On the pitch

28 Jun 2006

Henry hits back at cheat slurs

France striker Theirry Henry insisted on Wednesday that he did not cheat to help clinch his country's World Cup win over Spain.

The Spanish captain Carlos Puyol claimed Henry had dived to win the free-kick that led to France's decisive second goal in Les Bleus' 3-1 triumph in Hanover on Tuesday night.

Puyol was furious as Patrick Vieira headed France into the lead from Zinedine Zidane's resulting set-piece, but Arsenal star Henry maintained he was fouled by the Barcelona defender.

"Spain's left-back Mariano Perina was going to win the ball so I don't know why Puyol cut across me, but he did. I don't cheat."

Henry believes Raymond Domenech's side could repeat their 1998 World Cup victory thanks to their indomitable team spirit.

He added: "I think we have got a lot of stick, but we have shown that we are a team.

"Now, no matter what happens, and you never know what can happen later on during the competition, we showed to our fans and to our people back in France that we are a team."

World Cup quarter-finals referees named

FIFA on Wednesday announced the referees to take charge of the World Cup quarter-finals.

Lubos Michel of Slovakia will referee Germany v Argentina on Friday and Frank De Bleeckere of Belgium will take charge of Italy v Ukraine on the same day.

England's quarter-final against Portugal on Saturday will be officiated by Horacio Elizondo of Argentina, while Luis Medina Cantalejo of Spain will officiate the Brazil v France game that day.

Those four referees are among 12 named by FIFA's referees' committee who are in contention to take charge of the semi-finals, third-place playoff and final.

English referee Graham Poll, who mistakenly awarded three yellow cards to Croatian player Josip Simunic in the first-round match against Australia, failed to make the cut when the original list of 26 was cut down.

The same fate befell Russian referee Valentin Ivanov who officiated in the brutal Portugal v Netherlands last 16 round game which saw him hand out a record four red and 16 yellow cards.

Pauleta not rushing to write off England

Portugal's all-time leading scorer Pauleta has refused to write off England ahead of Saturday's quarter-final, saying critics of Sven-Goran Eriksson's team should look at the fate suffered by Spain.

Pauleta insisted: "England are not playing badly.

"People were saying Spain were playing the best football in the tournament and now they're out," said the 33-year-old Paris St Germain striker.

"The game is equal and it will be decided by who takes the smallest of chances.

"But we think we can beat them again, as in Euro 2004, because we're the same group of players but with more experience."

"We will show our country they can be proud of us. We're going to leave our soul down on the field."

Everyone must pull their weight, says Eriksson

A bullish Sven-Goran Eriksson says everyone must pull their weight if England are to make the World Cup semi-finals, but said he was confident they can beat Portugal on Saturday.

"I strongly believe that we will win. I always believe that and we are in the quarter-final and we want to play in the semi-final and the final," he said.

"I said a long time ago that England would have a very good World Cup.

"We are going the right way, we are in the quarter-final and I think we can do better and we can play better and we will stay in Germany for a long time still."

"In every way we can do better and we know it. You haven't seen the best of us yet and hopefully you will see it on Saturday," he said.

"The key is that everything must work out well. Everyone will be important and I expect everyone to do their job out there for 90 minutes.

"Before I finish this job I would like to go further than the quarter-finals and the England fans deserve to see their team going further."

Portugal's Ronaldo back in training

Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo resumed training here Wednesday after picking up a thigh injury in the second round win over the Nethlerlands on the weekend.

Ronaldo caught a boot from Dutch defender Khalid Boulahrouz early in the ill-tempered 1-0 win on Sunday - which saw four sendings-off and 16 yellow cards - and was replaced after 34 minutes.

At the Portuguese training camp here on Wednesday, the Manchester United player went through a rigorous stretching regime with the team physio, apart from the rest of the players.

Team-mate Pauleta earlier said that he was confident coach Luis Felipe Scolari would have a full squad to pick from come Saturday's quarter-final against England, although playmaker Deco and influential holding anchorman Costinha are out after being sent off in the win over the Netherlands.

"We're all going to be fit for Saturday. We've had six days to rest and prepare for the match," insisted Pauleta.

Nesta ruled out of Ukraine quarter-final

Italy's central defender Alessandro Nesta confirmed Wednesday he will not play in their World Cup quarter-final against the Ukraine after failing to recover from a groin injury.

The 30-year-old, who missed Italy's 1-0 second round win against Australia, is hopeful of being fit for the semi-finals should the Azzurri advance.

"I visited a clinic here in Duisburg and there's still something not right," Nesta said at a press conference here two days ahead of their last eight clash against Ukraine in Hamburg.

"It has improved a great deal, but I can't play in this match. However I'm confident of making the next one if we get there. The doctor has given me some hope," added the AC Milan defensive bedrock.

Nesta's replacement Marco Materazzi was sent off against Australia and is suspended for the Ukraine match.

That means Palermo's inexperienced 25-year-old Andrea Barzagli will come in at centre-back to play alongside Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro.

Ballack, Klose back in training for Germany

German captain Michael Ballack and top scorer Miroslav Klose will return to training on Wednesday after shaking off minor injuries, assistant coach Joachim Low said.

Hosts Germany face Argentina on Friday in the quarter-final of the World Cup and were given a scare when Ballack and Klose were forced to train separately from the squad on Tuesday.

"Ballack has a swollen ankle and Klose has foot muscle problems. That is why they both had individual training on Tuesday," Low explained at Wednesday's press conference.

"But they will train again today and there is no problem for Friday."

Ballack, who missed the opening 4-2 win over Costa Rica with a calf injury, is crucial for his team in the playmaking role.

Klose has also shown his importance to the side by scoring four goals in as many matches to top the World Cup goalscoring charts.

Former first-choice goalkeeper Oliver Kahn also missed Tuesday's training due to illness but the 37-year-old is now fully recovered.

Kahn puts team glory first

Germany's former first-choice goalkeeper Oliver Kahn admits it will hurt him to be on the substitutes bench for Friday's World Cup quarter-final clash with Argentina but promised to do everything in his power to help his country lift a fourth World Cup title.

"I am only human and I want to be active. If a player is happy to be on the substitutes bench you should send him home from the World Cup straight away," Kahn said.

"However I will do everything for this team to win the trophy. I have always said I wanted to be world champion.

"I came close in 2002. If I can do that now - even though I am not playing - it will be a major achievement."

"I am obsessed by winning titles and being the number one so helping the team is giving me a new perspective," Kahn revealed.

Of course I want to play. But Jurgen Klinsmann chose Jens Lehmann and I have to accept that."

France send Spain packing in 3-1 upset

Patrick Vieira headed home on 83 minutes and Zinedine Zidane scored in injury time to send France into the quarter-finals as Raymond Domenech's side upset favoured Spain 3-1 in a second round thriller in Hanover on Tuesday.

The Juventus midfielder found himself alone at the far post and sent a point blank header in off the body of Sergio Ramos and past Iker Casillas to send the French players and their fans into hysterics.

Zidane then made the result safe when he broke past the Spanish defence who were pushing forward and will now play at least one more game before heading into retirement.

The defeat was the first under Spain coach Luis Aragones after 26 matches in charge.

French winger Franck Ribery earlier broke the offside trap on 41 minutes to round Casillas and level the scores after David Villa had scored from the penalty spot for Spain on 28 minutes.

The stage was then set for Vieira to put France in front before Zidane wrapped it up and sent Les Bleus into the last 8 where they will play Brazil.

Fit Rooney looking ahead to Portugal

Wayne Rooney is feeling no pressure from the weight of expectations on his young shoulders and says he is willing to play anywhere if it means England win the World Cup.

"It's good to be here and back with the lads and we have done well so far. I'm just really pleased to be here and want to just try and help win the competition," he said.

"I've always been positive from the day I got injured. My main aim was to take part and I've played in three or four games already. I'm really happy with that and hopefully I can play another three games."

"In the previous games we haven't really played to our best and we have managed to get the results we needed, and hopefully that will continue and we keep getting the results," he said.

"We've got a lot of match winners in the team -- Joe Cole, Steve Gerrard, Frank Lampard, there's a lot of players who can take the game by the scruff of the neck and win the game for us.

Ghana coach proud but disappointed

Ghana coach Ratomir Dujkovic watched the second half of his squad's 3-0 second-round World Cup loss to Brazil away from the bench after offering Slovakian referee Michel Lubos some fashion advice.

"It would be better for us if you put on a yellow jersey," the 60-year-old Serbian suggested.

"I was never sent off until today," said the vastly-experienced handler.

Dujkovic's ire was aroused after a cross from Brazil captain Cafu deflected off defender Illiasu Shilla and bounced into the goal off the thigh of Adriano, who was offside on the play but was not flagged by the linesman.

But Brazilian coach Carlos Alberto Parreira would have none of it, saying Dujkovic was whining after being beaten by a superior team.

"That's a loser's crying game," Parreira said. "Those who lose cry, weep or cringe."

"Of course I'm not satisfied because it was 3-0, but I'm very proud of my guys," Dujkovic said. "It's not a shame to lose to Brazil."

Voronin blow for Ukraine

Ukraine striker Andriy Voronin will miss the rest of the World Cup after picking up a thigh injury in the match against Switzerland, team officials said Wednesday.

The 26-year-old Bayer Leverkusen player will stay on, however, at the team's base here as they prepare for Friday's quarter-final against Italy in Hamburg.

"Andrei is distraught that the World Cup is over for him," said Ukraine spokesman Igor Mirochnichenko.

Voronin was a key member of the Ukraine side that hit back from an opening 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Spain to reach the last 16.

They then defeated Switzerland on penalties to get to the last eight.

We made mistakes says Aragones

Spanish coach Luis Aragones said his men made mistakes and were punished heavily against France as they slid to a 3-1 defeat in Hanover in their second round match to see their World Cup hopes dashed yet again.

"We made two mistakes and paid dearly for them," Aragones said after a Zinedine Zidane-inspired France powered on to a quarter-final meeting with holders Brazil.

"Two mistakes meant two goals and we must learn our lesson," said the man nicknamed the 'Wise man of Hortaleza'.

"There are very young players in this team who must learn lessons from matches such as these," he added.

Overall, it was a pretty even game," he insisted.

"We made mistakes for their second and third goals, though the second (Patrick Vieira) came following a foul which was non-existent," added the 67-year-old coach.

Neville back in training for England

England received a boost Wednesday ahead of their quarter-final with Portugal when veteran defender Gary Neville returned to full training.

The 31-year-old, who won his 80th cap in England's opening 1-0 victory over Paraguay, has missed their last three games with a calf injury but should be in contention for Saturday's match.

"I think he will be okay for Saturday but we have practice tomorrow and Saturday as well," said coach Sven-Gorn Eriksson.

"If we think it is a risk he will not play but if the situation is like today then I don't think it is any risk."

Owen Hargreaves filled in against Ecuador in England's second round victory and if Neville returns he will likely challenge Michael Carrick for the holding midfield role.

We'll beat Argies with our own game says Frings

Germany midfielder Torsten Frings has revealed his side's plans to beat Argentina in their quarter-final on Friday.

The 29-year-old with 56 caps said the team would not consider man-marking Argentina's playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme.

"We can not make the mistake of concentrating on one player as Argentina have a lot of players that can decide the game," Frings admitted.

"I can not imagine running round after Riquelme for 90 minutes. I and Michael Ballack will play against him, depending on whose side of the pitch he is on.

"We can play at a high tempo for 90 minutes or 120 minutes if we need to. I do not think Argentina like it when you get amongst them," Frings explained.

Rivals Kahn, Lehmann getting on says Koepke

Germany's goalkeeping coach Andreas Koepke said Tuesday that rival goalkeepers Jens Lehmann and Oliver Kahn were getting along fine at the World Cup finals.

The 37-year-old Kahn lost a two-year battle with Lehmann, 36, for the number one jersey but Koepke insisted there was no resentment between the two.

"The atmosphere between the two goalkeepers is great," Koepke said.

"I have known Oliver for a long time and know when he needs to be left alone," said Koepke, a Euro 96 winner.

"Of course it is a bitter situation for him but he is handling it brilliantly."

Lehmann is set to start Germany's quarter-final match against Argentina on Friday with Kahn watching on from the substitutes bench.

Blame FIFA not me says Swiss Streller

Switzerland striker Marco Streller was furious with the crowd in Cologne as his nation was eliminated by Ukraine in a penalty shoot-out on Monday.

"People were singing 'Lukas Podolski' or 'Germany is heading for the final'. They showed a total lack of respect," Streller fumed.

He said FIFA was to blame for selling, in his words, "95 percent of the tickets to Germans, while Swiss fans had trouble finding any".

Streller's criticism might guarantee him a rough ride when the club season starts - he plays for FC Cologne.

Streller was the first Swiss to step up in the penalty shoot out, his miss setting the tone for all three failed penalties as they lost it 3-0 after extra time finished 0-0.

Nesta doubtful for Ukraine quarter-final

Italy's central defender Alessandro Nesta is unlikely to be fit in time to face the Ukraine in Friday's World Cup quarter-final in Hamburg due to his recurrent groing injury.

"It will be very difficult to have him ready," Italy team doctor Enrico Castellacci said on Tuesday.

Nesta's replacement Marco Materazzi was sent off in Monday's 1-0 win against Australia and is suspended for the Ukraine match.

That means Palermo's Andrea Barzagli, a second-half substitute against Australia, will come in at centre-back to play alongside Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro.

Should either Cannavaro or Barzagli get injured, Italy have no cover in that position and would probably be forced to employ midfielder Gennaro Gattuso or right-back Gianluca Zambrotta as an emergency centre-half.

Record breaker Ronaldo helps Brazil march on

Brazil striker Ronaldo became the World Cup's all-time top scorer and Adriano poached a dubious second to break the match open as the defending champions marched into the quarter-finals with a tough 3-0 win over impressive Ghana on Tuesday in Dortmund.

Ronaldo's 15th World Cup goal after five minutes took him past the 14 goals scored by Gerd Muller of West Germany at the 1970 and 1974 finals.

Brazil captain Cafu also set a record by picking up his 16th World Cup win.

However the turning point of the match came in first-half injury time when Brazil swept forward following Ghana's best chance of the match at the other end before Adriano tapped home from close range despite being clearly offside.

The African protests were in vain as they went in at the break 2-0 down and with a mountain to climb.

Ze Roberto then gave the scoreline a flattering look in the 84th minute when he broke the offside trap, chipped Richard Kingston in the Ghana goal and tapped the ball into an empty goal.

Brazil will now meet either France or Spain who meet later Tuesday - in the quarter-finals on Saturday in Frankfurt.

Time to party says Ronaldo

Brazil striker Ronaldo said he hoped he had given his countrymen and women cause to start partying after his goal in a 3-0 canter over Ghana made him the top scorer in World Cup history.

"I'm very happy with the result, and with breaking the record - but we win as a team. I get goals and on we go," grinned the 29-year-old Real Madrid star.

His fifth-minute strike gave him 15 goals to take him past West German legend Gerd Muller's previous top haul of 14 goals to take the Brazilians into the quarter-finals.

The striker, criticised for a lethargic start to the tournament and for apparent weight problems, made it three goals in his last two games after latching onto a brilliant pass from Kaka that left him free to win a one-on-one with Ghana goalkeeper Richard Kingson.

"The record had stood for seven World Cups so I am naturally very pleased to beat it," smiled Ronaldo.

"I want more and more and more!"

Goal shy Lampard to keep at it

Frank Lampard's goal-scoring touch has deserted him at the World Cup, but he has vowed to rediscover it in the quarter-finals against Portugal.

The Chelsea attacking midfielder scored 23 times for club and country last season but has squandered countless chances in England's first four games, missing the sort of opportunities he normally buries.

"The goals are just not going in for me, chances which I would normally eat up," said Lampard.

"Unfortunately it's the World Cup and I've now gone four games without a goal although they're going in during training.

"I am due one. The only way to make that happen is to keep on getting in there and I won't shy away from that.

"If I shy away from that, I am taking a lot away from my game so I will keep getting in there and you make your luck and the goals will come."