The Malaysian Insider :: Sports
The Malaysian Insider :: Sports |
| Hodgson gives England youthful options for World Cup Posted: 12 May 2014 07:17 AM PDT There were no surprises as the irresistible late-season form of Everton's attacking midfielder Barkley and Liverpool wide man Sterling made their inclusion an easy choice for Hodgson, despite having only five caps between them. Oxlade-Chamberlain and Arsenal team mate Jack Wilshere got the nod despite ending the season with injuries, while Shaw was chosen ahead of 107-cap Ashley Cole as left-back back-up for Leighton Baines. Southampton provide three players in Shaw, midfielder Lallana and striker Rickie Lambert, who share only eight caps. Lambert and Manchester United's goal-shy Danny Welbeck were included as back-ups for the probable first-choice strike partnership of Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge, with Andy Carroll named among the seven players on stand-by. Everton centre back John Stones and Liverpool fullback Jon Flanagan, both uncapped, were also named as stand-bys, as was Jermain Defoe. Hodgson will have to name his final 23-man squad by June 2. Hodgson, not known as a risk taker, can also draw on the immense experience of Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, James Milner and goalkeeper Joe Hart for a tough assignment in Brazil where England face Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica in Group D. "The balance is quite good," Hodgson told a news conference. "They (the younger players) have imposed themselves and imposed their ability in my thinking. If I picked my squad in October after the last two World Cup qualifiers, then it might have looked different. "I'm not sure Raheem Sterling was getting the game time or making the impact he has had in recent months. "You can't ignore what people are doing week to week in their club sides. "But I think it would be wrong to focus on those who are young and inexperienced. You can't get that experience until you play. "Frank is a very important part of our set-up still," added Hodgson of the midfielder who will turn 36 during the tournament. "In midfield you have many more positions to choose from. It's not a straight choice between two players. "Frank has been captain on many occasions. He still plays a very important role in his club side and his leadership qualities and his ability as a player means he justifies his position." Hodgson also showed faith in Rooney, still awaiting his first World Cup finals goal. "If it's anything to do with desire and ambition, then we've got nothing to fear. "I've told the players to go away for a week and get mentally prepared. "Wayne has decided to take a physio with him because he is so determined to come back firing on all cylinders. "His attitude - spot on, desire - couldn't be better, ability - yes, he has. Now it is all about bringing that to the match on the day. "But it would be wrong to put the hopes of a nation on the shoulders of one man." The squad will travel to Portugal next week to begin their World Cup preparations, before facing Peru at Wembley on May 30. They then play Ecuador and Honduras in Miami before moving on to Brazil. – Reuters, May 12, 2014. |
| Tax cheat Hoeness wants different jail due to privacy fears Posted: 12 May 2014 05:56 AM PDT Hoeness's lawyers filed an objection to Bavarian state plans to send the 62-year-old to the Landsberg prison because 157 reporters were allowed to tour the 114-year-old facility shortly after his conviction, Focus magazine reported. Hoeness is worried that guards or fellow inmates could peddle information or pictures to media, the magazine said. A spokesman for the state prosecutor's office in Munich said he could not comment on the report. "We don't comment on how prison assignments are carried out," the spokesman said, when asked about the Focus report on Hoeness. "The person concerned will be invited to report to a certain prison at some point." Hoeness was convicted on March 16 of tax evasion in one of the most spectacular cases of fraud in German history. He was supposed to spend the next 3-1/2 years in the Landsberg prison 70 km west of Munich, which once housed Adolf Hitler. Landsberg officials took journalists on a March 31 tour of the prison, where Hitler dictated his book 'Mein Kampf' to Rudolf Hess after being convicted for his failed 1923 beer hall putsch. Its 420 inmates include murderers, drug-dealers and sex offenders. Once Germany's most famous soccer boss, Hoeness was convicted of evading 28.5 million euros in taxes on income earned in a secret Swiss bank account. He hoped in vain his voluntary disclosure would lead to a suspended sentence. Focus magazine quoted sources close to the former West Germany player saying: "It's looking good that Uli Hoeness will not have to go to Landsberg." It said Hoeness could end up in the more modern facility in Landshut that has fewer inmates serving out sentences for violent crimes. The Landshut prison also has single cells, better food and flat-screen TVs, Bild newspaper reported. Focus added Hoeness friends "worry that guards or prisoners (at Landsberg) could be lured by money into selling exclusive information about the nation's biggest celebrity prisoner." The Munich-based magazine said Hoeness believes he will not have to stay in jail long when his term starts in late May. "Uli is confident that he'll be allowed to leave prison during the daytime hours after just three or four months," Focus said, referring to German rules that allow prisoners with good behaviour out of jail during the day to work. Hoeness, who helped West Germany win the 1974 World Cup, resigned as chairman of the supervisory board and president of Bayern Munich a day after his conviction. During his 35 years at Bayern Munich, Hoeness turned the club into a perennial powerhouse that won last year's Champions League and dominates the German Bundesliga. He also owns a Bavarian sausage factory. Journalists who toured the Landsberg prison saw eight-square-metre cells of the type where Hoeness will be locked up. The rooms have just a simple bed, a chair, a closet and toilet. – Reuters, May 12, 2014. |
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