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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Friday's World Cup round-up

Former France captain Zinedine Zidane has criticised coach Raymond Domenech after the 2-0 defeat by Mexico which left Les Bleus on the brink of World Cup elimination.
Zidane, a member of France's 1998 World Cup-winning team, believes Domenech got his selection wrong by demoting Yoann Gourcuff to the bench, depriving the side of a creative spark.
"The coach made the decision but I don't agree with it," Zidane told Mexican television station Televisa. "I am disappointed because France did not have a single shot on goal and that should be the least to be expected. Mexico were superior to France, especially physically."

Captain Patrice Evra said it felt like France were a "small football nation - and it hurts" after Thursday's defeat by Mexico.
"It's a catastrophe, that's all we can say. We are not a great team," said Evra, who was part of the side which suffered an early exit at Euro 2008. "When you are knocked out of the European Championship in the first round and you are also capable of being knocked out in the first round of the World Cup, you just don't want to think about football after that." 

Injured England defender Rio Ferdinand has told his England team-mates: "You can still win the World Cup."
"We still have a great chance of winning the World Cup," Ferdinand told The Sun. "No team can claim to be the outright favourites. There is no one who scares us. I'm sure we'll beat Algeria. I've played with these players for years and know how good they are."

Senior Cameroon players have asked coach Paul Le Guen to reconsider his team selection for the Group E match against Denmark on Saturday.
Defender Song made a substitute appearance against Japan
Cameroon's players are unhappy because Le Guen omitted seasoned campaigners like defenders Rigobert Song and Geremi and midfielder Alexandre Song from the Japan game, which they lost 1-0. 
"What we have seen in recent games, which we think is unfortunate, is that many young fresh players have been introduced into the team at the expense of experienced ones," said midfielder Achille Emana. 

United States captain Carlos Bocanegra said his team will not be underestimating Slovenia just because they lack household names.
The former Fulham defender said: "We have some personal experience against these guys. A few play in Germany, a few in France, just because they're not in the Premier League we're still familiar with these guys. We are not going to take them lightly just because some people might not know the names as well."

Netherlands midfielder Nigel de Jong is confident his team can win the World Cup in South Africa.
Ahead of Saturday's Group E clash with Japan, De Jong said: "We just have to deliver this World Cup. We have got enough quality to do it." 

Former Tottenham manager Osvaldo Ardiles, a World Cup winner with Argentina in 1978, says he wants to be Australia's new national coach.

Dutchman Pim Verbeek will vacate the position after the tournament and Football Federation Australia is seeking a big-name candidate to replace him.

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