World Cup Digest/Argentina: Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze made his comeback for Argentina as they defeated their under-20 team 4-0. Heinze has not played a first-team game since suffering a cruciate ligament injury last September.
Argentina boss Jose Pekerman gave all his squad a run-out, except Chelsea striker Hernan Crespo who was ill. Barcelona striker Lionel Messi also made a comeback after two months out injured.
GERMANY: Captain Michael Ballack will be forced to rest for a few days after suffering a minor ankle sprain in a practice match yesterday.
"From the first diagnosis it's nothing dramatic," Germany's assistant coach Joachim Loew said of the Chelsea-bound midfielder after the game.
"There is no danger of him missing the World Cup. Maybe he'll have to rest for two or three days."
Finns hold Sweden
SWEDEN: One of England's Group B opponents Sweden were held to a goalless draw yesterday in an all-Nordic friendly with Finland in their penultimate warm-up game ahead of next month's finals.
Sweden, who had opted to rest several first-choice players including Henrik Larsson, Freddie Ljungberg, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson, created little in the first half against the Finns who were the more aggressive side.
AUSTRALIA: Australia began their preparations yesterday with a 1-0 victory over European champions Greece before a record soccer crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Wigan midfielder Josip Skoko's 15th-minute volley separated the sides and the home side showed enough technical ability and tactical nous to suggest they will not just be making up the numbers in their first finals appearance for 32 years.
Yakin likely to get recall
SWITZERLAND: Switzerland coach Koebi Kuhn has recalled Young Boys Bern midfielder Hakan Yakin from his holidays as an increasingly likely replacement for injured striker Johan Vonlanthen.
Speaking in a press conference at the Swiss team's training camp yesterday, Kuhn said Yakin's inclusion was not yet official although team doctors now say Vonlanthen could be out of action for at least a month.
SPAIN: Defender Asier del Horno is a doubt for the World Cup after injuring his leg in training. The 25-year-old Chelsea player picked up the injury on Wednesday but a scan yesterday revealed his World Cup was now in jeopardy.
Team doctor Gennaro Borras said: "In the scan we found a little tear in a tendon between the calf and the Achilles' tendon. It's a small but difficult injury."
