 to beat Argentina) in their World Cup opener – by any mean necessary.

The South American nation are one of the favourites to win this summer’s tournament, despite a disappointing qualifying campaign which saw them scrape through by the skin of their teeth.

While little is known about how the Albiceleste will perform due to their unpredictable coach Diego Maradona they will certainly expect to make it to the knockout stages of the competition having been drawn alongside Nigeria, South Korea and Greece.

They start their World Cup campaign against possibly their toughest opponents in the first round of the tournament, with Nigeria the second favourites to win the group.

The Super Eagles (18/5 top African nation) reached the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations and topped their group in qualifying ahead of Tunisia, Mozambique and Kenya.

However, Nigeria have lost one of their star players to injury since then in the form of midfielder John Obi Mikel and haven’t enjoyed the best build-up to the World Cup, failing to beat Saudi Arabia in one of their warm-up matches.

While Nigeria did beat North Korea (1/8 to finish bottom of Group G) 3-1 in their last friendly match, Argentina will certainly fancy their chances of overcoming their Group B rivals and getting their World Cup off to a flying start.

Burdisso says Argentina need to get off to a winning start and believes it doesn’t matter how they get the victory, just as long as they take all three points.

“I give more value to starting the tournament with a win than to playing well,” he said.

“There is a lot of anxiety and to start with a win would mean a lot to us.

“We must win our first game and although it will be difficult, we have to know that a good result is all that matters.”

In the 2006 World Cup Argentina got their campaign off to a winning start, beating the Ivory Coast 2-1 as they made it out of the ‘group of death’.

The Albiceleste were looking good four years ago until they were knocked on penalties by Germany.

Burdisso says this time around the team won’t get carried away with any media hype surrounding their performances and promises they will be taking it one game at a time.

“There is no question we are candidates to win the tournament,” he added.

“We have very strong players in the team but that doesn’t mean anything.

“We must win our first game and then draw some conclusions.”

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Spain star suffers injury scare

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Spain have been left sweating over the fitness of Andres Iniesta after he was forced off with a muscle injury during the European champions’ (4/1 to win the World Cup) 6-0 warm-up win over Poland.

The Barcelona playmaker has struggled with injuries for the majority of 2010, missing a large part of the Catalan giants run-in with a thigh injury

Spain (21/10 top European team) coach Vincent del Bosque claims Iniesta came off as a precautionary measure after feeling a slight twinge in his thigh.

The 26-year-old will have a scan on Wednesday to determine the extent of the problem with Del Bosque likely to be crossing his fingers it isn’t serious after Iniesta set up two of Spain’s six goals before he was forced off.

Iniesta is just the latest injury concern the Euro 2008 champions have had coming into the World Cup, with the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Fernando Torres and Xavi all carrying problems heading into their series of warm-up games.

However, La Furia fans will have been delighted to see Torres and Fabregas get on the score sheet during a vintage performance by the World Cup favourites.

David Villa (8/1f top goalscorer) got the opening goal in the rout after being played through by Iniesta before the Barcelona man set up David Silva for a second shortly afterwards.

Real Madrid’s Xabi Alonso got Spain’s third with Fabregas and Torres getting the fourth and fifth respectively, Barcelona winger Pedro getting the sixth as the nation recorded their 11th straight victory.

Iniesta’s injury aside it was the perfect way for Spain to round off their build-up to the World Cup, especially given Torres’ comments after the game where he claimed he was now over his spat of injuries.

“The injury has passed and now I’m able to help my team-mates, so it’s time to enjoy it,” said Torres.

“Tomorrow (Wednesday) I’m sure there will be a lot of optimism and euphoria but we know it will be difficult.”

The Liverpool forward was making his first appearance since undergoing knee surgery in April and it will be vital he stays fit if Del Bosque’s men are to challenge for the World Cup.

Fabregas’ return could also prove timely should Iniesta’s injury be serious, the Arsenal man having not played since he cracked a bone in his leg during the Gunners’ 2-2 with Barcelona in March.

Spain depart for South Africa on Thursday hoping for an easy ride through the group stages having been drawn alongside Switzerland, Honduras and Chile in Group H.

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Crouch talks up Rooney influence

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Peter Crouch believes “world class” striker Wayne Rooney can be the difference between England winning the World Cup and going home from South Africa empty handed this summer (Rooney 5/2F to be Premier League top scorer at the World Cup).

Rooney is being held up as the potential saviour for the Three Lions over the next month following his sensational form for Manchester United in the season which has just finished.

His 33 goals were not enough to help Sir Alex Ferguson’s side to the Premier League title but his form has left many observers predicting England can enjoy real success this summer – providing he hits his top level and stays injury free.

Crouch, who is being tipped to start up front alongside Rooney against America in the Group C game on Saturday, believes the former Everton youngster could prove to be a revelation.

“It is massive for us to have someone in such great form going into the World Cup,” Crouch added.

“He has always been fantastic. A top-class player. People are saying he needs to play with another striker.

“But this season at United he has proved he can play up front on his own and still score goals.

“Wayne is world-class. He is in the top five players right now – everyone would agree with that.”

Crouch, on offer at 14/1 to be the top PL striker at World Cup, is also talking up his strike-partner as a potential World Player of the Year if he can inspire Fabio Capello’s side to glory and help England win their first major tournament since 1966.

“I think he could end up being the World Player of the Year. It would be great for England if someone could do that,” he added.

“For someone to win it would be phenomenal. You also forget how young Wayne is.

“He has achieved so much in a short time. He has a long, long way to go in his career.”

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Barry’s American dream is over

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Gareth Barry has confirmed he has been told by coach Fabio Capello he will not be involved when England begin their quest to end a 44-year wait for World Cup glory against USA on Saturday (4/9 England, 16/5 draw, 13/2 USA – totesport match betting).

The Rustenburg opener comes too soon for the fit-again Manchester City midfielder, who is short of match sharpness given that he has only just returned to light training following a serious ankle injury towards the end of the domestic season.

England coach Capello had always had in mind the deadline of June 13 for former Aston Villa favourite Barry to step up his recovery, so confirmation that the 29-year-old will not feature against Bob Bradley’s men comes as a surprise.

Barry will intensify his training as of Tuesday in his attempts to get match fit for the second Group C game against Algeria, which takes place in Cape Town on June 18 (1/4 England, 4/1 draw, 8/1 Algeria – match betting).

“I’ve been told I’m not playing against USA to give me more time,” Barry told www.newsoftheworld.co.uk. “I’ll be back in full training with the team from tomorrow.”

The news means that Capello is likely to stick with Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard in central midfield, while Joe Cole is almost certain to be given the nod on the problematic left-hand side of the England engine room.

A clear indication was given when the trio started Monday afternoon’s 3-0 practice match win against the Platinum Stars.

Capello will be keen to get Barry involved having bent his own rules to accommodate the Eastlands star.

The Italian had long held the view that he would only take match-fit and in-form players to South Africa, but Barry has not played a competitive fixture since he damaged ankle ligaments at the beginning of May.

Tottenham hopeful Jermain Defoe gave the Three Lions an interval lead against the local South African side at Moruleng Stadium on Monday, before Cole and Wayne Rooney made sure of the friendly win.

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Terry expresses England concerns

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John Terry has admitted that England (2/7 f with totesport to win Group C) have had problems coming to terms with playing at high altitude but insists the players will be ready for the World Cup.

Fabio Capello’s men beat Platinum Stars 3-0 in their final warm-up game on Monday in an uninspiring performance, on the back of unconvincing wins against Mexico and Japan.

Jermain Defoe, Joe Cole and Wayne Rooney scored the goals against the Stars and Terry believes that the run-out served its purpose as it helped the players get more used to conditions they will experience in the upcoming showpiece.

“We had one to two weeks off and you lose a bit of sharpness, but that’s improving,” Terry said. “The altitude has been more of surprise to me. Your mouth is really dry.

“We train at quite a high level anyway, coming here was another 150m higher again and we certainly felt that.

“We’re looking good. We needed this game to get used to the flight of the ball and the altitude.”

Fabio Capello’s men get their campaign underway on Saturday against the USA and are 4/9 favourites in the match betting to open up with a win, with the Americans available at 13/2 and the draw at 16/5.

The players will of course hope that their training has had the desired effect as the opening match is taking place at altitude in Rustenburg, at a venue 1403m above sea level, and if they make it to the quarter-finals, they will have to play again in thin, dry air.

Terry has also spoken out about the ‘Jabulani’ ball that is to be used in the World Cup and seems to have joined the ranks of dissenters, which already includes Spain’s Iker Casillas and Italy’s Gianluigi Buffon, while David James said the new ball was ‘dreadful’.

“It’s important we put in a lot of crosses in the box and get a lot of shots in from outside the box,” said Terry. “It’s difficult for the keepers.”

Rio Ferdinand has of course been ruled out of the tournament with a knee injury so the other centre-back position alongside Terry has not been confirmed, although Ledley King was given the nod by Capello to start in Monday’s friendly.

It was the first time the pair had started in an international game, although they played together as youngsters for Sunday league side Senrab, and the Chelsea captain believes the partnership can work at the highest level.

“It was important we got 45 minutes together in a real competitive game with Ledley,” Terry said.

“We had a good understanding. We used to play together at Senrab many years ago. The understanding has always been there and we’ve worked a few times in training.”

England also face Algeria and Slovenia in Group C and a nine-point accumulation in the group stages in the England specials markets is favourite at 7/4, with a seven-point total next best at 15/8.

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Malouda calls for French leaders

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France star Florent Malouda admits Les Bleus’ senior players need to step up and guide their younger team-mates at the World Cup finals in South Africa if they are to challenge for the trophy (France 9/1 – Top European Team).

Raymond Domenech’s team did not enjoy the best qualifying campaign and were forced to rely on Thierry Henry’s handball in order to edge past the Republic of Ireland in their two-legged play-off clash last autumn.

France will face South Africa, Mexico and Uruguay at the World Cup and Malouda knows they have improvements to make after winning the World Cup in 1998 and contesting the final last time around in Germany against Italy (France 15/2 – To Reach Final).

The Chelsea flyer told the Guardian: “The problem is, after what we did in 2006 – and of course there was a great generation in 1998 and 2000 – expectations are very high.

“And the Euro in 2008 was a disaster. So when you are in a bad situation everything is coming out, and people are pointing the finger.

“The World Cup is really close and honestly we have a lot of problems to fix. When there is tension, when there is high pressure games, you need characters.

“You need people to come out and say ‘I will take responsibility’.”

Malouda, at 29 years of age and with 54 appearances for his country, is possibly playing in his last World Cup and along with William Gallas (81), Eric Abidal (55) and Thierry Henry (121) he is one of four players in Domenech’s 23-man squad to have won over a half-century of caps.

Veterans like Patrick Vieira, Claude Makelele and Lilian Thuram are no longer around and Malouda knows there is a vacuum to fill in terms of leadership, both on and off the pitch.

He added: “Honestly we have a lot of problems. We have to talk about a lot of things.

“But for that you need someone to take the first step. Guys like (Patrick) Vieira and (Claude) Makelele who can take the lead. If they are not there, somebody has to do it.”

France kick off their World Cup Group A campaign against Uruguay on Friday before games against South Africa and Mexico (France 11/10 – Group A Winner).

Domenech will bow out after the World Cup with his successor, France legend Laurent Blanc, already confirmed in the post for the start of the Euro 2012 qualifiers (12/1 – Euro 2012 Outright).

France will face games against Romania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Belarus, Albania and Luxembourg in Group D (Les Bleus 4/9 – Group Winner).

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Parreira ready for the fight

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South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira says he is on a high as he enters the week when his team kicks off the World Cup (South Africa 4/11 to exit at the group stage).

A 1-0 win for Bafana Bafana over Denmark was the perfect tonic for the side as they approach the first Group A fixture against Mexico at Soccer City.

Parreira said:  “Everybody has to respect us. We are ready to fight. We respect everybody, but they must also respect us. We will take every game as a final. We will fight in every game.”

He added: “I think the team showed that we are ready for the competition – we are ready for the World Cup. The team is ready and they proved it against Denmark.

“With our preparations, it shows that the path we took was the right one. What will happen at the World Cup we don’t know but the team is ready for the World Cup.”

Parreira was also buoyed by the overwhelming support Bafana received from the packed Lucas Moripe stadium in Atteridgeville.

He said: “I read in one newspaper and they said ’spectators fall in love again with Bafana’, this is good. We have the support… they have been supporting us in the games we have been playing, the one against Thailand and Colombia they were there in big numbers blowing the vuvuzelas. They give the team confidence,” he said.

The win against Denmark was the perfect way to end the warm-up sequence for the World Cup, said Parreira.

“A win is a win, but this one was a special one for us, because it was a win against a very, very good team.

“Denmark is a very strong team and five of their players have around 80 caps for their national team and that’s why I was very happy to see the boys win.

“They won against very tough opponents and I’m happy about that,” said the 67-year-old.

The coach also said the visit to former president Nelson Mandela on Thursday worked and brought with it the ‘Madiba Magic’ to the team.

“He didn’t make any speech, but his presence is so inspiring for the team and the country. It was so emotional to see him there and everyone was so happy. I’m sure it helps the team a lot when we play,” said Parreira.

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