PARREIRA CONFIDENT AFTER SOUTH AFRICA'S VICTORY

South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira hailed the significant improvement in his team's form after they thrashed Thailand 4-0 in a World Cup warm-up in Nelspruit. South Africa outplayed an under-strength Thailand team, who managed only a single shot on goal and were constantly stretched by the home team.

 

South Africa have now gone eight matches unbeaten under Parreira since he returned to the job in November, albeit low key matches with his teams mainly made up of home-based players. South Africa's foreign-based payers arrive this week to join preparations, which have already seen training camps in Brazil and Germany over the last two months.

 

BOLA BOYZ

CAPELLO WANTS TO REMAIN AS ENGLAND BOSS

 

Fabio Capello wants to continue as England coach through to the 2012 European Championships, the Italian said as he prepares for next month's World Cup finals.

 

The 63-year-old has transformed England since taking over after they failed to qualify for Euro 2008, winning 16 of the 22 games under his command.

 

England qualified easily for next month's showpiece in South Africa and Capello is in confident mood as England prepare for their high-altitude training camp in Austria.

BOLA BOYZ   ARSENAL

SANTA CRUZ GIVES PARAGUAY LATE WINNER OVER NORTH KOREA

 

Roque Santa Cruz's late penalty gave Paraguay a 1-0 win over North Korea in a friendly between two World Cup-bound teams on Saturday. The Manchester City forward, who had looked off the pace for most of the match, stroked his shot high into the net after Nam Song-chol handled the ball.

 

Marcelo Estigarribia and Eduardo Ledesma hit the post for Paraguay while Ri Jung-il nearly turned Jonathan Santana's low cross into his own goal as the South Americans had the best of the second half. North Korea, who drew 0-0 with South Africa in their previous outing, defended tenaciously and showed flashes of skill in attack as they occasionally threatened Diego Barreto's goal.

BOLA BOYZ

GALLAS IS STILL IN THE RACE

 

France coach Raymond Domenech will cut his World Cup squad to 24 players on Monday in order to give William Gallas every chance of making it. Domenech will make the announcement in TF1 programme Telefoot on Sunday.

 

Arsenal centre-back Gallas, who is recovering from a calf injury, is guaranteed place in the squad only if he is fit on June 1 when the final list of 23 names has to be sent to FIFA. On Tuesday, Domenech unveiled a provisional selection of 30 players for the tournament in South Africa.

 

BOLA BOYZ   ARSENAL

BAYERN THRASH BREMEN TO WIN CUP

 

Bayern Munich completed a league and cup double by thrashing Werder Bremen in the DFB-Pokal final in Berlin. In one of the most one-sided cup finals in recent memory, the Bundesliga champions swept the side which ended the season third to one side, confirming their clear superiority in German football in no uncertain terms.

 

Arjen Robben broke the deadlock with a penalty in the 35th minute before Ivica Olic added a second early in the second half. Franck Ribery got his name on the scoresheet after just over an hour and Bastian Schweinsteiger rounded things off in the 84th minute after Thorsten Frings had been shown a red card on a very disappointing evening for Bremen.

BOLA BOYZ

SEAMAN BACKS CAPELLO'S GOALKEEPING SELECTIONS

Former England number one David Seaman believes Fabio Capello has selected the right combination of goalkeepers for next month's World Cup.

 

The Italian has picked Portsmouth's David James, West Ham's Robert Green and Manchester City's Joe Hart, who spent this season on loan at Birmingham, in his 30-man provisional squad.

 

Barring injury that trio will go to South Africa, despite Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce claiming Capello had made a mistake in not taking Paul Robinson.

 

BOLA BOYZ   ARSENAL

CHELSEA WIN FA CUP

 

Didier Drogba won the double for Chelsea with the only goal in a quite remarkable FA Cup final. Drogba's 37th goal of the season was a free-kick just before the hour that found the net with tracer-bullet precision from 20 yards.

 

It maintained Drogba's impressive record of scoring in all six competitive games he has played at the new Wembley and confirmed Chelsea as only the seventh club to complete the league and FA Cup double, a pretty significant achievement in Carlo Ancelotti's first season in charge.

 

But that does not even come close to telling the story of a game that saw Chelsea hit the woodwork five times before the interval, including a terrible miss from Salomon Kalou, Kevin-Prince Boateng fail to convert a penalty shortly before Drogba's winner that could have set up a fairytale finish to a shambolic season of turmoil at Portsmouth, and even Frank Lampard fire wide from the spot three minutes from time.

 

BOLA BOYZ  CHELSEA

NASRI DOES NOT COMMUNICATE WITH GALLAS

 

Samir Nasri has said he is one of "four or five" Arsenal players who do not speak to William Gallas.

 

Nasri and Gallas are known to have a problematic relationship, with a bust-up at Euro 2008 documented in Gallas' autobiography, but Nasri has now revealed a number of players do not get along with the 32-year-old.

 

Kolo Toure revealed last month that his feud with Gallas had driven him to quit the club for Manchester City last summer.

 

BOLA BOYZ   ARSENAL

FORLAN GAVE ATHLETICO MADRID THE EUROPA CUP

 

Diego Forlan shattered Fulham's Europa League dream with an extra-time winner as Atletico Madrid claimed a 2-1 victory over Roy Hodgson's side.

 

After rallying from the hammer blow of Forlan's first-half opener, levelling through Simon Davies, the Cottagers' hopes of marking the biggest night in their history with the biggest trophy they have ever won lingered long into the Hamburg night, almost to the point of penalties.

 

But just as he did at Liverpool in the semi-final three weeks ago, Forlan was to have the final word.

MARADONA ANNOUNCE ARGENTINA'S DREAM TEAM

 

Diego Maradona disregarded the vast experience of Inter Milan midfielder Esteban Cambiasso and 136-cap record holder Javier Zanetti when he named his 30-man provisional World Cup squad on Tuesday. Real Madrid midfielder Fernando Gago and Barcelona central defender Gabriel Milito are other prominent absentees.

 

Five English-based players have been included - Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez, Newcastle pair Fabricio Coloccini and Jonas Gutierrez and Liverpool duo Javier Mascherano and Maxi Rodriguez.

 

Provisional Squad:
Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar), Mariano Andujar (Catania), Diego Pozo (Colon), Nicolas Burdisso (Inter Milan), Martin Demichelis (Bayern Munich), Walter Samuel (Inter Milan), Gabriel Heinze (Olympique Marseille), Nicolas Otamendi (Velez Sarsfield), Fabricio Coloccini (Newcastle), Juan Manuel Insaurralde (Newell's Old Boys), Clemente Rodriguez (Estudiantes), Ariel Garce (Colon), Javier Mascherano (Liverpool), Sebastian Blanco (Lanus), Juan Sebastian Veron (Estudiantes), Jesus Datolo (Olympiacos), Jose Sosa (Estudiantes), Maximiliano Rodriguez (Liverpool), Mario Bolatti (Fiorentina), Juan Mercier (Argentinos Juniors), Angel Di Maria (Benfica), Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle), Javier Pastore (Palermo), Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid), Diego Milito (Inter Milan), Martin Palermo (Boca Juniors), Carlos Tevez (Manchester City), Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli).

BOLA BOYZ  LIVERPOOL

RONALDINHO, ADRIANO, PATO, OUT OF BRAZIL SQUAD

Ronaldinho and Adriano will both miss the World Cup in South Africa after being omitted from the 23-man Brazil squad named by Dunga on Tuesday. Wolfsburg striker Grafite is the surprise inclusion at the expense of Flamengo's Adriano, while Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes is one of the three keepers named.

 

AC Milan's Alexandre Pato has also failed to win selection after a less-than-impressive season in Italy. Former Manchester United midfielder Kleberson, has made it into the squad after rediscovering his best form back in Brazil with Flamengo.

 

Provisional Squad

Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Doni (Roma), Heurelho Gomes (Tottenham), Maicon (Inter Milan), Dani Alves (Barcelona), Lucio (Inter Milan), Juan (Roma), Luisao (Roma), Thiago Silva (AC Milan), Gilberto (Cruzeiro), Michel Bastos (Lyon), Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos), Felipe Melo (Juventus), Josue (Wolfsburg), Elano (Galatasaray), Ramires (Benfica), Kleberson (Flamengo), Kaka (Real Madrid), Julio Baptista (Roma), Robinho (Santos/Manchester City), Nilmar (Villarreal), Luis Fabiano (Sevilla), Grafite (Wolfsburg).

BOLA BOYZ  LIVERPOOL

NO NISTELROOY IN NETHERLANDS SQUAD

 

Ruud van Nistelrooy's international career appears to be over after the veteran striker missed out on Bert van Marwijk's 30-man preliminary World Cup squad.

 

But Van Marwijk said today he did not believe Van Nistelrooy will, at this stage of his career, recover to be able to find the sort of level that saw him score 33 goals in 64 international appearances.

 

Provisional Squad

Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax), Sander Boschker (FC Twente), Michel Vorm (FC Utrecht); Vurnon Anita (Ajax), Khalid Boulahrouz (VfB Stuttgart), Edson Braafheid (Celtic), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Feyenoord), John Heitinga (Everton), Joris Mathijsen (HSV), Ron Vlaar (Feyenoord), Gregory van der Wiel (Ajax) en Andre Ooijer (PSV); Otman Bakkal (PSV), Mark van Bommel (Bayern Munchen), Wout Brama (FC Twente), Orlando Engelaar (PSV), Nigel de Jong (Manchester City), David Mendes da Silva (AZ), Stijn Schaars (AZ), Wesley Sneijder (Inter), Rafael van der Vaart (Real Madrid), Demy de Zeeuw (Ajax) en Ibrahim Afellay (PSV); Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool), Jeremain Lens (AZ), Eljero Elia (HSV), Ryan Babel (Liverpool), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (AC Milan), Robin van Persie (Arsenal), Arjen Robben (Bayern Munchen).
 

BOLA BOYZ  MAN UTD

COACHING ROLE FOR BECKHAM

 

David Beckham will be handed a World Cup coaching role with England, as long as he proves that he is recuperating well from the Achilles injury that has prevented him playing at the finals.

 

Beckham has been ruled out of playing until November at the earliest, but as soon as he ruptured his Achilles, England coach Fabio Capello invited him to be part of the backroom staff in South Africa.

 

However, any position is dependent on Beckham being in an advanced stage of rehabilitation and he will need to pass a fitness test to prove that he can aid Capello and his coaching staff.

 

BOLA BOYZ

TORRES AND FABREGAS IN SPAIN SQUAD

 

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque has named injured trio Fernando Torres, Cesc Fabregas and Andres Iniesta in his initial 30-man World Cup squad, while uncapped Barcelona forward Pedro is also included.

 

Del Bosque has selected five goalkeepers in the list, with uncapped duo Victor Valdes of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid youngster David De Gea likely to be battling out with Villarreal's Diego Lopez to see who will be joining Iker Casillas and Jose Reina in the final squad.

 

Provisional Squad:

Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), David De Gea (Atletico Madrid), Diego Lopez (Villarreal), Jose Reina (Liverpool) Victor Valdes (Barcelona), Raul Albiol (Real Madrid), Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid) Cesar Azpilicueta (Osasuna), Joan Capdevila (Villarreal), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Sergi Busquets (Barcelona), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Javi Martinez (Athletic Bilbao) Marcos Senna (Villarreal), David Silva (Valencia), Xavi (Barcelona), Santi Cazorla (Villarreal), Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Juan Manuel Mata (Valencia) Pedro Rodriguez (Barcelona), Dani Guiza (Fenerbache) Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao), Alvaro Negredo (Sevilla), Fernando Torres (Liverpool FC) and David Villa (Valencia). 

 

BOLA BOYZ

REINA ACCEPTS LIVERPOOLS HELLISH SEASON

 

Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina offered no excuses after reflecting on a "hell of a year" at the club. A seventh-place finish was the Reds' worst performance in the Barclays Premier League since 1999, compounding early exits from the Champions League and FA Cup earlier in the campaign.

 

Reina was one of few to come out of the campaign with credit and that was recognised with him being overwhelmingly voted the club's player of the season. But he said that could not lessen the disappointment of a dismal campaign which saw Liverpool suffer 11 league defeats, eight of which came away from home.

 

BOLA BOYZ

LIPPI LEAVES TOTTI

 

Italy coach Marcello Lippi has kept his promise by rewarding the players who helped the Azzurri qualify for the finals with a place in his provisional squad, meaning Francesco Totti missed out.

 

Villarreal striker Giuseppe Rossi was included as a seventh striker at the expense of Juventus defender Nicola Legrottaglie and is the only foreign-based player in the squad, but there is no place for Roma forward Luca Toni or Juventus veteran Alessandro Del Piero.

 

Provisional Squad:

Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Morgan De Sanctis (Napoli), Federico Marchetti (Cagliari), Salvatore Sirigu (Palermo), Gianluca Zambrotta (AC Milan), Fabio Cannavaro (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Christian Maggio (Napoli), Leonardo Bonucci (Bari), Fabio Grosso (Juventus), Domenico Criscito (Genoa), Mattia Cassani (Palermo), Salvatore Bocchetti (Genoa), Andrea Pirlo (Milan), Gennaro Gattuso (Milan), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina), Mauro Camoranesi (Juventus), Angelo Palombo (Sampdoria), Antonio Candreva (Juventus), Andrea Cossu (Cagliari), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Simone Pepe (Udinese), Fabio Quagliarella (Napoli), Giuseppe Rossi (Villarreal), Vincenzo Iaquinta (Juventus), Antonio Di Natale (Udinese), Marco Borriello (Milan), Alberto Gilardino (Fiorentina), Giampaolo Pazzini (Sampdoria).

 

BOLA BOYZ

CARRAGHER & COLE IN ENGLAND SQUAD

 

Jamie Carragher and Joe Cole have been included in Fabio Capello's provisional 30-man squad for this summer's World Cup in South Africa. It will be reduced to 23 players by June 1.

 

Liverpool stalwart Carragher, who announced his retirement in 2007, returns to provide cover in defence with Gary Neville overlooked entirely. Chelsea midfielder Cole has been plagued by injury for large parts of this season but his goal against Manchester United helped convince Capello he is worth another look.

 

Provisional Squad:

David James (Portsmouth), Robert Green (West Ham United), Joe Hart (Manchester City), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), John Terry (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ledley King (Tottenham Hotspur), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Matthew Upson (West Ham United), Michael Dawson (Tottenham Hotspur), Leighton Baines (Everton), Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), James Milner (Aston Villa), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Tom Huddlestone (Tottenham Hotspur), Scott Parker (West Ham United), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham Hotspur), Adam Johnson (Manchester City), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Peter Crouch (Tottenham Hotspur), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Darren Bent (Sunderland), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur).

 

BOLA BOYZ

QUEROZ NAMES PORTUGAL PROVISIONAL SQUAD

 

Pepe has been included in Portugal's provisional 24-man squad ahead of the World Cup, despite having been sidelined by a knee injury since December. The Real Madrid defender was a stand-out in a scrappy Portuguese qualifying campaign to ensure his place.

 

Coach Carlos Queiroz had previously indicated he had "one or two'' doubts about the fitness of certain players. Portugal reached the semi-finals of the World Cup in Germany four years ago, but face a difficult task to get out of their group in South Africa after being draw against Brazil, Ivory Coast and North Korea.

 

Provisional Squad:
Beto (Porto), Daniel Fernandes (Iraklis), Eduardo (Braga), Fabio Coentrao (Benfica), Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea), Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea), Ze Castro (Deportivo La Coruna), Bruno Alves (Porto), Rolando (Porto), Ricardo Costa (Lille), Duda (Malaga), Pepe (Real Madrid), Miguel (Valencia), Tiago (Atletico Madrid), Deco (Chelsea), Raul Meireles (Porto), Nani (Manchester United), Miguel Veloso (Sporting Lisbon), Pedro Mendes (Sporting Lisbon), Simao Sabrosa (Atletico Madrid), Hugo Almeida (Werder Bremen), Liedson (Sporting Lisbon), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Danny (Zenit St Petersburg).

 

BOLA BOYZ

DRIBBLING IS NOT GILBERTO'S STYLE

Gilberto Silva may not have the eye-catching flamboyance of some of his team mates but still believes his role in Brazil's midfield is crucial for the five-times world champions, even if it goes unnoticed. The former Arsenal player is set to play at his third World Cup, yet after 91 appearances is still trying to convince Brazil's demanding critics that he is worthy of the famous gold shirt.

 

"I'm not the type of player who dribbles, scores goals and does anything eye-catching"

 

At times, Gilberto, who has managed three goals for his country, almost plays as a third central defender as the two full backs push up to join the attack. Gilberto was ever-present at the 2002 World Cup, having won his place in the team at the last minute when first-choice Emerson was forced out through injury.

 

BOLA BOYZ   ARSENAL

SIX STRIKERS IN GERMANY SQUAD

 

Germany will travel to the World Cup with all six strikers from their preliminary World Cup squad to keep their offensive options open, according to coach Joachim Loew.

 

Loew had nominated Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski, both out of form this season, as well as Mario Gomez, Cacau, Stefan Kiessling and Thomas Mueller in his preliminary 27-man squad. Though, he must finalise a list of 23 players by June 1.

 

Germany are in Group D alongside Serbia, Australia and Ghana in the tournament starting on June 11.