World Cup news

A clampdown on tackling from behind and the less frequent use of the elbow have contributed to a fall in the number of injuries suffered by players at the World Cup finals compared to four years ago.

Professor Jiri Dvorak, FIFA's Chief Medical Officer, told reporters at FIFA's daily briefing yesterday that with statistics gathered after 58 of the tournament's 64 matches, the number of injuries in total had dropped significantly.

"From all 64 matches in 2002 there were 171 injuries, compared to 129 injuries from the 58 matches collated so far. With an average of 2.2 injuries per match we expect the overall total at the end of the tournament to be less than four years ago," he said.

"In Japan and Korea there were 25 head injuries leading to four players suffering concussion. So far there have been 11 head injuries and just one concussion."

All 228 doping tests carried out so far had been negative.

Nesta chances 'remote'

Italy defender Alessandro Nesta is almost certain to miss tomorrow's World Cup semi-final against Germany because of a groin injury, the team's spokesman said yesterday.

Nesta missed Italy's 1-0 second round win over Australia and their 3-0 triumph over Ukraine in the quarter-final due to the injury which he picked up during the final group game against the Czech Republic.

Inter defender Marco Materazzi, who missed the Ukraine match due to suspension, is likely to return to the starting line-up although Andrea Barzagli, who deputised well in the quarter-final, is another option open to coach Marcello Lippi.

Nesta has missed games through injuries in all three World Cups he has participated in and was absent for Italy's second-round defeat to co-hosts South Korea four years ago.

Eusebio dream still on

Eusebio said Portugal's dream of winning the World Cup can come true after they beat England 3-1 in a quarter-final shoot-out on Saturday.

Former great Eusebio, who scored a penalty the only time they previously reached the semi-finals in 1966 when they lost 2-1 to England, said they should now reach the final.

"Like I've said many times I believe in this team," he said.

"The way to the final is open. If it's necessary this team will die on the pitch. It's possible the dream can come true."

Osim to take Japan coaching job

Former Yugoslavia coach Ivica Osim is set to take charge of the Japan national side after Brazilian coach Zico stepped down, media reports said yesterday.

Osim reached an agreement with Japan Football Association technical advisor Kozo Tashima in talks on Saturday night, the reports said.

Reports have said that the JFA was talking to the 65-year-old Osim since before the World Cup began, but that his current club, JEF United Chiba, had been reluctant to lose him in the middle of the season.

Osim led Yugoslavia to the quarter-finals of the 1990 World Cup in Italy. He became JEF manager in 2003 and helped the J-League side win the Japanese League Cup last year for their first title.

Djorkaeff caught on camera

Former France forward Youri Djorkaeff was caught out by his New York Red Bulls soccer team on Saturday when he was spotted at the France-Brazil World Cup quarter-final while supposedly attending a family emergency.

"We were told by Youri on Thursday that he had to leave the team and attend to an unexpected, serious family matter in France," the team, formerly known as the MetroStars, said in a statement after Djorkaeff was picked out in the crowd.

Sitting in last place in Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference, the struggling Red Bulls were scheduled to play the New England Revolution last weekend but granted Djorkaeff permission to miss the match and return home to France.

The 38-year-old has appeared in 13 games for the Red Bulls this season, scoring two goals.

'England aren't cool enough'

Germany midfielder Tim Borowski poured salt into England's wounds yesterday when he said they lack nerve in penalty shoot-outs.

"I think we're just a little bit cooler than England in front of the goal," said Borowski, who scored the decisive fourth penalty in Germany's 4-2 win in a shoot-out after extra-time over Argentina in Friday's quarter-final.

"I think that's the main reason," added Borowski, who came on in the 74th minute for Bastian Schweinsteiger.

Germany have a perfect 4-0 record in World Cup penalty shoot-outs and have not missed a single penalty in a shoot-out in a finals for 24 years while England have lost all three of theirs.

Frings' role in Argentina melee

FIFA said yesterday evening it was investigating the role played by Germany midfielder Torsten Frings in the fracas that followed their World Cup quarter-final victory over Argentina.

"Following new evidence coming to light, the disciplinary committee have opened a case against the German player Torsten Frings who they are considering played an active role in the incident at the end of the match," said FIFA spokesman Markus Siegler.

FIFA had said earlier yesterday it was taking no action against any Germany player.

Italy's Sky Sport television has repeatedly shown images of the fracas at the end of the game, with commentators saying the images showed Frings punching Argentine Julio Ricardo Cruz.

Germany face Italy in the World Cup semi-final tomorrow.