DAVID JAMES has launched a scathing attack on Adidas’s Jabulani World Cup ball, branding it “dreadful” and warning that some goalkeepers will be made to look “daft” by its movement in the air over the course of the tournament.
The veteran, who won his 50th cap against Japan and is competing with Robert Green and Joe Hart to be Fabio Capello’s first-choice goalkeeper for the finals, has been alarmed by the behaviour of the ball in the air, swerving and dipping unexpectedly, during the provisional squad’s period of altitude training in Austria.
The manufacturers claim the Jabulani is the “roundest ball ever produced” following an extensive period of development at Loughborough University, although it has prompted a sceptical response from goalkeepers.
“The ball is dreadful,” James said. “It is horrible, but I suppose it is horrible for everyone. You saw that from Frank Lampard’s free-kick in the first half against Japan, which dipped wickedly, so it will be interesting.
“There is no real way of coping, other than lots of shooting practice. There’s undoubtedly going to be some goals scored in this tournament which, in previous tournaments with different balls, wouldn’t have been scored. It will allow some people to score extra goals, but it will leave some goalkeepers looking daft.”
James’s comments come after the France goalkeeper, Hugo Lloris, voiced his concerns about the ball.
“This ball is a disaster,” said the Lyon number one, who experienced it during last season’s Coupe de France. “All goalkeepers will be under pressure. We will each have to put up with our share of the madness because, with this kind of ball, people can score from anywhere . . . these balls are too fast in the air and constantly change direction.”
Several other players have voiced their displeasure with the ball, including the Brazil striker Luis Fabiano, Spain’s goalkeeper Iker Casillas and Italy’s Gianluigi Buffon.
Denmark’s coach Morten Olsen has described the football as “an impossible ball”. Speaking after losing a friendly to Australia he said: “This is not an excuse but a cause. We had difficulty in controlling the ball.”
Meanwhile, Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes has leapt to the defence of Spain number one Casillas and expressed his surprise that anyone would doubt his “impeccable” rival. Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque is spoilt for choice between the posts with Valdes and Liverpool’s Jose Reina to choose from as well as Real Madrid’s Casillas.
Casillas, the undisputed first choice in recent years, has come under fire this week after his error on Saturday gifted Saudi Arabia the opening goal in Saturday’s 3-2 warm-up friendly win. But Valdes insists Euro 2008 winner Casillas remains the main man.
“His record is impeccable and I would not understand those who cast doubt on his quality,” said the uncapped 28-year-old. “Iker has a spotless record. He has achieved everything and probably will get more titles.” He continued: “For me it is fortunate to have two colleagues like Iker and Pepe to help me work and improve.”
Valdes also played down talk of a rift between himself and Reina, his former Barca youth team-mate.
“There is no problem,” he said. “We have spoken and it is just to the contrary – we have always got on very well. There is no close friendship, since we went separate ways in our youth, but the idea that we have a bad relationship is totally false.”
The European champions are currently training in Austria in preparation for the World Cup. Del Bosque’s side continue their build-up with a friendly against South Korea in Innsbruck tomorrow.
Liverpool striker Fernando Torres sat out training yesterday morning as a precaution, with the 26-year-old not yet fully fit after knee surgery.
Guardian Service
