Team doctors will be as important as the players in Tuesday's World Cup qualifiers in Asia, as squads deal not only with injuries but long-haul flights.
As well as injuries, suspensions and tactics, some mammoth journeys will be a major factor on matchday two of the third round of qualification for the 2014 World Cup. With all 20 nations playing one game at home and one away in the space of four days all over the giant continent, fatigue looms as a major issue.
Australia has the most arduous journey, flying 12,900 kilometers (8,000 miles) from Brisbane to Dammam in the east of Saudi Arabia for a clash of two teams expecting to progress from Group D.
A recurring theme of the ten games last Friday was how top-ranked teams struggled to defeat weaker nations as home. The Socceroos had to come from behind to beat Thailand 2-1 in Brisbane thanks to a late goal from Alex Brosque.
The match in Saudi Arabia will be much tougher and not just because of the travel. The host is now coached by Frank Rijkaard formerly boss of Barcelona and Netherlands.
The Dutchman led his team to a goalless draw in nearby Oman in the opening game.
Australia captain Lucas Neill played under Rijkaard at Galatasaray in Turkey and is expecting a tough test in the second match of Group D.
"He gets the players relaxed but also extremely confident in themselves, and he's shrewd," Neill said. "He knows how to play the game. He's played it at the top level; he's coached it at the top level. He would see that as a great challenge and a great opportunity to get one over on us."
After failing to qualify for the 2010 World Cup and exiting the 2011 Asian Cup in the first round, Saudi Arabia is desperate to qualify for the tournament in Brazil, but Rijkaard was quick to deflect pressure on to the visitors.
"Australia has the advantage at this stage in our group as they have defeated Thailand but the contest is still open for all the teams," said Rijkaard.
It is the first time for the two teams to meet since Australia joined the AFC in 2006.
The other match in Group C, Thailand will be aiming to build on its impressive though fruitless performance in Australia, and get a win at home against Oman. Like Australia, China also recovered from conceding an early goal to come back and defeat Singapore 2-1.
It was a result that did little to build hopes that China can overcome its long record of underachievement in World Cup qualifying, and already put pressure on new coach Jose Antonio Camacho. The former Spain boss takes the team to Amman to face Jordan, one of Asia's most improved teams.
Jordan picked up an impressive 2-0 win at the home of 2007 Asian Cup winners Iraq to ensure that Zico's first game in charge ended in defeat. The fact that Jordan is coached by Adnan Hamad, an Iraqi and former coach of the Iraq national team, added to the pain.
Zico, who is refusing to talk to the media, takes his team to Singapore for a clash in which the losing team will be in serious danger of dropping out of contention. Of the top-ranked teams, only South Korea was totally convincing, defeating Lebanon 6-0 in Goyang in Group B. All but one of the goals came from the nation's new English Premier League strikers. Park Chu-young celebrated signing for Arsenal with a hat-trick and Sunderland's Ji Dong-won grabbed two.
"We gave the players compliments after the Lebanon game but we need to forget that match, "said Korea coach Cho Kwang-rae who is now preparing for a game in Kuwait. "We got the start we wanted but it is only a good start if we can build on it. We will play at a fast tempo and if we can play the way we want to play, we can get a good result but first we have to adapt to the difference in climate and conditions after a long journey."
Lebanon hosts the United Arab Emirates in Beirut, where neither team can afford to lose.
Emirates coach Srecko Katanec is in danger of losing his job after a 3-2 home defeat against Kuwait, which followed a disappointing Asian Cup in January. Failure to take three points could end the Slovenian's reign.
In Group C, Japan squeezed past North Korea only because of a goal deep in stoppage time from Maya Yoshida. Next the Asian champion travels to Tashkent to take on Uzbekistan, who also won 1-0, in Tajikistan.
North Korea hosts Tajikistan in Pyongyang in a game that is already crucial, given both teams lost their opener.
"We understood that we didn't have many chances, but it's very disappointing that we didn't take home a point," North Korea striker Jong Tae Se said of the Japan game. "We have to make sure that we defeat Tajikistan."
Iran can seize control of Group E with a win in Qatar after defeating Indonesia 3-0 in Tehran. Qatar picked up a point with a goalless draw in Bahrain, and that could prove critical, as those teams are expected to fight it out for second place.
Bahrain's English coach Peter Taylor takes his team to Indonesia. A crowd of 80,000 is expected in Jakarta, where Indonesia defeated Bahrain in the 2007 Asian Cup, and the pressure is on the visitor who came close to qualifying for the 2006 and 2010 World Cups but is still seeking a first appearance.
The top two teams from each of the five groups of four progresses to the final round of qualifying.
Monday 5 September 2011
Iraq coach Zico unhappy over Singapore's synthetic pitch
Iraq’s new football coach Zico yesterday slammed the synthetic pitch at Singapore’s Jalan Besar Stadium, saying it was not worthy of a World Cup qualifying match.
The Brazilian legend is looking for a win today to kick-start his team’s qualifying campaign after they lost their first match.
But he said: “I don’t like the field, the grass, because the good game is in the natural grass.
“It’s not professional, these middle games, the qualifiers of the World Cup needs the natural grass.
“This is difficult for our team because the Iraq team have good technique, and now the field is not good for us, not good.”
Zico, who signed on as Iraq’s coach eight days ago, repeated his gripe numerous times during a press conference in the city-state.
The coach – nicknamed the White Pele due to his prolific finishing record as a player – also said his team were tired after a “long” flight immediately after their game against Jordan on Friday.
And he said he had not had enough time to speak with and train the Iraqi players after he joined the team last Sunday, stating that “a miracle is not possible in football”.
Iraq currently lie at the bottom of their group after losing 2-0 against Jordan in their opening World Cup third-round qualifying match. Singapore are also pointless. after slumping to a 1-2 defeat against China.
The Brazilian legend is looking for a win today to kick-start his team’s qualifying campaign after they lost their first match.
But he said: “I don’t like the field, the grass, because the good game is in the natural grass.
“It’s not professional, these middle games, the qualifiers of the World Cup needs the natural grass.
“This is difficult for our team because the Iraq team have good technique, and now the field is not good for us, not good.”
Zico, who signed on as Iraq’s coach eight days ago, repeated his gripe numerous times during a press conference in the city-state.
The coach – nicknamed the White Pele due to his prolific finishing record as a player – also said his team were tired after a “long” flight immediately after their game against Jordan on Friday.
And he said he had not had enough time to speak with and train the Iraqi players after he joined the team last Sunday, stating that “a miracle is not possible in football”.
Iraq currently lie at the bottom of their group after losing 2-0 against Jordan in their opening World Cup third-round qualifying match. Singapore are also pointless. after slumping to a 1-2 defeat against China.
Asian powers facing tricky matches in World Cup qualifiers
Big guns Japan and Australia face awkward away ties in the latest round of qualifying games for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil today.
Japan take on Asian Cup semi-finalists Uzbekistan in Tashkent, while the Socceroos face a long journey to play Saudi Arabia in the stifling heat of Dammam.
Both sides will be aiming to kick their campaigns into life after leaving it perilously late to snatch winners in the opening games of the third-round group stage on Friday.
The Blue Samurai squeaked past a dogged North Korean side thanks to a 94th-minute goal and Australia were just six minutes away from a humiliating draw at home to lowly Thailand when substitute Alex Brosque hit a winner to spare their blushes.
Japan reached the last 16 in last year’s World Cup in South Africa and won this year’s Asian Cup, but boss Alberto Zaccheroni has warned his side to expect a tough fight in every qualifier.
They will be without talismanic playmaker Keisuke Honda again today, after the CSKA Moscow midfielder underwent surgery on his knee last Thursday.
Australia’s coach Holger Osieck said his side nearly paid the price for poor execution against a Thai side 98 places below them in the FIFA rankings, and the German will expect a marked improvement against the Saudis.
South Korea go to Kuwait and will be happy to pick up where they left off on Friday, when a hat-trick from Arsenal new boy Park Chu-young took them to a thumping 6-0 win over Lebanon.
China will be hoping to continue their successful start under new coach Jose Antonio Camacho away to Jordan, after their 2-1 win over Singapore, while the North Koreans face Tajikistan in Pyongyang.
Singapore take on 2007 Asian champions Iraq at home and Thailand will look to pick themselves up after the late heartbreak in Brisbane as they face Oman in Bangkok.
Lebanon face the United Arab Emirates at home and in Group E, Indonesia host Bahrain and Qatar take on Iran in Doha.
Ten teams – winners and runners-up of the five third-round groups – will be drawn into two pools for the round-robin fourth stage, with the eventual top two in each section earning a ticket to Brazil.
The two third-placed teams will then face each other for the right to contest an intercontinental playoff.
Japan take on Asian Cup semi-finalists Uzbekistan in Tashkent, while the Socceroos face a long journey to play Saudi Arabia in the stifling heat of Dammam.
Both sides will be aiming to kick their campaigns into life after leaving it perilously late to snatch winners in the opening games of the third-round group stage on Friday.
The Blue Samurai squeaked past a dogged North Korean side thanks to a 94th-minute goal and Australia were just six minutes away from a humiliating draw at home to lowly Thailand when substitute Alex Brosque hit a winner to spare their blushes.
Japan reached the last 16 in last year’s World Cup in South Africa and won this year’s Asian Cup, but boss Alberto Zaccheroni has warned his side to expect a tough fight in every qualifier.
They will be without talismanic playmaker Keisuke Honda again today, after the CSKA Moscow midfielder underwent surgery on his knee last Thursday.
Australia’s coach Holger Osieck said his side nearly paid the price for poor execution against a Thai side 98 places below them in the FIFA rankings, and the German will expect a marked improvement against the Saudis.
South Korea go to Kuwait and will be happy to pick up where they left off on Friday, when a hat-trick from Arsenal new boy Park Chu-young took them to a thumping 6-0 win over Lebanon.
China will be hoping to continue their successful start under new coach Jose Antonio Camacho away to Jordan, after their 2-1 win over Singapore, while the North Koreans face Tajikistan in Pyongyang.
Singapore take on 2007 Asian champions Iraq at home and Thailand will look to pick themselves up after the late heartbreak in Brisbane as they face Oman in Bangkok.
Lebanon face the United Arab Emirates at home and in Group E, Indonesia host Bahrain and Qatar take on Iran in Doha.
Ten teams – winners and runners-up of the five third-round groups – will be drawn into two pools for the round-robin fourth stage, with the eventual top two in each section earning a ticket to Brazil.
The two third-placed teams will then face each other for the right to contest an intercontinental playoff.
Sunday 4 September 2011
Bangladesh fans angry ticket prices too high for friendly against Argentina
Football fans in Bangladesh, one of the world's poorest countries, have reacted in fury over ticket prices set at a minimum of $100 to see superstar Lionel Messi lead out Argentina in a friendly.
The stylish South Americans, who have had a massive following in Bangladesh since the 1980s, will play in the capital Dhaka on Tuesday evening against Nigeria.
But only half of the tickets have so far been sold for the game -- the biggest football match in the country's history -- with many fans unable to afford the entry price.
Passion for the beautiful game runs deep in Bangladesh despite the national team's lowly ranking of 139 in the world and the long-standing dominance of cricket.
During the football World Cup last year, the country was covered in Argentinian and Brazilian flags as raucous fans adopted one or other side and supported them with ferocious loyalty.
Messi's scheduled arrival on Monday from India, where Argentina beat Venezuela in another friendly on Friday, is likely to trigger huge excitement in the nation of 150 million people.
But minimum ticket prices of 7,500 taka (100 dollars) and the expense of Eid celebrations last week marking the end of Ramadan could leave rows of empty seats at the 24,000-capacity Bangabandhu National Stadium.
"It's a ridiculous price. They don't want real soccer fans to watch Messi's match. I earn just 8,000 taka per month. How can I afford a ticket?" Rajib Ahmed, 25, a chemical tester at a private company, told AFP outside the ground.
"I saved some money and bought a ticket for Monday's practice session. It costs 1,000 taka, which is still too much. I just want to see Messi in action. He is the best player on earth."
Like many Bangladeshis, Rajib's love of Argentina is rooted in the team's glorious past.
"Our family has been supporting the side since the heyday of (Diego) Maradona," he said. "We would have bought tickets for the match had they lowered the price to perhaps 2,000 taka."
Ahead of 2014 World Cup qualifiers starting next month, Argentina -- under new coach Alejandro Sabella -- are on a two-match tour of India and Bangladesh to boost interest in the game in South Asia.
Their 1-0 win over Venezuela in Kolkata on Friday was played in front of nearly 80,000 cheering fans, with comprehensive coverage by Indian television stations and newspapers.
The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) says it has spent four million dollars bringing Wednesday's match to Dhaka in the hope it would raise the sport's profile and inspire young people.
"If you want to see Messi play, there is some cost," head of BFF's match organising committee Anwarul Haq Helal told AFP on Sunday. "We have sold only 50 percent of the tickets at the moment. We did not expect this.
"It's the biggest soccer match in Bangladesh's history. We are still hopeful all tickets will be sold just before the match. I am confident once Messi arrives here, things will change.
"After Eid celebrations is not a good time for people to be spending money, and many went back to their home villages for Eid and have not yet returned to Dhaka," he added.
Bangladesh was gripped by football fever during the 2010 World Cup -- though Argentina were knocked out in the quarter-finals.
When power cuts hit television coverage during several matches, fans were so angry that riots erupted, electricity stations were attacked, and the government ordered factories to stop work to avoid further blackouts.
Bangladeshi fans may even struggle to see Wednesday's game on television after broadcaster ESPN was reportedly unable to strike a deal with organisers.
The FIFA-sanctioned match will now be shown on a small satellite channel which many locals do not receive.
"I very much wanted to go to the match, but I had to give up hope," Daud Hossain, 55, told AFP.
"Instead I've just bought two tickets for the practice session for my son and niece. The organisers are just ripping money out of our pockets to fill up their coffers."
Domestic sides from England, Germany and elsewhere are increasingly keen to tap into their Asian support base, with the region's young population and growing economies seen as offering huge potential.
Bangladesh, where more than 30 percent of people live below the poverty line, has itself enjoyed recent economic growth but has been off the radar for overseas teams focused on wealthier nations such as Japan and China.
The stylish South Americans, who have had a massive following in Bangladesh since the 1980s, will play in the capital Dhaka on Tuesday evening against Nigeria.
But only half of the tickets have so far been sold for the game -- the biggest football match in the country's history -- with many fans unable to afford the entry price.
Passion for the beautiful game runs deep in Bangladesh despite the national team's lowly ranking of 139 in the world and the long-standing dominance of cricket.
During the football World Cup last year, the country was covered in Argentinian and Brazilian flags as raucous fans adopted one or other side and supported them with ferocious loyalty.
Messi's scheduled arrival on Monday from India, where Argentina beat Venezuela in another friendly on Friday, is likely to trigger huge excitement in the nation of 150 million people.
But minimum ticket prices of 7,500 taka (100 dollars) and the expense of Eid celebrations last week marking the end of Ramadan could leave rows of empty seats at the 24,000-capacity Bangabandhu National Stadium.
"It's a ridiculous price. They don't want real soccer fans to watch Messi's match. I earn just 8,000 taka per month. How can I afford a ticket?" Rajib Ahmed, 25, a chemical tester at a private company, told AFP outside the ground.
"I saved some money and bought a ticket for Monday's practice session. It costs 1,000 taka, which is still too much. I just want to see Messi in action. He is the best player on earth."
Like many Bangladeshis, Rajib's love of Argentina is rooted in the team's glorious past.
"Our family has been supporting the side since the heyday of (Diego) Maradona," he said. "We would have bought tickets for the match had they lowered the price to perhaps 2,000 taka."
Ahead of 2014 World Cup qualifiers starting next month, Argentina -- under new coach Alejandro Sabella -- are on a two-match tour of India and Bangladesh to boost interest in the game in South Asia.
Their 1-0 win over Venezuela in Kolkata on Friday was played in front of nearly 80,000 cheering fans, with comprehensive coverage by Indian television stations and newspapers.
The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) says it has spent four million dollars bringing Wednesday's match to Dhaka in the hope it would raise the sport's profile and inspire young people.
"If you want to see Messi play, there is some cost," head of BFF's match organising committee Anwarul Haq Helal told AFP on Sunday. "We have sold only 50 percent of the tickets at the moment. We did not expect this.
"It's the biggest soccer match in Bangladesh's history. We are still hopeful all tickets will be sold just before the match. I am confident once Messi arrives here, things will change.
"After Eid celebrations is not a good time for people to be spending money, and many went back to their home villages for Eid and have not yet returned to Dhaka," he added.
Bangladesh was gripped by football fever during the 2010 World Cup -- though Argentina were knocked out in the quarter-finals.
When power cuts hit television coverage during several matches, fans were so angry that riots erupted, electricity stations were attacked, and the government ordered factories to stop work to avoid further blackouts.
Bangladeshi fans may even struggle to see Wednesday's game on television after broadcaster ESPN was reportedly unable to strike a deal with organisers.
The FIFA-sanctioned match will now be shown on a small satellite channel which many locals do not receive.
"I very much wanted to go to the match, but I had to give up hope," Daud Hossain, 55, told AFP.
"Instead I've just bought two tickets for the practice session for my son and niece. The organisers are just ripping money out of our pockets to fill up their coffers."
Domestic sides from England, Germany and elsewhere are increasingly keen to tap into their Asian support base, with the region's young population and growing economies seen as offering huge potential.
Bangladesh, where more than 30 percent of people live below the poverty line, has itself enjoyed recent economic growth but has been off the radar for overseas teams focused on wealthier nations such as Japan and China.
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