Sunday's World Cup round-up

Graham Taylor is convinced goalkeeper David James' terse responses to questions about Fabio Capello's selection policy were a clear indication that all is not well in the England camp.
Former England boss Taylor said: "I know David very well because we signed him as a young player at Watford many years ago. He is very articulate and he was giving us a message there, make no mistake. That was a message that all is not right."
Although he has vowed not to resign and has stood by some controversial team selections, under-fire Cameroon coach Paul Le Guen is facing media criticism following the Indomitable Lions' early exit from the World Cup. 

After it was suggested to the Frenchman that his tactics were to blame for defeats against Japan and Denmark, Le Guen simply replied: "I will not resign but you have given your opinion and I respect that. Either you trust me or you don't, but that's the way things are."

A top public university in Bangladesh has closed indefinitely after students clashed over whether to cancel classes in order to watch the World Cup. Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology reportedly asked students to leave dormitories to calm the situation, after at least five people were injured in violent disturbances.

One group had demanded an early summer vacation so they could watch football on television without any tension. They asked other students not to attend classes or take tests and locked the university's main gate, prompting clashes with senior students who wanted classes to continue.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes a fear of failure and the absolute necessity to get through the group stage has contributed to the poor performances of top European sides at the World Cup.
Wenger said: "The biggest teams who have the highest level of expectation cannot express that talent yet. One reason is caution, fear of failure, response to huge demands. These teams will just get through, most of them, then you will see them really play." 

Australia forward Harry Kewell is adamant he did not deserve to be sent off for handling the ball on the line during his team's 1-1 draw against Ghana.
Kewell told the Sydney Morning Herald: "Everyone that's seen it is saying: 'Fair enough, it's a penalty'. But was it deliberate? Of course not." And coach Pim Verbeek added: "What is he supposed to do, cut his arm off?"

Television viewing figures suggest the United States public have embraced the World Cup. Twice as many Americans are believed to have watched the first five games of the tournament compared with four years ago.

Slovenia's Robert Koren insists his side will not play for a draw against England on Wednesday, even though a point would be enough to take them through to the last 16 - probably at the expense of Fabio Capello's men.
Koren, whose club future is in doubt now his West Brom contract has expired, said: "We will do everything in our power against England. We will try to win."

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Saturday's World Cup round-up

Former Germany captain Lothar Matthaus says his country have almost no chance of winning the World Cup in South Africa.
Matthaus, who won won an incredible 150 caps in a long international career, is unimpressed with the standard of coach Joachim Loew's squad.
"The problem with Germany is that they have no stars, no-one with any individual brilliance, now that Ballack is out," said Matthaus. "And their preparations have hardly been optimal."

Australia forward Harry Kewell concedes that facing Germany on the first weekend will be an uphill battle for the Socceroos.
"Let's face it, we've probably hit the hardest team in the World Cup to come up against, especially first off the bat," said Kewell. 

Winning the World Cup would still not be enough for United States forward DaMarcus Beasley to make a real name for himself in his home state of Indiana.
Michael Jackson and the Jackson family are the Hoosier state's most famous sons and former Rangers player Beasley admitted that realistically not even lifting the World Cup trophy would see him make a similar name for himself.
"Even if we won the World Cup I still wouldn't be that big a thing," said Beasley.
"But maybe I would be in the top 10. I might even get a statue."

England captain Steven Gerrard has surprisingly picked out sprint star Usain Bolt as a big inspiration.
Olympic 100 and 200m champion Bolt is a huge football fan and has asked Gerrard for a signed shirt for his growing collection. 
"Usain Bolt is an athlete I really look up to," Gerrard said. "As a sprinter he's the man isn't he? He's there to be shot at but keeps on winning. It takes some doing to be at the top of your game like he is. 
"It's a pity he's a Man United fan though. I was going to ask him to one of our training sessions when he's in England but I might not bother now." 

Paraguay have laughed off reports that Oscar Cardozo could be out of the World Cup and declared the striker could yet make next week's opening match against Italy.
Cardozo, who scored 36 goals for Benfica last season, has been struggling with an ankle injury and has been training separately from the rest of the Paraguay squad.
"I must clarify that Oscar Cardozo is not out of the World Cup, as has been implied in some media," said Paraguay team doctor Manuel Aguilar.
"What's more, neither has he been ruled out of the first game."

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Friday's World Cup round-up - New BBC column

South Africa captain Aaron Mokoena says his side will have no nerves when they walk out in front of an expectant 85,000-strong home crowd at the Soccer City stadium for their World Cup opener against Mexico on Friday.
Mokoena recently became the first South African to earn 100 caps
"We are looking forward to the game," said Mokoena. "We've been through the feelings of how it's going to be.
"It's going to be important that we go out relaxed, but of course not too relaxed, and enjoy it.
"It's about us, it's about what we want and about making our country proud. The moment of truth has arrived."

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and South African healer Bishop Isaac Nonyane have pooled resources in a bid to get injury-plagued Australia winger Harry Kewell fit for the World Cup.
An injury to Kewell's groin has dominated Australia's build-up to the tournament, with coach Pim Verbeek desperate to have his key forward fit for Sunday's opener against Germany. 
Subsequently, Rudd offered a goodwill greeting on Friday at the insistence of Nonyane, who said the prime minister's best wishes would oust the "malicious spirits" plaguing the striker. 

France captain Patrice Evra believes a tough start to his career in England with Manchester United has been crucial in preparing him to lead his country out during the World Cup.
Evra, who endured a difficult six months after joining United from Monaco in January 2006 but has since blossomed into one of the best left-backs in the world, has been given the armband for his country with previous incumbent Thierry Henry likely to start on the bench during the tournament.
"It's difficult to talk about oneself," said Evra. "I've put in some hard work to get to this point - I haven't had any gifts given to me. I am determined.
"My first six months in Manchester were difficult but I believed in myself and my abilities and I think that is what makes a difference. I think my psychology helped me build and develop my career."

South Africa is ready to stage a "Ferrari" of a World Cup, according to Fifa general secretary Jerome Valcke.
"If you compare, if you take the number of stadiums we got in the past World Cups and the number of great stadiums we have here in South Africa for the 2010 World Cup, definitely South Africa is above all the countries," he said. 
"South Africa is a new benchmark in the organisation of the World Cup. 
"But now the main question is, it's great to have the nicest car, it's great to have the latest Ferrari in your hands, but you need to know how to drive it, and that's where we are." 

Lionel Messi's Argentina team-mates have been keen to ease the weight of expectation on the diminutive playmaker ahead of this weekend's World Cup opener against Nigeria.
The 22-year-old reigning Fifa world player of the year looks certain to be the centre of attention in South Africa.

But veteran midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron said: "He (Messi) is feeling well and is eager to have a great World Cup, but I don't think it's right to make him responsible for everything that can happen in the World Cup.
"There are 23 players in the squad with the everybody sharing the responsibility."

Uruguayan Diego Forlan hopes to use the World Cup as a means to secure a move back to the Premier League.
Diego Forland took 27 games to score his first goal for Manchester United
The former Manchester United striker endured a difficult time during his first spell in England between 2002 and 2004 where it took him 27 games to score his first goal, but he has since rebuilt his reputation as a prolific goalscorer in Spain with Atletico Madrid. 
"If a big chance to return to England came up, I would have to look at it," said Forlan. "I loved my time in English football - the people, the fans, the football, everything." 

USA defender Oguchi Onyewu has said his team will pose England problems in their opening match of the World Cup on Saturday.
"Against any team, we can compete and get a result. We have proven that in the last few years," he said.
"The USA are not a world power but can cause trouble to any team on any given day."

Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron has read out a morale-boosting message from England manager Fabio Capello to troops in Afghanistan.
"While the players receive incredible support from the country, as we are about to kick off in the World Cup, it's important you know how much all your efforts mean to all the players and staff with the England team," Capello said. 

"Your brave service to your country means so much to the players and we all have complete respect for the incredible sacrifices that you and your families have made."

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