World Cup 2010 News: 2010

Tuesday, 15 June 2010

This is what the World Cup is about...PASSION!!!!!!

North Korea's JONG Tae Se during his country's national anthem in the match against Brazil tonight.

Saturday, 12 June 2010

Forlan vows to find the net against Bafana Bafana.

Uruguay striker Diego Forlan was disappointed not to have scored against France in a 0-0 draw at Cape Town Stadium on Friday night.The Atlético Madrid ace saw his chances limited, but looked sharp in front of goal.With South Africa and Mexico also drawing their first match in the earlier game, it leaves Group A wide open.

Uruguay tackle Bafana in their next match, with victory crucial for both sides.Forlan admitted his team-mates will now regroup ahead of that tie.He told Football365.co.za: "We have finish this game and now we have to rest and train and then see how we are going to be for the next match."He then added to the media: "Four teams are in the same position now so we have to see what is going to happen in the second game."When asked how he felt about drawing with the former world champions, Forlan admitted that while his side "had the better chances", "it was a good result for each other" but "nobody deserved to win".

Forlan also revealed that while he was happy with his overall performance, he would have preferred to have found the target. A snapshot late in the game was probably his best chance, but he was unable to direct the ball goalwards."I knew it was off target the first moment I shot, I knew it was out. I had the chances and I would have been more happy if they were in."The former Manchester United frontman said he had watched bits of South Africa's draw with Mexico and while he admitted, "it was a tough game", he isn't fazed about facing the hosts.

"Yeah we saw the game and it was a tough game."It's the way we were drawn and we have to play against them, we don't have to think about it."

Algeria, Slovenia eye big chance after USA, England draw

Algeria and Slovenia open their World Cup Group C schedules on Sunday under a ton of pressure for a result.

Both clubs are underdogs to advance past England and the USA in the group, meaning getting off to a good start in the opener is imperative.

"In football you never know," Algeria midfielder Hassan Yebda told fifa.com. "We will do our best and play the first game against Slovenia and try to win. The first game is very, very important, if we can win it will be better for us. Slovenia though have a good team."

While Algeria is gearing up for just its third-ever World Cup, a familiar face is leading the way.

Coach Rabah Saadane, who also coached the team 24 years ago in its last World Cup appearance in Mexico, is at the helm again - for the fifth time - and it will take all his wisdom to get the Desert Foxes to the knockout stage.

On the field, midfielder Karim Ziani will be the key, not only against Slovenia on Sunday, but for the entire tournament. The playmaker plies his trade with German Bundesliga side Wolfsburg, and he has the versatility to pull the strings in the middle of the field, or shift out wide in a more indirect attacking role.

England keeper Rob Green howler rescues a point for USA

Just as South Africa opened their World Cup with a goal that will be remembered forever, so England, as is their wont, contrived to open theirs with a goalkeeping blunder that will never be forgotten. No sooner had Fabio Capello placed his confidence in Robert Green than his judgment was mocked by the sort of bungle no professional footballer can comfortably watch, an unforced error that allowed the USA back into a game on which England appeared to have a comfortable grip after Steven Gerrard's early goal.

Although Green will inevitably carry the can for this disappointment, in truth it was not a great England performance, just a great start. The American goal may have been a fluke, yet it came about because England were defending too deep and allowing their opponents to take pot shots. Far too little was seen of England's attacking players – Capello even turned to Peter Crouch before the end – to place all the blame on the goalkeeper.

Capello, true to his word, had kept everyone guessing right up to the last minute with his line-up, though there were no real surprises once it was understood that the Italian was not about to mess around with the system and selections that had proved so successful in qualifying on the basis of late claims made in inconsequential friendlies.

So Green retained his place as goalkeeper after all, just as Capello had promised. James Milner, who has consistently appeared in competitive games for Capello, was preferred on the left wing to Joe Cole, who has not. And Emile Heskey, on the back of three Premier League goals last season, was invited to resume as Wayne Rooney's gofer.

Nigeria struggle against a sleek Argentina

The Diego Maradona World Cup experience got off to a winning start in Johannesburg this afternoon, but already it is worth asking the question: will Argentina’s fantastic attack be fatally undermined by their fragile defence?

The uncontrollable Lionel Messi might have had a hat-trick, or even the four goals he scored against Arsenal in the Champions League last season, but for the heroics of Nigeria’s goalkeeper. But Argentina’s defending was distinctly dodgy during an entertaining match at Ellis Park in front of a near-full, and wildly loud and exuberant, crowd.

Chief culprit was the right back, Jonás Gutiérrez, of Newcastle United. He was exposed time and again and a better team than Nigeria – whose composure in front of goal was abject – would have scored a couple of goals. Do not expect many more 1-0 scorelines in Argentina’s future games.

The warning signs were there early on as the impressive Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi, preferred to Obafemi Martins and Nwankwo Kanu, skipped past Gutiérrez but pummeled a shot well wide.

South Korea gets the first win of WC2010 beating Greece 2-0

Energetic South Korea upset 2004 European champions Greece 2-0 in their 2010 FIFA World Cup Group B match here on Saturday, becoming the first victors of the tournament and winning glory for Asia.

"Our players worked really hard," said South Korea coach Huh Jung-moo. "The team played well and the flow of the game was very good."

Only seven minutes into the game, Lee Jung Soo opened the scoring for South Korea when the central defender flicked on and tapped in at the back post after a free-kick from Ki Sung-yong found him.

In the 52nd minute, a poor cross from Greece at the back gifted Manchester United star winger Park Ji Sung a thrusting solo run. Park dribbled past two defenders straight into the box and sealed the win with a powerful shot.

Park, 29, who started his career as a defensive midfielder, has won three English Premier League champions and a UEFA Champions League title.

Madjid Bougherra talks positive on Algeria's World Cup adventure.

Algeria will play the first match of their third World Cup against Slovenia on Sunday but their players already have an eye on their second Group C match, against England.

The Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra said today that his experience in British football would help him to deal with the likes of Wayne Rooney when Algeria meet England at the Green Point Stadium in Cape Town next Friday night. The centre-back, who has played for Crewe Alexandra, Charlton Athletic and Sheffield Wednesday, has also played European football with the Scottish champions.

"It can help me," said Bougherra of his experience in Britain. "I play in a big team, I played Champions League so I have learned a mentality change – I want to win every game."

Will internal dissent destroy Algeria's chances

Algeria's quest to sabotage England's World Cup dream is being wrecked by an astonishing dressing-room row which almost saw their captain walk out.

The north Africans, who play Fabio Capello's men in Durban on Thursday, are in disarray on the eve of their Group C opener against Slovenia.

The upheaval started last Wednesday when captain Yazid Mansouri was told by coach Rabah Saadane that he would not be in the team to play Slovenia - and he furiously threatened to quit the team.

Benched: Captain Yazid Mansouri says he will fight to win back his place in
the Algeria side after a fallout with coach Rabah Saadane

The 32-year-old midfielder stormed off to his hotel room and was packing his bags before desperate team officials managed to persuade him to rethink his decision after an hour of heated chat.

'It's hard to accept the decision,' said Mansouri. 'I've been in this side for 10 years and that is why I'm struggling to digest the news.' Saadane's decision was also greeted with dismay by Mansouri's team-mates. Portsmouth defender Nadir Belhadj said: 'It will be difficult for us without Yazid because we listen to him all the time.'

David Beckham reaction to Rob Green's blunder...Classic

Friday, 11 June 2010

Steven Gerrard's determination can see England through to Victory

Steven Gerrard said he accepted the captain’s armband for this World Cup with a certain degree of ambivalence last week. But it was more complicated than his initial response to such questions suggested on Thursday.

More than simply a mixture of disappointment for Rio Ferdinand and delight for himself. Thrown in is the pressure he seems to put on himself. The kind of pressure he sometimes gives the impression he would rather not have.

It came across like that as the conversation developed. In particular, after he was asked how he would avoid the captaincy becoming a burden.

Focussed: England captain Steven Gerrard delivered an inspirational performance to the world's media on the eve of the World Cup

‘By enjoying it,’ he said. ‘I think the people around me won’t allow me to let it be a burden. I’ve got to use it as a motivation rather than a burden.’

The people around Gerrard clearly know him well. They know how seriously he takes such responsibility and how much he will want to prove himself a success.

Didier Drogba makes swift recovery may play against Portugal

Ivory Coast captain Didier Drogba could start their opening World Cup game against Portugal next week, coach Sven Goran Eriksson said on Thursday.

Drogba, 32, broke his arm during a friendly against Japan on June 4, and needed surgery.

'If the game had been today or tomorrow, he wouldn't play. But there are still some days. He might play against Portugal,' Eriksson told journalists at the team's arrival on Thursday.

On the mend: Ivory Coast captain Didier Drogba (right) has an operation on his broken arm

Ivory Coast take on Portugal next Tuesday in Group G in the coastal city of Port Elizabeth.

They have been drawn in a tough group, which includes North Korea and five-times World Cup winners Brazil.

'It is a difficult group, but we will be well prepared and we will do everything to play well against the other teams,' Eriksson said.

Lagerback says Nigeria have nothing to fear against Argentina

Nigeria go into their opening match, against Argentina on Saturday afternoon, telling themselves that although they are up against the likes of Lionel Messi and Carlos Tévez, they have nothing to fear. They are merely some of the best players in the world — but ignore it.

This, at least, has been the gospel according to Lars Lagerbäck, their coach, who has been parachuted in to do a quick-heal job similar to the one that Sven-Göran Eriksson, his fellow Swede, has been asked to pull off with Ivory Coast.

It is a tall order for both of them. Eriksson may have to do without Didier Drogba, the talismanic striker, and Lagerbäck has lost John Obi Mikel, Drogba’s Chelsea team-mate, to injury. Yet they have been asked to raise the spirits of their teams without the leading player there to show the way.

Although Nigeria finished third in the Africa Cup of Nations, their performance was sufficiently disappointing for them to sack their coach, Shaibu Amodu, in February and ask Lagerbäck to do better.

Altidore is fight to face England

United States coach Bob Bradley has confirmed Hull flop Jozy Altidore will start against England in Saturday's World Cup clash in Rustenburg.

Altidore netted only one goal for the Tigers last season when on loan from Villarreal.

But the 20-year-old will face Fabio Capello's side after recovering from an ankle injury which kept him out of last weekend's friendly win over Australia.

Altidore was USA's leading scorer during their qualification campaign with six goals.

Bradley said: "It was an important year for Jose. Any player that has gone to the Premier League finds out about the level and the competitiveness.

"But I think he grew a lot at Hull and the one thing I would always say about Jose, from our experiences with him, is when he's come into our camps he's shown that, when things don't come easily it's helped him.

Capello warns Rooney over his temperament

England manager Fabio Capello has confirmed he has spoken with Wayne Rooney following concerns over his temperament.

Rooney came in for criticism after he was booked against Platinum Stars on Monday for an outburst at the referee.

The Manchester United's actions sparked fears of a repeat dismissal at this summer's World Cup after his red mist in Germany four years ago.

Capello said: "Wayne Rooney played all the qualifying games for the World Cup and had no problems with the referees.

"I hope we see the same Rooney during the World Cup.

Greece coach pledges not too underestimate South Koreans

Greece manager Otto Rehhagel is eagerly anticipating his World Cup debut but is taking nothing for granted against South Korea.

Rehhagel, 71, famously led the Greeks to glory at the European Championship in 2004, however his team failed to qualify for the 2006 World Cup.

Four years on, though, the German coach is preparing his charges for Saturday's Group B clash versus South Korea in Port Elizabeth.

"Some things take their time. I am pleased to take on such a huge challenge. Everything comes in due course," said Rehhagel.

Maradona launches mind games as he says Nigerians are dirty players

The 49-year-old, who lifted the World
Cup as Argentina captain in 1986, having infamously scored a goal with his hand against England in the quarter-finals, said he hoped the referees would ensure the Africans play fair.

"We know how Nigeria play and they know how we play. We don't expect to play a rough and tough team, although we're ready to play any team," said Maradona, whose international career ended in disgrace when he failed a drugs test at the 1994 World Cup finals when Nigeria were also in their group.

"But the only thing I can say right now is those looking for fair-play should not stand alone.

"Let's really look for fair play and referees should understand what fair play is.

"When fair play started in 1990 I got a kick from a Cameroon player who nearly kicked my head off.

"Claudio Caniggia got a yellow card for a small kick and I nearly got kicked in the head.

Martins says Eagles must look beyond Argentina

Nigerian forward Obafemi Martins has warned that the Super Eagles would have to look beyond Lionel Messi if they are to get a result against Argentina on Saturday. Talk among the fans have been centred around the World Player of the Year, but Martins, 25, says there are other players that the team need to be wary of.

"People talk a lot about (Lionel) Messi, forgetting that there are other very good players in the Argentine team, such as (Carlos) Tevez and (Diego) Milito. It's a team game and we also have our own stars for the day.

"It is an important match for all of us, the players and the technical crew."

Left back Taye Taiwo, who played against the Argentina Under-20 team which defeated Nigeria 2-1 in the final of the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Netherlands in 2005, added: "I was not happy that we lost that day in Utrecht against Argentina because we worked so hard. But for sure, this is payback time.

"We know Messi is a good player and we can't allow him to roam round the park just like that. But we also have our great players. They've got a couple of great players and we've also got a couple of great players.

Tshabalala super strike fails earn South Africa opening win.

Diminutive midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala sent the whole of South Africa in to raptures with the opening goal of the World Cup in Johannesburg but it was not enough to hold off Mexico at the final whistle.

His wonderful strike in the 55th minute of an entertaining opening match put Bafana Bafana ahead with a goal that looked likely to give them an emotional victory - a win which could ignite not only their own campaign but the whole World Cup.

France fluff opportunity to beat 10 man Uruguay

France and Uruguay played out a goalless draw at the Green Point Stadium in the second Group A game on the opening day of the World Cup.

Uruguay were forced to play the final nine minutes of the match in Cape Town with 10 men following the dismissal of substitute Nicolas Lodeiro for a second bookable offence.

Substitute Thierry Henry had a late penalty shout for handball dismissed as lacklustre France finally took the game to their opponents, but failure to capitalise on their numerical advantage ended in a disappointing stalemate.

The draw means that neither side took advantage of hosts South Africa's 1-1 draw with Mexico in the day's earlier game to move top of the group, although Uruguay's Oscar Tabarez will likely be the happier of the two managers.

Thursday, 3 June 2010

USA on a $1m a man bonus to win World Cup

Each of the 23 players will collect £617,332 should they become the most unlikely winners in World Cup history, easily outstripping the £500,000-a-man on offer to Spain should Fernando Torres and co lift the trophy.

England's win bonus pool is kept confidential by the FA, but is believed to be in the region of £400-500,000 per player - but the entire England squad will donate all match fees to charity.

Brazil will offer each of their players around £250,000 for a win, while Germany will hand out £212,000 per man.

Yet the USA bonus is not dependent on overall victory: the players will share up to £1.1m in the group stage, a further £1.95m if they qualify for the last 16, £2.3m should they reach the quarter-finals and another £1.8m for making the semis. Should they make the final, they will then earn a further £4.7m, rising to £5.3m if they finish the job.

The money itself will come from FIFA, who pay the winners £21.4m in prize money, with £16.6m for the runners-up. Prize money then tapers off, but all teams participating in the finals are guaranteed a minimum of £5.5m.

Wednesday, 2 June 2010

England jet off to South Africa tonight

The English team arrive at Johannesburg's OR Tambo airport on Thursday morning before heading north-west to their World Cup base in Rustenburg.

The newly built multi-million pound Royal Bafokeng Sports Campus will be England's home during the tournament.

Capello signed a new deal on Wednesday committing him to the role until 2012.

The Italian had been linked with a move to Inter Milan, while Lord Triesman's recent departure as the Football Association's chairman was reported to have unsettled him.

But Capello signed an amended deal which removed the break clause allowing either party to end the contract after the World Cup.

The news provided a fresh angle for England fans after the unexpected story of Arsenal winger Theo Walcott's omission from the final squad.

The 21-year-old was named in the starting line-up of both of England's recent friendly victories against Mexico and Japan, but his performances were not enough to convince Capello of a World Cup place.

Eto'o sent off as Cameroon fall to Portugal

Cameroon captain Samuel Eto'o was sent off on his return to the Indomitable Lions side, as his team slumped to a 3-1 defeat in Portugal.

The Inter Milan striker was dismissed in the first half for a second bookable offence in quick succession after returning to the side for their final two World Cup warm-up games.

A frustrated and agitated-looking Eto'o received his marching orders for a high tackle on Portugal left-back Duda, immediately after being booked by the referee for protesting, following the opener from Raul Meireles.

The Cameroonians looked unsettled after their captain's departure, and were well beaten by a Portuguese team who looked a lot more polished and confident ahead of their departure for South Africa - in stark contrast to their visitors.

The Indomitable Lions are now six games without a win, but drew some little comfort from an impressive debut for German-born striker Eric Choupo-Moting, who has just been cleared to play for the west Africans.

Tottenham Hotspur defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto also put in an impressive performance on the left, after a shaky start.

Portugal boost as Pepe is given the all clear

Pepe is going to South Africa with Portugal. The Real Madrid player has received medical clearance to participate in this summer’s World Cup.

The news that Carlos Queiroz most wanted to hear was confirmed on the site of the Portuguese Football Federation yesterday:

“The medical teams of the National Seleccao, Real Madrid, Juan Carlos Hernandez and Carlos Diez, and the surgeon who operated on Pepe, Jose Carlos Noronha, agreed to pronounce medical clearance to the Portugal international, meaning the player can continue to comply with the programme of gradual sporting integration.”

Pepe was outstanding for Portugal in the qualification campaign, playing as a defensive midfielder, but has not played a competitive match since rupturing his cruciate knee ligaments in December.

His recovery is a huge boost for the national team, although question marks will remain about whether he will be match fit in South Africa, especially for the first game against Ivory Coast on June 15th.

Slick Holland thrash woeful Ghana

The Netherlands proved to be too strong a side for Ghana in last night's friendly, handing the Black Stars a crushing defeat.

Sunderland loan-star John Mensah came on for the second half in Rotterdam but by then Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt and Rafael van der Vart had given the Dutch a 2-0 lead.

Ghana pulled a goal back midway through the second half but Holland's Wesley Sneider found the back of the net before a Robin van Persie penalty took the scoreline to 4-1, dealing the Ghanaians a crush blow as they prepare for their World Cup campaign.

Ghana have one friendly against Latvia on Saturday prior to their World Cup opener against Serbia on 13 June.

The Black Stars are also in a group with Australia and Germany.

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More heartache for the Swiss as they lose to Costa Rica

Non-qualifiers Costa Rica partially spoiled Switzerland’s buildup as they defeated the World Cup hopefuls 1-0 at Sion.

Winston Parks fired home the only goal of the match on 57 minutes as the Central American’s continued to impress on their European tour after narrowly losing 2-1 to 2006 finalists France last week.

Swiss coach Ottmar Hitzfeld must now restore moral for a team that reached the second round in 2006 and will be in Group H in South Africa with Chile, Spain and Honduras.

Denmark not good enough against Australia

A slow and sloppy performance against Australia demonstrated that Denmark’s football side still has a lot of work to do

It was a line-up filled with new faces that national team head coach Morten Olsen fielded for Tuesday’s World Cup warm-up match against Australia – many of which may not be seen on the pitch again this summer after the team’s woeful performance.

The final score was 1-0 to the Aussies, but the shoddy level of play will be of greater concern to Olsen, whose team face the highly-fancied Netherlands in their opening World Cup match on 14 June. The Dutch hammered Ghana in their friendly yesterday 4-1.

None of the Danes stood out in the uninspired affair, which saw Australia’s Joshua Kennedy score the match’s only goal in the second half following a miscommunication between Andersen and defender Daniel Agger over a loose ball around 20 metres from goal.

While Olsen did not believe his players gave their best efforts yesterday, he also blamed the controversial, heavier World Cup ball, which many top players and coaches have criticised as well.

‘We’re playing with an impossible ball, but we’ll just have to get used to it,’ he told TV2 Sport. ‘That’s not an excuse, it’s a cause. We had trouble controlling the ball and getting any pace on our passes.’

Brazil stroll past Zimababwe in 3-0 win

Brazil barely broke a sweat as they beat Zimbabwe 3-0 in a friendly that generated huge excitement in the troubled African country.

The visitors made a sluggish start and Ovidy Karuru blew a chance to write his name in Zimbabwean sporting history when he ballooned over the bar with the goal gaping in the 19th minute.

A header from Knowledge Musona, the Kaizer Chiefs striker, in the 27th minute forced a save from the Brazil goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes. The Tottenham Hotspur player replaced Júlio Cesár after the first-choice keeper went off with a back injury, although team doctors said it did not appear to be serious.

Brazil, nearly at full strength, coolly moved up a gear and Michel Bastos fired home a free-kick from 20 yards. Soon after Robinho ran on to a long pass from the right-back Maicon to score with a first-time finish from inside the area.

In the second half, Elano grabbed the third after a cross by the substitute Daniel Alves but Brazil, who made six substitutions in all, were unable to add to the tally in what resembled a training exercise.

Monday, 31 May 2010

Mokoena grabs 100th cap as South Africa thrash Guatemala

Captain Aaron Mokoena became the first South African to win 100 caps when the World Cup hosts beat Guatemala 5-0 in a friendly at Peter Mokaba Stadium.

The Portsmouth defender wore a shirt with the number 100 emblazoned on the back as his side scored five goals in a single game for the first time in more than 250 internationals since returning to world football 18 years ago.

For a second successive match South Africa were awarded two generous penalties to help them on their way to victory in Polokwane.

The first came in the 11th minute and as a surprise to both teams.

Television replays showed a long-range shot from Siphiwe Tshabalala hit the shoulder of Guatemala defender Gustavo Cabrera but he was outside his penalty area.

Katlego Mphela converted to hand the home team the lead, doubled 15 minutes later by a strong volley from Reneilwe Letsholonyane after a persistent run by leftback Lucas Thwala provided a cross into the penalty area.

Following a strong run down the left wing, Mphela delivered a square ball for substitute Surprise Moriri to tap-in in the 48th minute after coming on as one of three halftime changes.

A handball by Cabrera earned South Africa another penalty in the 56th minute which Mphela again tucked away.

Five minutes earlier, Guatemala had also been awarded a spot kick for an innocuous-looking handball but Guillermo Ramirez's effort was saved by Moeneeb Josephs.

Bernard Parker got the fifth with eight minutes remaining.

The win stretched the team's unbeaten run to 11 matches since the return of Carlos Alberto Parreira as coach last November.

Nigeria names its 23 man squad for the World Cup

Ike Uche and Victor Anichebe are the two high profile casualties of Lars Lagerback's cull as he named his 23 players for the World Cup on Monday.

Joining the duo are Peter Utaka, Onyekachi Apam, Brown Ideye and the two domestic players Bassey Akpan and Terna Suswan.

The Swede announced the list to the players at a meeting where he called the affected players together and explained to them why they were being dropped.

"He called them together and explained that time was too short, and that injuries were also a factor," Super Eagles Media Officer Idah Peterside told KickOffNigeria.com.

More importantly, Peterside said Lagerback assured the players that in the unlikely event of injury to any player on the 23-man squad before kickoff, he would look no farther than that seven-man group.

The contingent leaves for South Africa later on Monday.

Nigeria squad
Goalkeepers : Vincent Enyeama (Hapoel Tel Aviv, Israel), Dele Aiyenugba (Bnei Yehuda, Israel), Austin Ejide (Hapoel Petach Tikvah, Israel)

Defenders : Taye Taiwo (Marseille, France), Elderson Echiejile (Rennes, France), Chidi Odiah (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Joseph Yobo (Everton, England), Ayodele Adeleye (Sparta Rotterdam, Netherlands), Rabiu Afolabi (SV Salzburg, Austria), Danny Shittu (Bolton Wanderers, England)

Midfielders: Kalu Uche (Almeria, Spain), Dickson Etuhu (Fulham, England), John Mikel Obi (Chelsea, England), Sani Kaita (Alaniya, Russia), Haruna Lukman (AS Monaco, France), Yusuf Ayila (Dynamo Kiev, Ukraine)

Strikers: Yakubu Aiyegbeni (Everton, England), Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth, England), Obafemi Martins (Wolfsburg, Germany), John Utaka(Portsmouth, England), Victor Obinna Nsofor (Malaga, Spain), Osaze Odemwingie (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia), Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany)

Morten Olsen reveals Denmark's 23 man squad for World Cup.

Denmark coach Morten Olsen on Friday unveiled a 23-man squad that will meet the Netherlands, Cameroon and Japan in group E of the World Cup.

Goalkeepers: Thomas Soerensen (Stoke City/ENG), Stefan Andersen (Broendby), Jesper Christiansen (FC Copenhagen).

Defenders: Daniel Agger (Liverpool/ENG), Simon Kjaer (Palermo/ITA), Per Kroeldrup (Fiorentina/ITA), Lars Jacobsen (Blackburn/ENG), Simon Busk Poulsen (AZ Alkmaar/NED), William Kvist Joergensen (FC Copenhagen), Patrick Mtiliga (Malaga/ESP).

Midfielders: Daniel Jensen (Werder Bremen/GER), Christian Poulsen (Juventus/ITA), Christian Eriksen (Ajax/NED), Jakob Poulsen (AGF), Martin Joergensen (AGF), Mikkel Beckmann (Randers), Thomas Enevoldsen (FC Groningen/NED), Thomas Kahlenberg (Wolfsburg/GER), Dennis Rommedahl (Ajax/NED), Jesper Groenkjaer (FC Copenhagen).

Strikers: Jon Dahl Tomasson (Feyenoord/NED), Nicklas Bendtner (Arsenal/ENG), Soeren Larsen (Duisburg/GER).

Blow for Slovakia as Miroslav Karkhan is ruled out from finals

Slovakia midfielder Miroslav Karhan will miss the World Cup due to an Achilles tendon injury.

Karhan, who first played for Slovakia in 1995, has 13 goals in 96 appearances for his country. He currently plays for German club Mainz.

"There's a little tear which means I can't take part in the tournament," said Karhan, according to a report on FIFA's website. "I have a three-week break ahead of me and the World Cup begins in two weeks. So my withdrawal is final."

Slovakia plays New Zealand on June 15 in its World Cup opener, and also plays Italy and Paraguay in Group F.

Mexico are rampant against a weak Gambia

Manchester United-bound striker Javier Hernandez and Adolfo Bautista each netted twice as Mexico completed their FIFA World Cup™ preparations with a hansome win over Gambia in Bayreuth, Germany.

Having lost successive friendlies to England and the Netherlands, Mexico needed a morale-boosting result and delivered in emphatic fashion.

Gambia kept the deficit to 1-0 at half-time, Hernandez's 18th-minute opener the only goal, but there was a rush of activity in the second period.

Ebrima Bohna made it 3-1 after Hernandez's second and Bautista's first had swelled Mexico's advantage.

Alberton Medina wrapped things up nine minutes from time, shortly after Bautista completed his brace.

Chile beat Isreal 3-0 in World Cup warm up

Chile maintained their winning rhythm as they prepare for the World Cup finals after securing a 2-0 win over Israel, thanks a first half strike from Humberto Suazo and second half goals from Alexis Sanchez and Rodrigo Tello.

Following their 1-0 win over Northern Ireland in Chillan earlier on Sunday, Marcelo Bielsa's side made the journey west to Concepcion for their second friendly of the day as Bielsa fielded a far stronger lineup for the test from Luis Fernandez's side.
The hosts were always in control on a misty night at the Estadio Municipal de Concepcion and could have gone in front minutes before Suazo found the net.

The Zaragoza front man got through one on one with Dudu Aouate but the veteran goalkeeper did enough to claim the ball at Suazo's feet when a goal seemed certain.
Suazo did score two minutes later as Jorge Valdivia carved open the Israeli defence, placing an excellent ball into the path of the excellent Carlos Carmona down the right. Both Carmona and Suazo looked suspiciously offside but the Reggina man squared it to Suazo who made no mistake smashing it home from eight yards as Aouate tried in vain to block.

In a first half of few chances Jean Beausejour had a great opportunity to extend Chile's lead but opted to take a touch when it called for a first time shot as la Roja's players seemed to be queuing up to strike inside the Israeli penalty box.

At the other end, Claudio Bravo was merely a spectator as Israel failed to threaten. Auoate was called into action once again just before the interval making a smart one-handed save low to his right from Valdivia's well struck 25-yard free kick.

After the break the South Americans continued to probe with some promising build up play and their endeavours were rewarded five minutes in when Alexis Sanchez added to the brace he hit against Zambia by netting a fine solo effort.

Racing through the middle the Udinese striker was afforded too much time and space and made the Israeli's pay unleashing a low drive which sailed past the outstretched Aouate from 20 yards.

Both coaches made changes in the second half and while Chile continued to dominate Aouate was never really stretched until the final minute when Tello struck Chile's third, pouncing on a poor headed clearance to volley home from 22 yards to seal a convincing win.

The South Americans now have just one remaining warm-up game against New Zealand before taking on Honduras in their opening group game on June 16.

Nigeria claw back hard fought draw with Colombia

Technical Adviser Lars Lagerback made 10 changes to the side which turned out a forgettable 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia, as he sought to get a closer look at more of his squad.

The move looked to have backfired when Valdes took advantage of a poor clearance to crack home an unstoppable volley.

But the Nigerians refused to let their heads drop, and although they were giving the ball away in midfield, kept their heads, and more importantly, their calm.

Lagerback threw on Haruna Lukman in the second half, and it was the young Monaco midfielder who stabilised the central areas, and created danger with his passing.

It was no surprise then, that it was he who found a way to break down the South Americans.

Kalu Uche, who had also come in as a substitute, skinned his man down the right with an audacious flick of the inside of his boot and delivered a cross into the box.

Obafemi Martins chased down the ball and the clearance fell to Lukman, who stroked it in first time from 25 yards.

From then on, it was one-way traffic, with the Eagles in total control with their passing and movement. But Colombia had two good chances on the break, which Rabiu Afolabi did well to cut out.

Overall, it was a more pleasing display to both the fans, and the coaching staff, and Lukman, with this performance, would have forced Lagerback's hand.

Van Persie back for Holland with brace against Mexico

Robin van Persie was left enthused with his two-goal return for Holland in a 2-1 friendly win against Mexico in Germany last night, although it was later revealed he suffered tightness in his hamstrings. The 26-year-old Arsenal striker had not played for Holland since rupturing ankle ligaments in a friendly against Italy in November.

Van Persie only returned for Arsenal at the end of last season, but his double last night showed he should be fit and firing for the World Cup. Both goals came during a dominant first-half display, and while Van Persie was indebted to a pair of defence-splitting assists by midfield duo Rafael van der Vaart and Ibrahim Afellay, he converted both chances with unerring confidence.

"The assists of Van der Vaart and Afellay were both amazing," Van Persie said. "It wasn't too much of a problem to find the net after their great passes. This Dutch team really is of very high quality.

"We were quite impressive for the majority of the first half and we have shown what we're capable of. I've seen some very good attacks before the break. We were unable to keep up our good form after the interval, but that isn't too much of a problem. It was our first exhibition game so we are satisfied.

"We have trained very hard in the past couple of days and that showed in the second half."

Ivory Coast defense lets them down against Paraguay

Once again question marks will be raised about the Ivorian defence as they failed to show a disciplined defensive performance in their Praguay friendly yesterday.

Ivory Coast wasted a two-goal lead Sunday to draw 2-2 with Paraguay in a friendly that marked coach Sven-Goran Eriksson's first game in charge.

Didier Drogba netted with a 54th-minute free kick that was deflected by the Paraguay wall and deceived goalkeeper Justo Villar.

Substitute Soulemayne Bamba made it 2-0 in the 74th, arriving late at the far post to volley home a deep cross.

Paraguay substitute Lucas Barrios scored a minute later with a powerful low shot and Aureliano Torres then saw his free kick deflected into the Ivorians' net in the 89th.

Eriksson, who took England to the quarterfinals at the past two World Cups, was appointed in March to lead Ivory Coast in South Africa.

Superior Japan suffer unlucky loss to England.

Fabio Capello's preparation for the World Cup suffered a slight knock as England found themselves struggling against a rampant Japan.

England started sloppily and were punished after six minutes when Marcus Tulio Tanaka met Yasuhito Endo's corner and crashed the ball past David James.

Frank Lampard had a penalty saved before England levelled when Tanaka headed Joe Cole's cross in his own net.

And England stole the win when Yuji Nakazawa turned Ashley Cole's ball in.

England boss Fabio Capello will trim his squad from the provisional 30 to a 23-man World Cup party on Tuesday and after the match the Italian revealed he had made his mind up who would be selected - but would not share the information.

Sunday, 30 May 2010

Ghana announce 23-man squad

Bernard Kumordzie, goalkeeper Stephen Adams and midfielder Agyemang Badu were the other casualties from the 29-man squad released by the Serbian late on Saturday as the team prepared to hit Rotterdam for an international friendly against Holland on Tuesday.

Ghana’s Serbian coach settled on his final squad after five days of training in Paris and decided some of his big names were past it ahead for the campaign in South Africa.

The official squad made nonsense of the many rumoured lists that made the rounds in the media in the past weeks and is bound to shock many in the Ghana game too.

Laryea Kingston missed the 2006 World Cup through suspension and was desperate to put in a show in South Africa so much so that he run into trouble into his club side Hearts over his national team commitments.

Hamini Dramani and Eric Addo who both played in Ghana’s first World Cup seemed to have fallen on their poor showing for Ghana at the 2010 Nations Cup in Angola while Emmanuel Agyemang Badu lost out because of an injury he picked up towards the end of the Serie A season.

Rajevac kept faith with John Mensah despite the fact that he had done very little contact training with the squad all week after a season at Sunderland which was blighted by one injury after another. Also in is Quincy Owusu-Abeyie who last played for the Black Stars in Rajevac’s first game in charge back in September 2008.

The squad are now due to arrive in Rotterdam on Sunday ahead of their friendly meeting against Holland on Tuesday before travelling to England to play Latvia in Milton Keynes next Saturday.

Ghana kick off their World Cup campaign against Serbia in Pretoria on June 13 in Group D which also includes Germany and Australia.

Ghana Squad:

Goalkeepers: Richard Kingson, Daniel Agyei, Stephen Aholu

Defenders: John Paintsil, John Mensah, Samuel Inkoom, Hans Adu Sarpei, Rahim Ayew, Lee Addy, Isaac Vorsah, Jonathan Mensah

Midfielders: Kwadwo Asamoah, Anthony Annan, Sulley Muntari, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, Stephen Appiah, Andre Ayew, Derek Boateng

Attackers: Asamoah Gyan, Prince Tagoe, Dominic Adiyiah, Mathew Amoah

Sven Eriksson says progress from Group of Death possible

Ivory Coast manager Sven-Goran Eriksson believes that his team are capable of progressing from the World Cup’s ‘Group of Death.’ Eriksson took charge of the Ivory Coast team on March 28, replacing Vahid Halilhodzic after a poor African Nations Cup performance.

The former England manager has been leading him team at their training camp in Switzerland and will manage his first match with the Ivory Coast on Sunday when the Elephants take on fellow World Cup participants Paraguay.

Despite being placed into a group with Portugal, Brazil and North Korea, Eriksson is confident that his squad can progress to the knockout stages in South Africa.

"We know that we are in a very difficult group, but I really believe we have a good chance to move on," Eriksson told Swedish newspaper Sportbladet.

"It is a golden opportunity (for an African nation) to go far in the World Cup in Africa."

The 62-year-old thinks that the Ivory Coast have a strong and unique team that can overcome the fact that he has only been with the squad a short time.

"The time is short, yes. But I cannot do anything about it. It is up to us leaders and players to form a team on and off the field. And I think we are going the right way. (The squad has) a combination of technique, speed, and many of them are so incredibly physically strong. It is a very interesting team. I have never had a team with that combination before."

Eriksson, who led England to the quarter-finals in 2002 and 2006 World Cups, considers the task of leading Ivory Coast a more difficult assignment.

"This is perhaps a greater challenge, although there was a big challenge with England also," he said.

"It feels wonderful in every case. I know we have a good team and going into a World Cup is more than wonderful.

Japan face tough test against England today.

For England's Manager Fabio Capello it is the last in a series of positive warm up games, but for his Japanese opposite number Takeshi Okada it is another in a what has been a tough warm up series.

Following a poor show by Japan in a 2-0 defeat to arch rivals South Korea in a friendly match on 24 May, Japanese coach Takeshi Okada is now under pressure. He was severely criticized by Japanese media, but Motoaki Inukai, the president of Japan Football Association, asked the coach to continue his job till the world cup 2010.

The upcoming friendly match against England is now seen as a big challenge for Japanese coach who could have been sacked following Japan’s defeat to South Korea unless there was world cup coming up next. Japan will face England on 30 May 2010 in Austria.

South Korea dominated over Japan throughout the match with captain Park Ji-Sung and Park Chu-Young scoring for the visitors. Japanese media reacted very strongly blaming the coach’s irresponsibility.

On Tuesday, England clinched a 3-1 victory over Mexico at the Wembley stadium in London, but the Three Lions were not as impressive as the score line may suggest. Mexico, in fact, outperformed England in terms of ball possession.

However, England striker Wayne Rooney has assured that they would come back strongly against Japan. Captain Rio Ferdinand also voiced the same. English players would like to give their best against Japan as this is apparently their last chance to claim a place in the final 23-man squad.

So, Japan can expect a more determined England with the players looking to impress coach Fabio Capello. As a result, Takeshi Okada and his team may face tougher challenge from England than what they experience against South Korea at home.

Capello ready to wait on injured Gareth Barry

Fabio Capello has said he is ready to take a risk on Gareth Barry despite the mid fielders injury.

Fabio Capello is prepared to wait until the last possible moment before deciding whether to include Gareth Barry in his final squad for the World Cup after a scan on his ankle injury yesterday proved inconclusive.

Capello had expected the examination to yield a definitive verdict, but the specialist indicated that it was too early to say whether the Manchester City midfield player’s injury would heal in time for him to play a significant role in the finals.

Barry, who has started 19 of Capello’s 23 games in charge, will be given as
long as possible to prove his fitness before the England manager names his final 23-man squad next Tuesday. The 29-year-old has undergone oxygen treatment, injections and soft-tissue massage in the hope of accelerating his recovery since he suffered the injury to his right ankle in City’s penultimate game of the Barclays Premier League season, at home to Tottenham Hotspur on May 5, but so far his only running has been on a water treadmill.

Barry will not join the rest of the England squad when they fly back to Irdning, Austria, today for the second part of their training camp. He will be assessed again in London at the weekend, with Capello looking for reassurances that, even if the player is not fit in time to feature in the opening game against the United States on June 12, he can play some part in the remaining group matches.

Franco Baldini, the England general manager, was in Hartford, Connecticut, to watch the United States in their warm-up match last night against the Czech Republic. A member of Capello’s staff will watch Algeria, another of England’s group opponents, when they play Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.

Capello has still to determine David Beckham’s role in South Africa. Beckham,
the former captain, was invited to stay with the squad after being ruled out of the tournament with an Achilles tendon injury in March, but he will not link up with the team until they depart for the tournament on June 2.

Germany beat Hungary 3-0 in impressive win

The German steam roller presses on as they notch up another comprehensive win, this time against Hungary.

Despite resting the four players that started Bayern Munich's UEFA Champions League defeat to Inter Milan, Germany dominated throughout in Budapest.

Lukas Podolski opened the scoring from the penalty spot after just four minutes and only a string of saves from Gabor Kiraly prevented Germany from leading by a greater margin at the break.

Mario Gomez and Cacau then struck in the second half to seal a comfortable victory for Joachim Low's side.

Podolski, who scored just twice for Cologne in the Bundesliga this season, showed how he transforms when he pulls on a Germany shirt as he tested Kiraly with a powerful drive in the third minute.

The Hungary goalkeeper was in for a busy night and he passed his first test by tipping the ball over, but he was let down by his team-mates from the resultant corner when Sandor Torghelle pulled down Per Mertesacker inside the penalty area.

Podolski stepped up to place his penalty into the top corner to give Low's side the lead.

A good combination between Mesut Ozil and Piotr Trochowski led to a shot from the former being saved by Kiraly, who denied the Werder Bremen winger again moments later.

Kiraly made further saves to thwart Miroslav Klose and Ozil again as Hungary held on desperately until half-time.

Low made several changes to his side at the break and one of his substitutes

Gomez scored with practically his first touch of the match.

He was sent through by another substitute, Marko Marin, and managed to just poke the ball into the bottom corner as Kiraly raced from his line in the 69th minute.

Gomez was on target five times in a midweek 24-0 victory over a local amateur team in Germany's training camp in Sudtirol and showed he is desperate not to be one of the two names dropped by Low to form his final 23-man squad next Tuesday as he set up the third.

His pass sent Cacau through and the Stuttgart striker rounded Kiraly before placing the ball into the empty net to boost his chances of boarding the flight to South Africa.

And Low's task in trimming his squad will be made all the harder after Marcell Jansen, Marin, Trochowski and debutant Holger Badstuber all made good impressions.

USA 2 - Turkey 1

USA gain valuable win over turkey in their last friendly before leaving for South Africa.

USA eventually gave Philadelphia the farewell party it demanded and, in the second half at least, something for Fabio Capello to ponder.

But America must know that if they play as they did in the opening half, the champagne corks popping in Rustenburg will bear an English stamp.

A crowd of more than 50,000 gathered at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field to wish the USA safe passage to the World Cup.

With the barbecues fired and the beer flowing in the vast car parks it was all going so well until the referee blew his whistle. Thereafter Turkey went through their short-passing, quick-footed repertoire to leave American coach Bob Bradley with serious remedial work to do at half time.

The opening goal followed a blueprint available to Capello. Whipps Cross-born Colin Kazim-Richardson sliced open a pedestrian defence to set Arda Turan away in acres of space down the left, the kind of room Aaron Lennon or Theo Walcott will relish if offered in Rustenburg. Turan survived a scissored challenge from two defenders to crack the ball past Tim Howard in goal.

The same defence shortcomings exposed on Tuesday night during the 4-2 defeat to the Czech Republic were evident here. AC Milan stopper Oguchi Onyewu failed to make the starting line-up again following the patellar tendon rupture suffered last October. Carlos Bocanegra, who had minor surgery to correct a hernia three weeks ago, filled in at left back with Jay DeMerit and Clarence Goodson forming a flat-footed pairing at centre-back.

West Ham’s Jonathan Spector was routinely outpaced at right back, offering Capello potentially rich rewards down the left. The one threat presented in the first half came from Jozy Altidore, whose cross after breaking into the box down the right, narrowly escaped the outstretched boot of Landon Donovan.

The introduction of Jose Torres and Robbie Findlay after the break produced significant forward thrust. Guus Hiddink’s team were hardly busting a gut to defend their lead and as the hour approached the Americans found a way to release Donovan, who disguised his pass beautifully to pick out the advancing Altidore.

Not oven Altidore, who failed to score in 25 successive games for Hull, could miss that cherry. What little interest Turkey retained evaporated allowing Clint Dempsey to add a second and clip a post with the cake there to be iced in the closing minutes.

Serbian fans riot after New Zealand loss

Serbia lost 1-0 to New Zealand in a friendly played in Austria. The result would be of the concern to Serbian fans and a big boost to New Zealand's.

Serbia's stand-in captain Nemanja Vidic had to appeal for calm over the microphone as his country's fans rioted during the second-half of a 1-0 World Cup warm-up defeat by New Zealand yesterday. Around 10,000 Serbia fans, mostly expatriates living in Austria, attended the match and trouble erupted in the second half when they threw burning flares, bottles and missiles on to the pitch.

Several invaded the pitch and had to be dragged away by security before Manchester United's Vidic stepped in to urge calm as the match officials and New Zealand's players were getting ready to walk off. The match was held up for several minutes before restarting.

The ugly scenes compounded a miserable afternoon for Serbia with New Zealand's Shane Smeltz scoring the only goal in the 22nd minute.

Spain struggle to beat Saudi Arabia

World Cup favourites Spain put up a less than inspiring performance as they struggled to beat Saudi Arabia in the World Cup warm up match.

European champion Spain scrambled a 3-2 victory over modest Saudi Arabia in a World Cup warmup game on Saturday

A strong Spanish lineup fell behind to the Saudis and, despite goals by David Villa and Xabi Alonso, was being held 2-2 in the final stages until Fernando Llorente headed the winner in injury time.

Algeria have a lot of work to do after Irish defeat

Algeria has to go back to the drawing board after suffering a heavy 3-0 defeat to Ireland in their latest friendly.

The euphoria of qualifying at the expense of bitter rivals Egypt has now turned into a cold reality for the Desert Foxes.

There is serious work to be done if they want to prevent their stay in South Africa from being a brief and painful one.

Saadane's decision to delay his team's first World Cup warm-up until just a fortnight before kick-off now appears to have been misguided as his team looked rusty and disorganised in Dublin.

And the coach acknowledged afterwards that his team has much to do to avoid defeat in South Africa, not least at the hands of England, and improve on their abject performance against an Irish side who have not qualified for the World Cup.

Thursday, 27 May 2010

Germany beat local side by a whopping 24-0

Say what you like about the Germans but one think you can't say is that they are not ruthlessly efficient as a young Italian side found out.

Germany smashed a whopping 24 goals without reply against amateur side Eppan at their pre-World Cup training camp in Sudtirol, Northern Italy.

Bayern Munich strikers Miroslav Klose and Mario Gomez scored five goals each on their playing return from Champions League final duty, while fellow forwards Cacau and Stefan Kiessling scored two apiece and Cologne’s Lukas Podolski was also on target.

In midfield, Hamburg’s Piotr Trochowski grabbed a hat-trick, Andreas Beck and Toni Kroos each hit a brace, while Arne Friedrich and Sami Khedira also scored.

Michael Essien ruled out of World Cup

Ghana's chances at the World Cup suffered a huge blow as the talismanic midfielder has been ruled out of the World Cup.

The 27-year-old Chelsea and Ghana midfield player missed a large part of the season due to knee and ankle injuries and has hardly played any competitive football since December.

Milovan Rajevac, the Ghana coach, had hoped Essien would be passed fit for the tournament in South Africa this summer, but the Ghana Football Association today announced he was not expected to be back in action until the end of July.

“An evaluation by a combined team of medical experts from the Ghana Football Association and Chelsea Football Club revealed that Essien will not make full recovery until the end of July,” a statement read.

Diego Forlan and Sebastian Abreu punish Israel

Uruguay romped home with a 4-1 win over Israel as their preparation for the World Cup next month moves into top gear.

Uruguay gave themselves a boost when they overcame an inexperienced Israel side 4-1 during a practice match at Montevideo. Coach Oscar Tabarez was delighted with the performance of strikers Diego Forlan and Sebastian Abreu (scorer in 75th and 81st min.) Another came from Alvaro Pereira, converting an assist by midfield playmaker “Nacho” Gonzalez on 37.

Chile whip Zambia 3-0 in World Cup preparation

Substitute Alexis Sanchez scored a second half brace as Chile beat Zambia 3-0 in an international friendly game played at Calama’s Estadio Municipal.

Zambia started the match strongly clad in the new copper strip with both William Nobvu and Hichani Himonde testing Chilean goalkeeper from long range before Kalililo Kakonje made a great save to deny Marcelo Bielsa’s side.

Zambia saw two players booked in a space of six minutes. Firstly, Felix Katongo was booked for a late challenge on a Chilean player in the 21st minute and then Rainford Kalaba who was playing his first competitive match since the Nigeria game in Angola entered the referee’s entered the referee’s book for a similar offence.

World Cup favourites Brazil arrive in South Africa

The World Cup is definitely ready to kick as favourites Brazil arrived today.

Brazil arrived in Johannesburg on Thursday to embark on a journey they hope will take them to a record sixth World Cup title.

Usually hot pre-tournament favourites wherever the quadrennial international football showcase is staged, Brazil have been downgraded by many bookmakers to second spot behind European champions Spain.

A crisp, clear dawn in the South African economic hub greeted the South Americans, who flew from Brasilia having been given an official send-off by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Landing 12 hours after the Australia's team the Socceroos became the first qualifiers to reach South Africa, Brazil followed the same procedure of restricted assess to select TV crews and photographers and no interviews.

Australia's Socceroos are the first team to land in South Africa

Australia national team the Socceroos are the first of the World Cup teams to arrive in South Africa. the 30 man squad touched down on Wednesday at Johannesburg's international airport.

The 'Socceroos', in Group D with Germany, Ghana and Serbia, boarded a luxury coach for the trip to a hotel in the elite northern Sandton suburb and will start training Thursday at a college in another upmarket area of the South African economic capital.

Australia have lined up friendlies against Denmark on June 1 and the United States on June 5 in Roodepoort on the western outskirts of Johannesburg.

Thursday, 13 May 2010

Indomitable Lions 30 man squad.

Cameroon names World Cup squad and includes veterans Rigobert Song and Geremi Njitap.

French coach Paul Le Guen has found places for veterans Rigobert Song and ex-Chelsea midfielder Geremi Njitap.

Cameroon will play in Group E in South Africa alongside Denmark, Japan and The Netherlands.

Bassong's Tottenham team-mate Bennoit Assou Ekotto is also included in the squad after missing the Nations Cup in Angola with an injury.

But Burnley's Andre Bikey has been left out of the line-up.

Coach Le Guen is also giving an opportunity to two home-based players John Patrick Abouna Ndzana of Stars FC Yaounde and Patrick Mevoungou of Canon Sportif.

Other notable inclusions are Samuel Eto'o of Inter Milan and Arsenal midfielder Alexander Song.

The Indomitable Lions kick off their World Cup campaign on 14 June against Japan.

Cameroon squad:

Goalkeepers: Guy Roland N'Dy Assembe (Valenciennes), Idriss Carlos Kameni (Espanyol), Hamidou Souleymanou (Kayserispor), Patrick Tignyemb (Bloemfontein Celtic)

Defenders: Patrick Abouna (Astres Douala), Benoit Assou Ekotto (Tottenham Hotspur), Sebastien Bassong (Tottenham Hotspur), Gaetan Bong (Valenciennes), Aurelien Chedjou (Lille), Geremi (Ankaragucu), Boukar Makadji (Al Nahdha), Nicolas Nkoulou (Monaco), Rigobert Song (Trabzonspor)

Midfielders: Achille Emana (Real Betis), Enoh Eyong (Ajax Amsterdam), Jean Makoun (Olympique Lyon), Georges Mandjeck (Kaiserslautern), Joel Matip (Schalke 04), Patrick Mevoungou (Canon Yaounde), Marcel Ndjeng (Augsburg), Landry Nguemo (Celtic), Alexandre Song (Arsenal)

Forwards: Vincent Aboubakar (Coton Sport), Eric Choupo-Mating (Nuremburg), Stephane Mbia (Marseille, France), Samuel Eto'o (Inter Milan), Mohamadou Idrissou (Freiburg), Dorge Kouemaha (Club Bruges), Achille Webo (Real Mallorca), Jacques Zoua (Basle)

Nigeria names 30 man provisional World Cup squad

Nigeria's new coach Lars Lagerback has named a 30 man provisional squad for the World Cup in June.

The Super Eagles squad was named by coach Lars Lagerback in the capital, Abuja, on Monday.

Fit-again Everton striker Victor Anichebe has been recalled along with John Utaka, the Portsmouth forward who was left out of the Nations Cup.

Lukman Haruna, the under-17 World Cup-winning captain in 2007, has also made the cut.

This is Lagerback's first Nigerian squad since taking over from Shaibu Amodu who was sacked after leading to third place at the Nations Cup in Angola in January.

Nigeria play Argentina, Greece and South Korea in Group B of the World Cup.

Two locally-based players - goalkeeper Akpan Bassey and defender Terna Suswan - are named in the squad, which will delight fans who had called for the inclusion of some players from the 2010 West African (Wafu) Cup team.

Assistant coach Austin Eguavoen defended Lagerback's first selection.

"We have travelled and have monitored our players for the last two months and we must admit it was not easy, but we have chosen players who give us options everywhere," Eguavoen told BBC Sport.

"There have been injury concerns as well as other issues but from defence to attack we have chosen carefully.

"This is a team the people of Nigeria can be proud of."

Nigeria squad:

Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Hapoel Tel Aviv, Israel), Dele Aiyenugba (Bnei Yehuda, Israel), Austin Ejide (Hapoel Petah Tikva, Israel), Bassey Akpan (Bayelsa United, Nigeria)

Defenders: Taye Taiwo (Marseille, France), Elderson Echiejile (Rennes, France), Chidi Odiah (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Onyekachi Apam (OG Nice, France), Joseph Yobo (Everton, England), Daniel Shittu (Bolton Wanderers, England), Ayodele Adeleye (Sparta Rotterdam, Netherlands), Rabiu Afolabi (SV Salzburg, Austria), Terna Suswan (Lobi Stars, Nigeria)

Midfielders: Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany), John Utaka (Portsmouth, England), Brown Ideye (FC Sochaux, France), Peter Utaka (Odense Boldklub, Denmark), , Kalu Uche (Almeria, Spain), Dickson Etuhu (Fulham, England), John Mikel Obi (Chelsea, England), Sani Kaita (Alaniya, Russia), Haruna Lukman (AS Monaco, France), Yusuf Ayila (Dynamo Kiev, Ukraine), Osaze Odemwingie (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia)