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Argentina, the perennial favourites, haven’t gone beyond quarters in the last two world cups. this time they have the team to go all the way
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The injured stars in anxious race against time to get fit
short passes
free hit
16 lifters named in CWG team
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No messing around this time
Despite boasting a wealth of riches in attack, however, Argentina are playing down their chances of overall victory and setting their sights primarily on ending a quarter-final jinx. “It's very difficult to become world champions. We mustn't believe we're the best. In fact, we know we're not the best, but we are a (world) power,” coach Alejandro Sabella said. “We can't get involved in triumphalism... We must remain emotionally balanced and the more so when we go out onto the pitch,” he warned. Balance is a key word for Sabella, who has built a harmonious squad, who get on well both on and off the pitch. This might explain the absence of striker Carlos Tevez despite his Juventus form, an individualist that Sabella feels he cannot seamlessly introduce to the team. Argentina have reached the last eight at three of the last four tournaments, going out to Germany in 2006 and 2010, and have not reached the semi-finals since Italy 1990 when they reached the final and were beaten by the Germans. They were handed a good draw that should see them win Group F ahead of debutants Bosnia, Iran and African champions Nigeria and advance to a last-16 meeting with the second-placed team in Group E, made up of France, Switzerland, Ecuador and Honduras. Diego Maradona took a squad of similar strength to South Africa four years ago and a fourth successive win in the second round over Mexico set up a showdown with Germany, but the former captain's coaching abilities were found wanting at that stage and Argentina were thumped 4-0. Sabella has the tactical know-how to weather the mounting difficulties as the tournament progresses and breaking the quarter-final barrier could see his team go all the way to the final again. Four-Time finalist
On the four occasions Argentina have reached the last four, 1930, 1978, 1986 and 1990, they have also gone on to play in the final winning in 1978 at home and 1986 in Mexico and losing in 1930 to hosts Uruguay in the first World Cup final and then again 60 years later in Rome. Argentina won the 16-match South American qualifying group, cementing first place during a brilliant 2012 when their first-choice side went unbeaten in nine matches, including friendlies, and Messi scored 12 goals including two hat-tricks. Last year brought Sabella some problems, not least Messi's nagging hamstring injury, and he will have been glad to have got over that well before the tournament kicks off on June 12. A virtual reserve side suffered a solitary defeat in the qualifiers to Uruguay in October with key midfielder Fernando Gago, who dictates the pace of Argentina's game and acts as a supply line for Messi, missing that and most of their other matches through injury. Surprise is a key element for Argentina, who play their best football when Gago, Javier Mascherano and Di Maria play in midfield behind Messi, Higuain and Aguero. The transition from defence to midfield is a weakness along with dealing with high balls into the penalty area despite tall centre backs in Federico Fernandez and Ezequiel
Garay. — Reuters Messi’s musketeers Sergio Aguero Nicknamed “Kun” after a Japanese cartoon character, Brazilian club mate Fernandinho says he is one of the funniest people he knows. A regular scorer for his club side, with tremendous ability and agility to turn defenders, a penalty box menace for the best defences, he has 21 Argentina goals. Father of Diego Maradona's first grandson Benjamin. Gonzalo Higuain Brilliant finisher who scored a World Cup hat-trick against South Korea in 2010, he was also eligible for France having been born in Brest where his defender father “Pipa”, hence the nickname “Pipita”, played. An intelligent player who prefers to run onto passes but will also do a good job with his back to goal holding the ball up. Has a tally of 20 international goals. Angel Di Maria Slim, dynamic left winger nicknamed “Fideo” (noodle) who pops up all over the attack, is very hard to mark or stop, scores goals and lays on brilliant passes for fellow attackers in abundance. Has retained his place at Real Madrid despite the supposed threat of competition from Gareth Bale on the left flank and was the outstanding player in their Copa del Rey final win over Barcelona in April. Group F
Argentina, Iran, Nigeria Bosnia-Herzegovina Argentina world ranking: 7 Best finish: Winners 1978, 1986 Last 3 World Cup
performances: Group stage in 2002, made quarters in 2006 and 2010 Main threat Nigeria: It’s a pretty easy group for Argentina. Nigeria is the only team that could pose some problems to Argentina. 2014 international results: Beat Trinidad and Tobago 3-0, drew with Romania 0-0 |
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The injured stars in anxious race against time to get fit
London, June 6 Yet with just a week to go until the World Cup begins, it seems many of those expected to play in Brazil could still miss some or part of the tournament through injury. Among those currently struggling who could be absent is the world’s best player, the driving force in Bayern Munich’s treble winning season, the Premier League golden boot winner, the top scorer among the Spanish champions and the world’s best goalkeeper. Here, we look in more detail at those who are struggling to be ready in time... Cristiano Ronaldo The Real Madrid player has the capacity to take Portugal deep into the competition all by himself. If he’s fit that is. The Portuguese FA have confirmed the £80m man is suffering from tendinosis in his left knee, as well as a muscular problem in his left thigh. It’s seen him miss the recent warm-up match with Greece and he’s expected to miss Portugal’s other remaining warm-up games. Portugal’s first game is against Germany on June 16. Luis Suarez There is no doubt over the injury concerns surrounding Luis Suarez. The Liverpool striker underwent knee surgery and is in a race to return in time. Varied reports over his recovery have been emanating from the Uruguay camp, with England among those paying close attention with the teams due to meet in Sao Paulo on June 19. His Liverpool team-mates in the England squad have said they expect to face the Premier League golden boot winner at the World Cup. Wayne Rooney England’s talisman was shunted out to the left in the most recent warm-up match against Ecuador - but it did see him pick up a goal in the 2-2 draw. Questions over the Manchester United striker’s fitness in the build-up to the tournament and that he was the only player to start both England’s most recent games suggest there are concerns. He looks set to start in England’s first game of the tournament against Italy on June 14, but will he be as sharp as he can be? Diego Costa He might have been fit enough to pass a medical for Chelsea but there is uncertainty over whether he will be ready for Spain’s first game of the tournament against Netherlands. Vicente del Bosque took something of a risk including the Brazilian born player who is suffering with a thigh muscle problem, particular considering the Spain manager left Manchester City striker Alvaro Negredo at home. He and all of Spain will be hoping Costa can replicate the form that helped Atletico Madrid to the La Liga title, rather than see a repeat of when he hobbled off in the Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid. Manuel Neuer The Germany goalkeeper has not played since picking up a shoulder injury in the German cup final three weeks ago and is a major doubt for the tournament. Easily the best keeper in the world, the 28-year-old will miss his country’s final warm-up game against Armenia. If Neuer, who is yet to train with the team, is ruled out then Borussia Dortmund stopper Roman Weidenfeller will step in.
— The Independent |
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Injured Ribery ruled out, big blow for France
France's World Cup chances suffered a severe blow when influential winger Franck Ribery was ruled out with lower back problems on Friday. Coach Didier Deschamps also said that attacking midfielder Clement Grenier was out of the finals in Brazil with a groin problem as Les Bleus suffered their third injury since the 23-man squad was unveiled. Second-choice goalkeeper Steve Mandanda also pulled out. “This morning before the collective training session ... he had to stop, the pain was too strong,” Deschamps told a news conference. “We have made checks in the beginning of the afternoon, checks that confirmed the situation has aggravated and he is today not capable of training for a few weeks, let alone play a game.” Ribery and Grenier will be replaced in the squad by Morgan Schneiderlin and Remy Cabella. The replacements have to be validated by world governing body FIFA as they are made after the 23-man squad submission deadline, which was on June 2. “We will hand over those two files and they will take the time they need to reply,” said Deschamps. “They are the first, Franck or Clement, to be very sad. Franck had problems but everything was going in the right direction until his situation suddenly aggravated.” France start their World Cup campaign on June 15 against Honduras in Group E, where they will also meet Ecuador and Switzerland. Holland jubilant as
Van Persie declares himself fit
Netherlands captain Robin van Persie has declared himself 100 percent fit for the World Cup as the Dutch national side arrived in Rio de Janeiro on Friday for the June 12-July 13 tournament. The Manchester United striker was withdrawn at half-time of his country's final warm-up game against Wales in Amsterdam on Wednesday with a groin issue but insisted it was only as a precautionary measure after he felt some discomfort. Van Persie added that he had also fully recovered from the knee injury which kept him out action for two months towards the end of the Premier League season. “Against Wales, I stayed behind in the changing room for the second half just to be careful because the match against Spain is much more important,” he said of the opening game for the Dutch at the World Cup in Salvador on Friday - a repeat of the 2010 final. “My groin was progressively a little irritated. If it had been a sudden pain I would been concerned but you can't really even call it an injury.” Australia captain Mile Jedinak has recovered from a groin injury and is targeting a full match for the Socceroos when they take on Croatia in their last warmup for the World Cup. The Crystal Palace skipper missed Australia's farewell match against South Africa, a 1-1 draw in Sydney last week, after sustaining the injury in the Premier League team's final match of the season. A scrappy Australia failed to impress in the tepid encounter with Bafana Bafana, and the 29-year-old defensive midfielder will be important for the Socceroos' razor-thin chances of advancing in Brazil from a group featuring champions Spain, the Netherlands and Chile. Jedinak, who has taken over from long-serving skipper Lucas Neill, said he aimed to play a full 90 minutes against the Croatians in Salvador on Friday. “Yeah that's the plan, hopefully it all goes well,” Jedinak told Australian broadcaster Fox Sports.
— Reuters |
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Joy now, pain ahead!
Nadal was simply awesome as he converted each of the six break points he got, while Murray did not get a single opportunity to break Nadal in a match that barely lasted 100 minutes. Djokovic was cruising at two sets ahead but his game dipped suddenly, allowing Gulbis to make a real match of it before he managed to finish the job and remain on course for the only Grand Slam title to elude him. Djokovic was overpowered by Gulbis in the third set and seemed to be lacking energy but some errors by his opponent in the fourth spared him being dragged into a decider. The number two seed displayed ice cool efficiency in the first two sets, more consistent from the baseline and clinical when the chances arose in the pair's first match since 2011. But moments of casual brilliance from 18th seed Gulbis stunned Djokovic in the third which he sealed with an ace after breaking the serve of his worried-looking opponent. Suddenly what had looked like a straightforward afternoon on Phillipe Chatrier court for Djokovic, last year's runner-up, threatened to turn ugly. However, he upped his level in the fourth as Gulbis started to wilt. Gulbis, who had reached the last four of a Grand Slam for the first time after 27 attempts, mostly matched Djokovic's athleticism scrambling around the court but neither appeared to really hit top gear on the hottest day of the tournament. Djokovic will have to draw deeper on his stamina, belief and weapons against Nadal, who is looking for his ninth title on the Paris clay. Reaching Sunday's clash mean's Djokovic becomes just the sixth man since tennis turned professional in 1968 to reach multiple finals in each Grand Slam. Djokovic will become the world No. 1 if he wins the title. — Reuters |
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India showed heart but no strategy
By Rajpal singh India played their best match of the World Cup against Spain and though it was an improvement on their previous results, the players would not be happy with the 1-1 draw. India and Spain had a fair number of chances and while Spain played better in the first half, India dominated the second half and finished on a high. They should have taken those clear chances in the second half and with the momentum on their side, it would have been difficult for Spain to make a comeback. India have improved as the tournament has progressed. The improvement is due to the team’s growing confidence rather than a chance in tactics. I haven’t seen any top-level strategy in India’s game. They have been playing average hockey, but playing it with a lot of commitment, which is why the results have been average. When a team plays with a strategy, there are chances of it going horribly wrong. And the Indian teams rarely have a plan B — that’s when we see the big defeats. They tried a strategy in the first half against Belgium but it backfired. So they have been playing with a lot of heart: Going forward in attack, running back in defence, but without much planning. It was so against Spain. There was no planning going forward. They didn’t hold on to the ball long enough. There was no rotation from flank to flank and no patient build-up. Despite so many attacks, the possession percentage was 60-40 in Spain’s favour. It was like India were playing a basketball match — they had to go for the goal even when there wasn’t a clear opportunity. They didn’t pass the ball back but hit in a cross or went for an unlikely pass, giving away possession. They must take their chances if they want to beat Malaysia. India can and should win against Malaysia and keep their hopes of finishing in the top-8 alive. The writer is a former India captain TODAY’S MATCHES
Live on Ten Sports
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16 lifters named in CWG team
New Delhi, June 6 CWG Squad Men: Sukhen Dey (56kg), Ganesh Mali (56kg), Rustam Sarang (62kg), Omkar Otari (69kg), S Sathish Kumar (77kg), K Ravi Kumar (77kg), Vikas Thakur (85kg), Chandrakant Mali (94kg). Women: Sanjita Chanu (48kg), S Mirabai Chanu (48kg), Matsa Santoshi (53kg), Swati Singh (53kg), Meena Kumari (58kg), Punam Yadav (63kg), Vandna Gupta (63kg)
— PTI |
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