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Neville has USA warning for England

Everton skipper Phil Neville has warned England to beware their Group C rivals USA at the World Cup. Neville has been highly impressed with Toffees’ American duo Tim Howard and Landon Donovan at Goodison Park this term and believes England will be in for a tough time in their first group game in South Africa.

The 33-year-old revealed how USA coach Bob Bradley recently attended an Everton training session. He said: “A week last Friday, the American manager was in watching us train and we had a lot of banter with him.

“Obviously the American lads were playing it down a little bit but the rest were giving me pelters saying that Fabio Capello was coming in next week to watch us train. It was good-natured banter which is what football’s all about.

“If the two boys we’ve got here are the benchmark of the quality in the squad, then the US are going to have a very strong side in South Africa, so England had better
beware.

“Tim’s been consistently one of the best keepers in the Premiership and Landon over the last two months has taken to the Premier League like a duck to water.

“You’d think coming from the MLS it would take him time to settle in but he’s been fantastic. The last two games have probably been his biggest tests playing against
top quality full-backs and he’s been outstanding for us.”

Neville, who missed out on a place in the England squad for the 2006 World Cup, has 59 full caps but he is unlikely to add to those in the summer even with Ashley Cole currently injured and Wayne Bridge making himself unavailable. Neville’s Everton team-mate Leighton Baines is in contention though and could get a run-out in England’s Wembley friendly with Egypt next week.

Anyone who wants to place a World Cup 2010 bet on USA beating England can get odds of around 5/1.

Meanwhile, pundits are keeping an eye on the Cheltenham Festival weather. Too much rain could make the ground unsuitable for Gold Cup favourite Kauto Star.

Nigeria Set To Hold Talks With Two Former England Managers

Former England managers Glenn Hoddle and Sven Goran Eriksson are in Nigeria for final interviews to take over as coach of the Super Eagles.

Hoddle, now 52, who has managed several club sides including Chelsea and Tottenham, would be unlikely to accept the job long-term as he has told that he has turned down more than 15 job offers in the past year to continue with his own project.

Hoddle runs an academy in the south of Spain designed to give young players who have been released by clubs in England a new chance to make a career in the professional game. Nonetheless, he may be persuaded to take charge of Nigeria for the World Cup finals.

Eriksson, 62, has experience at international level from his five years with England and during a brief stint with Mexico from 2008 to 2009, and Nigeria believe he possesses the credentials needed in South Africa. Eriksson is understood to be extremely interested in the prospect of coaching Nigeria at this summer’s World Cup finals.

Eriksson, though, is the more realistic target as he now has no other commitments having left his role as director of football at League Two side Notts County this month following the club’s takeover.

The NFF has had to move fast to find a successor to give them as much time as possible to prepare for this summer’s World Cup in South Africa.

“We can confidently say that the new man will be announced from these names,” said the NFF’s Ademola Olajire.
Nigeria have been without a coach since Shaibu Amodu was sacked shortly after his side’s disappointing Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Angola.

And according to the NFF, the new coach will be announced on Sunday.

“That top coaches are already here in Nigeria for an interview is a pointer to the fact that we are almost there,” spokesman Olajire continued.

“Names alone cannot guarantee success so therefore the technical committee wants someone who can bring what fans, media, football house and the world expect of our team.”

Nigeria are searching for a new head coach after Shaibu Amodu was relieved of the position following a disappointing showing during the African Nations Cup in January.

England Without First Choice Left Backs As Bridge Decides To Quit

Wayne Bridge has decided to make himself unavailable for international selection after releasing a short statement to address the issue on Thursday morning. Bridge claims his presence would be “untenable and potentially divisive”.

And with first-choice left-back Ashley Cole suffering from a long-term ankle injury, Fabio Capello will be without both of his usual left-backs for Wednesday’s friendly with Egypt.

The move comes following stories of an alleged relationship between Bridge’s former partner and Chelsea’s captain John Terry.

Shortly after the news, Capello stripped Terry of the England captaincy. Capello had hoped, earlier this week, that Bridge would take the chance to play at the World Cup.

However, the 29-year-old feels compelled to call it a day on his international career, wishing his England teammates the best of luck ahead of this summer’s World Cup.

Here is Wayne Bridge’s full statement:

“I have thought long and hard about my position in the England football team in the light of the reporting and events over the last few weeks.

“It has always been an honour to play for England. However, after careful thought I believe my position in the squad is now untenable and potentially divisive.

“Sadly therefore I feel for the sake of the team and in order to avoid what will be inevitable distractions, I have decided not to put myself forward for selection.

“I have today informed the management of this decision. I wish the team all the very best in South Africa.”

Rooney Key Man for England’s 2010 World Cup Hopes

Who is England’s best player? At least nine out of ten people would surely answer Wayne Rooney and it is very hard to make a case for England at the World Cup 2010 without their star man. If any evidence was needed that Rooney has improved yet again this season it is his two headed goals against AC Milan as heading was previously his weakest point.

Wayne Rooney already has big tournament experience despite still being relatively young, he burst onto the International scene with a great performance at Euro 2004 but he got injured against Portugal and England ended up going out. At the 2006 World Cup things were looking good for England until, you guessed it, Wayne Rooney got sent off against old friends Portugal and England crashed it. It is simply as if England cannot win without the Man Utd striker.

No surprise really that so many people are backing Wayne Rooney to be the World Cup Golden Boot as a good tournament for Wayne Rooney means a good tournament for England yet the Wayne Rooney Golden Boot Odds are around three times as high as the England World Cup Odds. Which bet would you make at this stage?

Of course England have plenty of other good players but they are very much the foundations that allow Wayne Rooney to express himself. The likes of Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and even Aaron Lennon if he plays will all be expected to give the ball to Rooney as much as possible and so strong is Wayne Rooney’s influence that his striker partner, who remains unknown, will probably be picked on the basis of who brings out the best in Wayne Rooney.

Capello To Take Hard Line On Bad Behaviour

England manager Fabio Capello warned his World Cup squad Tuesday that players with high-profile personal problems could be left behind.

Capello, who stripped John Terry of the England captaincy earlier this month over a private affair that snowballed into a tabloid scandal, said he planned to talk to the players about the matter prior to the event.

“The players have to understand what I want,” he said “If they want to stay in the squad then they will have to listen. I need to create a group feeling in the squad and the most important part is that we speak about it before.”

Capello was among a group of World Cup coaches visiting South Africa just over 100 days before the June 11-July 11 World Cup starts.

He toured Royal Bafokeng Sports Campus near Rustenburg, which has been confirmed as the England training camp.

Media reports have been critical of the camp, saying that construction work on the hotel was behind schedule, pitches were sub-standard and infrastructure poor.

But Capello said that he was pleased with the progress that had been made since a previous visit.

“Surprisingly the level of the pitches had improved because when we stayed here the last time they were terrible,” he said.

“The first pitches are okay but the ones behind the hotel need some work. We decided to bring English people over to try and improve them and that seems to have worked.”

FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke promised the England training camp would be completed in time and would be up to FIFA standards.

“I’m not trying to defend it but at least they will be able to stay there – everything is working there already,” he said. “If the road to the hotel is not great then so what?

“At this stage, we cannot play at Soccer City (the main World Cup stadium) because it is not ready – we have 108 days to go and even if we have to stay awake all day and night to make sure it is.”

Hosts South Africa are still looking for a training camp, much to the frustration of coach Carlos Alberto Parreira.

“When I came here no one told me that there wasn’t going a base camp,” said the Brazilian.

“The logistics were not implemented at where we were meant to stay and normally as World Cup hosts we should have the best place available. If you ask me where it went wrong, I can’t tell you.”

Nineteen of the 32 World Cup coaches have been at Sun City for two days to discuss arrangements for the tournament. Chief Executive of the Local Organising Committee Danny Jordaan promised them a successful tournament.

“All of the stadiums are complete, notwithstanding speculation that they would not be ready. They are simply the best in the world. We’re still on track to deliver a wonderful World Cup.”

However Valcke admitted that tickets remain unsold. He said that FIFA was looking at ways to sell more tickets in the cheapest category.

“The situation in the world is difficult and the prices are starting to come down.” he said. “But we will not be giving any complimentary tickets away for free. The campaigns are working well and we are trying our best to bring people to South Africa.”

Serbia 2010: will the White Eagles fly

Four months out from kick off in Pretoria, the hopes of coach Radomir Antic, “my ambitions are much bigger than qualification” look to be shaky.

After an impressive qualification campaign for the White Eagles, the world cup draw and problems facing the squad have since deflated ambitions. 

After being drawn once more in the world cup “group of death” along with Germany , Ghana and Australia, the key players seem to not be playing regular football. 

Antic’s prefered formation of 4-4-2 is based on a familair spine of 5 players, most of which are having problems with their club sides.  Can he confidently pick his best side or will he be hampered by the club form of his stars?

Vladmoir Stojkovic, the number one goalkeeper is currently on load at Wigan Athletic.  He joined Sporting Club in 2007 but due to poor form he fell out of favour quickly and has seen limited action at club level since.  He does hold 29 caps and is the first choice keeper in the squad, having played 8 out of 10 qualifiers, and travelled to Germany with the squad in 2006.

Namanja Vidic, when fit, has been a regular over the last 5 years in the side.  With 44 caps to his name he was part of the famous four defence that qualified for the last tournament in 2006.  Due to a knee injury sustained in the build up to the tournament the team missed his physical presence in defence conceding 10 goals in 3 games, crashing out with 3 defeats.  He has not featured for Manchester United since the 30th December with an injury that the FSS are still seeking clarity on.

The leader of the team is 85 times capped Dejan Stankovic.  He is ready to return from a 5 week absence due to a knee injury with Internazionale.  He has been in fine form this season with the Serie A club and is the man that makes the Serbs tick.  When Stankovic plays they do not lose.  In what will be his third and possibly final World Cup appearance a lot will be expected from the captain.

The main attcaking threat remains 6’8” striker, Nikola Zigic.  With 13 goals in 41 games, Zigic is Antic’s leader of the line when playing 4-4-2 or the more reserved 4-5-1.  At the last World Cup he was back up to the more experienced Milosovic and Kesman, featuring only in the final group game against Ivory Coast when he scored the opening goal of the game.  His club career has been mixed since 2006 from highs with Racing Santander to the lows of Valencia, where he is currently suspended after moking his club coach whilst on the subs bench.

The player giving Antic the least worry must be the flying winger, Milos Krasic who is currently with CSKA Moscow.  A much coveted player who has been recently linked with moves to Manchester United, Milan and Bayern Munich.  With the Russian season running March to November, he has enjoyed a close season break over the winter and will be well rested when the new Russian season start on 12 March.

He played in all 10 qualifiers, the only member of the squad to do so,  scoring twice and was given the Golden Ball by the FSS, for 2009 as the best Serbian footballer.

The 3rd of March sees the White Eagles head to Algiers to face Algeria in a friendly game as part of final preparations before the World Cup and will give Antic the chance to spend some much needed time with his squad.

Irish Call Up Young Guns For Friendly

Ireland have named three uncapped players in their squad for next week’s friendly against Brazil, including Scots-born Wigan midfielder James McCarthy.

McCarthy, who last month turned down the chance to pledge his allegiance to the country of his birth, joins another 19-year-old, Manchester City defender Greg Cunningham, and Portsmouth defender Marc Wilson in the 23-man squad for the friendly at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium in London.

It will be Ireland’s first outing since Thierry Henry’s infamous handball contributed to their defeat in a World Cup play-off against France.

Notable absentees include Manchester United defender John O’Shea, who is still suffering from a leg injury he sustained against France, Celtic defender Darren O’Dea and Hibernian duo Liam Miller and Anthony Stokes.

Ireland’s head coach, Giovanni Trapattoni, said he was looking forward to putting the disappointment of missing out on the World Cup behind him and his squad.

“The priority now is to build on the progress made during the last campaign and prepare ourselves over the coming months mentally and tactically for an important Euro campaign,” the veteran Italian said.

Ireland squad

Goalkeepers: Shay Given (Manchester City/ENG), Keiren Westwood (Coventry/ENG), Joe Murphy (Scunthorpe/ENG)

Defenders: Richard Dunne (Aston Villa/ENG), Stephen Kelly (Fulham/ENG), Kevin Kilbane (Hull/ENG), Kevin Foley (Wolves/ENG), Sean St Ledger (Preston/ENG), Paul McShane (Hull/ENG), Marc Wilson (Portsmouth/ENG), Greg Cunningham (Manchester City/ENG)

Midfielders: Aiden McGeady (Celtic/SCO), Damien Duff (Fulham/ENG), Darron Gibson (Manchester United/ENG), Glenn Whelan (Stoke/ENG), Keith Andrews (Blackburn/ENG), Stephen Hunt (Hull/ENG), Liam Lawrence (Stoke/ENG), James McCarthy (Wigan/ENG)

Forwards: Kevin Doyle (Wolves/ENG), Robbie Keane (Tottenham/ENG), Shane Long (Reading/ENG), Leon Best (Newcastle/ENG)

Number Of Cheap World Cup Seats Increased By Fifa

World football body FIFA said on Saturday it has increased the number of cheapest World Cup tickets to get more South Africans into stadiums at Africa’s first World Cup during June and July.

According to the Johannesburg Saturday Star, FIFA slashed the price of at least 30 percent of category 2 and 3 tickets, which cost up to 840 rand (110 dollars/ 80 euros), to 140 rand.

“We made clear right from the start of ticketing that we aim to increase the number of Cat (category) 4 tickets to up to 20 percent,” FIFA said in a statement on Saturday.

“This does not affect the already sold tickets.”

FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke said this week that the football body was targeting 20 percent ticket sales to South Africans.

“We will increase the number of category four tickets because we cannot have a situation where the FIFA World Cup is in South Africa and people cannot see matches,” said Valcke.

FIFA on Saturday said the recategorisation meant that more tickets will be allocated to the cheapest category out of the seats currently available.

“It is not about dropping prices. The prices are not touched. The price for category 4 start at R140 for group games,” the organisation said.

“How many it will be is still to be decided in details.”

A total of 2.1 million tickets of 2.9 available have been sold for the tournament with seats at only 24 of 64 fixtures remaining.

South Africans have bought 898,170 tickets, followed by 121,190 in the United States and 98,056 in the United Kingdom.

Local fans had expressed unhappiness about the high cost of tickets and the rigid online application process, which has resulted in low sales in the country.

FIFA chief Sepp Blatter said this week he was worried ticket prices were scaring away fans for the world’s most watched sporting event and asked tour operators to cut costs to help fill South African stadiums.

Qatar Bid For 2022 World Cup Supported By Guardiola

Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola said on Thursday he had become an ambassador for Qatar’s bid to become the first country in the Middle East to host the World Cup in 2022.

“I am here to inform you that I have reached an agreement to be an ambassador for Qatar’s candidacy to host the 2022 World Cup. My support stems basically from the fact that I lived there,” he told a news conference.

“They really insisted and since they treated me and my family well, I decided to accept the proposal.”

The 39-year-old, who played for Qatar’s Al Ahli between 2003 and 2005, also said he hoped Spain and Portugal’s joint bid to host the 2018 World Cup would succeed.

As an ambassador, Guardiola will attend events to voice his support for Qatar’s World Cup ambitions, as well as giving leaders of the bid technical advice on staging the world’s biggest tournament.

“Everywhere he goes, Josep will bring across our message that a World Cup in Qatar in 2022 will give sporting hope to millions of children across the Middle East,” said Qatar’s bid committee CEO, Hassan Abdulla Al Thawadi.

Australia, England, Indonesia, Japan, Netherlands/Belgium, Russia and Spain/Portugal have bid to host both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, while Qatar and South Korea are bidding just to host the event in 2022.

England and Spain/Portugal are viewed as the leading contenders for 2018, while the United States, hosts in 1994, are seen as a top candidate for 2022.

A World Cup in Qatar would be the first global sporting event ever to be hosted in the Middle East.

Gerets To Take Over As Ivory Coast Coach

Former Belgian defender Eric Gerets is set to take over as coach of World Cup qualifiers Ivory Coast, local newspapers reported Friday.

Officials from the Ivory Coast Football Federation and an agent for Gerets met in Paris on Wednesday to discuss the terms of a contract, the reports said.

Ivory Coast fired their current coach, the Bosnian former Yugoslav international Vahid Halilhodzic, after their nightmare at the Africa Cup of Nations in Angola last month.

The pre-tournament favourites were eliminated 3-2 by Algeria in the quarter-finals.

The federation declined to confirm whether an approach had been made to Gerets, 55, who quit as coach of French side Marseille in May last year to join Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia.

Gerets won 86 caps with Belgium and helped them to the 1986 World Cup semi-finals. He also won the then European Cup in 1988 with PSV Eindhoven.

Ivory Coast line up with Brazil, North Korea and Portugal in Group G of the June 11 to July 11 World Cup, with their opening game against the Portuguese on June 14.

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