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Tuesday, June 06, 2006

World Cup Update - Guimaraes warns dismissive Germans

 


Guimaraes warns dismissive Germans
Costa Rica coach Alexandre Guimaraes has scoffed at German media reports rubbishing the Central American side's chances of causing a FIFA World Cup upset against the hosts in Friday's tournament opener...
Source: fifaworldcup.yahoo.com

World Cup Update - Guimaraes warns dismissive Germans

 


Guimaraes warns dismissive Germans
Costa Rica coach Alexandre Guimaraes has scoffed at German media reports rubbishing the Central American side's chances of causing a FIFA World Cup upset against the hosts in Friday's tournament opener...
Source: fifaworldcup.yahoo.com

Cisse paired with Henry for France's final friendly
France are expected to pair Djibril Cisse and Thierry Henry up front in their final FIFA World Cup warm-up against China on Wednesday...
Source: fifaworldcup.yahoo.com

Australian keepers in hot pursuit of prize spot

 

IT WAS always going to be the biggest selection poser of the World Cup, and on the eve of the tournament it is clear Australia's choice of goalkeeper will go down to the wire.


The final warm-up match (Thursday morning, Sydney time) against lowly Liechtenstein in Ulm is unlikely to provide much of a test of whoever is between the posts, but what counts is who exactly will be between the posts. Will it be Mark Schwarzer or Zeljko Kalac? The goalkeeper against Liechtenstein will almost certainly be the keeper for the World Cup. Coach Guus Hiddink has said as much.


Before he decides, Hiddink will "go to the DVD". The merits of video analysis may be debatable, but in this case it will be machine, not man, which will be the judge.


Despite Schwarzer's heroics against the Dutch - one save with his feet from Mark van Bommel defied belief - Hiddink refused to endorse the Middlesbrough custodian after the game in Rotterdam. He wanted, he said, to take the "emotion" out of the debate.


And so Kalac's efforts against Greece in the friendly in Melbourne will be scrutinised. So, too, will Schwarzer's against the Dutch. Hiddink, his assistants Graham Arnold and Johan Neeskens, and possibly goalkeeping coach Tony Franken, will all be part of the judging team.


Comparisons will be made, and then the man the players call "the boss" will decide.


So what, exactly, will Hiddink see on the DVD? If the head and not the heart will rule, what precisely is the difference between the two fierce rivals?


Armed with input from coaching sources in Australia, we have narrowed the art of goalkeeping to four main categories. On this basis, not surprisingly, it's almost too close to call:


COURAGE: It doesn't matter what else a keeper does, if he hesitates when he comes out to close down opposing players, chances are the rest of his work will be undone. Neither keeper can be faulted for bravery, although Schwarzer's recent broken cheekbone may have put doubts in his head. On one occasion against the Dutch, and in conceding the second goal against Sevilla when he played in the UEFA Cup final, there were signs of uncertainty. Kalac, who ploughs through anything in his way, has a slim advantage.


REFLEXES: Schwarzer gets the nod here, although not by much. Slightly shorter than Kalac, he is quicker to get down to shots close to his body, and slightly quicker to get back to his feet after making a save. Quick reactions also help him make saves with his feet, as he did to such effect against the Dutch. But Kalac does have one bonus: he tends to hold balls better than Schwarzer, who has a habit of parrying shots - not always away to safety.





TIMING: This is largely related to positioning and both are equal in reading the play. But Kalac has a clear advantage in runs off his line, either for through balls or, more importantly, for crosses and corners, where his extra height is handy. Kalac is far more commanding inside his six-yard box while Schwarzer too often stays rooted to his line, arguably his greatest fault. But timing is also about match practice, and Kalac's lack of it at AC Milan means his timing is slightly off.


DISTRIBUTION: With their hands, both keepers are outstanding while their punt kicking is long and accurate. But of two keepers who grew up before the back-pass rule was introduced, Kalac has adapted better to this crucial new dimension. Schwarzer has been known to panic but has improved in recent years, while Kalac is rarely flustered, preferring to play the short ball to a defender rather than pump it up the park.


SUMMARY: It's a tough call, but that's why Hiddink gets big bucks. If both men were playing regularly for their clubs, it's likely Hiddink would choose Kalac. But Kalac looked rusty against Greece although unlucky he didn't get enough work to sharpen himself up. Schwarzer, by contrast, had plenty to do against the Dutch and rose to the occasion.


Competition has brought the best out of both keepers, but the outcome will probably favour Schwarzer, who is more match-fit.

World Cup Update - Pele and Maradona to parade before opening match

 


Pele and Maradona to parade before opening match
A total of 170 FIFA World Cup -winning players including Pele and Diego Maradona will parade at the Allianz Arena before Friday's opening match between Germany and Costa Rica...
Source: fifaworldcup.yahoo.com

Simao: Spirit and Scolari key
Benfica striker Simao Sabrosa discussed the state of the Portuguese team with members of the media on Tuesday, citing high confidence, fine fitness and team spirit as the dominant themes in the camp...
Source: fifaworldcup.yahoo.com

The best and the worst, oldest and youngest ......
The 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany is a minefield of facts and figures and FIFAworldcup.com brings you a sample from both ends of the scale...
Source: fifaworldcup.yahoo.com

Ballack misses Germany training again
Germany captain Michael Ballack missed training again on Tuesday due to his troublesome calf, sparking fears that he may lose his fitness race for Friday's FIFA World Cup opener against Costa Rica in Munich...
Source: fifaworldcup.yahoo.com

Cisse paired with Henry for France's final friendly
France are expected to pair Djibril Cisse and Thierry Henry up front in their final FIFA World Cup warm-up against China on Wednesday...
Source: fifaworldcup.yahoo.com

World Cup Update - Schwarzer shows safe hands

 


Schwarzer shows safe hands
After playing a crucial role in booking Australia's place at Germany 2006, goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer looks to have secured a starting spot after a superb display in the friendly draw with the Netherlands...
Source: fifaworldcup.yahoo.com

The naming game
From Italy's Azzurri to Germany's Schweini and Poldi, FIFAworldcup.com brings you a guide to the nicknames you need to know at Germany 2006...
Source: fifaworldcup.yahoo.com

Scifo: Cherish every second
Former Belgium star Enzo Scifo, considered by many to have been the Best Young Player at Mexico 86, tells those young players competing in their first FIFA World Cup in Germany to grasp the opportunity with both hands...
Source: fifaworldcup.yahoo.com

US edge Angola in closed-doors clash
The United States defeated Angola 1-0 in a closed-doors friendly on Monday, with Brian McBride scoring the only goal...
Source: fifaworldcup.yahoo.com

Experimental T&T pip St Pauli
After recent losses to the Czech Republic and Slovenia, Caribbean first-timers Trinidad and Tobago ground out a 2-1 win on Monday against Germany third division club St Pauli...
Source: fifaworldcup.yahoo.com

Coaches nurse selection headaches
Germany 2006 is drawing ever nearer, and while some coaches are sleeping relatively easily, others are tossing and turning as they seek solutions to some last-minute selection teasers...
Source: fifaworldcup.yahoo.com

De Jong and Schaars put on Dutch standby
Dutch coach Marco van Basten has put midfielders Nigel de Jong and Stijn Schaars on FIFA World Cup...
Source: fifaworldcup.yahoo.com

World Cup Update - Coaches nurse selection headaches

 


Coaches nurse selection headaches
Germany 2006 is drawing ever nearer, and while some coaches are sleeping relatively easily, others are tossing and turning as they seek solutions to some last-minute selection teasers...
Source: fifaworldcup.yahoo.com

Schwarzer shows safe hands
After playing a crucial role in booking Australia's place at Germany 2006, goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer looks to have secured a starting spot after a superb display in the friendly draw with the Netherlands...
Source: fifaworldcup.yahoo.com

US edge Angola in closed-doors clash
The United States defeated Angola 1-0 in a closed-doors friendly on Monday, with Brian McBride scoring the only goal...
Source: fifaworldcup.yahoo.com

Experimental T&T pip St Pauli
After recent losses to the Czech Republic and Slovenia, Caribbean first-timers Trinidad and Tobago ground out a 2-1 win on Monday against Germany third division club St Pauli...
Source: fifaworldcup.yahoo.com