‘Our fans can be really excited’: Leppitsch

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

BRISBANE coach Justin Leppitsch labelled the second quarter the best under his watch as the Lions stunned the struggling Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium to climb off the bottom of the ladder.

Brisbane rattled home 7.5 to 2.2 in the second term to surge 27 points clear as the outside brilliance of the self-proclaimed 'mozzies' — Dayne Zorko, Lewy Taylor and Josh Green — cut the Dogs to shreds.

MATCH: DOGS LEFT TO RUE AS LIONS POUNCE

ANALYSIS: DOGS' QUICK DESCENT TO ALSO-RANS

But Leppitsch said he was glad the match didn't go for much longer as Brisbane lost composure amid fatigue to hold on for an eight-point victory.

Daniel Merrett was a constant presence all night up forward. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

The win was the Lions second on the trot and they will now host GWS as favourites for the first time since last year.

On the run and carry of his speedy trio, Leppitsch said: "We have a weapon I think and one that'll be around for a long period of time.

"Our fans can be really excited. It's a terrific strength we've got, hopefully we can maximise it every week and they can all contribute like they did tonight."

Dayne Zorko's pace was electric during the second quarter. Picture: Tim Carrafa Source: News Corp Australia

Zorko collected nine second-quarter disposals and sparked a sizzling counter-attack when he combined with Taylor who delivered a bullet pass to Marco Paparone.

The young forward kicked truly to sting the Dogs, while ageing superstar Jonathan Brown booted 2.2 and took an important defensive mark in the last term.

"He was great. He's been really important for us, Browny," Leppitsch said.

Stefan Martin and Josh Green celebrate the Lions' third win of 2014. Picture: Tim Carrafa Source: News Corp Australia

"There's no doubt (and) I've said it 100 times he provides a target for us and allows Zorko, Green and Taylor and our high forwards to get into the game."

Just 33 games ago the Dogs smashed the Lions — NAB Cup champions — by 68 points at Etihad Stadium before Brisbane suffered a talent drain with five players walking out last year.

On the dramatic turnaround, Leppitsch said: "What it shows is history means nothing. It also shows nothing is ever as bad as it seems and nothing is ever as good as it seems."

Mitch Golby stuck in a Bulldogs sandwich. Picture: Tim Carrafa Source: News Corp Australia

A win against the Giants next week would all but guarantee Brisbane will avoid this year's wooden spoon.

Leppitsch praised former Dee Stefan Martin and Rohan Bewick, the Lions two inclusions, as his two best performers.

It was just Martin's second win since 2011 as the utility wilfully battled star Dog Will Minson in the ruck.

The Dogs are now just one win above last-placed GWS and have now dropped six of their past seven matches.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Dogs’ quick descent to also-rans

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

THE need for speed has never been greater for the Western Bulldogs.

For all the talk about the desperation for a key forward — which now looks certain to come with a top-five selection at November's draft — pace is rising towards No. 1 of an array of issues coach Brendan McCartney was last night left facing.

MATCH: DOGS LEFT TO RUE AS LIONS POUNCE

DOGS-LIONS: FULL SUPERCOACH SCORES

It was laid bare in embarrassing fashion as the bottom-placed Brisbane Lions swept the Dogs off their feet in the second quarter.

Perhaps fortunately, only 18,054 — the smallest ever Etihad Stadium crowd between the clubs — watched on.

The run and carry of self-proclaimed 'mozzies' — Dayne Zorko, Lewy Taylor and Josh Green — sliced and diced the Bulldogs to shreds.

Mitch Wallis and teammates contemplate the loss after the match. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

In the second term Brisbane dominated inside 50s, contested disposals and outscored the Dogs by 33 points as, in all too familiar fashion, McCartney's side threw away a match with one messy quarter.

It was painfully obvious when Zorko speared a counter attack from half-back and combined with Taylor who hit goalkicker Marco Paprone with a bullet pass just before half-time as the footy zipped up the ground in breathtaking fashion.

Marcus Bontempelli tried to avoid trouble. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

Rewind five years and the Dogs were the slickest, most polished side in the league.

They had tricks and class and their ball movement was so exciting to watch they demanded frequent Friday night appearances, a timeslot the Dogs again won't enjoy this season.

Lindsay Gilbee and Jason Akermanis boasted golden foot while angle-cutting and zippy back pocket Jarrod Harbrow was as creative as Thomas Edison.

Bob Murphy, 32 tomorrow, can break lines, as can midfield stars Adam Cooney and Ryan Griffen.

Wallis has a kick smothered by Dayne Zorko. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

Of the youngsters Luke Dahlhaus, Jason Tutt and Easton Wood have wheels, but as a collective the Dogs are stagnant and slow and are suddenly in the biggest hole McCartney has faced.

Just 33 games ago the Dogs whipped the Lions, pre-season champs, kicking 19.13 in a 68-point thumping before Brisbane was crippled by its serious talent drain.

From that Bulldogs side only Daniel Cross and Nick Lower (both delisted) are no longer on the list, highlighting just how far back the Dogs have suddenly sling-shotted.

The Dogs own talent drain is what has them in strife. In four consecutive drafts from 2006-9 they added 19 players.

Ryan Griffen collides with Claye Beams. Picture: Tim Carrafa Source: News Corp Australia

Only six remain and of those Tutt and Jarrad Grant are still yet to cement their places and first-round pick Christian Howard looks likely to face the chop.

Howard was substituted out after just a half last night as he collected only two kicks.

At this year's season launch, president Peter Gordon cleverly borrowed a famous TV quote and warned the Dogs were not in danger, but would be the danger.

Since then they've been broken.

Badly.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Plucky Giants can’t catch Bombers

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

THEYVE learned how to compete now GWS need to learn how to win.

After butchering a host of goal scoring opportunities throughout the match and closing within a point of Essendon midway through the last quarter the Giants ran out of puff and ideas to go down by 15 points.

"I said to the players I'd prefer to have effort than composure at this stage," Giants coach Leon Cameron said.

"Probably some composure when we were going inside forward 50 and had a chance to take the lead we needed to make some better decisions but the effort was first class."

There were only 8,429 on hand at Spotless Stadium but they found their voice as the Giants produced another encouraging performance to follow up their seven point loss to defending premiers Hawthorn last week.

Suspended forward Jeremy Cameron was sorely missed as the Giants failed to convert their numerous opportunities in front of goal.

Jed Lamb boots the ball forward. Picture: Toby Zerna Source: News Corp Australia

"Part of building a club from scratch is you just have to put up with those honourable losses and if you can build your game when the tide starts to turn it will turn," Cameron said.

In the end footy nous and experience told as Jobe Watson, Dyson Heppell and David Zaharakis steered the Bombers home and kept their finals chances alive.

"I never felt at any stage we were going to lose the game," Essendon coach Mark Thompson said.

The only concerns for Essendon were a quadriceps injury to Watson and a report on David Myers who elbowed the Giants Devon Smith directly in front of the interchange bench on the stroke of three quarter time.

"Jobe is being assessed, it's probably a quad (injury) if it is it's probably four weeks (out)," Thompson said.

Every time the Giants challenge Zaharakis was there to reassert Essendon's hold on the game which at times looked tenuous, his 34 disposals lead all players.

Joe Daniher also provided a target for Essendon that Jonathon Patton and youngster Rory Lobb couldn't for the Giants.

Although Lobb made a very bright start to his career and earned himself an entry in the media guide as the latest player to goal with his first kick at AFL level.

Shane Mumford in a ruck contest with Essendon's Patrick Ryder. Picture: Toby Zerna Source: News Corp Australia

His second possession was even more impressive when he leapt over a pack on the wing to clunk a mark and then deliver perfectly to Devon Smith who in turn found Jed Lamb to goal. His efforts made even more meritorious because he was playing on one of the game's greatest defenders in Dustin Fletcher who had an experience advantage of 386 games.

Lobb has jumped ahead of regular big man Jonathon Giles and talented youngster Andrew Phillips and looks to be a talent worth persisting with for the immediate future.

"I thought Rory Lobb was terrific," Cameron said.

"To take that mark in the first quarter and to kick that goal was exciting. Rory is a terrific young kid who we look forward to a big future from at this club."

Adam Treloar put in another quality performance for the Giants as did Heath Shaw, Dylan Shiel, Smith and Callan Ward.

While the Bombers started favourites the Giants liked their chances after getting within seven points of shocking the defending premiers Hawthorn at the MCG last week.

The match was enormously important to Essendon as well, if they are to play finals this year victory over GWS was imperative.

Courtenay Dempsey and Greater Western Sydney's Curtly Hampton compete for the ball. Picture: Toby Zerna Source: News Corp Australia

Opening quarter goals to Lobb and Lamb were cancelled out by majors to Cory Dell'Olio, Ben Howlett and Joe Daniher to give Essendon an eight-point lead at the first change.

The Giants started strongly in the second to edge in front with goals from Palmer and Smith before the visitors reasserted themselves to bring the lead back to 10 points at the long break.

Hampton was subbed out early in the third term with what looks to be a serious shoulder injury.

Daniher's second goal and another clever grubber kick from Ryder looked to have the Bombers in the driver's seat when the lead was 20 points at three quarter time.

A brilliant opening goal from Treloar followed by another from Rhys Palmer gave the Giants hope and a 60 metre bomb from Adam Tomlinson closed the gap to just a solitary point before Essendon settled to kick the next three to put the game to bed.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Inglis injured as wounded Rabbits fire

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

QUEENSLAND's eight-year State of Origin run has suffered a body blow with star centre Greg Inglis almost certain to miss next Wednesday week's return bout against the Blues with a serious ankle injury.

Inglis suffered suspected syndesmosis of the ankle.

Inglis's injury took the gloss off a courageous come-from-behind win by the Bunnies over the Warriors in Perth.

George Burgess on the turf after a crunching tackle. Source: News Limited

Inglis flew back to Sydney with his team-mates late Saturday night and will have scans on the injury on Sunday after limping off just before halftime.

Souths produced a superb late fightback, scoring 28 points in the final 23 minutes to swamp the tiring Warriors.

With the game kicking off at nearly midnight Auckland time, there were real fears that the Warriors would not have their games faces on.

But it was the Kiwi team who came out with guns blazing, charging to a 10-0 lead inside eight minutes.

Bryson Goodwin is forced from the field with an arm injury. Source: News Corp Australia

And they did it in fine style, stunning Souths with two superb early tries.

Rookie winger David Fusitua got the Warriors rolling with an effort that will take plenty of beating for the solo try of the year.

Fusitua took a pass from centre Konrad Hurrell and hurdled the cover defence of Souths skipper John Sutton as he charged for the corner.

Fusitua jumped high in the air, his entire body over the sideline, but managed to keep his ball-carrying arm in play to touch down.

Greg Inglis stops Simon Mannering from scoring. Source: News Limited

Soon afterwards, Warriors prop Suaia Matagi charged through the heart of the Souths defence and put halfback Shaun Johnson over for a shock 10-0 to the rank outsiders.

Souths should have bridged the gap in the 15th minute, but Sutton lost control of the ball as he attempted to scamper over.

The Rabbitohs finally got on the board after sustained pressure in the 24th minute, with Sutton putting boom centre Dylan Walker over with a clever short pass.

Dylan Walker celebrates a try in the second half. Source: News Limited

The game threatened to explode late in the half when Warriors forward Sebastine Ikahihfio hit George Burgess and Adam Reynolds with high shots in quick succession.

The first saw Sam Burgess give Ifahihfio an angry spray for dazing his little brother and the second resulted in him being placed on report.

The Rabbitohs almost hit the front just before the break when the on-field officials ruled Bryson Goodwin had scored from a bomb - only to be proved wrong by the video referee.

Shaun Johnson celebrates scoring his teams second try of the match. Source: News Limited

The tragedy struck for Souths on the stroke of halftime when Inglis attempted to make a tackle on giant Warriors winger Manu Vatuvei.

Both Vatuvei and Inglis' Souths team-mate Sam Burgess came down on Inglis' knee and the star fullback ended up writhing on the turf in agony.

To add to Souths' woes, Goodwin went off with a painful elbow injury early in the second half.

Greg Inglis goes down injured. Source: FoxSports

The Warriors looked set for a win when skipper Simon Mannering scored to extend the lead to 14-6 early in the second half.

But boom Rabbitohs centre Dylan Walker turned the game with a superb solo run midway through the second half and the Rabbitohs added two late tries to finish convincing winners.

SOUTH SYDNEY 34 (D Tyrrell 2 D Walker 2 J Reddy K Turner tries A Reynolds 5 goals) bt WARRIORS 18 (D Fusitua K Hurrell S Johnson S Mannering tries S Johnson goal) at nib Stadium. Referee: Jared Maxwell, David Munro. Crowd: 20,267.

Re-live all the action in our blog below:

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Selwood, Cats break spirited Blues’ hearts

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

GEELONG bounce back from losses as routinely as a morning shuffle to the toilet.

But there was nothing routine about Friday night's drama-charged five-point win over Carlton.

The Cats pulled off football's version of grand larceny, stealing the four points from the Blues when they were all but laid flat on the canvas.

BLUES: MICK LIVID OVER LATE, COSTLY UMPIRING CALLS

CATS: SCOTT LAUDS 'GUTSY' WIN, BUT NOT SCRATCHY FORM

COLOUR: DO CRACKS SIGNAL END OF CATS' DYNASTY?

In a contest that had just about everything, Geelong trailed by 16 points half way through the last quarter and by one point with 70 seconds left when the symbolic moment arrived.

Denis Armfield kicks the loose ball away from Steve Johnson. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

Joel Selwood, muzzled superbly and without influence by the exceptional Bryce Gibbs, gobbled up a loose ball and goaled superbly on the run from 40m to win the game.

Carlton won back some respect last night, but rarely would they have walked off as heartbroken. So good for so long, they became the latest in a long line of sides in recent times to have the rug pulled out from under them by this never-say-die outfit.

"We were probably lucky in the end," Selwood said later.

Carlton's Zach Tuohy only had 10 touches. Source: News Corp Australia

"If you're not having a great night you don't need to have a really bad night. The way the boys rallied at the end was really important

"We haven't been in a situation like that for a while. It will be good going forward for us. We were probably ready to play about three days ago, it was tough last week but we had to move on."

Steven Motlop celebrates after his special checkside goal on the run in the second term. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

The Blues were on from the start and lead by nine points at quarter time, but were put back on their heels in the second by a rampant Tom Hawkins who kicked four for the term to inspire his side to 19-point lead at the main break.

The Cats lead by 24 points 12 minutes into the third when Carlton exploded to life. The Blues rammed on six unanswered goals and will again curse a glut of missed opportunities that would have put Geelong away.

Dale Thomas inspired his side in the third quarter with two goals. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

Gibbs was immense. He ran hard, used it well, ripped balls from stoppages and kicked goals. He finished with 29 touches and four goals, thrashing Selwood for first three quarters before being let loose in the last.

His fourth goal, an arcing snap from a stoppage with a handful of minutes left looked to have won the game for the Blues.

Hawkins kicked four, all of them in that red-hot second quarter, when brutalised Sam Rowe. Hawkins had 17 disposals and 10 marks and looked like a men among boys.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Jason Dunstall summed up the domination perfectly on Triple M: "He is just ignoring tackles, Tom Hawkins."

The sides were evenly matched for disposals, contested ball, tackles and inside 50s, but the Blues ticked so many boxes they won't have slept well last night.

Selwood was well held until his match-defining heroics and Steve Johnson was blanketed by Andrew Carrazzo.

Nothing could stop T om Hawkins in the third quarter. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

But when the Blues had the ascendancy early in the last term, crucial misses from Andrew Walker, Sam Docherty and Jeff Garlett came back to haunt them.

While the Blues ran and spread with venom, they lacked efficiency going forward, which was where the Cats thrived.

With the door ajar, George Horlin-Smith's front and centre snap with less than two minutes left cut the Blues' lead to one point.

Enter Selwood.

BEST

Geelong: Hawkins, Stokes, Kelly, Taylor, Guthrie, Horlin-Smith, Enright

Carlton: Gibbs, Walker, Murphy, Simpson, Yarran, Thomas, Carrazzo, Docherty

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Djokovic into French Open final

Serbia's Novak Djokovic in action during his semi-final win. Picture: Dominique Faget Source: DOMINIQUE FAGET / AFP

NOVAK Djokovic will attempt to complete a career grand slam when he plays the French Open final on Sunday night.

Djokovic advanced to the title decider with a 6-3 6-3 3-6 6-3 semi-final victory over No.18 seed Ernests Gulbis in two hours and 34 minutes.

The first two sets looked nothing like the contest Gulbis had promised with his impressive run to the semi-finals, knocking out Roger Federer and No.6 seed Tomas Berdych.

Gulbis, who had claimed during the tournament he has one of the best backhands in the business, was struggling on his forehand and Djokovic eased to a two-set lead.

The Latvian started nailing his serve and put his formidable backhand to good use in turning things around in the third set.

Djokovic lines up a serve. Picture: Kenzo Tribouillard Source: AFP

He pushed Djokovic in a tense sixth game and the Serb fought off two break points to finally hold serve.

The packed crowd came to life at the hint of a battle and when Gulbis broke his opponent in the eighth game with a great backhand down the line, they roared with delight.

Gulbis, who at times clutched at his back and winced in pain, claimed the set in the next game with an ace.

Djokovic grabbed a 2-0 lead in the fourth set but he appeared to be struggling to serve with the sun in his eyes at one end of Court Philippe Chatrier.

Djokovic is congratulated by Latvia's Ernests Gulbis at the end of their encounter. Picture: Dominique Faget Source: AFP

Gulbis broke straight back and drew level at 2-2.

Djokovic quickly swung the momentum back in his favour, however, when he made the crucial breakthrough to lead 5-3 before serving out the match.

The No.2 seed was set to face either eight-time champion Rafael Nadal or Andy Murray in the final.

Djokovic advanced to the title decider with a 6-3 6-3 3-6 6-3 semi-final victory over No.18 seed Ernests Gulbis.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Do cracks signal end of Cats’ dynasty?

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

IS Geelong a fading force?

It will be a hotly debated topic.

While the Cats never-say-die spirit eventually prevailed last night, there were signs of their inability to dominate in the manner of the past.

MATCH: SELWOOD, CATS BREAK SPIRITED BLUES' HEART

BLUES: MICK LIVID OVER LATE, COSTLY UMPIRING CALLS

CATS: SCOTT LAUDS 'GUTSY' WIN, BUT NOT SCRATCHY FORM

While Carlton's intensity was outstanding and, more importantly, consistent for almost four quarters, Geelong was often reduced to mediocrity last night.

Tom Hawkins finds himself under pressure from Michael Jamison. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

The Cats of the past several seasons, for instance, rarely let their opponents slam on six unanswered goals. Prime movers Joel Selwood and Steve Johnson again struggled to make a sustained impact. The onball efforts were left to James Kelly and the less experienced Cam Guthrie and George Horlin-Smith.

How often would Johnson and Selwood walk to a quarter-time huddle with just three touches between them?

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

It's more than six seasons since Selwood had only one possession in an opening term which illustrated the Blues' competitiveness at the centre contests and pressure on the ball carrier.

And Johnson couldn't find anywhere to run to shake off Andrew Carrazzo's tag.

The attacking reliance on Tom Hawkins was unhealthy, with the spread of goalkickers nowhere near as wide as when the Cats are on song.

Tom Hawkins is mobbed after his fourth goal. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

Hawkins grabbed four marks in the first 10 minutes. But it didn't trouble the Carlton defence as all were well out of range of goal.

The powerhouse forward became a more dangerous target once the Cats started to flick the ball around with their trademark run and carry style in the second term.

He slotted four goals from contested marks, the last after the half-time siren to stretch Geelong's lead to 19 points.

You could sense the Cats confidence and self-belief rising with a more bold approach after the stuttering first term.

Mitch Duncan chases the loose footy. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

And that flair was back when Mathew Stokes took a mark within range, but handballed off to the running Steve Motlop. Under plenty of heat, Motlop threw the ball onto the outside of his right boot for an audacious banana goal.

Normally, such an act of brilliance would signal a Geelong burst that would blow their opponents away. Instead the Cats ground away and eventually pinched the match.

While Geelong won't mind having to win ugly, it will hope the team can reclaim its mojo when it returns to Simonds Stadium against St Kilda tomorrow week.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Scott lauds ’gutsy’ win, but not scratchy form

Geelong coach Chris Scott praised his side's gutsy win, but admitted his side is not playing its best footy. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

GEELONG coach Chris Scott says his side is a long way behind this season's premiership favourites despite notching yet another last gasp victory on Friday night.

The Cats led Carlton by four goals midway through the third term, only to see that lead whittled away before the Blues took a 16-point lead of their own midway through the last quarter.

MATCH: SELWOOD, CATS BREAK SPIRITED BLUES' HEARTS

COLOUR: DO CRACKS SIGNAL END OF CATS' DYNASTY?

BLUES: MICK LIVID OVER LATE, COSTLY UMPIRING CALLS

But, inspired by some late heroics from an otherwise quiet Joel Selwood, the Cats kicked four of the last five goals of the game to record a thrilling five-point win.

"It was a gutsy win," Scott said.

"It was a win we were fortunate to get, I think. We played well enough to get ourselves in a position where we should have had control of the game and then looked like we lost it there.

George Horlin-Smith played one of the best game of his short career. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

"Good players in big moments hang in there and Selwood's finish was kind of what we've come to expect from him in the end.

"But that doesn't take away from the fact that I thought we were pretty fortunate. You don't see the ball in the centre bounce straight to your ruckman, then get a free kick and the advantage is paid to a guy who's a meter out (from goal) too often. And there were a few things like that that went our way tonight.

"When we take a step back over the next couple of days and review it I think there'll be a bit to be positive about, but it's clear we're behind the good teams in the competition at the moment so we've got some work to do."

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

In a match littered with umpiring controversies, Scott — as mentioned above — conceded his team got the rub of the green when a wayward centre bounce that led to a crucial Geelong goal late in the second term was not called back and retaken.

But he also said Tom Hawkins may have been unfairly denied a proper shot on goal in the fourth quarter when the umpire called play on — presumably for taking more than the permitted 30 seconds — despite the forward being midway through his approach.

Geelong's Tom Hawkins had a second quarter to die for on Carlton's Sam Rowe. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

"I hadn't seen it before — I just assumed that the man on the mark had gone back a long way and came charging in," he said.

"We did take the time just to ask before I came in to the press conference but we haven't got an answer yet so I genuinely don't know whether that decision was right or not.

"If it was wrong then it only offsets the centre bounce one where we got the goal.

"I'd like to think that we're strong enough as an organisation to say the same thing, or we would say the same thing, if the result didn't go our way."

Geelong had its chances to ice the game in the third quarter when it had the foot on the throat of its opponents.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Scott lamented the inability of his players to take the opportunities that were presented to them when it looked as if the team was going to run away with the game.

"This is a really basic, under 12s coach answer, but I thought we had some really good opportunities to score and we just turned the ball over.

"If we could have the ball in one player's hands on the wing with free players ahead it'd be Steve Motlop, and when he kicks in to the middle straight to them, they're the sort of things (that hurt).

"I highlight that example, but there were lots and lots. There were some really technical, complex issues that we'll deal with in-house, but I just thought when we really had the chances to put the heat on them we blew them."

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Bid official casts doubts on Cup probe

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

A FORMER senior official on Australia's World Cup bid who was interviewed by the FIFA probe into claims of corruption says she has no faith it will lead to any reform of football's world governing body.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Bonita Mersiades was head of communications for the bid, until she was sacked after falling out with the international lobbyists that the bid spent millions on employing.

CHECK OUT OUR WORLD CUP INTERACTIVE – YOUR PORTAL TO MATCH REPORTS, VIDEO, LIVE COVERAGE AND STATS

FOX SPORTS WORLD CUP HUB

WHO MAKES THE CUT IN OUR TOP 50 WORLD CUP PLAYERS?

WILL YOU GAMBLE ON A SOCCEROOS DEFENDER IN YOUR WORLD CUP FANTASY SQUAD?

She has been interviewed by Michael Garcia, the US attorney who is investigating the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids.

But despite fresh evidence linking millions in bribes to Qatar's success, Mersiades said she felt there was "no appetite for reform" and that Garcia's report would be sidelined.

"I would say it is unlikely they (FIFA) have an appetite for doing anything to fix it. We'll never know what he finds or recommends — he's undertaken investigations that then go to the adjudicatory chamber to make the decisions. One of the things we should be advocating in this six-week period between when he finalizes his findings, and then submits his report — is that they be made public. The ethics program was changed by Sepp Blatter, precisely in order so that the findings could NOT be made public" says Mersiades.

FIFA has come under renewed pressure to strip Qatar of its hosting rights following allegations in Britain's Sunday Times that disgraced former AFC President, Mohammed bin Hammam, was central to its bid. The report claims bin Hammam used a $5 million slush fund to "buy" votes for Qatar — allegations strenuously denied by the Qataris.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Mersiades believes such reports are why the Garcia investigations don't go far enough.

"There have been allegations of corruption for too many years. As the saying goes, the fish stinks from the head down. If we are to have the FIFA we want, we need a completely new organization. That may be ambitious, or pie in the sky, but the people who can make that change happen are governments and sponsors. If I was running one of those multinational companies and saw my brand name associated with an organization like this, I'd be concerned — and there are plenty of other things out there to sponsor, " says Mersiades.

Some view the constant attention given to the 2010 decisions merely as "sour grapes" from embittered losing bidders, such as England and Australia. But Mersiades rejects that notion — and believes Australia in particular, has a duty to try to lead from the front.

"This is not sour grapes at all. Can't we stand for something? Don't we have values? Frank Lowy in particular says publicly how much he's been burnt by all this. He's in an unassailable position — he's 84, he's extraordinarily wealthy, he has nothing to lose by taking a leadership role on this, so long as he has nothing to hide," she says.

"We are a country with strong democratic traditions — we have a good understanding of corporate governance. I think the most constructive thing to do — and this is why I'm still talking about it — is to try and fix the process. And if that means reforming the governing body, we have to push for it," says Mersiades.

Michael Garcia is continuing his investigations in Qatar this week — with his work set to conclude on 9th June, ahead of the official submission of the findings to FIFA. The Qataris insist they will do everything to defend the integrity of their country's bid.

22.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Meet Power giant Matt Lobbe’s secret ruck weapon

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

THERE were only two weeks between Aaron Greaves' appointment as Port Adelaide's new ruck coach and the start of preseason.

But when Matthew Lobbe first met the man who would guide his progression to the elite ranks of AFL ruckmen it was clear Greaves had done his homework.

"We caught up outside the club," Lobbe said.

"He'd already prepared a lot of stuff and watched a lot of vision. He came to me with some stuff to work on straight away and it's been like that since."

The pair immediately went to work on breaking down the technical aspects of Lobbe's role at balls ups and throw ins, expanding his knowledge of the unique traits of all the other ruckmen in the competition and how best to combat them.

"I'm really big with being planned and organised and having attention to detail," Greaves said.

"It's really important in footy because you're so time poor."

Matthew Lobbe, right, training with Aaron Greaves. Picture: Sarah Reed.

This level of preparation wouldn't surprise anyone that's worked with the 36 year old during his coaching career - from Nathan Buckley in the Victorian under-age system to Mark Neeld and Neil Craig at Melbourne.

But it wasn't always the case for Greaves, who by his own description was a lazy footballer in his late teens at St Joseph's College in Geelong.

The 197cm key forward was a late developer but says he missed the chance to play AFL because his work ethic wasn't where it needed to be.

"I didn't work hard enough early enough and didn't understand what it took," Greaves said.

"And that's one thing that has made me a better coach, I now appreciate how hard you have to work and hopefully it comes across with the guys I work with."

Greaves had a successful playing career in the VFL with North Ballarat and Geelong and had three AFL clubs interested in picking him up as a rookie when he was 24.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

But that was when the age limit for the rookie list was 23 years and nine months. Despite asking the AFL for special dispensation, his dream went unfulfilled.

Greaves stepped back to the Geelong Football League, playing under Neeld at St Joseph's.

He finished a teaching degree and when Neeld was appointed coach of the Western Jets in the TAC Cup was ushered into the senior coaching position.

Still only 25, Greaves turned back the clock as a playing-coach and after a steep learning curve led St Joey's to a Grand Final in his second season.

He ended up spending six years coaching in the GFL before taking the reins of the Geelong Falcons in the TAC Cup.

Now intent on pursuing a career in the caper, Greaves took a position in development at the Victorian Institute of Sport where he worked with top level athletes including Paralympic gold medal winning long jumper Kelly Cartwright.

"Combining the two was tough going for a few years, but you've got to do the hard yards," Greaves said.

"That, with my teaching background, gave me a really good grounding to get started.

"Not being a 200 game AFL player with a name, I needed a point of difference."

Greaves got his opportunity in the big league when Neeld was appointed senior coach at Melbourne.

He started as a ruck coach before moving into the midfield in his second season.

The two year stint - which saw the Demons lose club great Jim Stynes to cancer, indigenous talent Liam Jurrah to the bush and 38 of the 44 games they played - was certainly a baptism of fire.

"There were so many things that happened," Greaves said.

"No coaching course could give you the skills to deal with that. It was a great learn as we go type thing for me."

Neeld's sacking and the signing of Paul Roos left Greaves looking for another opportunity - one he received when Ken Hinkley came calling at the end of last year.

Hinkley needed a replacement for outgoing development coach Daniel Healy and ruck coach Shaun Rehn and headhunted Greaves, who he knew from his time coaching Bell Park in the GFL.

Greaves had a young family to consider, but with the support of wife Rebecca decided to head to South Australia.

"After a pretty tough first two years at Melbourne, where there wasn't a lot of reward for effort and enjoyment in what you did ... to come here and really believe in the direction we're going and to learn from really experienced coaches and quality people, I've been happy everyday," Greaves said.

It's a signing which is proving fruitful for the Power.

Lobbe is fulfilling the promise he showed at the end of last season and has entered the All-Australian discussion as the midpoint of the season approaches.

"It's been great to be able to challenge him on some of the outside perceptions of his game which he probably hadn't heard," said Greaves, who has found a willing partner in Lobbe.

"He's a leader, he wants to be good and he's a real competitor, so for me it's about facilitating the program rather than actually having to drive it."

THE MENTORS

The five biggest influences on Aaron Greaves' coaching career

GERALD FITZGERALD (North Ballarat, VFL)

"From 18 to 22 I was immature and a bit of a lost soul and unsure where I was heading. Gerard is an ex-teacher and pushed really hard for me to get into university and start a teaching degree."

RON WATT (Geelong, VFL)

"The big thing I learnt from him was the relationship he had with players. How forging trust allows you to educate."

MARK NEELD (St Joey's/Melbourne)

"He really helped guide me during my first few years as a coach and then obviously gave me my first opportunity at AFL level."

NATHAN BUCKLEY (Victorian Country under-16s)

"I was his assistant and had a really strong relationship with him during that time. He really encouraged me to pursue coaching and gave me strong feedback on areas where I needed to get better."

NEIL CRAIG (Melbourne)

"I don't know if Port people will like hearing about Neil Craig having a big influence, but he's got such a wealth of knowledge and a great understanding of the game and where it's going."

22.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Unheralded defence must stand strong

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

ALEX Wilkinson, your time is now. Time to show the boss that your nerves since coming into the national team squad are just that, and that now you are able to play like you usually do on the biggest stage.

Matthew Spiranovic, the apprenticeship is over. Always the great young hope, now you are the senior partner in this back four.

Jason Davidson and Ivan Franjic, you have the opportunity to become Socceroos first choices for a decade. The coach has faith in you – can you deliver?

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

One thing Saturday's friendly with Croatia can deliver is a verdict on the back four that Ange Postecoglou has assembled. If there is a degree of excitement about the options going forward, it's the rearguard that can feel a national concern washing over it.

CHECK OUT OUR WORLD CUP INTERACTIVE – YOUR PORTAL TO MATCH REPORTS, VIDEO, LIVE COVERAGE AND STATS

FOX SPORTS WORLD CUP HUB

WHO MAKES THE CUT IN OUR TOP 50 WORLD CUP PLAYERS?

WILL YOU GAMBLE ON A SOCCEROOS DEFENDER IN YOUR WORLD CUP FANTASY SQUAD?

Injuries are part of it – Curtis Good and Rhys Williams are missing and probably would have started.

Wilkinson – so long the epitome of A-League solidity, part of the most miserly defence around at the Mariners before switching to Korea – gets a chance he never expected.

Ryan McGowan and Alex Wilkinson are battling for the final centreback spot. Source: AFP

His former teammates in Gosford could never understand why he was neglected, but now he has to make up for lost time – by marking Mario Mandžukić who just happens to play for Bayern Munich, and proving to Postecoglou that he should stay in the side that will face Chile in the World Cup a week later.

Franjic and Davidson have a double burden, for in this system of Postecoglou's they must be auxiliary attackers as well as doubling back when defending demands it.

After this game there are just five more training sessions to fine tune the Australian strategy. Which is why the side's defence needs to show now that it is ready for coming storms, against world-class attacks.

22.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Giteau to captain World XV

Toulon's Australian centre Matt Giteau scores a try during the European Cup final match. Picture: AFP Source: GEOFF CADDICK / AFP

MATT Giteau will captain a World XV against South Africa on Saturday.

The former Australia international will play at flyhalf and is joined in the world team by Toulon teammates and fellow European Cup winners Drew Mitchell on the right wing, flanker Steffon Armitage, hooker Craig Burden and prop Carl Hayman.

Giteau, who has played 92 Tests for Australia, directs a backline containing two other former Wallabies in fullback James O'Connor and Mitchell, and New Zealanders Rene Ranger and Hosea Gear.

World XV and former Springboks coach Nick Mallett picked five South Africans to start against their compatriots at Newlands: centre Wynand Olivier, scrumhalf Rory Kockott, locks Alistair Hargreaves and Juandre Kruger and Burden. All but two of Mallett's 23-man squad play in Europe.

South Africans Burden, Kockott and replacement prop Schalk Ferreira are the only players in the 23 who aren't internationals.

Star-studded French club Toulon will have seven players in the game with wing Bryan Habana and second-rower Bakkies Botha lining up for the Springboks. The game does not have full Test status and is the first time a World XV has played in South Africa since 1989, when the country was still officially under apartheid.

World XV: James O'Connor (London Irish/Australia), Drew Mitchell (Toulon/Australia), Rene Ranger (Montpellier/New Zealand), Wynand Olivier (Montpellier/South Africa), Hosea Gear (Toulouse/New Zealand), Matt Giteau (captain, Toulon/Australia), Rory Kockott (Castres); Roger Wilson (Ulster/Ireland), Steffon Armitage (Toulon/England), Mamuka Gorgodze (Montpellier/Georgia), Alistair Hargreaves (Saracens/South Africa), Juandre Kruger (Racing Metro/South Africa), Carl Hayman (Toulon/New Zealand), Craig Burden (Toulon), Sona Taumalolo (Perpignan/Tonga). Reserves: Andrew Hore (Highlanders/New Zealand), Schalk Ferreira (Toulouse), Pat Cilliers (Stormers/South Africa), Joe Tekori (Toulouse/Samoa), Alexandre Lapandry (Clermont/France), Jimmy Cowan (Gloucester/New Zealand), Francois Trinh-Duc (Montpellier/France), Benson Stanley (Clermont/New Zealand).

22.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

I can’t take fans’ abuse says Te’o

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

SOUTH Sydney star Ben Te'o has revealed he is quitting the club and possibly the game at the end of the season to get away from the abuse he still cops following allegations last year that he punched a woman.

Despite being cleared by Queensland police and the NRL's integrity unit midway through last year, Te'o said personal attacks from fans continue — and he was sledged about it as recently as Monday night when the Rabbitohs played the Dragons at ANZ Stadium.

Brisbane woman Katie Lewis claimed she was left lying in a pool of blood with a broken eye socket after being repeatedly punched by Te'o after an alleged assault at a Brisbane home last April.

Ben Te'o and Greg Inglis during a training session at Redfern Oval. Source: News Limited

The Queensland Origin star vigorously defended his innocence and was eventually cleared of any wrongdoing in separate investigations by Queensland police and the NRL integrity unit.

The off contract Rabbitoh yesterday opened up about the damage the allegations continue to do to his reputation — and his family — when questioned about his future in the NRL.

"I played the Dragons two nights ago and someone yelled something out from the crowd concerning it," Te'o said.

"That is what I have got to live with, about you bashed (a woman). I cop it on social media.

"I am not saying it is consistent but I get it on social media.

"People yell it at games. If people only knew the facts. What you have got to realise is that I am not the only one who goes through this. My family goes through this too."

Ben Te'o was sledged by a fan during Monday night's clash against the Dragons. Source: Getty Images

Te'o told Souths teammates this week he would leave the club at the end of the season.

But the 27-year-old maintains he has no idea where he will play next year — or in what code.

Te'o has an English passport and has been linked to European rugby. He could also command huge money at rival NRL clubs.

But asked if the damage to his reputation would drive him out of the NRL, he said: "I just don't know. I don't know.

"I am still trying to figure it out. You think about things, what is going to make you happy, where you want to go ... change can always be good.

"Whether that is a new code, whether that is a new club, a new beginning, I don't know.

"Everyone is looking for happiness and that is all that is important in life.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

"That is pretty much what I am looking for. I don't know where I am going to find it."

Te'o said he felt no animosity towards the NRL's integrity unit, South Sydney or the Queensland Rugby League.

"I think the integrity unit did an amazing job for me," he said.

"They were people that really looked at what happened, the facts, and they did a good job.

"The integrity unit weren't there to try and help me out. They were just there for the truth and I have nothing bad to say about them.

"(South Sydney) stuck by me and so did people like the QRL.

"There are other shareholders in the game that I can't say did the right thing by me."

Ben Te'o with South Sydney teammate Chris McQueen during their training session at Redfern Oval. Source: News Limited

He said he felt many fans still don't realise he was cleared of wrongdoing.

"I am not going to sit here and complain, that's life," he said.

"But if you got together the articles and news at that time accusing me ... and from the time I was cleared, I don't even remember reading an article about that. There wasn't much made of that."

Asked if he had spoken to Souths teammate Sam Burgess about a possible move to rugby, Te'o added: "You would probably think that I would but I don't speak to anyone here about what I am doing. Sam has told me before that if I need advice to talk to him but I don't talk to Sam about what I am doing.

"He has got no idea and at the moment I don't have any idea either.

Ben Te'o will leave the Rabbitohs at the end of the 2014 season. Source: News Corp Australia

"You'd love to sort it out but things don't always work how you want them to.

"Some things take time to work out.

"As long as I am playing good football.

"I don't feel I am confused. I just look at things differently.

"I have told Souths that I am leaving and I don't know where I am going but there are options.

"I am not a confused guy."

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Foran hails Watmough’s toughness

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

KIERAN Foran is a laid-back bloke. He has seen a lot in rugby league, won premierships, captained his country. Not much shocks him.

Foran, though, freely admits to being "mesmerised" by the courage and determination of Manly teammate Anthony Watmough, who is poised to play in Friday night's blockbuster against Canterbury at Brookvale Oval with a bicep torn off the bone.

Watmough sustained the injury during NSW's 12-8 Origin I victory.

Kieran Foran has expressed his admiration at Anthony Watmough playing on with an injury. Source: News Corp Australia

"I can't rap the bloke enough. In my eyes he is just so tough," Foran said. "You might not see it from an outside point of view, but when we saw the sort of pain he walks in with at half-time, or the sort of pain he walks in with at fulltime, and he continues to pick himself up and put in those 80-minute performances week-in, week-out, you are just kind of mesmerised by the guy's toughness.

"I know I am. I know it inspires me. I know it inspires the young forwards that want to build on the culture that guys like him and Jason King and Brent Kite built.

ORIGIN WATCH: SHIFT SMITH, LEAVE HAYNE

"When you have a bloke like 'Choc', and he will show it again on Friday when he takes the field with a torn bicep, that's what I mean.

"He is continually setting the standards, saying to blokes, 'well if I am going to get out here with a torn bicep and put my body on the line, let's all do it'.

"I think that sums up the sort of leader he is, the sort of clubman he is. I think it speaks volumes."

Watmough holds his injured arm during game one. Source: Getty Images

While Watmough will play, it is unlikely injured halfback Daly Cherry-Evans will confront a Canterbury side featuring Blues Origin halves Josh Reynolds and Trent Hodkinson and coached by former Sea Eagles favourite son Des Hasler.

PLAYER WELFARE UNDER THE MICROSCOPE

On the back of last Sunday's 26-point loss to Brisbane, the Bulldogs clash comes amid increasing speculation of player unrest at Brookvale that has lingered ever since it was ­revealed salary cap pressures would force Glenn Stewart out and off to South Sydney at season's end. Although, leading players were reluctant to discuss the rumours.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

"Everyone's moving in the same direction," prop Jason King said. "It's very important everyone is concentrating on football."

Foran went a step further, saying there was harmony among the group.

"It's a tight-knit group and I don't think there are any player rumblings," he said. "I know it keeps getting pulled up but it seems happy, everyone seems fine with one another.

NRL CASUALTY WARD: ROUND 13

"I've said it all along, in my eyes there is a great culture here and it's something that can never be broken.

"I think the Glenn Stewart thing could have been handled better and I said that from the start. I've said it all along, I think the bloke deserved a contract put in front of him for all that he has done for the joint."

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

WHILE Anthony Watmough's torn bicep will not get any worse by playing, the Manly forward will still face a difficult and painful task against Canterbury on Friday night at Brookvale Oval.

"He will look a bit like Popeye," one doctor said told The Daily Telegraph. "There will be a big bulge in his arm."

It is understood Watmough won't require a painkilling injection before the game but may opt for some heavy strapping.

Watmough was moving well during Manly training. Source: News Corp Australia

The NSW Origin forward has been carrying a partial tear all season, but he completely detached the biceps tendon from the bone during the Blues' game-one victory over Queensland eight days ago.

While it sounds like an injury that would result in a prolonged period on the sidelines, other arm muscles can substitute for the injured tendon. It may cause Watmough to lose some strength in his arm, but many people can still have with a full range of motion and reasonable function.

Surgery isn't always needed, but for athletes and labourers — who commonly suffer the same injury due to constantly lifting heavy objects — they often need complete recovery of strength which requires surgery.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Reynolds’ letter lifts little Tommy

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

HE HAS great hands, fast feet and a brilliant football brain.

Now you can add big heart to Josh Reynolds' list of qualities.

The Canterbury and NSW five-eighth has become a hero to an eight-year-old boy by writing an old-fashioned, handwritten letter encouraging the youngster not to give up on his dream of playing rugby league because he is too small.

REYNOLDS CLEARED TO PLAY ORIGIN II

Tommy Norenbergs has been sent a handwritten letter from Josh Reynolds after being bullied about being too small. Source: News Limited

It started when little Tommy Norenbergs, the son of ABC Grandstand radio manager Craig Norenbergs, told his Dad he felt he was too small for football.

Norenbergs had no idea an innocent chat about his son's predicament with Bulldogs great Steve Mortimer would lead to Tommy becoming pen pals with an Origin star.

After his discussions with the ABC man, Mortimer spoke with Reynolds who personally penned a letter to Josh, reassuring him his small stature wouldn't hold him back.

Tommy Norenbergs gets a letter from Josh Reynolds after being bullied about being too small. Source: News Limited

"Like Steve (Mortimer), I am also a smaller NRL player than a lot of my Bulldogs and NSW State of Origin teammates," Reynolds wrote.

"Don't ever let any people say to you that you're small because Steve, you and myself as an eight-year-old, we weren't the biggest but we were fast and we were never scared of tacking big players because when you tackle them around the legs they fall down quickly."

Norenbergs said Tommy, a passionate Canberra Raiders fan until receiving the correspondence from Reynolds, was ecstatic when he opened the letter.

Josh Reynolds in action for NSW. Source: News Corp Australia

"How good is Josh? Posted by himself, handwritten. It was totally their idea.

"Tommy loved it. You should have seen his little face light up. It was like Christmas in June.

"This letter will be pinned up on the wall.

"I hate saying it as a Raiders tragic but they (Canterbury) may have stolen my son from the Green Machine."

Craig's wife, Evonne, added: "This is just lovely. I don't think the players realise what an impact they have when they do something so nice.

"Tommy says he feels like a giant now. But let's remember it started with the nicest guy, Steve Mortimer."

Tommy Norenbergs at Drumoyne Oval. Source: News Limited

Canterbury chief executive Raelene Castle last night praised Reynolds' off-field work.

"What we love about Josh is that he displays passion on the field and genuine interest for young aspiring or sick kids off the field," Castle said.

"He recognises that the Bulldogs' contribution in the community can make a significant difference."

Reynolds isn't the only Bulldogs player to write letter to fans and was a little embarrassed on Wednesday with all the accolades.

"More so for the fact that all the players do it, not just him," a club spokesman said.

Friday night at a packed Brookvale Oval, Reynolds will again lead the Dogs into action.

Then, on Tuesday, Reynolds will again be chosen in the NSW side for Origin II at ANZ Stadium on June 18.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Revealed: The price of winning the World Cup

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

FACT No. 1: the total market value of the entire Socceroos' squad is less than that of our group rival Spain's highest paid player.

Barcelona superstar Andres Iniesta is worth $74,816,500. Australia is worth $61,119,810.

Spain's total market value? $673,567,074 – 11 times more than the Socceroos.

The figures refer to players' market values at club level, taking in salaries, stats, age and recent performances.

Spain, the reigning FIFA World Cup champion, slots in at No. 2 for total market value behind host Brazil ($718,299,900).

Argentina ($654,482,640), featuring the world's most valuable player Lionel Messi ($163,332,000), takes the No. 3 spot, while Germany ($621,815,994) and France ($555,070,372) round out the top five. England ($493,232,648) is sixth.

MORE: Dumb Americans know nothing about the World Cup

MORE: Socceroos shock as big guns miss out

MORE: Why hosting a World Cup is a waste of money

The good news for Australia is it is not the least valuable team at the World Cup, coming in at 29th out of 32 – one behind the 28th-ranked USA ($77,464,104)

Central American nation Honduras is the least valuable with a total value of $45,053,928.

Below we follow the World Cup money trail, showing which teams would win their groups and ultimately go on to the final if Brazil 2014 was a battle of the bucks.

For starters, Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal would bow out in the round of 16 against darkhorse Belgium, even though the Real Madrid star is the second most valuable player in the world at $136,110,000.

THE WORLD CUP MONEY GAME

GROUP A

Brazil (Group winner)
Total Market Value: $718,299,900
Rank: 1
Highest-Valued Player: Neymar ($88,297,440)

Croatia (Runner-up)
Total Market Value: $258,755,400
Rank: 13
Highest-Valued Player: Luka Modric ($54,444,000)

Cameroon
Total Market Value: $184,251,690
Rank: 18
Highest-Valued Player: Alex Song ($24,499,800)

Mexico
Total Market Value: $94,490,334
Rank: 26
Highest-Valued Player: Javier Hernandez ($21,777,600)

Group A MVP: Neymar, Brazil and Barcelona. Source: AFP

GROUP B

Spain (Group winner)
Total Market Value: $673,567,074
Rank: 2
Highest-Valued Player: Andres Iniesta ($74,816,500)

Netherlands (Runner-up)
Total Market Value: $248,775,524
Rank: 14
Highest-Valued Player: Robin van Persie ($54,444,000)

Chile
Total Market Value: $200,026,562
Rank: 16
Highest-Valued Player: Arturo Vidal ($59,879,600)

Australia
Total Market Value: $61,119,810
Rank: 29
Highest-Valued Player: Mathew Ryan, Mike Jedinak ($3,402,250)

Group B MVP: Andres Iniesta, Spain and Barcelona. Source: AP

GROUP C

Colombia (Group winner)
Total Market Value: $311,013,926
Rank: 10
Highest-Valued Player: Falcao ($81,618,000)

Cote d'Ivoire (Runner-up)
Total Market Value: $207,628,902
Rank: 15
Highest-Valued Player: Yaya Toure ($40,833,000)

Japan
Total Market Value: $167,655,654
Rank: 20
Highest-Valued Players: Shinji Kagawa, Keisuke Honda ($23,138,700)

Greece
Total Market Value: $120,767,391
Rank: 23
Highest-Valued Player: Sokratis ($20,404,500)

Group C MVP: Radamel Falcao, Colombia and AS Monaco. Falcao pulled out of the World Cup injured overnight but it made no difference to his side's chances in the money game. Source: AFP

GROUP D

England (Group winner)
Total Market Value: $493,232,648
Rank: 6
Highest-Valued Player: Wayne Rooney ($61,249,500)

Italy (Runner-up)
Total Market Value: $448,802,087
Rank: 8
Highest-Valued Player: Mario Balotelli ($40,833,000)

Uruguay
Total Market Value: $260,495,307
Rank: 12
Highest-Valued Player: Edinson Cavani ($81,666,000)

Costa Rica
Total Market Value: $51,751,080
Rank: 31
Highest-Valued Player: Bryan Ruiz ($10,888,800)

Group D MVP: Edinson Cavani, Uruguay and Paris Saint-Germain. Source: AFP

GROUP E

France (Group winner)
Total Market Value: $555,070,372
Rank: 5
Highest-Valued Player: Paul Pogba ($61,240,500)

Switzerland (Runner-up)
Total Market Value: $194,773,250
Rank: 17
Highest-Valued Players: Ricardo Rodriguez, Xherdan Shaqiri ($27,222,000)

Ecuador
Total Market Value: $114,994,127
Rank: 24
Highest-Valued Player: Antonio Valencia ($21,777,600)

Honduras
Total Market Value: $45,053,928
Rank: 32
Highest-Valued Player: Emilio Izaguirre ($5,784,675)

Group E MVP: Paul Pogba, France and Juventus. Source: AP

GROUP F

Argentina (Group winner)
Total Market Value: $654,482,640
Rank: 3
Highest-Valued Player: Lionel Messi ($163,332,000)

Bosnia-Herzegovina (Runner-up)
Total Market Value: $177,098,968
Rank: 19
Highest-Valued Player: Edin Dzeko ($32,666,400)

Nigeria
Total Market Value: $138,455,956
Rank: 22
Highest-Valued Player: John Obi Mikel ($27,222,000)

Iran
Total Market Value: $54,269,392
Rank: 30
Highest-Valued Player: Ashkan Dejagah ($4,083,300)

World Cup MVP: Lionel Messi, Argentina and Barcelona. Source: AFP

GROUP G

Germany (Group winner)
Total Market Value: $621,815,994
Rank: 4
Highest-Valued Player: Mario Gotze ($61,249,500)

Portugal (Runner-up)
Total Market Value: $399,518,890
Rank: 9
Highest-Valued Player: Cristiano Ronaldo ($136,110,000)

Ghana
Total Market Value: $150,743,365
Rank: 21
Highest-Valued Player: Kwadwo Asamoah ($27,222,000)

United States
Total Market Value: $77,464,104
Rank: 28
Highest-Valued Player: Clint Dempsey ($9,527,700)

Group G MVP: Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal and Real Madrid. Source: AP

GROUP H

Belgium (Group winner)
Total Market Value: $467,856,476
Rank: 7
Highest-Valued Player: Eden Hazard ($61,240,500)

Russia (Runner-up)
Total Market Value: $261,968,904
Rank: 11
Highest-Valued Player: Igor Akinfeev ($27,222,000)

Algeria
Total Market Value: $104,932,697
Rank: 25
Highest-Valued Player: Sofiane Feghouli ($16,333,200)

Korea Republic
Total Market Value: $83,329,629
Rank: 27
Highest-Valued Player: Heung-Min Son ($19,055,400)

Group H MVP: Eden Hazard, Belgium and Chelsea. Source: AFP

ROUND OF 16

Brazil ($718,299,900) bt Netherlands ($248,775,524)

Italy ($448,802,087) bt Colombia ($311,013,926)

France ($555,070,372) bt Bosnia-Herzegovina ($177,098,968)

Germany ($621,815,994) bt Russia ($261,968,904)

Spain ($673,567,074) bt Croatia ($258,755,400)

England ($493,232,648) bt Cote d'Ivoire ($207,628,902)

Argentina ($654,482,640) bt Switzerland ($194,773,250)

Belgium ($467,856,476) bt Portugal ($399,518,890)

QUARTER-FINALS

Brazil

Brazil ($718,299,900) bt Italy ($448,802,087)

Germany ($621,815,994) bt France ($555,070,372)

Spain ($673,567,074) bt England ($493,232,648)

Argentina ($654,482,640) bt Belgium ($467,856,476)

SEMI-FINALS

Brazil ($718,299,900) bt Germany ($621,815,994)

Spain ($673,567,074) bt Argentina ($654,482,640)

FINAL

Brazil ($718,299,900) bt Spain ($673,567,074)

Data courtesy of Valor, Transfermarkt and The Score. All figures in US dollars.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sachin savours Lara opportunity

Retired Indian cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar holds a training session for young players at the Singapore Cricket Club on Tuesday, Source: STEFANUS IAN / AFP

RETIRED Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar says he is savouring the opportunity to pair up with West Indies great Brian Lara at Lord's for an exhibition match marking the home of cricket's 200th anniversary.

Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) last month confirmed Lara would join a MCC XI captained by Tendulkar and also including Australia's Aaron Finch, India's Rahul Dravid and Pakistan offspinner Saeed Ajmal.

The side will play a Rest of the World XI captained by Shane Warne and featuring Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan and England's Kevin Pietersen in a 50-over match on July 5.

Tendulkar said he and Lara played together in 1994 in Toronto in the Sky Dome.

Sachin Tendulkar raises his bat after becoming test cricket's highest run scorer taking over from Brian Lara during day one of the second Australia v India cricket test in Mohali in 2008. Source: News Limited

"We played for the same team and we had a wonderful partnership. So I'm hoping for another one this time," he told reporters on Tuesday at the Singapore Cricket Club.

Tendulkar is in the city-state for a promotional tour.

"It's always been a joy to play against him. I loved watching Brian scoring runs against other nations - not India," Tendulkar said.

Tendulkar, who held a masterclass for young cricketers on Tuesday, said it was surely possible for cricket minnows Singapore to host top events.

The wealthy city-state has a rising number of Indian expatriates and, later in June, will open a new national stadium that can be converted into a 35,000-seat cricket arena.

"I don't see any reason why not... whenever we played here in Singapore, the response was really good," said Tendulkar, 41, who retired last year as the world's leading batsman in Test and one-day cricket.

Brian Lara lets loose against the Chairmans XI in Perth in 2000. Source: News Limited

"As a cricketer, I feel proud that various nations are taking initiatives in constructing state-of-the-art stadiums and making sure that every measure is taken to globalise the game," he said. Tendulkar also said investigations by the International Cricket Council (ICC) into corruption were crucial.

"I think the concerned people are taking really important steps because it is critical for the game to make sure that the spectators ... watch a fair competition," he said.

ICC chief executive Dave Richardson said last month an inquiry into a match and spot-fixing scandal which rocked world cricket was entering its final stages.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

No fire in these Dragons

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

TEDDY Atlas is a boxing trainer who trained Mike Tyson in Tyson's early days and who now ­mumbles his way through some of the smartest commentary in sport today on ESPN's Friday Night Fights.

Atlas has trained numerous world champions. Mike Moorer was another.

Above his talent as a technician, Atlas understands the psychology of athletes. The small mind games they play with themselves to get ready for a fight and, sometimes, to get ready for a loss.

Occasionally, Atlas will be calling a fight and just before viewers nod off at home into a deep slumber he will announce that the fighters have come to a "silent contract".

WHEN DOES BENJI BUY BECOME A FAILURE?

Benji Marshall has been unable to spark a revival at the Dragons. Source: News Corp Australia

The silent contract is when both fighters in the ring realise the result is inevitable, so the losing fighter makes a deal that he won't try to win the fight while the dominant fighter makes a deal that he won't try to hurt his opponent.

Both then coast through to a lazy, uninspired points decision, and everyone but the fighters go home unhappy.

St George Illawarra are making that silent contract every week. The Dragons have no desire for contact football.

They played South Sydney on Monday night like they were afraid of offending them.

In their first game since the players had their coach sacked, for their lack of performance as well as his, it would be fair to believe the Dragons would, at the very least, come out with enthusiasm.

A professional footballer who wants to remain a professional footballer would have. Even if, in his heart, he knew he was outmatched. The warriors in our game would have declared they were going to take to their opponent for as long and as hard as they could.

Benji Marshall speaks to dejected team mates after the Rabbitohs score a try. Source: Getty Images

If the Dragons were looking for inspiration they needed to go back only five days to watch NSW beat Queensland.

The Blues know the tremendous talent in the ­Maroons line-up. They know that if Queensland are allowed to score 16 points or upwards they will likely get beaten, and so they defended better than any NSW team has before.

And they did so because they know defence is an attitude. And they won the game.

Not the Dragons.

They let the Burgess brothers, Sam and George, run for 194m and 181m. These two men enjoy the contact. They also know the Dragons pack would not bruise a grape at the moment and so they took advantage of the soft run, carving them up.

The Dragons have the softest pack in the NRL. Every opponent's game plan is the same: just go through the middle.

BLOG WITH PAUL KENT FROM 1PM

Tom Burgess runs the ball for the Rabbitohs. Source: Getty Images

For most it would be a terrible stigma to live with, but the Dragons seems comfortable with it. They are fortunate it is a whole lot easier and cheaper to replace one coach than it is to replace a playing roster.

Otherwise, Steve Price would still be employed and a few of them would be lifting furniture for a living next week. That's if you could get them to work.

The Dragons need to realise touch football players don't get paid to be professionals. And being professional is as much an attitude as a financial contract.

At the Roosters, the reigning premiers, they often talk of the "one-percenters".

Jeff Fenech spoke about it when he was dominating world boxing: the great ones aren't great because they do one thing 100 per cent better than the average person. It's because they do 100 things one per cent better.

So on Monday Benji Marshall tossed a pass on the ground on the last tackle when he should have been looking to kick. He put a kick into Row H. Another time he went to kick and took a peak at a Rabbitoh flying in to monster him and he dropped the ball.

Sam Burgess is tackled by Josh Dugan. Source: Getty Images

That effort from the Souths players was a one percenter. Marshall's wasn't. But Marshall still found time for the no look pass. What is he ­practising at training?

And don't tell me Marshall has been out of the game. He missed only three more games than Luke Lewis, who starred for the Blues last Wednesday.

And Lewis had a dislocated shoulder and a cancer scare to deal with while Marshall was doing an extended pre-season. With every excuse, the Dragons are sealing their silent contract. Other teams can smell it.

Many years ago Warren Ryan walked into the Knights' dressing room and looked at Andrew Johns.

Dragon's Benji Marshall after knocking on against the Rabbitohs. Source: News Corp Australia

"Andrew, stop with all that frivolous crap," he said.

Then he looked at Matthew Johns.

"Matthew, stop going ­sideways," he said.

Then he looked at Owen Craigie, with barely a pause.

"Son, you've lost all desire for contact football," he said.

Sometimes, the coach needs to deliver a truth that's needed, not convenient.

BLOG WITH PAUL KENT FROM 1PM TODAY

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Fans set to snub France Test

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

THE Wallabies brand is in free-fall with Saturday's clash against France expected to shatter the record for smallest Test crowd at Suncorp Stadium.

The Wallabies snubbed Will Genia and now Queensland fans are returning the favour.

In a poor result for rugby union, only 29,000 fans are budgeted for the Test against France at Suncorp Stadium, which would be 11,000 fewer than the previous low for a Wallabies game at the ground.

The crowd between two major rugby nations will be smaller than the 32,000 attendance that watched the Broncos play Manly on Sunday.

It will even be smaller than the 2003 World Cup crowd for Fiji's clash against the USA, which attracted 30,990 spectators.

The Reds' poor form and the absence of star Quade Cooper is partly to blame but ultimately rugby is struggling to capture hearts this year.

The scheduling has not helped, with an understrength France arriving in the middle of a State of Origin series and on the eve of the football World Cup in Brazil.

The Wallabies are out of sight and mind at the Sanctuary Cove resort on the Gold Coast and the game only has a six-day build up.

Rugby fans are also saving their cash for the Bledisloe Cup later this year which will sell out Suncorp Stadium.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Ewen McKenzie's first Wallabies team for the year has only two Queenslanders in the starting side – prop James Slipper and second rower Rob Simmons – while James Horwill is on the bench.

It is understood the 29,000 crowd is a projection based on good ticket sales in the next four days and a solid walk-up.

Genia's absence from the side means the walk-up crowd is likely to be poor, as Genia is one of Brisbane's most loved sports stars.

Former Wallabies coach John Connolly said while the Reds' poor form was a factor, the economy was the real reason people were staying at home.

"The major factors are cost of tickets plus food and drink and also the fact people are struggling with their budgets at the moment and would rather have a cheaper night watching at home,'' Connolly said.

"The first Origin game was only sold out in the last couple of days. I never thought I would see an Origin game at Suncorp not sold out in the first five minutes.

"The Reds form is a part of it but league and union are both struggling to get the price of tickets right.''

The ARU is offering a "Go With Mates Pack'' for Saturday night which sees tickets bought in bulk discounted.

The cheapest ticket for the Test starts at $49 and prices are generally much cheaper than last week's Origin, which drew a crowd of 52,111.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Final World Cup 23-man squads

Steven Gerrard lead England's final 23. Source: - / AFP

DREAMS are sealed and hopes shattered as 32 World Cup coaches announce their final 23-man squads for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Here's your one-stop-shop for all your World Cup squad news - and we'll update this piece from preliminary squads to final 23-man lists when they're announced.

NOW YOU KNOW THE SQUADS - TIME TO PLAY FOX SPORTS FANTASY WORLD CUP

MORE WORLD CUP NEWS

SOCCEROOS SQUAD SELECTOR

GROUP A

BRAZIL

Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (QPR), Jefferson (Botafogo), Victor (Atletico Mineiro)

Defenders: David Luiz (Chelsea), Dante (Bayern Munich), Thiago Silva (Paris Saint-Germain), Henrique (Napoli), Maicon (Roma), Dani Alves (Barcelona), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Maxwell (Paris Saint-Germain)

Midfielders: Luiz Gustavo (Wolfsburg), Paulinho (Tottenham), Fernandinho (Manchester City), Ramires (Chelsea), Oscar (Chelsea), Willian (Chelsea), Hernanes (Inter Milan)

Forwards: Hulk (Zenit St. Petersburg), Bernard (Shakhtar Donetsk), Neymar (Barcelona), Jo (Atletico Mineiro), Fred (Fluminense)

HEADLINE: all eyes will be on Neymar with veterans Ronaldinho, Kaka and Robino left out of Luis Felipe Scolari's squad, which also had no room for Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho.

REACTION: NO RONALDINHO, KAKA IN BRAZIL 23

Brazil's superstars Neymar, left, Daniel Alves, center, and Fred joke around at training. Source: AP

CAMEROON

Goalkeepers: Charles Itandje (Konyaspor), Sammy Ndjock (Fetihespor), Loic Feudjou (Coton Sport)

Defenders: Allan Nyom (Granada), Dany Nounkeu (Besiktas), Cedric Djeugoue (Coton Sport), Aurelien Chedjou (Galatasaray), Nicolas Nkoulou (Marseille), Henri Bedimo (Lyon), Benoit Assou-Ekotto (Tottenham Hotspur)

Midfielders: Eyong Enoh (Antalyaspor), Jean Makoun (Rennes), Joel Matip (Schalke), Stephane Mbia (QPR), Landry Nguemo (Bordeaux), Alex Song (Barcelona), Edgar Salli (Lens)

Forwards: Samuel Eto'o (unattached), Eric Choupo Moting (Mainz), Benjamin Moukandjo (Nancy), Vincent Aboubakar (Lorient), Pierre Webo (Fenerbahce), Fabrice Olinga (Zulte-Waregem).

HEADLINE: Chelsea veteran Samuel Eto'o and Barcelona's Alex Song headline a predominantly European based squad.

Age won't stop Cameroon forward Samuel Eto'o going to the World Cup. Source: AFP

CROATIA

Goalkeepers: Stipe Pletikosa (Rostov/RUS), Danijel Subasic (Monaco/FRA), Oliver Zelenika (Lokomotiva Zagreb)

Defenders: Darijo Srna (Shakhtar Donetsk/UKR), Domagoj Vida (Dynamo Kiev/UKR), Sime Vrsaljko (Genoa/ITA), Danijel Pranjic (Panathinaikos/GRE), Vedran Corluka (Lokomotiv Moscow/RUS), Dejan Lovren (Southampton/ENG), Gordon Schindelfeld (Panathinaikos/GRE) Midfielders: Luka Modric (Real Madrid/ESP), Ivan Rakitic (Sevilla/ESP), Mateo Kovacic (Inter Milan/ITA), Marcelo Brozovic (Dinamo Zagreb), Ognjen Vukojevic (Dynamo Kiev/UKR), Ivan Mocinic (Rijeka), Sammir (Getafe/ESP)

Forwards: Mario Mandzukic (Bayern Munich/GER), Nikica Jelavic (Hull City/ENG), Ivica Olic (VfL Wolfsburg/GER), Eduardo Da Silva (Shakhtar Donetsk/UKR), Ivan Perisic (VfL Wolfsburg/GER), Ante Rebic (Fiorentina/ITA)

HEADLINE: Plenty of stars for the Croats, mainly Bayern's Mario Mandzukic, Luka Modric, Nikica Jelavic and Ivan Rakitic

Real Madrid's Champions League winner Luka Modric is Croatia's go-to guy. Source: AP

MEXICO

Goalkeepers: Jesus Corona (Cruz Azul), Guillermo Ochoa (Ajaccio), Alfredo Talavera (Toluca)

Defenders: Paul Aguilar (Club America), Andres Guardado (Bayer Leverkusen), Miguel Layun (Club America), Rafael Marquez (Leon), Hector Moreno (Espanyol), Diego Reyes (Porto), Francisco Javier Rodriguez (Club America), Carlos Salcido (Tigres)

Midfielders: Isaac Brizuela (Toluca), Marco Fabian (Cruz Azul), Hector Herrera (Porto), Juan Carlos Medina (Club America), Luis Montes (Leon), Carlos Pena (Leon), Jose Juan Vazquez (Leon)

Forwards: Giovani Dos Santos (Villarreal), Javier Hernandez (Manchester United), Raul Jimenez (Club America), Oribe Peralta (Santos), Alan Pulido (Tigres)

HEADLINE: Marquee veteran Rafa Marquez leads Mexico's contingent, who needed a play-off against New Zealand to qualify. Defender Carlos Salcido is a surprise in, getting his first call-up under boss Miguel Herrera, while Giovani Dos Santos and Javier Hernandez will be the stars up front.

GROUP B

AUSTRALIA

Goalkeepers: Mat Ryan (Club Brugge), Mitchell Langerak (Borussia Dortmund), Eugene Galekovic (Adelaide United).

Defenders: Ivan Franjic (Brisbane Roar), Jason Davidson (Heracles Almelo), Matthew Spiranovic (Western Sydney Wanderers), Bailey Wright (Preston North End), Alex Wilkinson (Jeonbuk Motors), Ryan McGowan (Shandong Luneng)

Midfielders: Mile Jedinak (Crystal Palace), Mark Milligan (Melbourne Victory), James Holland (Austria Vienna), Massimo Luongo (Swindon Town), Oliver Bozanic (Luzern), Matt McKay (Brisbane Roar), Mark Bresciano (Al-Gharafa)

Attackers: Tim Cahill (New York Red Bulls), Dario Vidosic (Sion), Tommy Oar (FC Utrecht), James Troisi (Melbourne Victory), Ben Halloran (Fortuna Dusseldorf), Adam Taggart (Newcastle Jets), Mathew Leckie (FSV Frankfurt).

HEADLINE: Josh Kennedy and Tom Rogic miss out through injury, but veteran Luke Wilkshire is a surprise omission.

Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou will drop one final player on Wednesday. Source: AFP

CHILE

Goalkeepers: Claudio Bravo (Real Sociedad/ESP), Johnny Herrera (Universidad de Chile), Cristopher Toselli (Universidad Catolica)

Defenders: Gary Medel (Cardiff City/ENG), Jose Rojas (Universidad de Chile), Eugenio Mena (Santos/BRA), Gonzalo Jara (Nottingham Forest/ENG)

Midfielders: Arturo Vidal (Juventus/ITA), Mauricio Isla (Juventus/ITA), Marcelo Diaz (Basel/SUI), Francisco Silva (Osasuna/ESP), Felipe Gutierrez (FC Twente/NED), Jose Pedro Fuenzalida (Colo Colo), Carlos Carmona (Atalanta/ITA), Jean Beausejour (Wigan/ENG), Charles Aranguiz (Internacional/BRA), Miiko Albornoz (Malmo/SWE).

Forwards: Alexis Sanchez (Barcelona/ESP), Eduardo Vargas (Valencia/ESP), Jorge Valdivia (Palmeiras/BRA), Mauricio Pinilla (Cagliari/ITA), Esteban Paredes (Colo Colo), Fabian Orellana (Celta Vigo/ESP)

HEADLINE: Injured Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal has made the cut for the final 23 despite injury. Midfielders David Pizarro of Italy's Fiorentina and Humberto Suazo, who plays in Monterrey, Mexico. Barcelona's Alexis Sanchez leads the line.

Chilean footballer Arturo Vidal is recovering form surgery but is in Chile's 23-man squad. Source: AFP

NETHERLANDS

Goalkeepers: Jasper Cillessen (Ajax), Tim Krul (Newcaste United), Michel Vorm (Swansea City)
Defenders: Daley Blind (Ajax), Daryl Janmaat (Feyenoord), Terence Kongolo (Feyenoord), Bruno Martins Indi (Feyenoord), Joel Veltman (Ajax), Paul Verhaegh (FC Augsburg), Ron Vlaar (Aston Villa), Stefan de Vrij (Feyenoord)

Midfielders: Jordy Clasie (Feyenoord), Leroy Fer (Norwich City), Jonathan De Guzman (Swansea City), Nigel de Jong (AC Milan), Wesley Sneijder (Galatasaray), Georginio Wijnaldum (PSV Eindhoven)

Forwards: Memphis Depay (PSV Eindhoven), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Schalke 04), Dirk Kuyt (Fenerbahce), Jeremain Lens (Dynamo Kiev), Robin van Persie (Manchester United, Arjen Robben (Bayern Mnich)

HEADLINE: The loss of key midfielder Kevin Strootman has forced Louis Van Gaal into a reshuffle and he is contemplating playing five defenders. The squad is a mix of Eredivse rookies and 2010 veterans.

Dutch forward Robin van Persie chats with coach Louis van Gaal. Source: AFP

SPAIN

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina (Napoli), David de Gea (Manchester United)

Defenders: Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Javi Martinez (Bayern Munich), Raul Albiol (Napoli), Juanfran Torres (Atletico Madrid).

Midfielders: Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Xavi Hernandez (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Koke Resurreccion (Atletico Madrid), David Silva (Manchester City), Juan Mata (Manchester United), Santi Cazorla (Arsenal).

Forwards: Pedro Rodriguez (Barcelona), Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid), David Villa (Atletico Madrid), Fernando Torres (Chelsea).

HEADLINE: Jesus Navas and Alvaro Negredo miss out; Fernando Torres and Diego Costa are in.

Spain forward Fernando Torres was a surprise inclusion in Vicente Del Bosque's squad. Source: AFP

GROUP C

COLOMBIA

Goalkeepers: David Ospina (Nice), Faryd Mondragon (Deportivo Cali), Camilo Vargas (Santa Fe).

Defenders: Camilo Zuniga (Napoli), Santiago Arias (PSV Eindhoven), Mario Alberto Yepes (Atalanta), Cristian Zapata (AC Milan), Pablo Armero (West Ham), Eder Alvarez Balanta (River Plate), Carlos Valdes (San Lorenzo).

Midfielders: Alex Mejia (Atletico Nacional), Freddy Guarin (Inter), Abel Aguilar (Toulouse), Aldo Leao Ramirez (Morelia), Carlos Sanchez (Elche), Juan Quintero (Porto), Juan Cuadrado (Fiorentina), James Rodriguez (Monaco).

Forwards: Carlos Bacca (Sevilla), Teofilo Gutierrez (River Plate), Jackson Martinez (Porto), Vctor Ibarbo (Cagliari), Adrian Ramos (Herta Berlin).

HEADLINE: Star striker Radamel Falcao's desperate race to be fit is over.

Colombia striker Radamel Falcao couldn't get fit in time. Source: AFP

GREECE

Goalkeepers: Orestis Karnezis (Granada), Panagiotis Glykos (PAOK), Stefanos Kapino (Panathinaikos).

D efenders: Vassilis Torosidis (Roma), Loukas Vyntra (Levante), Sokratis Papastathopoulos (Borussia Dortmund), Costas Manolas (Olympiakos), Vangelis Moras (Hellas Verona), Jose Holebas (Olympiakos), Giorgos Tzavellas (PAOK), Yiannis Maniatis (Olympiakos).

Midfielders: Alexandros Tziolis (Kayserispor), Kostas Katsouranis (PAOK), Giorgos Karagounis (Fulham), Andreas Samaris (Olympiakos), Panagiotis Tachtsidis (Torino), Panagiotis Kone (Bologna), Yiannis Fetfatzidis (Genoa), Lazaros Christodoulopoulos (Bologna).

Forwards: Georgios Samaras (Celtic), Kostas Mitroglou (Fulham), Theofanis Gekas (Konyaspor), Dimitris Salpingidis (PAOK).

HEADLINE: 132-cap veteran Giorgos Karagounis leads the side, despite a sub-par season at Fulham, while club teammate Kostas Mitroglou will also be there.

IVORY COAST

TOURE IN SQUAD DESPITE BEING DIAGNOSED WITH MALARIA

Goalkeepers: Boubacar Barry (Lokeren), Sylvain Gbohouo (Sewe Sport), Mande Sayouba (Stabaek).

Defenders: Serge Aurier (Toulouse), Jean-Daniel Akpa-Akpro (Toulouse), Didier Zokora (Trabzonspor), Kolo Toure (Liverpool), Souleman Bamba (Trabzonspor), Arthur Boka (Stuttgart), Constant Djakpa (Eintracht Frankfurt), Ousmane Viera (Caykur Rizespor).

Midfielders: Cheick Tiote (Newcastle), Serey Die (Basel), Ismael Diomande (Saint-Etienne), Didier Ya Konan (Hannover), Yaya Toure (Manchester City), Max Gradel (Saint-Etienne).

Forwards: Didier Drogba (Galatasaray), Wilfried Bony (Swansea), Gervinho (Roma), Salomon Kalou (Lille), Giovanni Sio (Basel), Mathis Bolly (Fortuna Dusseldorf).

HEADLINE: Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure headline a squad that sees the latter's brother Kolo Toure included, despite being diagnosed with malaria.

Didier Drogba in action for Ivory Coast. Source: AFP

JAPAN

Goalkeepers: Eiji Kawashima (Standard Liege), Shusaku Nishikawa (Urawa Red Diamonds), Shuichi Gonda (FC Tokyo)

Defenders: Yuto Nagatomo (Inter Milan), Maya Yoshida (Southampton), Yasuyuki Konno (Gamba Osaka), Masahiko Inoha (Jubilo Iwata), Masato Morishige (FC Tokyo), Atsuto Uchida (Schalke 04), Hiroki Sakai (Hannover 96), Gotoku Sakai (Stuttgart)

Midfielders:

Makoto Hasebe (Nuremberg), Hotaru Yamaguchi (Cerezo Osaka), Yasuhito Endo (Gamba Osaka), Toshihiro Aoyama (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Hiroshi Kiyotake (Nuremberg), Keisuke Honda (AC Milan)

Forwards: Shinji Kagawa (Manchester United), Shinji Okazaki (Mainz 05), Yuya Osako (1860 Munich), Yoichiro Kakitani (Cerezo Osaka), Yoshito Okubo (Kawasaki Frontale), Manabu Saito (Yokohama Marinos)

HEADLINE: Australia's Asian rivals Japan boast European stars Shingi Kagawa from Manchester United, Mainz forward Shinji Okazaki and AC Milan marksman Keisuke Honda. Surprisingly, veteran striker Yoshito Okubo also got the nod.

Japan star Shinji Kagawa will look to put a poor club season behind him at the World Cup. Source: AFP

GROUP D

COSTA RICA

Goalkeepers: Keylor Navas (Levante), Patrick Pemberton (Alajuelense), Daniel Cambronero (Herediano)

Defenders: Giancarlo González (Columbus Crew), Jhonny Acosta (Alajuelense), Michael Umaña, (Saprissa), Roy Miller (New York Red Bull), Óscar Duarte (Club Brugge), Junior Díaz (Mainz 05), Cristian Gamboa (Rosenborg), Heiner Mora (Saprissa), Waylon Francis (Columbus Crew)

Midfielders: Yeltsin Tejeda (Saprissa), José Miguel Cubero (Herediano), Óscar Esteban Granados (Herediano), Celso Borges (AIK), Michael Barrantes (Aalesund), Christian Bolaños (FC Copenhague), Diego Calvo (Valerenga)

Forwards: Bryan Ruiz (PSV), Joel Campbell (Olympiacos), Randall "Chiqui" Brenes (Cartaginés), Marco Ureña (Kuban Krasnodar)

HEADLINE: Joel Campbell, on loan at Olympiakos from Arsenal, and Bryan Ruiz, at PSV Eindhoven on loan from Fulham, are the two notable inclusions for Costa Rica. Carlos Hernandez misses out.

ENGLAND

Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Manchester City), Ben Foster (West Bromwich Albion), Fraser Forster (Celtic).

Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Luke Shaw (Southampton), Chris Smalling (Manchester United).

Midfielders: Ross Barkley (Everton), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Southampton), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Manchester City), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal).

Forwards: Rickie Lambert (Southampton), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Daniel Welbeck (Manchester United).

HEADLINE: Veterans Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard are in, but Ashley Cole isn't, with Everton sensation Ross Barkley headlining an England squad with a sprinkling of the EPL's brightest young talent.

Roy Hodgson's England squad is full of young talent. Source: AFP

ITALY

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Salvatore Sirigu (Paris Saint-GermainG/FRA), Mattia Perin (Genoa)

Defenders: Ignazio Abate (AC Milan), Andrea Barzagli (Juventus), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Matteo Darmian (Torino), Mattia De Sciglio (AC Milan), Gabriel Paletta (Parma)

Midfielders: Alberto Aquilani (Fiorentina), Antonio Candreva (Lazio), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Thiago Motta (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Marco Parolo (Parma), Andrea Pirlo (Juventus), Marco Verratti (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA)

Forwards: Mario Balotelli (AC Milan), Antonio Cassano (Parma), Alessio Cerci (Torino), Ciro Immobile (Torino), Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli)

HEADLINE: Key defender Giorgio Chiellini is in despite a Juventus club ethics ban for elbowing Roma midfielder Miralem Pjanic while striker Antonio Cassano was somewhat of a shock choice to go to Brazil.

Italy forward Mario Balotelliwill bring the fun to the World Cup. Source: AP

URUGUAY

Goalkeepers: Fernando Muslera (Galatasaray), Martin Silva (Vasco da Gama), Rodrigo Munoz (Libertad)

Defenders: Maximiliano Pereira (Benfica), Diego Lugano (West Bromwich Albion), Diego Godin, Jose Maria Gimenez (both Atletico Madrid), Sebastian Coates (Liverpool), Martin Caceres (Juventus), Jorge Fucile (Porto)

Midfielders: lvaro Gonzalez (Lazio), Alvaro Pereira (Sao Paulo), Walter Gargano (Parma), Egidio Arevalo Rios (Morelia), Diego Perez (Bologna), Cristian Rodriguez (Atletico Madrid), Gaston Ramirez (Southampton), Nicolas Lodeiro (Botafogo)

Forwards: Luis Suarez (Liverpool), Edinson Cavani (Paris St Germain), Abel Hernandez (Palermo), Diego Forlan (Cerezo Osaka), Christian Stuani (Espanyol).

HEADLINE: All eyes will be on Uruguay's strikeforce, boasting Liverpool's Luis Suarez - will he be fit - and Paris Saint-Germain's Edinson Cavani.

Uruguay striker player Edinson Cavani is expected to lead the line with Luis Suarez. Source: AP

GROUP E

ECUADOR

Goalkeepers: Maximo Banguera (Barcelona SC), Alexander Dominguez (LDU Quito), Adrian Bone (El Nacional).

Defenders: Frickson Erazo (Flamengo), Jorge Guagua, Oscar Bagui, Gabriel Achilier (all Emelec), Walter Ayovi (Pachuca), Juan Carlos Paredes (Barcelona SC).

Midfielders: Segundo Castillo (Al-Hilal), Carlos Gruezo (Stuttgart), Renato Ibarra (Vitesse Arnhem), Cristian Noboa (Dynamo Moscow), Luis Saritama (Barcelona SC), Antonio Valencia (Manchester United), Edison Mendez (Independiente Santa Fe), Fidel Martinez (Tijuana), Michael Arroyo (Atlante).

Forwards: Felipe Caicedo (Al-Jazira), Jefferson Montero (Morelia), Joao Rojas (Cruz Azul), Jaime Ayovi (Tijuana), Enner Valencia (Pachuca).

HEADLINE: It's all about the Valencia boys- Enner and Manchester United winger Antonio.

FRANCE

Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham), Stephane Ruffier (Saint-Etienne) Mickael Landreau (Bastia)

Defenders: Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle), Lucas Digne (Paris Saint-Germain), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal), Eliaquim Mangala (FC Porto), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal), Mamadou Sakho (Liverpool), Raphael Varane (Real Madrid)

Midfielders: Yohan Cabaye (Paris Saint-Germain), Clement Grenier (Lyon), Blaise Matuidi (Paris Saint-Germain), Rio Mavuba (Lille), Paul Pogba (Juventus), Moussa Sissoko (Newcastle), Mathieu Valbuena (Marseille)

Forwards: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Olivier Giroud (Arsenal), Antoine Griezmann (Real Sociedad), Loic Remy (Newcastle), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich).

HEADLINE: Mancehster City star Samir Nasri was left out of the France squad, but they still have plenty of attacking firepower through the likes of Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery and Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema.

Packed full of talent, France will be dangerous in Brazil. Source: AFP

HONDURAS

Goalkeepers: Noel Valladares, Donis Escober (both Olimpia), Luis Lopez (Real Espana).

Defenders: Brayan Beckeles (Olimpia), Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic), Juan Carlos Garcia (Wigan), Maynor Figueroa (Hull), Victor Bernardez (San Jose Earthquakes), Osman Chavez (Qingdao Janoon), Juan Pablo Montes (Motagua).

Midfielders: Arnold Peralta (Rangers), Luis Garrido (Olimpia), Roger Espinoza (Wigan), Jorge Claros (Motagua), Wilson Palacios (Stoke), Oscar Garcia (Houston Dynamo), Andy Najar (Anderlecht), Mario Martinez (Real Espana), Marvin Chavez (Colorado Rapids).

Forwards: Jerry Bengtson (New England Revolution), Jerry Palacios (Alajuelense), Carlo Costly (Real Espana), Rony Martinez (Real Sociedad).

HEADLINE: There are six British based players in the squad, headlined by Hull defender Maynor Figueroa and Stoke midfielder Wilson Palacios.

SWITZERLAND

Goalkeepers: Diego Benaglio (Wolfsburg), Roman Buerki (Grasshopper), Yann Sommer (Basel)

Defenders: Johan Djourou (Hamburg), Michael Lang (Grasshopper), Stephan Lichtsteiner (Juventus), Ricardo Rodriguez (Wolfsburg), Fabian Schaer (Basel), Philippe Senderos (Valencia), Steve von Bergen (Young Boys), Reto Ziegler (Sassuolo)

Midfielders: Tranquillo Barnetta (Eintracht Frankfurt), Valon Behrami (Napoli), Blerim Dzemaili (Napoli), Gelson Fernandes (Freiburg), Goekhan Inler (Napoli), Xherdan Shaqiri (Bayern Munich), Valentin Stocker (Basel)

Forwards: Josip Drmic (Nurnberg), Mario Gavranovic (Zurich), Admir Mehmedi (Freiburg), Haris Seferovic (Real Sociedad), Granit Xhaka (Borussia Moenchengladbach)

HEADLINE: Xherdan Shaqiri and Goekhan Inler headline a very strong midfield named in Ottmar Hitzfeld's Swiss squad, while there was also a place for veteran defender Philippe Senderos.

A good World Cup could see Switzerland's Xherdan Shaqiri make a big club transfer. Source: AP

GROUP F

ARGENTINA

Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (Monaco), Mariano Andujar (Catania), Agustin Orion (Boca Juniors).

Defenders: Federico Fernandez (Napoli), Ezequiel Garay (Benfica), Martin Demichelis (Manchester City), Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Marcos Rojo (Sporting Lisbon), Jose Basanta (Monterrey), Hugo Campagnaro (Inter Milan).

Midfielders: Fernando Gago (Boca Juniors), Augusto Fernandez (Celta Vigo), Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid), Lucas Biglia (Lazio), Maxi Rodriguez (Newell's Old Boys), Ricardo Alvarez (Inter Milan), Enzo Perez (Benfica).

Forwards: Sergio Aguero (Manchester City), Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Paris Saint-Germain), Rodrigo Palacio (Inter Milan).

HEADLINE: Juventus superstar Carlos Tevez didn't make the cut, while winger Erik Lamela's recent injuries counted against him. However, with Lionel Messi weaving his magic and Sergio Aguero firing, Argentina isn't exactly short of attacking options.

Sergio Aguero and Lionel Messi make up Argentina's deadly strikforce. Source: AFP

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Goalkeepers: Asmir Begovic (Stoke City), Asmir Avdukic (Borac Banja Luka), Jasmin Fejzic (VFR Aalen).

Defenders: Emir Spahic (Bayer Leverkusen), Toni Sunjic (Zorya Lugansk), Sead Kolasinac (Schalke), Ognjen Vranjes (Elazigspor), Ervin Zukanovic (Gent), Ermin Bicakcic (Eintracht Braunschweig), Muhamed Besic (Ferencvaros).

Midfielders: Miralem Pjanic (Roma), Izet Hajrovic (Galatasaray), Mensur Mujdza (Freiburg), Haris Medunjanin (Gaziantepspor), Senad Lulic (Lazio), Anel Hadzic (Sturm), Tino Susic (Hajduk), Sejad Salihovic (Hoffenheim), Zvjezdan Misimovic (Guizhour Renhe), Senijad Ibricic (Erciyesspor), Avdija Vrsaljevic (Hajduk).

Forwards: Vedad Ibisevic (VfB Stuttgart), Edin Dzeko (Manchester City), Edin Visca (Istanbul BB).

HEADLINE: an underrated line-up with two of the EPL's best - Asmir Begovic and Edin Dzeko - bookending the line-up at either end.

Edin Dzeko is Bosnia's big-name player. Source: AFP

IRAN

Goalkeepers: Daniel Davari, Alireza Haghighi, Rahman Ahmadi

Defenders: Hossein Mahini, Steven Beitashour, Pejman Montazeri, Jalal Hosseini, Amir-Hossein Sadeghi, Ahmad Alenemeh, Hashem Beikzadeh, Mehrdad Pouladi

Midfielders: Javad Nekounam, Andranik Teymourian, Reza Haghighi, Ghasem Hadadifar, Bakhtiar Rahmani, Ehsan Hajsafi

Forwards: Ashkan Dejagah, Masoud Shojaei, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Reza Ghoochannejhad, Karim Ansarifard, Khosro Heydari.

HEADLINE: former Manchester United assistant Carlos Queiroz helms the Middle East outfit, which includes Fulham midfielder Ashkan Dejagah.

NIGERIA

Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Lille FC, France); Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be'er Sheva, Israel), Chigozie Agbim (Gombe United)

Defenders: Elderson Echiejile (AS Monaco, France); Efe Ambrose (Celtic, Scotland); Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor, Turkey); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves); Kenneth Omeruo (Middlesbrough, England); Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod FC, Israel); Joseph Yobo (Norwich City, England); Kunle Odunlami (Sunshine Stars).

Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea, England); Ramon Azeez (Almeria FC, Spain); Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Nnamdi Oduamadi (Varese, Italy); Reuben Gabriel (Waasland-Beveren, Belgium), Babatunde Michael (Volyn Lutsk, Ukraine).

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United, England); Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce, Turkey); Peter Odemwingie (Stoke City, England), Victor Moses (Liverpool, England), Uche Nwofor (Heerenveen, Holland).

HEADLINE: EPL strikers Peter Odemwingie, Victor Moses and Shola Ameobi have got the nod for Stephen Keshi's squad but Ikechukwu Uche, who scored 12 La Liga goals for Villareal this term, has not.

Nigeria striker Peter Odemwingie will lead the line for his country. Source: AFP

GROUP G

GERMANY

Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Roman Weidenfeller (Borussia Dortmund), Ron-Robert Zieler (Hannover)

Defenders: Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Erik Durm (Borussia Dortmund), Kevin Grosskreutz (Borussia Dortmund), Benedikt Hoewedes (Schalke), Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund), Marcell Jansen (Hamburg), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Per Mertesacker (Arsenal, England).

Midfielders:Julian Draxler (Schalke), Matthias Ginter (Freiburg), Mario Goetze (Bayern Munich), Sami Khedira (Real Madrid, Spain), Toni Kroos (Bayern Munich), Mesut Ozil (Arsenal), Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund), Andre Schuerrle (Chelsea, England), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich).

Forwards: MMiroslav Klose (Lazio, Italy), Lukas Podolski (Arsenal, England), Thomas Mueller (Bayern Munich).

HEADLINE: Joachim Loew has included all of his injured contingent - Manuel Neuer, Philipp Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger - in his final 23-man squad, which is packed full of European-based stars.

REACTION: VETERAN GOMEZ LEFT OUT OF GERMANY SQUAD

Germany coach Joachim Loew has plenty of talent at his disposal. Source: AFP

GHANA

Goalkeepers: Fatau Dauda (Orlando Pirates), Adam Kwarasey (Stromsgodset), Stephen Adams (Aduana Stars)

Defenders: Samuel Inkoom (Platanias), Daniel Opare (Standard Liege), Harrison Afful (Esperance), John Boye (Rennes), Jonathan Mensah (Evian), Rashid Sumalia (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Midfielders: Michael Essien (AC Milan), Sulley Muntari (AC Milan), Mohammed Rabiu (Kuban Krasnodar), Kwadwo Asamoah (Juventus), Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu (Udinese), Afriyie Acquah (Parma), Christian Atsu (Vitesse Arnhem), Albert Adomah (Middlesbrough), Andre Ayew (Marseille), Mubarak Wakaso (Rubin Kazan)

Forwards: Asamoah Gyan (Al Ain), Kevin-Prince Boateng (Schalke), Abdul Majeed Waris (Valenciennes), Jordan Ayew (Sochaux).

HEADLINE: Veterans Michael Essien - who missed 2010 with injury, Asamoah Gyan and Sulley Muntari all get another World Cup finals, but big names John Mensah and Isaac Vorsah have been left out.

PORTUGAL

Goalkeepers: Rui Patricio (Sporting), Beto (Sevilla/ESP), Eduardo (Braga)

Defenders: Andre Almeida (Benfica), Bruno Alves (Fenerbahce/TUR), Fabio Coentrao (Real Madrid/ESP), Joao Pereira (Valencia/ESP), Neto (Zenith St-Petersburg/RUS), Pepe (Real Madrid/ESP), Ricardo Costa (Valencia/ESP)

Midfielders: Joao Moutinho (Monaco/FRA), Miguel Veloso (Dynamo Kiev/UKR), Raul Meireles (Fenerbahce/TUR), Ruben Amorim (Benfica), William Carvalho (Sporting)

Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid/ESP), Eder (Braga), Helder Postiga (Lazio/ITA), Hugo Almeida (Besiktas/TUR), Nani (Manchester United/ENG), Rafa (Braga), Varela (FC Porto), Vieirinha (Wolfsburg/GER)

HEADLINE: Portugal will rely heavily on Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, although he'll be supported by the likes of Joao Moutinho and William Cravalho. Ricardo Quaresma was overlooked.

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo is Portugal's great hope at the World Cup. Source: AP

USA

Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)

Defenders: DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Timmy Chandler (Nürnberg), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Fabian Johnson (Borussia Mönchengladbach), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders FC)

Midfielders: Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Julian Green (Bayern Munich), Jermaine Jones (Besiktas), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)

Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Sunderland), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC), Aron Johannsson (AZ Alkmaar), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)

HEADLINE: Record goalscorer Landon Donovan is axed, but Everton No.1 Tim Howard, Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan, Sunderland striker Jozy Alitdore and Stoke defender Geoff Cameron headline USA's EPL contingent, while Jurgen Klinsmann will rely heavily on MLS-based legends Clint Dempsey.

Clint Dempseyof the United States is congratulated by teammate Timmy Chandler. Source: AFP

GROUP H

ALGERIA -

Goalkeepers: Rais Mbolhi (CSKA Sofia), Cedric Si Mohamed (CS Constantine), Mohamed Lamine Zemmamouche (USM Alger)

Defenders: Essaid Belkalem (Watford), Madjid Bougherra (Al Lekhwiya), Liassine Cadamuro (Mallorca), Faouzi Ghoulam (Naples), Rafik Halliche (Academica Coimbra), Aissa Mandi (Stade Reims), Carl Medjani (Valenciennes), Djamel Mesbah (Livorno), Mehdi Mostefa (Ajaccio)

Midfielders: Nabil Bentaleb (Tottenham Hotspur), Yacine Brahimi (Granada), Abdelmoumene Djabou (Club Africain), Sofiane Feghouli (Valencia), Mehdi Lacen (Getafe), Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City), Saphir Taider (Inter Milan), Hassan Yebda (Udinese)

Forwards: Nabil Ghilas (Porto), Islam Slimani (Sporting), El Arabi Soudani (Dinamo Zagreb).

HEADLINE: Tottenham's Nabil Bentaleb is included in a squad that boasts just three locally based players, amongst midfielders and strikers coming from the EPL, La Liga, Serie A, Ligue 1 and Russia.

BELGIUM

Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois (Atletico Madrid, on loan from Chelsea), Simon Mignolet (Liverpool), Koen Casteels (Hoffenheim), Silvio Proto (Anderlecht).

Defenders: Toby Alderweireld (Atletico Madrid), Laurent Ciman (Standard Liege), Nicolas Lombaerts (Zenit St Petersburg), Vincent Kompany (Manchester City), Daniel Van Buyten (Bayern Munich), Anthony Vanden Borre (Anderlecht), Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal), Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham).

Midfielders: Nacer Chadli, Mousa Dembele (both Tottenham), Steven Defour (Porto), Kevin De Bruyne (Wolfsburg), Marouane Fellaini, Adnan Januzaj (both Manchester United), Eden Hazard (Chelsea), Kevin Mirallas (Everton), Divock Origi (Lille), Axel Witsel (Zenit St Petersburg)

Attackers: Romelu Lukaku (Everton, on loan from Chelsea), Dries Mertens (Napoli)

Belgium rookie Adnan Januzaj training with his new teammates. Source: AP

HEADLINE: Manchester United prodigy Adnan Januzaj is IN, as is maligned club teammate Marouane Fellaini. Plenty of firepower for the Red Devils, with Eden Hazard, Kevin Mirallas and Romelu Lukaku also named.

Fabio Capello heads to a second World Cup as a coach. Source: AFP

RUSSIA

Goalkeepers: Igor Akinfeev (CSKA Moscow), Yuri Lodygin (Zenit St. Petersburg), Sergei Ryzhikov (Rubin Kazan).

Defenders: Vasily Berezutsky (CSKA Moscow), Sergei Ignashevich (CSKA Moscow), Georgy Shchennikov (CSKA Moscow), Vladimir Granat (Dynamo Moscow), Alexei Kozlov (Dynamo Moscow), Andrei Yeshchenko (Anzhi Makhachkala), Dmitry Kombarov (Spartak Moscow), Andrei Semyonov (Terek Grozny).

Midfielders: Igor Denisov (Dynamo Moscow), Alan Dzagoev (CSKA Moscow), Roman Shirokov (Zenit St. Petersburg), Denis Glushakov (Spartak Moscow), Viktor Faizulin (Zenit St. Petersburg), Oleg Shatov (Zenit St. Petersburg), Yuri Zhirkov (Dynamo Moscow), Alexander Samedov (Lokomotiv Moscow)

Forwards: Alexei Ionov (Dynamo Moscow), Alexander Kokorin (Dynamo Moscow), Maxim Kanunnikov (Amkar Perm), Alexander Kerzhakov (Zenit St. Petersburg).

HEADLINE: Fabio Capello has chosen only domestic-based players in his 23-man squad, so there's no room for Pavel Pogrebnyak,Andrey Arshavin, Roman Pavlyuchenko or Dinyar Bilyaletdinov.

SOUTH KOREA

Goalkeepers: Jung Sung-ryong (Suwon Bluewings), Kim Seung-gyu (Ulsan Hyundai), Lee Bum-young (Busan I'Park)

Defenders: Hong Jeong-ho (Augsburg), Hwang Seo-ho (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Kim Chang-soo (Kashiwa Reysol), Kim Young-gwon (Guangzhou Evergrande), Kwak Tae-hwi (Al Hilal), Lee Yong (Ulsan Hyundai), Yun Suk-young (QPR), Park Joo-ho (Mainz).

Midfielders: Ha Dae-sung (Beijing Guoan), Han Kook-young (Kashiwa Reysol), Ji Dong-won (Augsburg), Ki Sung-yueng (Swansea), Kim Bo-kyung (Cardiff City), Lee Chung-yong (Bolton), Park Jong-woo (Guangzhou R&F), Son Heung-min (Bayer Leverkusen)

Forwards: Kim Shin-wook (Ulsan Hyundai), Koo Ja-cheol (Mainz), Lee Keun-ho (Sangju Sangmu), Park Chu-young (Arsenal)

HEADLINE: Hong Myung-bo has selected a mix of European and Asian based players, with Bayer Leverkusen star Son Heung-min headlining the group. Five players, including Sunderland's Ki Sung-yueng, are from England's top two tiers.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More