World Cup Warm -up

[NADTATIDA1]

ROBBEN 1/2 ON FAVOURITE

[smokie36]

ROBBEN 1/2 ON FAVOURITE

I reckon Huntelaar is second favourite...

[StevieH]

holland's defence will be their undoing.

and van bommel at 4-1 to throw the toys is good value.

[kevozman1]

Argentina have a lot of good players. With Maradona as the manager

I can not see them doing so good. Not knocking the guy just does

not seem like the manager type.

[smokie36]

Argentina have a lot of good players.

And with Messi as well they are real challengers....

[carmine]

Argentina have a lot of good players.

And with Messi as well they are real challengers....

Still talking up your two bets are we

[NADTATIDA1]

Messi positive on chances

Trickster says Argentina have real opportunity for success

Argentina star Lionel Messi is optimistic about his country's chances in this summer's World Cup.

The Barcelona forward will have the hopes of Argentina on his shoulders in South Africa, as they look to secure their first World Cup since 1986.

Diego Maradona's men are not favourites to secure the title, but Messi believes they have the strength to go all the way.

"I must admit that I'm looking forward to the tournament and want to show that the time might come for Argentina to be world champions," he told deniksport.cz.

"It will need a big effort but our national team consists of top players in top shape and that is important.

"We are not annoyed at all not to be considered favourites. It could be a positive for us.

"On the other hand, we are not worried about what people think. We want to do our job and that is to pick up good results and score goals which could lead us to World Cup glory.

"The qualification is behind us and now we feel a lot more relaxed. We will see if that brings a change in our playing style.

"I think that as soon as the action begins, everyone will see a striking change."

Maradona factor

Maradona has received criticism in some quarters for his erratic management style since taking the national reins, but Messi says he is doing a great job.

"Maradona is a great football personality and a true legend for all Argentinians. Everyone in the national team has faith in him," he added.

"Players and coaches stick together and we are all united. We will be fighting together to go as far as possible.

"In my opinion he is a coach who is close to his players. He is not as absent as some coaches can be. He is simply one of us and the fact alone that he is with us gives us all plenty of confidence."

[NADTATIDA1]

Melo - No Kaka rift

Midfielder denies row with Brazil team-mate

Brazil midfielder Felipe Melo insists there is no ill-feeling between him and Kaka following a misunderstanding during training.

Reports surfaced in the Brazilian media that Kaka was on bad terms with Melo following a hard challenge during practice at the team's camp in South Africa.

But Juventus player Melo says he had nothing to do with the incident, and it later emerged that it was Robinho who went in hard on Kaka.

Confusion

The confusion stemmed from a photograph that was published in the Brazilian media showing Kaka apparently rejecting Melo's help to get up after the tackle.

Melo was upset with the newspapers and websites that ran the story and says he is considering a lawsuit.

"I'm not a bad person," said Melo. "The way they had it, it seems like I'm a bad person.

"If I go hard in a challenge, it's because it's the way I play, but not because I'm a bad person.

"I have family, they see this and they will come to me asking why I'm doing this to Kaka."

Melo revealed he has since spoken with Kaka and explained what happened, adding: "(Kaka's) only word to me was, 'unfair'."

Blame

The Brazilian football confederation said in a statement on its website that the alleged incident between Melo and Kaka, who are likely to start in midfield for Brazil at the World Cup this summer, did not occur.

"Felipe Melo felt he was unjustly blamed for something that never happened," said the statement. "He is Kaka's friend."

Brazil will take on North Korea in their opening World Cup match in South Africa on 15th June, and will also face Ivory Coast and Portugal in Group G

[NADTATIDA1]

The way they are playing you have got to fear the Mexicans!

Mexico too good for Italy

Vela and Medina goals see off World Cup holders

Mexico warmed up for the World Cup finals with a 2-1 friendly win over holders Italy in Brussels.

Arsenal youngster Carlos Vela opened the scoring for Mexico and substitute Alberto Medina added the second before Leonardo Bonucci notched a late consolation for Italy.

Just as England had been outplayed by the Mexicans for long periods at Wembley last week, Italy were given the run-around by Javier Aguirre's team at the King Baudouin Stadium.

Whereas England managed to battle to a 3-1 win however, the Italians were stifled by an improved Mexican backline.

Mexico, who will play the opening game of the 2010 World Cup against hosts South Africa on 11th June in Johannesburg, started with Tottenham's Giovani Dos Santos in attack alongside Manchester United-bound Javier Hernandez

Reports had claimed that Dos Santos had threatened to quit the squad in protest at the exclusion of his brother Jonathan from Aguirre's final 23-man squad.

Dominated

It was Giovani who carved open the Italians for the opening goal, picking up the ball on halfway and darting down the right before checking inside and floating a left-footed cross into the box for unmarked Arsenal player Vela to drive home past Gianluigi Buffon.

Mexico dominated throughout with Italy searching for just their second goal in the four games they have played since qualifying for the finals in South Africa last October.

Medina, though, doubled the Mexican score when he ran onto a chip over the top of the Italian defence from fellow substitute Cuauhtemoc Blanco and fired home right-footed to beat Buffon at his near post.

The Italian reply came in the 89th minute as substitute Salvatore Bocchetti hit a post within seconds of replacing Fabio Cannavaro with a left-foot volley. The ball ricocheted off team-mate Giampaolo Pazzini and reached Bonucci at the near post, who fired into the net.

Italy have a final tune-up in Geneva on Saturday against Switzerland before flying to South Africa, where they will open their defence against Paraguay in Cape Town on 14th June.

[NADTATIDA1]

Navas cracker earns Spain win

European champions produce unconvincing display against Korea

Jesus Navas' first international goal for Spain was enough to secure a 1-0 win over fellow World Cup finalists South Korea in Austria.

Sevilla winger Navas' stunning effort four minutes from time earned Spain an 11th successive victory to stretch their current impressive run to just one defeat in 47 games.

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque opted to start with a side made up largely of fringe players, and aside from a Cesc Fabregas effort that hit the crossbar, they created little to worry South Korea in the opening period.

The South Koreans, who suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat against Belarus on Sunday, did not create many problems either before half-time, although they did come close twice.

The first was in the 13th minute when Kim Jung-woo tried his luck from 25 yards and Spain goalkeeper Jose Reina was rooted to the spot as his shot whistled not too far wide of the near post.

The second opportunity was on the stroke of half-time when Reina did well to deny Park Chu-young and Lee Chung-yong in succession after the duo had combined well on the edge of the area.

Fabregas fit again

In between those two incidents, Spain came the closest to breaking the deadlock when the fit-again Fabregas struck the woodwork in the 35th minute.

The Arsenal captain, whose future is the subject of intense speculation with Barcelona keen on his services, had plenty of time to pick his spot from 18 yards but saw his curling shot clip the crossbar and go over.

Fabregas was given some playing time after resuming full training following a cracked fibula, but Liverpool striker Fernando Torres, who is recovering from knee surgery, was not risked.

Del Bosque made just the one change at half-time, giving Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes his debut in place of Reina, but it was not until the Spain coach made a batch of substitutions just before the hour mark that the European champions took control.

Those changes saw David Villa, Xavi, Xabi Alonso and Pedro Rodriguez sent into the action, and substitute South Korea goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong soon found himself under increasing pressure.

Javi Martinez fired over before Jung saved from Navas and Villa.

Huh Jung-moo's side almost caused a stir in the 83rd minute when Lee Jung-soo beat Valdes to a free-kick into the area, but his header went wide of goal and Spain could breathe again.

Immediately after that Villa fluffed a great chance to put Spain ahead, while two minutes later the newly-signed Barcelona striker was denied by Jung.

Jung could do nothing about the goal that beat him moments later, though, as Navas buried a magnificent rising shot into the roof of the net to seal the win.

[smokie36]

^ Hmm suggests a lack of strength in depth perhaps England can exploit this in the final...

[NADTATIDA1]

Bah Haggis

[smokie36]

Bah Haggis

Don't knock it 'till ya tried it!

[NADTATIDA1]

France suffer shock defeat

Les Bleus lose to China in final warm-up game

France slumped to a surprise 1-0 loss against China in their final World Cup warm-up match.

Raymond Domenech's men begin their Group A campaign against Uruguay next Friday and were looking for a confidence-boosting result and performance.

However, Les Bleus failed to find a breakthrough and it was their unheralded opponents who prevailed thanks to Deng Zhuoxiang's 68th-minute goal.

This defeat capped a series of disappointing results which has seen them held to a 1-1 draw by Tunisia and come from behind to narrowly beat Costa Rica 2-1.

Domenech fielded the same team that had started the previous two matches and they began brightly.

They could have taken an early lead when Nicolas Anelka released Florent Malouda on the left flank and the Chelsea midfielder raced forward before putting in a tantalising cross which China goalkeeper Zeng Cheng did well to clear.

Franck Ribery tried his luck from distance moments later with a fierce effort which took Zeng two attempts to catch and the Bayern Munich winger had another opportunity with a powerful shot which scraped past the left upright.

William Gallas, who had been a doubt before the match, thought he had opened the scoring in the 13th minute after Anelka had deflected a poor Zeng clearance into his path, but he was signalled offside.

Struggling

France were clearly dominating possession but were struggling to carve out many real goalscoring opportunities against a China side who had only lost one of their last 16 matches.

They had another half chance on the half-hour mark when Yoann Gourcuff unleashed a low left-footed shot but Zeng made a comfortable diving save.

Moments later Gallas headed Gourcuff's corner narrowly wide.

Les Bleus never looked threatening as time and time again the final ball was lacking.

In the 57th minute Ribery directed a corner towards the far post where Gourcuff completely missed the ball.

It had taken China nearly 10 minutes of the second half to get the ball into the French half but it was to be them who took the lead in the 68th minute.

Half-time substitute Anthony Reveillere, who had been the only player not to feature in the warm-up matches, misplaced a pass which allowed China to storm downfield and win a free-kick.

Deng floated the ball into the back of the net from 30 yards out to break the deadlock and stun the France team.

Les Bleus tried desperately to find the equaliser and three minutes later Sidney Govou saw his shot blocked by Zeng but only as far as Thierry Henry, who also fired straight at the China goalkeeper.

Stoic

France were throwing everything at their opponents but China were defending stoically and the rare times they were beaten Zeng was on hand.

However, it was a case of Les Bleus missing too many balls and that was typified in the fifth minute of stoppage time when Gourcuff's free-kick arrived at the far post.

Henry flicked it on for Gallas, who only had to tap it in - but the Arsenal defender completely failed to get a touch.

Domenech will have been left with plenty to ponder following this defeat to a country ranked 84th in the world - just behind World Cup hosts South Africa, who France face in the finals.

[NADTATIDA1]

Ivory Coast captain Didier Drogba could miss the World Cup after fracturing his right elbow.

The skipper left the field clutching his right arm in the 2-0 friendly success over Japan in Switzerland on Friday after a clash in the 16th minute with Brazilian-born defender Marcus Tulio Tanaka.

A hospital scan has now confirmed the injury, and team-mate Kolo Toure says the striker is out of the finals.

Manchester City's Toure said he was informed of the news by Drogba himself.

"For him, he said, the World Cup is finished," said Toure.

A team spokesman responded quickly to Toure's comments, insisting that Drogba is 'definitely not out' of the World Cup at this stage.

Worry

Earlier, before the injury was confirmed, team boss Sven Goran Eriksson had spoken of his worry over Drogba.

He said: "It's an elbow injury but we don't know how bad it is, we (are going) straight to the hospital.

"I think we should get an answer before we leave.

"If it's serious, it's very worrying, he is our captain, one of the best strikers in the world."

Highs and lows

Drogba experienced the highs and lows of the game in quick succession as he had helped open the scoring in favour of the Africans just three minutes earlier, taking a free-kick which was deflected in off Tanaka.

The Ivorians should have seen off their weaker opponents by a larger margin but had to wait until the 79th minute for Toure to add a second goal to seal the win following a Saka Tiene free-kick.

Drogba's replacement Seydou Doumbia wasted several opportunities, firing over after Toure set him up on the half hour and then shooting off target seconds before the break, while Aruna Dindane also went close as Japan struggled to hold their lines.

Meanwhile, Shunsuke Nakamura might have given the Japanese something to cheer but his free-kick five minutes after the interval was collected smartly by Ivorian keeper Boubacar Barry.

Japan must now try to find some form ahead of their Group E meetings with further African opposition in the shape of Cameroon as well as Denmark and Holland, while Ivory Coast will go up against Brazil, Portugal and North Korea in Group G

[NADTATIDA1]

Pirlo could miss World Cup

Injury could force Italy midfielder to sit out tournament

Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo is in doubt for the World Cup after sustaining a calf injury on Wednesday.

The AC Milan player is resting at home after damaging the calf muscle in his left leg during the Azzurri's 2-1 friendly loss to Mexico on Wednesday night.

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) have confirmed that Pirlo, who will sit out Saturday's friendly against Switzerland, will fly to South Africa with the rest of the squad and continue to undergo evaluation ahead of Italy's opener against Paraguay on 14th June.

Italy's doctor Enrico Castellacci also said the recovery time for such injuries is between 15 to 20 days, meaning Pirlo could be fit for Italy's second group match against New Zealand on June 20.

Coach Marcello Lippi is already uncertain over the fitness of winger Mauro Camoranesi, who has a knee injury, and the loss of Pirlo could prove a severe blow to the holders.

Pirlo was named man of the match in the 2006 World Cup final after scoring a penalty in their shoot-out triumph over France.

The midfielder also landed Italy's first goal of the tournament that year, in their 2-0 win against Ghana.

[MiG16]

Holland 6:1 against Hungary!

a bit of a worry about Robben though

on the other hand, Aus lost to US 1:3

[StevieH]

players are dropping like flies this week. robben being out would be a shame and a massive loss for the dutchies.

[smokie36]

players are dropping like flies this week. robben being out would be a shame and a massive loss for the dutchies.

I doubt we've seen the last either. Too many games played these days overall I'm afraid.

I could still watch more though.

[StevieH]

players are dropping like flies this week. robben being out would be a shame and a massive loss for the dutchies.

I doubt we've seen the last either. Too many games played these days overall I'm afraid.

I could still watch more though.

robben is injury-prone anyway but he at least plays in a league where they have a winter break.

[smokie36]

players are dropping like flies this week. robben being out would be a shame and a massive loss for the dutchies.

I doubt we've seen the last either. Too many games played these days overall I'm afraid.

I could still watch more though.

robben is injury-prone anyway but he at least plays in a league where they have a winter break.

It certainly does England no favours. Oh well ho hum...

[NADTATIDA1]

England win final warm-up

Capello's men unscathed as Defoe, Cole and Rooney on target

England eased to a 3-0 win over the Platinum Stars in their final warm-up match before the World Cup.

It was little surprise to see England play at a pedestrian place, while the local club side posed them few problems, but Fabio Capello will be relieved to see his squad come through unscathed after Rio Ferdinand's injury.

Jermain Defoe claimed a third-minute opener at the Moruleng Stadium near Rustenburg although England then had a penalty scare as Bradley Grobler blazed over from the spot.

But second-half goals by Joe Cole and Wayne Rooney made sure England remained in winning ways heading into Saturday's World Cup opener against the USA.

Capello used 21 players, making 10 changes at half-time with only Joe Cole playing the full game and the out-of-contract Chelsea man looks to have secured a starting role on the left of midfield against the USA.

And Rooney looked in fine form after coming on at half-time, firing in a well-taken volley to end his international goal drought.

[smokie36]

Rooney is looking sharp now....let's hope he gets the support from midfield.

Never seen him look better in fact surely its his World Cup well only time will tell.....

[NADTATIDA1]

^You feeling ok Smokie?

[smokie36]

^You feeling ok Smokie?

He's a wonderful player reaching the peak of his career over the next few years.... if he gets the support he will score a hatful.....but he won't get that.

So to answer your question yes I'm perfectly relaxed.....until I see Maradona's team sheet that is.

[StevieH]

Rooney is looking sharp now....let's hope he gets the support from midfield.

Never seen him look better in fact surely its his World Cup well only time will tell.....

he's gonna need to keep that gob of his shut.