2 DAYS TO GO:A roundup of the day's other World Cup news in brief
Robben out of first game
BAYERN Munich forward Arjen Robben has been ruled out of the Netherlands’ World Cup opener against Denmark with a hamstring injury.
The former Chelsea and Real Madrid man sustained a small tear in his left hamstring towards the end of Saturday’s 6-1 warm-up victory over Hungary.
He is hoping intensive physiotherapy will help him play some part in South Africa, but coach Bert van Marwijk is resigned to being without the 26-year-old for Monday’s Group E opener against the Danes in Johannesburg. “Since the final of the Champions League (May 22nd), Arjen has hardly played,” said van Marwijk.
“It is illusory to believe that he will be ready to face Denmark. Whatever one may say, his injury is serious and I do not know when he can join us.
“The team’s goal now is to go as far as possible in the competition to allow Arjen to play with us during this World Cup,” he said.
Pirlo aiming for third game
INFLUENTIAL midfielder Andrea Pirlo believes he will be fit to play in Italy’s final group game of the World Cup finals against Slovakia.
The 31-year-old was this week described as “irreplaceable” by Italy boss Marcello Lippi, but is set to miss at least the opening two games of the Azzurri’s World Cup defence.
Pirlo suffered a calf injury in last Thursday’s friendly with Mexico and is expected to take up to three weeks to recover, meaning even a return for the June 24th match with the Slovaks is not assured.
Race against time for Moras
GREECE have admitted central defender Vangelis Moras needs “a last-minute medical wonder” to be fit for their opener against South Korea on Saturday. Bologna defender Moras has a thigh problem which forced him to sit out Greece’s recent training sessions.
Moras is undergoing intensive physiotherapy, while fellow defender Sotiris Kyrgiakos is a slight doubt for the clash too. Otto Rehhagel is therefore extremely likely to be forced into a defensive re-shuffle in what is likely to prove a key Group B clash.
Bendtner back in full training
DENMARK striker Nicklas Bendtner looks set to win his battle to be fit for his side’s opening clash with the Netherlands on Monday.
The Arsenal striker has been out of action since May having suffered a groin injury but has been upbeat in recent days about his chances of being fit in time.
The 22-year-old took part in full training, along with team-mate and fellow injury doubt Simon Kjaer.
“I’ve been training hard with the physical trainer and I’m one of those with the best heart rate in the squad,” Bendtner said.
“The football side of things shouldn’t be any problem either.”
Antic confident Vidic will play
SERBIA coach Radomir Antic remains confident that Nemanja Vidic will be fine for their opening game against Ghana on Sunday as he battles a virus.
The Manchester United defender missed the friendly against Poland with an upset stomach and then sat out the following Cameroon match with a high temperature, and has still not returned to training.
But Antic said the 28-year-old’s condition is improving. “Vidic has not trained since he had a rash, but he is getting better,” Antic said after Serbia arrived in South Africa yesterday.
They will also face Germany and Australia in Group D.
Boost for Switzerland
VALON BEHRAMI’S hopes of lining up for Switzerland’s opener against Spain on June 16th have been given a boost after he was cleared to resume training this week following a thigh injury.
The West Ham player was forced off after 57 minutes of Saturday’s warm-up match against Italy in Geneva and there were fears the injury could rule him out of the South Africa showpiece.
X-rays have revealed Behrami has suffered a minor muscular injury but Swiss team doctor Cuno Wetzel nevertheless expects the player to return to training as early as tomorrow.
“The first images show no serious problem,” Wetzel said. “The healing process is indeed more difficult to predict, but we are optimistic he can train again on Wednesday or Thursday.”
