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SPORTS
GOA, Monday, 7 June, 2010
AP PRETORIA, JUNE 6
Messi vows to bring out the best
South Africa declared itself ready Sunday to stage the first World Cup on African soil, with President Jacob Zuma saying the event had shown how the Rainbow Nation had finally come together as one. Five days before South Africa take on Mexico in the tournament opener, FIFA President Sepp Blatter said Africa as a whole could take a bow for its organisation efforts and the world's poorest continent could no longer be sidelined. "We are truly pleased and humbled to host the world in our country for this historical and extraordinary event," Zuma told a press conference at his offices in capital Pretoria. “South Africa is more than ready. For us the World Cup has already begun." The event is being held in South Africa some 16 years after
AGENCIES PRETORIA, JUNE 6
Lionel Messi has promised to repeat the performances he showed throughout the season at Barcelona on the biggest stage to help bring the World Cup home to Argentina. The playmaker, who will turn 23 during the tournament, has been hailed as the best player in the world after a magnificent season with the Catalan club, scoring 47 goals in all competitions, but has failed to deliver for the National side. Talking to The Sun, Messi stated, "I am confident and convinced that I will repeat my performances for Barca for my country during the World Cup.” "My dream is to lead Argentina to glory in South Africa. I hope we will do well and, as an individual, to be able to play as I do for my club Barcelona and become a champion." Diego Maradona’s side managed to scrape through to the finals after a 1-0 win over Uruguay, but Messi continued by saying, "We struggled in the qualifiers because they are complicated.” "We had to play a few games away at the start where it is always difficult and we also had the change of a manager when Diego Maradona took over midway through the qualifiers.” "But qualifying made us stronger and made us determined to show that in the World Cup it won't be the same as in the qualifiers."
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South Africa is ready the demise of the white supremacist apartheid regime which ended with the election of Nelson Mandela as the country's first black president. While efforts to forge what South Africa's Nobel Prize winning archbishop Desmond Tutu called a Rainbow Nation have been fraught with difficulties, Zuma said the tournament had done wonders to bridge the lingering racial divide. "The enthusiasm, joy and excitement that has engulfed the entire nation in the last few weeks has not been seen since President Nelson Mandela was released from prison" in 1990, said Zuma. "The explosion of national
pride has been a priceless benefit. It's clear that millions of our people look upon this tournament with hope, pride and sense of belonging.This augurs well for our nationbuilding," he added. During his address, Zuma also paid tribute to Mandela whose lobbying for the tournament was seen as crucial in FIFA's decision to pick South Africa.
n We are truly pleased and humbled to host the world in our country for this historical and extraordinary event. South Africa is more than ready. For us the World Cup has already begun. -- South Africa President Jacob Zuma "At this point it is proper for me to acknowledge and thank our founding President
and icon, Nelson Mandela, for his visionar y leadership and statesmanship," said Zuma. "He also worked hard personally to bring us to this glorious moment." Zuma said he hoped Mandela
would be present at the kickoff of the tournament in Johannesburg on Friday but said there
were no guarantees. Mandela's family has said that the 91-year-old is too frail to attend. "He would love to be there. Whether he will be there on the day depends entirely on the former President," said Zuma. "If he did not appear we would understand. If he is there it will be a bonus for this tournament. We wish he would be there." Blatter, who met Mandela last week, said "it's his wish to be present and his spirit will be present," even if he is not able to attend. The FIFA President said that he did not expect every aspect of the tournament to run without flaws but said organisers
had already confounded sceptics who doubted Africa's ability to stage such an event. All 10 stadia have been built or revamped on time, albeit well over budget, and nearly all tickets have been sold. Fears over crime also continue to dog the build-up. But posing with the trophy, Blatter said he was a "happy man" and that his trust in Africa had been vindicated. "Bringing the World Cup to South Africa is to trust South Africa, South Africans to trust Africa and say you are strong," he said. "Naturally it's not all perfect. No one can reach perfection," he said. "It is the African World Cup and all the work to organise this competition has been made in this country. Compliments should be given to South Africa and the entire continent."
Ronaldo can lead us to glory: Queiroz AGENCIES PRETORIA, JUNE 6
Goan football fans geared up with their favourite teams’ jerseys Brazil and Portugal for the coming world Cup, enjoy a ride. Photo: Rozario Estibeiro
Prince William addresses England camp via video AP RUSTENBERG, JUNE 6
Prince William has spoken to the England camp via video link, and tried to lift the spirits of the team following the loss of injured captain Rio Ferdinand. The Prince addressed coach Fabio Capello and the players on Friday, shortly after Ferdinand was injured in training and ruled out of the tournament.
After speaking to them from Wembley Stadium, William said that "despite Rio Ferdinand's injury, which is a disappointment for Rio himself and the England team, morale in the team is high." William will be traveling to Cape Town to watch the team's second match against Algeria on June 18. England also plays the United States and Slovenia in Group C
SQUADS
Carlos Queiroz believes that Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is capable of leading Portugal to World Cup glory in South Africa. Despite struggling through World Cup qualifying, requiring a play-off win against Bosnia and Herzegovina to make it into the tournament, Portugal are currently third in the FIFA rankings. With the £80million winger leading the squad in South Africa, Queiroz believes that Portugal can validate their high ranking. The Portugal manager thinks that Ronaldo, who is now the captain of his country’s side, can be the star of the World Cup and fire his side to a world championship. “Cristiano is a champion and, as a player, is superman,” Queiroz told the Daily Star. “In terms of his mental approach to the game, he is so strong and so confident. It has always been this way since I first started working with him as an 18-year-old. He has a champion mind. He is someone who has always been able to perform above the demands of the game. It is fantastic to work with a really special
player in our squad, who has shown the world that he is a winner even before the tournament begins.” “And this also makes it easy to ensure his spirit and attitude rubs off on the rest of the Portugal players.” With Brazil, Ivory Coast and North Korea rounding up Group G, Queiroz insists that Portugal will have to play well to progress to the knockout stages. Portugal will kick
GROUP B
off their World Cup with a critical clash against Ivory Coast, who could be without their talisman Didier Drogba, on June 15 in Port Elizabeth. However, should his team advance from the ‘Group of Death’, Queiroz is confident that 2006 semi-finalists could win the World Cup for the first time in their history. “I am sure Ivory Coast will be fearing Portugal. As a National team and in a oneagainst- one situation, Portugal can beat any side at this World Cup. So our approach is to play the first game, then the second and so on. Firstly, we have
GROUP C
GROUP A FRANCE Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Olympique Lyon), Steve Mandanda (Olympique Marseille), Cédric Carrasso (Girondins Bordeaux). Defenders: Bacary Sagna (Arsenal), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), William Gallas (Arsenal), Eric Abidal (Barcelona), Sébastien Squillaci (Sevilla), Marc Planus (Girondins Bordeaux), Gaël Clichy (Arsenal), Anthony Reveillère (Olympique Lyon). Midfielders: Alou Diarra (Girondins Bordeaux), Jérémy Toulalan (Olympique Lyon), Florent Malouda (Chelsea), Yoann Gourcuff (Girondins Bordeaux), Abou Diaby (Arsenal). Forwards: Thierry Henry (Barcelona), Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea), André-Pierre Gignac (Toulouse), Franck Ribéry (Bayern Munich), Sidney Govou (Olympique Lyon), Djibril Cissé (Panathinaikos), Mathieu Valbuena (Olympique Marseille). MEXICO Goalkeepers: Memo Ochoa (America), Luis Ernesto Michel (Chivas), Oscar Pérez (Chiapas). Defenders: Rafael Márquez (Barcelona), Ricardo Osorio (Stuttgart), Héctor Moreno (AZ Alkmmar), Francisco Rodríguez (PSV Eindhoven), Carlos Salcido (PSV Eindhoven), Paul Aguilar (Pachuca), Efrain Juarez (Pumas UNAM). Midfielders: Jonny Magallón (Guadalajara), Jorge Torres Nilo (Atlas), Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul), Israel Castro (Pumas UNAM), Andrés Guardado (Deportivo La Coruña). Forwards: Pablo Barrera (Pumas UNAM), Adolfo Bautista (Guadalajara), Alberto Medina (Guadalajara), Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Veracruz), Javier Hernández (Guadalajara), Giovani dos Santos (Galatasaray), Guillermo Franco (West Ham), Carlos Vela (Arsenal).
ARGENTINA
ALGERIA
Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar), Mariano Andujar (Catania), Diego Pozo (Colon). Defenders: Nicolas Burdisso (Roma), Martin Demichelis (Bayern Munich), Walter Samuel (Inter Milan), Gabriel Heinze (Marseille), Nicolas Otamendi (Vélez Sarsfield), Clemente Rodriguez (Estudiantes), Ariel Garce (Colon). Midfielders: Javier Mascherano (Liverpool), Juan Sebastian Veron (Estudiantes), Maximiliano Rodriguez (Liverpool), Mario Bolatti (Fiorentina), Angel Di Maria (Benfica), Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle), Javier Pastore (Palermo). Forwards: Sergio Aguero (Atlético Madrid), Diego Milito (Internazionale), Martin Palermo (Boca Juniors), Carlos Tevez (Manchester City), Gonzalo Higuaín (Real Madrid), Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Goalkeepers: Lounes Gaouaoui (ASO Chlef), Faouzi Chaouchi (ES Setif), Raid Ouheb M'bolhi (Slavia Sofia). Defenders: Abdelakder Laifaoui (ES Setif), Madjid Bougherra (Rangers), Carl Medjani (Ajaccio), Rafik Halliche (Madeira), Antar Yahia (Bochum), Habib Belaid (Boulogne Sur Mer), Nadir Belhadj (Portsmouth), Djamel Mesbah (Lecce). Midfielders: Hassan Yebda (Portsmouth), Medhi Lacen (Racing Santander), Yazid Mansouri (Lorient), Adlene Guidoura (Wolverhampton), Riad Boudebouz (Sochaux), Djamel Abdoun (Nantes), Foued Kadir (Valenciennes), Karim Ziani (Wolfsburg), Karim Matmour (Borussia Monchengladbach). Forwards: Abdelkader Ghezzal (Siena), Rafik Djebbour (AEK Athens), Rafik Saifi (Istres).
GREECE
ENGLAND
Goalkeepers: Michalis Sifakis (Aris Salonika), Alexandros Tzorvas (Panathinaikos), Kostas Chalkias (PAOK Salonika). Defenders: Giorgos Seitaridis (Panathinaikos), Loukas Vintra (Panathinaikos), Evangelos Moras (Bologna), Socrates Papastathopoulos (Genoa), Sotiris Kyrgiakos (Liverpool), Avraam Papadopoulos (Olympiakos), Vasilis Torosidis (Olympiakos), Nikos Spiropoulos (Panathinaikos), Stelios Malezas (PAOK Salonika). Midfielders: Kostas Katsouranis (Panathinaikos), Alexandros Tziolis (Siena), Giorgos Karagounis (Panathinaikos), Sotiris Ninis (Panathinaikos), Christos Patsatzoglou (Omonia), Sakis Prittas (Aris Salonika) Forwards: Angelos Charisteas (Nuremberg), Dimitris Salpigidis (Panathinaikos), Pantelis Kapetanos (Steaua Bucharest), Theofanis Gekas (Hertha Berlin), Giorgos Samaras (Celtic).
Goalkeepers: Joe Hart, David James, Robert Green. Defenders: Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ledley King (Tottenham Hotspur), John Terry (Chelsea), Matthew Upson (West Ham), Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa). Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham Hotspur), James Milner (Aston Villa), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City). Forwards: Peter Crouch (Tottenham Hotspur), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United). SLOVENIA
NIGERIA SOUTH AFRICA Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Moeneeb Josephs (Orlando Pirates), Shuaib Walters (Maritzburg United). Defenders: Siboniso Gaxa (Sundowns), Anele Ngcongca (Genk), Aaron Mokoena (Portsmouth), Matthew Booth (Sundowns), Bongani Khumalo (SuperSport United), Siyabonga Sangweni (Golden Arrows), Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa), Lucas Thwala (Orlando Pirates). Midfielders: Teko Modise (Orlando Pirates), Lance Davids (Ajax Cape Town), Reneilwe Letsholonyane (Kaizer Chiefs), MacBeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan), Thanduyise Khuboni (Golden Arrows), Kagiso Dikgacoi (Fulham), Steven Pienaar (Everton), Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs). Forwards: Surprise Moriri (Sundowns), Bernard Parker (FC Twente), Katlego Mphela (Sundowns), Siyabonga Nomvethe (Moroka Swallows).
Goalkeepers: Dele Aiyenugba (Bnei Yehuda), Austin Ejide (Hapoel Petah Tikvah), Vincent Enyeama (Hapoel Tel Aviv). Defenders: Dele Adeleye (Sparta Rotterdam), Rabiu Afolabi (Red Bull Salzburg), Elderson Echiejile (Stade Rennes), Chidi Odiah (CSKA Moscow), Danny Shittu (Bolton Wanderers), Taye Taiwo (Olympique Marseille), Joseph Yobo (Everton). Midfielders: Yusuf Ayila (Dynamo Kiev), Dickson Etuhu (Fulham), Sani Kaita (Alania Vladikavhaz), Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth), Haruna Lukman (Monaco), John Obi Mikel (Chelsea), Kalu Uche (Almeria), John Utaka (Portsmouth). Forwards: Yakubu Aiyegbeni (Everton), Obafemi Martins (VfL Wolfsburg), Obinna Nsofor (Malaga), Chinedu Obasi (Hoffenheim), Peter Odemwingie (Lokomotiv Moscow). SOUTH KOREA
URUGUAY Goalkeepers: Fernando Muslera (Lazio), Juan Castillo (Deportivo Cali), Martín Silva (Defensor Sporting). Defenders: Diego Lugano (Fenerbahce), Diego Godín (Villarreal), Andrés Scotti (Colo Colo), Jorge Fucile (Porto), Martín Cáceres (Juventus), Mauricio Victorino (Universidad de Chile), Maximiliano Pereira (Benfica). Midfielders: Walter Gargano (Napoli), Egidio Arevalo Rios (Peñarol), Sebastián Eguren (AIK Stockholm), Diego Pérez (Monaco), Alvaro Pereira (Porto), Ignacio González (Valencia), Nicolás Lodeiro (Ajax), Alvaro Fernández (Universidad de Chile). Forwards: Luis Suárez (Ajax), Diego Forlán (Atlático Madrid), Sebastián Abreu (Botafogo), Edinson Cavani (Palermo), Sebastián Fernández (Banfield Argentina).
Goalkeepers: Kim Young-kwang (Ulsan), Lee Woon-jae (Suwon), Jung Sung-ryong (Seongnam). Defenders: Kim Dong-jin (Ulsan), Kim Hyungil (Pohang), Oh Beom-seok (Ulsan), Lee Youngpyo (Al Hilal, Saudi Arabia), Lee Jung-soo (Kashima, Japan), Cha Doo-ri (Freiburg, Germany) Cho Yong-hyung (Jeju), Kang Min-soo (Suwon). Midfielders: Ki Sung-yong (Celtic, Scotland), Kim Bo-kyung (Oita, Japan), Kim Nam-il (Tomsk, Russia), Kim Jae-sung (Pohang), Kim Jung-woo (Gwangju), Lee Chung-yong (Bolton, England), Park Ji-sung (Manchester United, England). Forwards: Park Chu-young (Monaco, France), Ahn Jung-hwan (Dalian, China), Lee Seung-ryul (Seoul), Yeom Ki-hun (Suwon), Lee Dong-gook (Jeonbuk).
Goalkeepers: Samir Handanovic (Udinese), Jasmin Handanovic (Mantova), Aleksander Seliga (Sparta Rotterdam). Defenders: Miso Brecko (FC Cologne), Bostjan Cesar (Grenoble), Branko Ilic (Lokomotiv Moscow), Matej Mavric-Rozic (Koblenz), Bojan Jokic (Chievo), Marko Suler (Ghent), Suad Filekovic (NK Maribor), Elvedin Dzinic (NK Maribor). Midfielders: Andraz Kirm (Wisla Krakow), Robert Koren (Unattached), Valter Birsa (AJ Auxerre), Andrej Komac (Maccabi Tel Aviv), Dalibor Stevanovic (Vitesse Arnhem), Aleksander Radosavljevic (Larissa), Rene Krhin (Inter Milan). Forwards: Milivoje Novakovic (FC Cologne), Zlatko Dedic (VfL Bochum), Zlatan Ljubijankic (Ghent), Nejc Pecnik (Nacional Funchal), Tim Matavz (Groningen). UNITED STATES Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Tim Howard (Everton). Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover), Jay DeMerit (Watford), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan), Jonathan Spector (West Ham). Midfielders: DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers), Michael Bradley (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Ricardo Clark (Eintracht Frankfurt), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Benny Feilhaber (AGF Aarhus), Stuart Holden (Bolton), Jose Torres (Pachuca). Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Hull), Edson Buddle (Los Angeles Galaxy), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Herculez Gomez (Pachuca).
to get through to the second round.” “Then our aim will be to run and run on the outside – and to be in a position where we have the opportunity to compete with the very best in the world.” Meanwhile, Portugal winger Nani is doubtful for their friendly against Mozambique due to a shoulder injury picked up in training in Lisbon,
Queiroz said as the squad flew in to South Africa on Sunday. The winger missed the squad's final home training session in Portugal on Saturday after falling while attempting an acrobatic shot and causing a traumatism in his shoulder. He is due to be re-examined before the warmup match against Mozambique on Tuesday. "I feel better already," Nani told reporters during the flight from Lisbon to Johannesburg. On playing in the friendly, he said: "I really don't know, now we have to see. When we get there we'll have to check again." The other main injury concern in the Portuguese squad is Pepe, who has been recovering from a knee injury he sustained in December. He has not played since but was last week cleared by doctors from the National side and his club Real Madrid to travel to the finals. The Brazil-born defender signalled he could already be an option for coach Carlos Queiroz against Mozambique. "I'm in the group. I'm here to help and now the matter is in the coach's hands," Pepe said as he boarded the plane.
Silva tips Selecao for glory AGENCIES BRAZILIA, JUNE 6
Brazil President Lula da Silva talked down Argentine chances of winning the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, telling the press that he believed his beloved scratch had a far better chance of finishing on top. Lula made special mention of the relaxed nature of the rival camp to wives and girlfriends around the players, saying that he hoped their South American neighbours "arrive staggering" to their games. The head of state, who is a keen football fan and regularly meets with players and coaches, left observers in no doubt who he thought were the better team. "There is no doubt, Brazil are going to win the World Cup," he told journalists at a press conference. Tongue firmly in cheek, Lula referred to the decision by the albiceleste management to run
a fairly relaxed camp, giving players certain freedom and luxuries prohibited by more spartan management teams of other nations. This includes allowing access to the players to their partners, and even horizontal activities of a certain nature. "Sex forms part of everyone's social life and in itself is not a problem," Argentine team doctor Donato Villani declared on the eve of departure from Buenos Aires, before continuing to say that it must be with a stable partner, and not include "additives" such as champagne or viagra. The Brazilian President, however, seemed perplexed at the lax regime permitted by Diego Maradona. "It seems to me that Maradona is the only coach to adopt such a policy," he stated. "I want to see the Argentines arrive staggering and exhausted to their games."
Drogba has successful surgery on elbow AGENCIES PETROIA, JUNE 6
Ivory Coast captain Didier Drogba has undergone a successful operation on his fractured elbow, but his team did not say whether he would be able to play at the World Cup. "The necessary surgical intervention has been a success," the Ivory Coast football federation said on its website (www.fif-ci.com) on Saturday. The federation added that medical staff are confident Drogba would make "a rapid recovery" but did not elaborate. The 32-year-old striker was injured during Friday's 2-0 friendly win over Japan in Sion. Drogba, a talismanic figure for the Elephants with 43 goals in 67 appearances, limped off after a challenge from Tulio sent him falling awkwardly to the ground after 15 minutes.
If he misses the World Cup it would be a huge blow to the Ivorians, who have been transformed from a middle-ranking team to a major force in African football since Drogba came on to the scene. Born in Ivory Coast and raised in France, the Chelsea forward has helped them qualify for their first two World Cups in 2006 and 2010. He was Premier League top scorer this season as Chelsea won the title from Manchester United. On Friday, vice-captain Kolo Toure said a dejected Drogba had told team mates in the dressing room he was out of the tournament, which starts on Friday. "It's obviously very sad, for him he said that the World Cup is finished, we're just waiting for what the doctor says," Toure said.