The Malaysian Insider :: Sports
The Malaysian Insider :: Sports |
| Messi, Ibra like video-game players, says Hamren Posted: 05 Feb 2013 03:15 PM PST  Messi (left) and Valencia's Tino Costa fight for the ball during their Spanish first division match at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia, February 3, 2013. – Reuters pic "Both of them are like players you see in those video games," Hamren told a news conference at the Friends arena where Sweden meet Argentina today in front of a sell-out crowd. "They do things you don't think it's possible to do. Two extremely talented and really, really good football players." As both teams held training sessions under the closed roof of the new stadium, there was little to suggest that the rumoured rift between Ibra and Messi during their time together at Barcelona still existed. "Leo is a fantastic player, he's probably the best player in the world," Ibrahimovic told reporters. "He is winning all the prizes, he's winning as an individual and I think it will be a great game." Three-times world player of the year Messi did not speak to the press and has kept a low profile since arriving in the Swedish capital. Fans and photographers alike have had as much luck as most defenders when trying to pin him down and security around the arena was tight as locals tried to get a glimpse of him during Argentina's training session yesterday. But the Swedes are hugely proud of their own captain too and they are hoping he will repay their faith with a display similar to that which he produced against England in November. In the first game at the new stadium, Ibra hauled Sweden from behind with a stunning four-goal salvo to beat England 4-2, rounding it off with an outrageous scissor kick from well outside the penalty area. The Friends Arena, named after an anti-bullying campaign, is an apt title for the new 50,000-capacity stadium, and there was plenty of mutual respect on display as Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella praised Ibrahimovic. "He's a great player because he has physical strength, is tall, good in the air, he makes the most of rebounds, he has all the skills to complicate (things)," he told a news conference. "He can score in all kinds of ways, even with free kicks as against England, which he did from 35 metres." But Sabella said his side would not be changing their defensive game-plan to combat the Swedish captain. "We have to be especially careful faced by the quality of a player like Zlatan, but the fact that he's playing doesn't change my idea of how to defend." The friendly marks Sweden's final outing before their first competitive game in the new stadium against Ireland in a World Cup qualifier on March 22. Ranked third in the world, Argentina will face Venezuela at home in their next match. – Reuters |
| Cole looking over his shoulder on eve of 100th cap Posted: 05 Feb 2013 03:03 PM PST  Cole (right) tackles Arsenal's Theo Walcott during their English Premier League match at Stamford Bridge in London January 20, 2013. – Reuters pic The Chelsea player, one of the first names on the teamsheet for a succession of England coaches, has a fierce rival for the left back spot in the shape of Everton's Leighton Baines and Hodgson admits it gives him a welcome headache. "Ashley Cole will start and win his 100th cap," Hodgson told reporters on the eve of a mouth-watering friendly against the five-times world champions. "After that, I will have to see what I do with Leighton who has done well in Ashley's absence. They are both exceptional players but Ashley will start. "I'm just pleased Ashley is still the one we all know and admire and Leighton is breathing down his neck and making sure his performances are of the highest level." Cole, 32, made his England debut in 2001 and according to captain Steven Gerrard, who will be presented with the 100th cap he earned against Poland before kickoff, is the most "consistent" player he has played alongside. Hodgson sees no reason why Gerrard should let Cole lead out the side to mark his milestone but would be upset if England fans fail to give the former Arsenal player a generous ovation. "I think he's just very happy to be a key player in the team so, I'm pretty certain he won't be trying to rip the armband off Steven. If he does I might have to step in," said Hodgson. AIR RIFLE Cole, whose love life, various driving offences and carelessness with an air rifle when he accidentally shot a youth player at Chelsea's training ground, have made him a target of the boo-boys at English grounds. "I see no reason why the fans won't give him the credit and reception he deserves," he said. "He has never started as substitute in 99 games and if you are an England fan and don't respect him and love him for doing that then that's your problem not his." Cole will become the seventh England player to win 100 caps for his country, joining Bobby Charlton, David Beckham, Billy Wright, Bobby Moore, Peter Shilton and Gerrard. While England are by no means certain to qualify for next year's World Cup finals in Brazil, should they negotiate their group and head to south America, Cole will have to keep producing five-star performances to keep Baines at bay. "Ashley has come under greater scrutiny and the competition for his place is probably greater than its been in the past," said Hodgson who will be missing injured strikers Jermain Defoe Daniel Sturridge for Wednesday's clash. "Leighton Baines has matured as an international. It's great to have that kind of headache but it won't be an easy choice when they are both fit and vying to play in the big games. "But I'll cross that bridge when I get to it." "That's the way it must be if we are ever going to perform at the highest level, we need that level of competition right throughout the team like it is in some of the other countries." Hodgson, who could play Arsenal's Theo Walcott in a central striking role with Wayne Rooney tucked just behind him, said today's match was no ordinary friendly. "Experimenting is not a word I really want to use," he said. "We are taking the game too seriously to even entertain the use of the word experimenting." However enticing the prospect of beating Brazil for the first time since 1990 is, Hodgson acknowledged that the World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and group leaders Montenegro in March are more important. "We won't get to Brazil 2014 by winning friendly matches even if it's against one of the top nations in the world but it would be a great way to start 2013," he said. – Reuters |
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