Fergie: No need to pray for Rooney

Sir Alex Ferguson has told England's panicking fans to "stop praying" for Wayne Rooney. The Manchester United boss confirmed he will be without the England forward for between two and three weeks with the minor ankle ligament injury he suffered in Munich on Tuesday. In a best-case scenario it would have Rooney back in action for the Manchester derby at Eastlands on April 17, in the worst, the 24-year-old would be facing a race against time to be fit for a Champions League semi-final with either Lyon or Bordeaux four days later, should United make it that far. 

The (nation's) reaction was panic. Well there is no bone damage and no serious ligament damage, so the nation can stop praying. 

Sir Alex Ferguson on Rooney's ankle injury 

 

Either way, Rooney's participation in the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ will not be threatened, which will come as an immense relief, not just to Fabio Capello, but the nation's football fans who have come to believe that without their talisman, England might as well not bother going to South Africa this summer. "The (nation's) reaction was panic," smiled Ferguson. "Well there is no bone damage and no serious ligament damage, so the nation can stop praying."

What Ferguson has no intention of doing is dwelling on the setback. It is patently obvious the loss of Rooney causes him a problem ahead of Saturday's top of the table clash with Chelsea. Yet, in making a single striker his preferred formation, in which Berbatov has no role, Ferguson has given himself an instant replacement.

The Bulgarian cannot be expected to match Rooney's work-rate, few in the United squad could, but the Red Devils spent a club record £30.75million on him for a reason - and Ferguson does not expect the former Tottenham striker to let him down in his hour of need.

"I haven't liked leaving Dimitar out - and now he is in," said the United boss, who is aware public perception of Berbatov is not totally favourable. "The split must be 80-20 in his favour. If we sign a big player and he is not scoring 50 goals a season, including 16 overhead kicks, you are always going to get a discerning voice.

"Everyone has their own favourites and supporters have diverse views," the boss added. "I used to get a letter from a supporter saying I was off my head because I wasn't playing Steve Bruce at centre forward, although in fairness it was probably Brucie writing it himself or his granny."

Berbatov has produced a couple of battling performances in Rooney's absence lately, which have guided United to crucial victories at Wolves and Bolton. He is more likely to attack with a sword than a sledgehammer, but Ferguson is confident Chelsea will still feel the same thrust. "The one thing you cannot dismiss is Dimitar's ability and talent," he said. "He is a fantastic player. He can play on his own up front. What you need is to give him good support."

Faith in the squad
Ferguson is adamant there will be no sense of loss at Rooney's absence, or deflected concentration ahead of such a big game. United would prefer to have their main man available, but having lost so many key players so often this season, it is just another inconvenience to overcome. "Rooney is a loss, you want to have all your best players available," said Ferguson. "It hasn't been the case for us this season but we have struggled through.

"We have stumbled but we are a point ahead in the Premier League, in the quarter-final of the Champions League with an away goal advantage and we have won the League Cup," he went on. "I am sure our players are not going to let this upset them. Do you think they are worrying whether Wayne Rooney is going to cost them it by not being there? Not at all."

Ferguson will draft some experience on to his bench in the form of either John O'Shea or Owen Hargreaves, who made his last appearance against Chelsea in September 2008 since when he has undergone major surgery on both knees. A fit Hargreaves would represent a major addition for a United side, who, thanks to the joint failings of Chelsea and Arsenal over the last few weeks, would be quite happy with a draw.

Not that Ferguson intends to play for one. "You cannot go into a game thinking you must not lose," he said. "That is a silly attitude."

(fifa.com)

South Africa hold Paraguay : World Cup 2010

South Africa hold Paraguay

But after the break Carlos Alberto Parreira's team came more into the game and they deservedly equalised when Tshabalala struck home a tremendous left footer from 30 yards.

South Africa continued their build-up to this summer's tournament with an encouraging 1-1 draw against Paraguay on Wednesday evening.

The South Americans, who were missing several top European-based players, took the lead after 37 minutes through Marcelo Estigarribia, but Bafana Bafana hit back to equalize through Siphiwe Tshabalala 19 minutes from time.

The result was a distinct improvement for South Africa coming as it did against a team also qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ and compared to the drab 1-1 draw played out against lowly ranked Namibia on 3 March.

The likes of Brazil and Argentina have all come here and struggled, so we did well.

Carlos Alberto Parreira, South Africa coach.

Paraguay dominated for most of the first half and deservedly took the lead after eight minutes before the break when Estigarribia found himself clear to head home from close in.

The South Africans went into this game at the back end of an intensive three-week training camp in Brazil where they played a total of seven matches against local clubs.

"We were in the lion's cage here, and the team showed a lot of character by coming from behind, I am proud of them just for that," Parreira said. "In the first half Paraguay were the better team and in the second half we took control of the proceedings - so the draw is a fair result. The likes of Brazil and Argentina have all come here and struggled, so we did well in this match."

The South Africans went into this game at the back end of an intensive three-week training camp in Brazil where they played a total of seven matches against local clubs.

They will next have another training camp in Germany in April before returing to South Africa in May to complete preparations for the FIFA World Cup opener against Mexico in Johannesburg on 11 June. France and Uruguay are the two other teams in South Africa's group.

Schwarzer: We are quietly confident at World Cup 2010

(FIFA.com)

Though in the twilight of his career Australia goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer is enjoying rare form for both club and country. The Socceroos No1 for several years now, Schwarzer played a major role in his country reaching successive FIFA World Cups™ for the first time. His well-documented penalty shoot-out heroics against Uruguay were key to Australia reaching Germany 2006 and the custodian conceded just four goals in their 14 matches in qualification for South Africa 2010.After 11 years at Middlesbrough, Schwarzer has enjoyed a new lease of life since arriving at Fulham two years ago helping the club to seventh, while this term the Cottagers have enjoyed an impressive run in the UEFA Europa League. The 37-year-old’s fine form saw him collect the Premier League's Player of the Month for February.

Schwarzer’s personal achievements are numerous and include 400 Premier League appearances and nearly 700 career matches. With 73 appearances to his name, Schwarzer is Australia’s most-capped goalkeeper and with no plans for retirement is now eyeing the national record of 87.

In an exclusive chat with FIFA.com, Schwarzer talks about his recent club experiences, his form and his plans for the future. The shotstopper also reveals his aspirations and hopes for South Africa 2010 as Australia aim to continue a fine defensive record on the world’s greatest stage in Group D against Germany, Serbia and Ghana.

FIFA.com: It’s been a another wonderful season for you at Fulham, with good league form, a UEFA Europa League run that included defeating Juventus and being named English Premier League player of the month. How does the season compare for you?Mark Schwarzer: From day one I have enjoyed my time at Fulham. So far, this season has been even more enjoyable than last season. I have been fortunate enough over 13-14 years to have some pretty fantastic seasons, and definitely the last two seasons at Fulham have been very special for a number of reasons. The longer my career has gone on the more I have relaxed and enjoyed things and savoured the moment. This season is turning out to be pretty special and I hope it continues into the World Cup. That would really cap off a memorable season.

Given your showings for both club and country, do you consider this the best form you have been in?That is what everyone was telling me last season that it was the best I had ever played! All I have tried to do is get my head down and work as hard as I possibly can. If anything I have physically worked even harder than I did last season, and so far it is paying dividends.

You were also in great form for the Socceroos who proved hard to beat in qualifying. How confident is the team given the group you have drawn.I’m quietly confident. If you look at our group it is very, very tough. The group has similarities to that we had in Germany. We are going in again as underdogs, but the difference now is that we are not the unknown quantity we were last time. I’m quietly confident we will go to the World Cup in the best possible shape and condition and hopefully give it a real shake like we did last time.

I’m quietly confident we will go to the World Cup in the best possible shape and condition and hopefully give it a real shake like we did last time.

Australia goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer 

 

You obviously know Germany very well given your background and also having played there for a number of seasons. Will that mean something extra to you personally in South Africa?Definitely. I was fortunate to play against Germany in the 2005 Confederations Cup which was a special moment given it is the country of my heritage and my mum and dad’s birthplace. I think this will be even more special. Nothing beats playing in a World Cup as you are representing your country, you’re playing on the biggest stage on the planet and there are hundreds of millions of people watching around the world. To have the opportunity to play against Germany, and hopefully get a good result, would be a dream come true.

Any special connections with players in the German squad, or the other teams in the group?I am friendly with (German defender) Robert Huth. It would be nice to come up against Robert and try and get one over him! I also obviously know (Ghana and Fulham defender) John Paintsil but we have been pretty quite about it. We have though commented about finishing one/two in the group and having a laugh about it. To know two of my group opponents is pretty special.

The Australian team had an amazing defensive record in qualifying. What do you put that down to?I think we were very organised as a team and very determined. We defended from the front and I think everyone was so determined from day one to qualify. Obviously if you are solid at the back and don’t concede then you give yourself every chance of winning matches.

The squad is very similar to the Germany 2006 squad, which obviously means the team has experience but a number of players are now over 30. Is it better to have that level of experience or younger legs?We definitely have more experience than four years ago and statistically experience helps you more so than anything else. This time around we also have a larger pool of players to call on. Hopefully that will keep us in very good stead throughout the World Cup.

We definitely have more experience than four years ago and statistically experience helps you more so than anything else.

Mark Schwarzer 

 

Any thoughts for your career plans in the medium term?I have another year on my contract at Fulham. I would like to stay beyond that. Obviously at this time of your career it's a case of staying on top of your game and performing week-in, week-out. I want to keep playing at the highest level as long as possible and if I can stay at Fulham for that period of time then that would be great.

Similarly for the national team, is it a case of playing for as long as possible?I have no aspirations to stop. My determination and enthusiasm is very much still there, and if anything has grown over the years. At my age, you know that it is all over too quickly, and that you can never go back. I want to make the most of it, stay at the top, represent my country and play at the highest level as long as possible.

71 days to go World Cup 2010

During the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ finals, the highest recorded TV audience for a single game in one nation was 71.5 million viewers in China PR for the group game between Japan and Croatia.

China - despite failing to qualify - also accounted for the most overall viewers (3.98 billion), followed by Brazil, Vietnam and Germany, with Asia contributing 34.2 per cent. Europe's cumulative audience was 5.33 billion, with Germany and Italy accounting for 31.5 per cent of that total.

The Final attracted the biggest global audience with 607.9 million in-home viewers across 214 countries. There were over 73,000 hours of dedicated programming, a 76.4 per cent increase on 2002. It if had been shown non-stop on just one channel, so much coverage would have taken over eight years to broadcast.