On the pitch
23 Jun 2006Al Jaber calls time on Saudi career
Veteran Saudi Arabia striker Sami al-Jaber announced his retirement from international football on Friday after the Gulf side were knocked out of the World Cup.
The 33-year-old was made skipper for the day, but was unable to lead his team to victory as the Saudis lost 1-0 to Spain and finished bottom of Group H.
"The match against Spain was the last international match for me," said Jaber.
"The decision is final. I have talked about it with the federation and they are right behind me."
Jaber played 163 times for Saudi Arabia and scored 44 goals.
He had originally retired as an international after the 2002 World Cup but was persuaded to return to help the team qualify for the finals.
His goal in the 2-2 draw with Tunisia in the opening Group H game meant he joined Pele, Diego Maradona and Uwe Seeler as the only man to have scored in World Cups 12 years apart.
Beckham optimistic ahead of Ecuador
David Beckham came out swinging Friday, insisting England will put their mediocre form behind them and toss Ecuador out of the World Cup.
The England captain said the side was in good shape and ultra-confident that they can make the quarter-finals despite a defensive horror show against Sweden in their last group game.
"We're in very good shape, we're in the last 16, we've got no injuries," he said. "There is no reason not to be optimistic. We're fit and the spirits are very high."
"It's a chance for us to prove to people that we can perform at this level and so far we've done well and we're happy. People have said we haven't played our best football so far, and hopefully it will come.
"We realise we can play much better football but the togetherness of the team can't be better, that's impossible. It's up to us now."
Defeat's not entered my mind says Klinsmann
Jurgen Klinsmann says he is supremely confident that hosts Germany will overcome Sweden in Saturday's last 16 World Cup duel in Munich and has not even contemplated defeat.
"I'm convinced we will win this game. I can't imagine anything else," said Klinsmann.
"We have a lot of respect for Sweden. They have players operating at the top level with European clubs but we think we will come out on top.
"We have great international players and I believe we are in a position to beat Sweden whether it be in 90 minutes, 120 minutes or on penalties."
"It is a knockout game so there is a bit of tension but we can't wait for the kick-off in Munich," he said.
"I think the team is motivated and don't go along with the theory that they are under pressure.
"I don't think the young players will be nervous. Everyone needs to go to their limits now physically and mentally. It's about will to win.
France in last 16, beat Togo 2-0
France will play Spain in the last 16 after qualifying as runners up in Group G Friday with a 2-0 win over Togo in Cologne thanks to goals from Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry.
Togo go home without a point, while France came second to Switzerland.
France midfielder Frank Ribery made up for two outright howlers of his own when his run into the area and pass set up Vieira's 55th minute opener, taken with some style on the turn.
Vieira then headed down on a Willy Sagnol cross to set up Henry for the 61st minute goal that made it the 2-0 France needed to qualify for the second round regardless of the score in the other Group G tie, where the Swiss beat South Korea 2-0.
Italy's De Rossi banned for four matches
Italy midfielder Daniele De Rossi has been banned for four international matches for elbowing US striker Brian McBride in the face in the World Cup Group E match last week, FIFA said on Friday.
The FIFA disciplinary committee also fined the Roma player 10,000 Swiss francs (6,400 euros).
As De Rossi has already served one match of the suspension, he can only play again in this World Cup if Italy reach the final or the third-place playoff.
McBride needed three stitches to a cut under his eye after the incident in the 1-1 draw that saw two Americans and one Italian sent off.
Just the beginning says Vieira
France's man-of-the-match Patrick Vieira said after setting up a last-16 tie with Spain Friday with a goal and an assist on his 30th birthday that there was more to come from 'Les Blues'
"It was long and difficult after we drew our opening two matches but we had some cards in our hand and knew if we got the two goals we would be through, fulfilling our first objective," Vieira said.
"This team has a lot of potential," he added.
Vieira's night ended painfully when he came off after a nasty elbow to the face, but the reception he received and the knowledge that France now have a second round date with the Spanish in Hanover on Tuesday will have eased his evident discomfort.
Shevchenko fires Ukraine into last-16
Ukraine captain Andriy Shevchenko won a contested penalty with 20 minutes left and then dusted himself off to convert the resulting spotkick as Ukraine eliminated ten-man Tunisia 1-0 and booked a spot in the last-16.
Oleg Blokhine's side finished second behind Group H winners Spain and will now meet either France, South Korea or Switzerland in the next round depending on results later on Friday.
In a poorly played tie, Ukraine dominated the bulk of possession and should have won by a larger scoreline with the Tunisian's down to ten men since the
red card shown to striker Zied Jaziri just before half-time.
Shevchenko was at the centre of most of Ukraine's forays forward and could have scored more, although the new Chelsea striker was heavily marked throughout.
However he made no mistake from the spot after being bundled over from by Ali Boumnijel and a Tunisia defender although the north African team strongly protested the decision.
Spain wins Group H, eliminate Saudis
A first-half goal was enough to give Spain a victory and a maximum nine points in Group H to also eliminate Saudi Arabia in their match in Kaiserslautern on Friday.
Juanito got the goal after 36 minutes when his powerful header from a Jose Reyes free-kick left Saudi 'keeper Zaid Mabrouk no chance.
Spain started with Raul and Cesc Fabregas as their only recognisable first 11 players, but this was a first start for even these two.
Switzerland win Group G, eliminate South Korea
Switzerland set up a last 16 tie with the Ukraine on Friday when they won Group G by beating South Korea 2-0 in Hanover thanks to goals from Philippe Senderos and Alexander Frei.
Switzerland won the group with seven points ahead of France on five. While South Korea came third on four points.
Senderos put in a thundering header from a free kick after 23 minutes but carried through for a clash of heads with Korea's Choi Jin Choel, leaving both men bleeding from the forehead and later went off with an arm injury.
Frei went round the 'keeper to slot home from a tight angle after 77 minutes.
Van Nistelrooy looks set for Dutch axe
Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy looked set for the axe on Friday when his coach criticised his lacklustre performances.
Marco van Basten said van Nistelrooy had failed to impress and signalled he may replace him for Sunday's must-win clash with Portugal.
"Ruud has not been good. He hasn't been on form in the first matches," said van Basten. "He has to give us a lot more."
"He gets enough support from the wings and the midfield. It's up to Ruud to improve," van Basten added. "He's a good guy, he works hard in training but he has to give us more."
Asked whether van Nistelrooy would be cut from the team to face Portugal, van Basten replied: "That could be the best solution."
"In any case, I'm going to have a good talk with Ruud," he said.