Soccer Capsules: Another World Cup has power to change South Africa
Nelson Mandela strode onto the field wearing the green Springboks jersey, and the mostly white crowd erupted in a roar of elation. "Nelson! Nelson!" they chanted, lauding the man many had once considered a terrorist.
Just a year removed from its first all-race election, South Africa had begun its role as host of the 1995 Rugby World Cup fearful and uncertain, unsure how — or if — it could heal the wounds from its ugly past. By the time Mandela handed the champions trophy to the Springboks, a once-hated symbol of apartheid, South Africa had been transformed.
Fifteen years later, another World Cup on South African soil has the power to shape the country anew. This time, though, it is the rest of the world’s fear and uncertainty that must be overcome.
"It’s a huge opportunity for our country to showcase to the outside world what our possibilities are. We’ve got such a huge, beautiful country," said Kobus Wiese, a member of that ‘95 Springboks team.
"Yes, we’ve got problems. But so does everybody else."
The soccer World Cup is one of the world’s most popular sporting events. About 350,000 foreign fans are expected for the monthlong tournament that begins June 11, with billions more around the globe tuning in to watch the 64 matches spread among nine different cities.
South Africa has spent millions upon millions to improve its airports, roads, rail systems and hotels, the hope being a successful World Cup will turn the country into a major economic and tourism destination.
South Africa has a goal of attracting 14 million tourists a year by 2014, a 45 percent increase from the 9.6 million who visited in 2009.
"What we hope as an outcome is that this country will become a destination, a business entry point for the African continent," said Danny Jordaan, chief executive of the South African 2010 organizing committee. "It’s an image makeover."
The landscape was far different when South Africa hosted the Rugby World Cup in 1995. Though Mandela had been elected president and South Africa was no longer an international pariah, the country was by no means on stable footing.
The divisions left by decades of apartheid were raw and bitter, and overcoming them seemed an almost insurmountable task. Far-right factions remained a significant threat to Mandela’s government. Perhaps most troublesome, there was little besides geography to bind South Africans together.
Sports can be a powerful unifier — people don’t paint flags on their faces to go to dinner, or wear their country’s colors to the theater — but rugby carried the taint of apartheid. Not only was it considered a white sport — indeed, there was only one nonwhite team member, Chester Williams — but many blacks viewed rugby as a symbol of apartheid oppression.
Mandela, though, threw his support behind the ‘95 Springboks, believing the team could be the common bond the young country so desperately needed.
"Nelson Mandela, in that period, became the father and grandfather of this nation," said Joel Stransky, who scored all 15 points in South Africa’s overtime win over New Zealand. "Those little things we did, what a big difference they made."
Though the Springboks were among the top teams going into the World Cup, they weren’t favorites. As they advanced deeper and deeper into the tournament, however, the "one team, one country" slogan became reality.
Mandela wore a Springboks hat given to him by one of the players to the tournament’s opening ceremony, then showed up for the final in captain Francois Pienaar’s jersey. After South Africa beat New Zealand for the title, blacks and whites celebrated together, bringing traffic to a standstill across the country as they danced and sang in the streets.
The next day, the headline in The Sowetan blared, "Amabokoboko," an African translation of Springboks.
"(Mandela) made it clear time after time, ‘I hope you realize what a big role you can play, what an incredible impact you can have,"’ Wiese said. "As we progressed, all of the sudden it became much more clear that this is far bigger than the event. This is huge. It’s really about the nation coming together and forgetting about the past."
As simple as it was, that shared love for the Springboks allowed South Africa to move forward.
To be sure, the country still has problems. The unemployment rate is around 27 percent, and the average monthly income is estimated at $372. There are still vast economic disparities between whites and blacks.
The crime rate is high with 50 murders a day, and car jackings and rapes on the rise. Many are disillusioned with the country’s leaders, and there are concerns over South Africa’s direction.
"But the actual institutions of state are powerful, are solid, which they weren’t back then. No one questions the legitimacy of the government," said John Carlin, whose book "Playing the Enemy" was the basis for the blockbuster film about the ‘95 Rugby World Cup, "Invictus."
"Now the issues are very difficult, but much more mundane," Carlin said. "They’re issues that every country faces."
While South Africa’s soccer team enjoys widespread support, there is little chance of a sequel to the Springboks’ magical run at this World Cup.
Bafana Bafana did respectably in last year’s Confederations Cup, making it out of the group stage and losing 1-0 to eventual champion Brazil. But it is 88th in the latest FIFA rankings, and drew one of the tougher groups with Mexico, France and Uruguay. In a friendly last week, it drew 0-0 with North Korea, also a World Cup qualifier.
"South Africans don’t hold too much hope for Bafana Bafana. They are sort of almost one of the complete underdogs," Stransky said. "The nice thing about being considered a no hope is there’s no pressure. ... Hopefully they can get one or two balls in the back of the net and advance. That would be fantastic."
That doesn’t mean, however, that this year’s World Cup can’t have a lasting impact.
While the ‘95 tournament changed how South Africa saw itself, this year’s can change how the world sees South Africa.
"People don’t know what South Africa is about," said Williams, the nonwhite member of the ‘95 Springboks. "People will leave this country knowing they’ve been in one of the most amazing countries in the world. They can come and enjoy themselves, and I think they will leave here with a feeling they’ve never had."
Messi carries Argentina’s hopes to World Cup
BARCELONA, Spain — No other player will head to South Africa for the World Cup carrying an entire nation’s hopes on his shoulders quite like Lionel Messi.
Argentina is among a handful of favorites for the monthlong tournament starting June 11, largely due to the masterful skills of Messi, whose mesmerizing play and collection of club titles have expectations in his native country soaring.
Messi helped lead Barcelona to a record six major trophies last year, including the Champions League title, and was voted world player of the year along the way. But none of that will matter if Messi can’t guide Argentina to its first World Cup championship since 1986.
"I want to create my own story," said Messi, who turns 23 in June. "I’ll keep going on as I always do — keep myself isolated from all of the talk and try to play and do my best on the field."
Quite simply, Messi has been amazing this spring.
At times he’s looked like he’s playing a level above his Spanish and European opponents, with a four-goal performance against Arsenal that was probably the best by any player this season.
"He’s unbelievable, a soccer player who comes along every 25, 30 years," Barcelona teammate Xavi Hernandez said. "He scores goals, pressures, defends. He’s the best."
That April 6 game at the Camp Nou has even managed to partially sway Messi’s most critical followers — Argentines themselves.
Messi has often been criticized for failing to reproduce his club form on the international level, even though he has won an Olympic gold medal and a World Youth Championship for Argentina.
Messi, who left his native Rosario and Newell’s Old Boys for Barcelona as a teenager, was even branded something of a traitor after scoring the winning goal against Estudiantes in the Club World Cup final in December.
"Something deep in my character allows me to take the hits and get on with trying to win," Messi said about his ability to deal with the tackles and physical burden his high-pace game brings. "I’ve always had this ability to get up and get on with it."
Since the 2007 Copa America, when favored Argentina lost 3-0 in the final to Brazil, the national team and Messi haven’t exactly jelled. And since Diego Maradona took over as coach, things haven’t improved much, either. Maradona hasn’t managed to get the best out of Messi, using extra care and then tough words to motivate him to lead the team.
"It’s what I want, what I hope for," Maradona said.
Maradona may have to look to Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola for the best approach.
Guardiola’s discipline extends to the team, but the young Catalan coach does what he can to keep Messi happy. Guardiola has allowed Messi extra vacation time, he ultimately allowed Messi to play at the 2008 Beijing Olympics against the club’s wishes, and he always accommodates Argentina’s plans because — as Guardiola said — no player wants to do his country more proud than Messi.
"The key to Messi is Messi. There’s no other," Guardiola said. "It’s just he’s so good. He’s ambitious, talented, a winner, competitive. He loves Barcelona and his country. He always wants to do well, always wants to play."
Former Barcelona and Netherlands great Johan Cruyff said Messi’s inability to replicate his club play for Argentina has more to do with the supporting cast, which includes Carlos Tevez, Sergio Aguero and Diego Milito.
"A lot of people ask why Leo isn’t the same way when he plays with Argentina. It’s because his teammates aren’t the same, neither is his positioning on the field," Cruyff said. "He has to run more, to find his place on an individual level and waste a lot of energy for nothing.
"Pep has put him out on the flank and found the spot that has turned him into the reference point for his teammates."
Maradona will have to find the solution before Argentina’s opening Group B game against Nigeria on June 12. Greece and South Korea are also in the same group.
"The most important thing," Messi said, "is to score goals."
--Paul Logothetis
Keeping safe in South Africa — dos and don’ts
JOHANNESBURG — Do plan ahead. Don’t let your credit card out of your sight. But don’t bother with the stab-proof vests.
Few soccer fans coming to South Africa for the World Cup will have missed the news that crime in the country is high. South Africa’s murder rate, according to recent international figures, is 38.6 per 100,000 people, compared to less than one for Germany, the last country to host the World Cup. But worried visitors can take steps to reduce the risk.
DON’T PANIC. BUT DON’T BE COMPLACENT.
Some entrepreneurs have offered to rent body armor to visitors, playing on fears that every tourist is likely to be a victim. That’s a scenario South African police reject.
Police spokesman Vish Naidoo said South African crime mirrors the pattern seen around the world: The majority of muggings, murders and other crimes are concentrated in a few areas plagued by drug use or destabilizing factors. In most cases, victims are South African and know the criminals.
Visitors who have come for international sports events in the past or for tourism are less likely to be victims, Naidoo said.
"People can draw confidence from that," he said. "There’s no need to be paranoid."
Naidoo offered tips that would be familiar to those visiting urban areas around the world: Don’t flaunt your valuables — hoteliers put safes in rooms for a reason. And don’t walk alone in isolated places. Tap local knowledge — hotel staff, for instance, will be able to give guidance on safe neighborhoods in which to walk or jog.
South African police officers can also help, and Naidoo said they will be on the streets in large numbers during the World Cup, particularly on match days. A recruiting drive that began in 2004 was aimed at increasing police numbers by 55,000 to 200,000 nationwide by tournament time.
Naidoo said photographs of officers in uniform will be posted on the force’s website so visitors can be sure of getting the right advice from the right people.
BE PREPARED
Gary Ronald, spokesman for the Automobile Association of South Africa, advises visitors planning to rent cars to ask for a GPS when they book, or bring their own — remembering to download southern African maps.
Streets names on old-fashioned maps might be outdated, and many South African streets lack road signs anyway. The roads themselves, though, particularly in the larger towns where soccer fans will be congregating, are generally in good condition.
Many restaurants and tourist destinations list directions on their websites, Ronald said.
Even those who plan ahead might get lost. Ronald suggests dropping into one of the country’s large, modern and ubiquitous malls to ask for directions.
"We certainly wouldn’t advocate just stopping and asking a stranger in the street," he said.
Keep cameras and handbags in the trunk, and windows rolled up while cruising through crowded downtowns.
Crime, of course, isn’t the only safety concern on the road. Drivers used to keeping right may find it takes a few days to get used to keeping left in South Africa. They may never get used to South African-style driving, where the tone seems to be set by the drivers of minibus taxis known for sudden stops, lane changes without signaling and daring turns.
"The aggression that can be found on the roads can be really intimidating," Ronald said, adding his organization planned a campaign before the World Cup urging South Africans to stop barreling into lanes, use their signals, and consider allowing a fellow driver or two into traffic.
BE ALERT
South Africa has a modern economy linked to the global network. Bank cards from around the world can be used to draw money from South African ATMs, and restaurants, hotels and shops accept foreign credit cards. It’s easy to travel in the country, but the conveniences draw sophisticated criminals, including members of international syndicates.
"They can skim a card here and within minutes, use it in the UK, before you can even leave the restaurant. That’s how, with the electronic age, there are no borders anymore," said Kalyani Pillay, chief executive of an agency through which South African banks work with local government officials and with those abroad on security.
The South African Banking Risk Information Center’s Web site includes photographs of skimming devices, battery-operated black boxes no bigger than a cell phone, that criminals use to record the information on a credit card’s magnetic strip.
"The bit of advice we would give every single person in the universe: Do not let that card be swiped out of your sight," Pillay said.
She also advises consumers not to walk around with more cash or cards than necessary, and to take a moment to check that the card returned to them after a transaction is the right card. Keep PIN numbers to yourself and use ATMs in well-lighted areas, ideally ones that are attached to bank branches.
Don’t take advice on using the machine from anyone hanging around the area, not even someone who looks like a guard, and particularly not someone who offers help without being asked.
"The more sophisticated crimes become," Pillay said, "the more alert and educated the public needs to be."
-- Donna Bryson
Koren warns England, U.S. to beware of underdog team
WEST BROMWICH, England — Slovenia captain Robert Koren isn't afraid of World Cup group rivals England and United States, setting a target for his team to advance to the knockout round in South Africa.
The Slovenes went home from the 2002 World Cup in disarray after three straight losses and a damaging fallout between the coach and the team's best player. But this Slovenia team, Koren said, is well organized, does not rely on a big star and thrives on being the underdog.
After all, Slovenia wasn't even supposed to beat Russia in the playoffs.
"A few months back when we met Russia in the playoffs, everyone was saying Slovenia was the underdogs. Slovenia will lose this game. Russia is in the World Cup," Koren said. "But, at the end of the day, we are in the World Cup, the Russians aren't and we deserved that.
"It's difficult to say what is realistic to expect at the World Cup but we are full of confidence. The last seven games we played together we won six of them. We have a great team spirit, we are really good friends and we do everything for each other on the field and that's the main thing. We will up for this challenge and our target is to go through the group stage."
Slovenia faces another Group C underdog, Algeria, in its first game, and then faces the two teams which are expected to make the last 16, the United States and England.
A victory over the Algerians in Polokwane on June 13 will give the nation with a population of only 2 million its first ever World Cup points and that, Koren said, will boost confidence ahead of the tougher games to follow.
"England is the favorite (in the group) and people are saying that USA is the second favorite," the midfielder said. "But we are not bothered about these things. We will go into each game, try to win it and try to get points."
Although Koren is proud to be captain and joked that he is the star of the team, he stressed that this Slovenia lineup won't be brushed aside in the same way the 2002 squad did when coach Srecko Katanec fell out with Zlatko Zahovic and sent the player home after the team's opening game.
"It was a massive thing for our country for the national team to get into the World Cup (in 2002) and some bad things happened down there. First of all, we didn't get the right results and that was a big disappointment because everyone expected that we would at least get some points," Koren said. "There were problems in the national team between the manager and the players and that was no good for anyone.
"Now it's completely different. Before, we had one star in the team, Zahovic was our best player. Now we are trying to play more as a team than have one star in the team. We are really good friends and developing a team spirit. We are certain that the same things will not happen and we just want to show people that we are good enough and we want to get through the group stage and get enough points."
Koren, whose goals and consistent performances have helped West Bromwich Albion gain promotion to the Premier League, has played against many of the England players before, both with the national team in a 2-1 loss at Wembley and when West Brom last made it to the top flight two seasons ago.
"It's a massive game not just for me but for everybody in our team. Of course, I play here in England, so it's special for me," he said. "But when you're playing football you're not thinking this way at all. We will stick with our plan and every player wants to play his part. We will play 11 against 11 and we will try to do our best.
"But of course it will help me a lot that I am playing in England and I will try to use my experience to help the rest of the team and give the manager some information."
-- Robert Millward
South Africa coach says team style is coming along
HERZOGENAURACH, Germany — South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira believes his team is slowly developing the style necessary to be a surprise at the World Cup.
The Brazilian envisions his team playing a quick passing game, taking on opponents with skill and technique rather than brawn.
"The shape is done. We have a defined way of playing, that's clear now," said Parreira, the 1994 World Cup-winning coach. "Keeping the ball on the ground is coming. It takes time, but it's coming.
"I believe if you want to qualify at the World Cup, you have to do something well. And that for us would be in the technical and skills aspect of the game. We cannot beat these teams in the physical way. We have to play good against them with the ball on the ground. This is our big strength. That's what I want them to believe in."
World Cup host South Africa has been at a training camp in Germany in preparation for the tournament, which it opens on June 11 against Mexico. France and Uruguay are also in Group A.
"I think the mood is good. We know that we have a very tough group. We know we should be well prepared otherwise our chances are absolutely nothing," Parreira said. "We should be well prepared physically, tactically mentally to rise in the right moments. We have to be the surprising team at the World Cup.
"Everyone wants the home country to perform good. It's not different with South Africa. I hope this pressure, as it was at the Confederations Cup, will make the team go higher. Some teams will fade with the pressure."
South Africa take on Jamaica in Offenbach on Wednesday in the team's final warm-up during its training camp in Germany. The two teams drew 0-0 last November in Bloemfontein. Parreira's team from that game included the nation's foreign-based players, who have not been cleared to participate at the current training camp.
"We are more prepared this time," Parreira said. "We should play better. We are more ready. We believe it will be a different game. We are more prepared physically and mentally and the shape is there. The identity is coming."
The Africans are looking for a good showing after a 0-0 draw with North Korea last week.
"The Jamaica game in November was a bit disappointing. So I think the guys want to set the record straight and get a good result, especially after the disappointing result against North Korea," said defender Matthew Booth. "I think we should have wrapped that up easily but we failed to do so."
South Africa leaves Germany on Thursday. Parreira will call the team back to another training camp in Johannesburg on May 4.
The coach said Tuesday he hopes to play four more friendlies before the tournament, maybe against Bulgaria, Colombia and Denmark while there are three possible teams for the last match.
FIFA confident World Cup stadiums will be full
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — FIFA president Sepp Blatter is confident all World Cup stadiums in South Africa will be full despite earlier concerns about sluggish ticket sales.
There are only 136,000 unsold tickets — or 4 percent of the 2.8 million that went on sale, he said Tuesday.
"Let us have the reality: When you are in South Africa, you will see how packed the stadiums are. We have no doubts," he said.
FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke said he was "much more optimistic than three weeks ago" that there will not be any empty seats. Valcke said people were "waking up very late," but FIFA was happy with the progress of sales for the monthlong tournament.
Half a million tickets were still unsold by April 15, with Valcke saying FIFA made a mistake by not allowing South Africans to buy tickets over the counter until the final phase.
Since tickets were made available at ticket centers across the country, sales have picked up. Valcke said "more or less" 40 of the 64 World Cup matches were now sold out.
Local organizers have said they will ensure that all World Cup games are full to avoid shots of empty seats on international broadcasts.
Soccer’s governing body and the local organizing committee have previously acknowledged worries over certain "low interest" games where tickets are not selling.
Foreign ticket sales, particularly in Europe, have been disappointing. Fewer than 350,000 people are expected to travel to Africa’s first World Cup, down from initial estimates of 450,000.
The final ticket batch was released this month, and fans in South Africa could buy over the counter for the first time. Fans can make purchases at 11 ticket centers and a network of 600 bank branches. Supermarkets across South Africa also started selling World Cup tickets.
Along with shifting the focus from Internet sales and opening over-the-counter ticketing centers earlier, FIFA has said it is considering relaxing limits on how many tickets one person can buy. FIFA originally said fans could purchase only four tickets per match for 2010. Supporters can now buy up to 10.
Looking toward the 2014 World Cup, FIFA said it might set up ticket centers in participating countries ahead of the tournament in Brazil to avoid late worries over sales.
Hong Kong broadcasters resolve World Cup row
HONG KONG — Three Hong Kong broadcasters have ended a dispute that would have shut out free coverage of the World Cup in this soccer-crazed city of 7 million people — but the partial solution only airs matches to households with digital decoders.
Hong Kong’s World Cup rights holder, the pay-TV broadcaster Cable TV, was at loggerheads with local terrestrial stations TVB and ATV over a sub-licensing deal. Cable TV offered footage for the opening match, the semifinals and the final, but required the two stations to also carry its commentary and advertising.
Those demands were initially rejected. But under public pressure to reach a compromise with the World Cup just weeks away, the three stations said in a joint statement that TVB and ATV have agreed to Cable TV’s terms — but the two stations will only air the matches on their digital channels, instead of their analog channels. The financial terms of the deal were not announced.
The agreement broadens the coverage from Cable TV’s paying subscriber base of more than 1 million households to another 1.2 million that are equipped to receive digital TV signals. But it still leaves out about 1 million households who don’t have digital decoders.
Critics say the deal still excludes working-class families who can’t afford digital decoders.
"If you don’t have money, you won’t be able to watch," the Ming Pao Daily News quoted Ng Wai-tung, an organizer for Hong Kong’s Society for Community Organization as saying.
Still, the Hong Kong government applauded the deal.
"We believe the three parties worked very hard in their negotiations. They also took the government’s advice that they need to consider the interests of viewers and football fans in the course of business negotiations," Hong Kong’s Secretary for Commerce and Business Development, Rita Lau, told reporters.
Inheriting their love of the sport from their former British colonial rulers, many Hong Kongers are ardent soccer fans, frequently staying up late to watch European club matches and testing their own skills in cement pitches sandwiched between skyscrapers in the city’s dense landscape.
-- Min Lee
Spain coach trusts key trio will be fit for WCup
MADRID — Spain coach Vicente del Bosque is confident his three injured stars will be fit for the World Cup and he sees anything other than lifting the tournament trophy in July as a failure.
Fernando Torres is on crutches and recovering from knee surgery, while Cesc Fabregas is out with a broken right leg and Andres Iniesta has been hampered by leg muscle problems.
With the World Cup beginning on June 11 and the final squad to be announced by June 1, there has been concern in Spain that one or more of the trio will not be fit in time.
However, Del Bosque said at a sports forum in Madrid on Tuesday that he expects all three players to have fully recovered by the time the tournament begins.
"We trust that these players will be 100 percent by (the World Cup)," said the former Real Madrid coach.
He added that not winning the World Cup would constitute failure for his European champions.
Del Bosque accepted Spain's status as favorite going into the tournament, although he identified England, Argentina and Brazil as the main threats to his side.
While he said he was confident about Spain's talent and mental strength, one of Del Bosque's biggest concerns was the draining effect of the Spanish domestic league, which ends on May 16.
"We have enough enthusiasm, but we also need enough physical reserves," he said.
Germans look to Brazil World Cup, Olympics
BRASILIA, Brazil — Rainer Bruderle, Germany's minister for economics and technology, told Brazil government officials that many German businesses are interested in bidding on infrastructure projects for the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
Bruderle on Tuesday was heading a large delegation of Germany businessmen who were meeting with Brazil sports minister Orlando Silva and Miguel Jorge, Brazil's minister of development, industry and foreign commerce.
Bruderle said the German firms were hoping to partner with Brazil in areas of infrastructure, organization and security.
"There is a large interest on the part of German businessmen in infrastructure work in Brazil, especially in relation to these big sporting events," Jorge said.
The German delegation will attend a forum on Friday in Rio de Janeiro dealing with stadium, infrastructure construction and security issues for the World Cup and Olympics.
Last week Silva said some cities picked to host World Cup games might be removed from the list if they don't soon start refurbishing their stadiums or build new ones.
Silva said many Brazilian cities did not meet the March 31 deadline to begin new construction or renovation work. Unless they meet the second deadline on May 3 they run the risk of being excluded from the World Cup.
FIFA has approved 12 cities to host 2014 football games, but Silva said eight would be enough for the event. He did not say what cities were running behind schedule.
Recovering Danish keeper Sorensen upbeat over WCup
STOKE, England — Denmark goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen is hopeful about recovering for the World Cup despite dislocating his right elbow while playing for Premier League club Stoke.
Medics were able to reset the dislocation without surgery, boosting his hopes of making Denmark's World Cup opener against the Netherlands on June 14 in Johannesburg.
"I am as upbeat as I can be in this situation — at least I am left with some hope of making the World Cup since the injury is not as bad as feared," Sorensen said Tuesday. "I am glad that I don't have to have my elbow put back in place every day because I was in severe pain and I did wonder if my dream had been shattered.
"Fortunately, it was only a dislocation and there was no lasting damage when it was put back in place. It will be a race against time, but I do believe I can make it."
Sorensen was injured Sunday after colliding with Salomon Kalou while he was scoring Chelsea's second goal in a 7-0 victory against Stoke.
"It was a reckless challenge," Sorensen said. "I know the ball was loose but the way he threw himself into the situation with studs up was not OK."
South Africa team’s WCup prep back on track
JOHANNESBURG — South African soccer federation chief executive Leslie Sedibe says the host country’s World Cup preparations are "back on track" with the scheduling of a friendly international against Jamaica.
SAFA announced the national team will play the Jamaicans at Frankfurt, Germany, on Wednesday after initial opponents China canceled their game, citing travel problems after volcanic ash caused chaos with flight schedules in Europe.
Sedibe says SAFA has "worked very hard within a very short space of time" to arrange the Jamaica fixture.
South Africa has played just one match since arriving at its Germany training camp on April 13, a 0-0 draw with North Korea.
A friendly with Estonia was also called off because of travel restrictions.
U.S. Soccer
Houston midfielder Geoff Cameron out for season
HOUSTON — Houston Dynamo midfielder Geoff Cameron will need surgery to repair a torn posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and will miss the rest of the Major League Soccer season.
Cameron was injured in Saturday’s 2-0 loss to Chicago, and the Dynamo announced the diagnosis Monday.
The 24-year-old was a member of the MLS Bext XI as a defender last year and shifted to midfield this season. He made his U.S. national team debut against El Salvador on Feb. 24 as an 86th-minute substitute.
Houston already was missing forward Brian Ching, who injured a hamstring in the season opener. The Dynamo midfield was weakened during the offseason when Stuart Holden left to sign with Bolton and Ricardo Clark to sign with Eintracht Frankfurt.
Sky Blue star Lloyd breaks ankle, on IR
SOMERSET, N.J. — Sky Blue FC midfielder Carli Lloyd has a broken ankle and was placed on the injured reserved.
The team said Tuesday she is expected to recover and return later this season for Sky Blue (2-1-0), which is tied atop the Women’s Professional Soccer standings with FC Gold Pride.
The U.S. national team player slipped and injured her ankle in Sunday’s 1-0 victory over the Chicago Red Stars. Lloyd tallied the game-winning goal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics against Brazil.
Sky Blue FC, based in New Jersey, are the WPS defending champions. The season for the eight-team league runs through September.
Boca Juniors to play at Galaxy on May 23
CARSON, Calif. — Slumping Boca Juniors will play an exhibition at Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Galaxy on May 23.
While Boca has won 23 Argentina championships and six Copa Libertadores titles, it is just 15th in the 20-team Argentine first division this season.
Boca Juniors’ roster includes Juan Roman Riquelme.
The Galaxy figure to be missing Landon Donovan, who will be with the U.S. national team, and also could be without Edson Buddle, who might be called to the Americans’ pre-World Cup training camp.
Copa Libertadores
Estudiantes claims away win over San Luis
SAN LUIS POTOSI, Mexico — Leandro Gonzalez scored as defending champion Estudiantes La Plata of Argentina had a 1-0 win at Mexican club San Luis on Tuesday in the first leg of the Copa Libertadores knockout round of 16.
Gonzalez hit a diagonal drive into the roof of the net from Marcelo Carrusca's pass in the 25th minute to give Estudiantes a valuable away goal.
Gaston Fernandez missed the chance to extend the lead after goalkeeper Carlos Trejo saved his penalty just before half time.
Estudiantes defender Clemente Rodriguez was sent off after receiving a second yellow card in the 69th minute, but the Argentine club had little difficulty protecting its lead.
The return leg will be played next Wednesday, May 5.
Mexican club Guadalajara was playing later Tuesday Argentina's Velez Sarsfield.
League News
Iran's Sepahan crash out of Asian Champions
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran's Sepahan crashed out of the Asian Champions League with a stunning 2-0 defeat at the hands of Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday.
Sepahan was one of three clubs in Group C battling for two berths into the knockout rounds. Those spots went to five-time Saudi Arabia champion Al Shabab and eight-time Uzbek champion Pakhtakor. Al Shabab got the better of Pakhtakor 2-1.
But the surprise of the night was the defeat of Sepahan, which had expected to have an easy time against bottom side Al Ain, which sacked its coach two weeks ago after losing to Pakhtakor. Sepahan was riding a strong run that had it leading the Iran Pro League while Al Ain was missing a trio of key players due to suspension, including captain and midfielder Jorge Valdivia, striker Emerson and international defender Musallem Fayez.
However, their absences weren't missed, mostly due to striker Jose Sands, who scored from the penalty spot just before halftime and made the win safe with his second in the 71st minute.
Al Ain goalkeeper Yousif Abdelrahman, a UAE Under-20 international, also made numerous outstanding saves to keep out the Iranian side and give
Sepahan could still have scraped through to the knockout stage had Pakhtakor beaten Al Shabab in Riyadh, but the Uzbek club slumped to its third loss in six group matches.
Al Shabab battled back from a goal down as Flavio's late strike secured a 2-1 win over 10-man Pakhtakor at King Fahd International Stadium, ensuring the Saudi team finished top of Group C.
Sherzodbek Karimov put the visitors ahead on the half hour but things started going wrong for Pakhtakor when Aleksander Kletskov was sent off eight minutes later. Tarik El Taib leveled from the penalty spot after 67 minutes before Flavio scored the winner two minutes from time.
In Group D, Iran's Mes Kerman beat Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal 3-1 to secure the second qualifying spot. Al Hilal still finished atop the group with 11 points, 2 more than Mas Kerman. Al-Sadd of Qatar blew a chance to overtake Mas Kerman when it drew 2-2 with UAE's Al-Ahli.
In Group G, South Korea's Suwon Bluewings crushed Singapore Armed Forces 6-2, while China's Henan Construction played to 2-2 with Japan's Gamba Osaka. Suwon and Gamba Osaka had already advanced.
In Group H, both qualifiers lost. Defending champion and group winner Pohang Steelers of South Korea were edged 4-3 by Sanfrecce Hiroshima of Japan, and Adelaide United lost 1-0 at home to Shandong Luneng of China.
Grenoble thrashes PSG 4-0 in French league
PARIS — Relegated Grenoble thrashed Paris Saint-Germain 4-0 while Monaco drew 1-1 with Le Mans in the French league on Tuesday. Former France goalkeeper Gregory Coupet returned for PSG after several months out with an ankle injury, but Laurent Batlles and Nicolas Dieuze put Grenoble 2-0 up at halftime.
Nassim Akrour made it 3-0 in the 66th minute and then Danijel Ljuboja added the fourth two minutes later against his former club. Matthieu Dossevi put Le Mans ahead after 10 minutes, but Moussa Maazou equalized in the 48th.
Monaco and PSG were playing early in the 35th round of matches because they meet in Saturday's French Cup final. Marseille leads the French league with 71 points, five clear of second-place Auxerre and 10 ahead of Lille.
Elsewhere
Mourinho looks to thank Barcelona with Inter win
BARCELONA, Spain — Jose Mourinho owes Barcelona for much of his success, but that won't stop the Inter Milan coach from trying to end the titleholders' "obsession" with reaching the Champions League final on Wednesday.
Mourinho, the self-christened "Special One," regards his four years working as a translator for Barcelona as being integral to his many triumphs.
Now, the Portuguese coach leads Inter to the Camp Nou holding a 3-1 lead from the first leg of their semifinal with every intention of getting into the head of each of Barcelona's players and its 90,000-plus spectators ahead of the second leg.
Renowned for his mind games and calculating words, Mourinho did not disappoint on Tuesday as he set the mood by strolling into the Camp Nou flanked by bodyguards.
Mourinho said Luis Figo, hated by Barcelona fans for defecting to Real Madrid, will be part of Inter's coaching team for the game, which he fears could be swayed in Barcelona's favor if the referee lets the Catalan club get away with unsportsmanlike tactics.
But above all, Mourinho has one mission: To keep the Spanish leaders from playing in the May 22 final at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, home of bitter rival Madrid.
"You can see and feel the obsession," Mourinho said on Tuesday. "I was there in '97 as translator, in the Copa del Rey final in the Bernabeu between (Real) Betis and Barcelona and it was incredible. Anti-Madridismo is not a dream, it's an obsession.
"But this is not a criticism."
Mourinho, who spoke about Barcelona's obsession on three occasions during the news conference, would reserve his criticisms for his opponent's attempts to sway referees after it felt hard done by several first-leg decisions.
Thiago Motta said Barcelona's players had a penchant for diving, but Mourinho said he didn't hear that answer when asked the same question moments after sitting through the Brazilian midfielder's response.
"I told my players I want a clean game. What I'm worried about are the players who help the referees and those who make their lives difficult," Mourinho said. "If Barcelona's players want to do the same — easy for the referee."
Mourinho has likely earned the favor of Madrid fans with choice words against his former club, especially after saying former galactico Figo would be on the Camp Nou field for the first time since his Madrid days. A pig's head was once thrown onto the ground next to the former Madrid player as he prepared to take a corner kick.
Mourinho, who has been linked with the Madrid coaching job, wasn't concerned about his safety.
"The bodyguards are good guys. I don't need them," said Mourinho, who has also coached some memorable games here with Chelsea. "I go to the bench, and I don't think anybody will jump onto the field. The ambiance could be a problem for the Inter fans but not for me."
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola confirmed Barcelona's intent with a reference to the Bernabeu.
"They have the right to want to play the final, but they should know that we have much, much desire to play the final in Madrid," said Guardiola, who knows Mourinho from his playing days at the club.
"I have a very good relationship with him. We haven't exchanged phone numbers but I consider him the best and we'll try to beat him."
One thing is certain with the Special One: It's all business at a place he once called home.
"I'm a perfectionist who dedicates myself to my team," Mourinho said. "And I won't change."
-- Paul Logothetis
Olic peaking at just the right time for Bayern
LYON, France — Ivica Olic's rise to prominence in the Champions League is coming at just the right time for Bayern Munich.
The 30-year-old Croatia striker's clinical hat trick helped Bayern beat Lyon 3-0 on Tuesday night to reach the Champions League final for the first time in nine years.
It was his fifth goal in his last four European outings for a career journeyman who has played at seven clubs, and came after he'd scored crucial goals in both legs against Manchester United in the quarterfinals.
Olic described his performance as "the best game of my career." Bayern will need him to continue his scoring run against either Inter Milan or Barcelona in the May 22 final in Madrid.
"I thought my game against Manchester United was (the best), but this one is," better, Olic said. "I can't find the words to express how happy I am. Scoring three goals in such a game is outstanding."
Bayern has won the European title four times, but not since it beat Valencia in a penalty shootout in 2001.
Olic has been a revelation in the latter stages of this season's competition. He scored in injury time to give Bayern a 2-1 home win against Manchester United, and then grabbed a crucial goal just before halftime at Old Trafford when United led 3-0 and seemed bound for the semifinals.
During his time as coach of Ajax and the Netherlands national team, Bayern's boss Louis van Gaal worked with strikers such as Patrick Kluivert and Ruud van Nistelrooy. Kluivert stood out for his skill, mobility and flair; Van Nistelrooy for his ruthless finishing. But Olic has impressed van Gaal with his work ethic.
"(Olic) had a fantastic game, he scored three goals and worked very hard all game. He is very important to the way we play," Van Gaal said. "You can really count on him both as a coach and as a teammate."
Arjen Robben has scored more goals for Bayern than Olic this season, but Olic's attitude has impressed the Dutch winger.
"He's unbelievable, what I like about him is that he always gives more than 100 percent in every game," Robben said. "He keeps running and sometimes you have to stop him. He's so energetic, a great player and very important for us."
Olic began his career 14 years ago with NK Marsonia, and he returned there following an unhappy spell at German club Hertha Berlin before joining NK Zagreb on loan during the 2001-2002 season, when he scored 21 league goals in 29 games.
That earned him a move to Dinamo Zagreb, where 16 league goals in 27 games attracted the attention of CSKA Moscow.
He joined the Russian club in '03, scoring 35 goals in 78 league games and winning several Russian league titles and the UEFA Cup in 2005 before another move back to Germany took him to Hamburger SV.
During his time at Hamburger, Olic scored a crucial goal for Croatia in the 3-2 win over England in a European Championship qualifier that led to Steve McLaren's dismissal as manager after the English failed to reach Euro 2008.
After three seasons at Hamburger, he got the big move his talents deserve, and now Bayern is reaping the benefits.
-- Jerome Pugmire
Robbie Fowler remains in A-League, moves to Perth
PERTH, Australia — Liverpool great Robbie Fowler has joined Perth Glory for next season, choosing the west coast club over rival offers from within Australia's A-League after he was released from his contract with the North Queensland Fury.
The 35-year-old former England international signed with Perth on Tuesday, Glory chairman Tony Sage said.
"Robbie had a number of clubs chasing his signature, both in the A-League and from the Middle-East and we're delighted he's decided to join Perth," Sage said. "It's exciting for football fans in Western Australia that a legend has decided to play for us."
Fowler scored nine goals in 26 matches last season for North Queensland, which struggled in its first season in the 10-team national league.
He became the A-League's biggest recruit last year when he agreed to join the Fury on a two-season deal after an English career that saw him become one of Liverpool's greats, followed by brief stints at Manchester City, Blackburn and elsewhere.
He is the fourth-highest all-time scorer in the English Premier League.
Fowler was released from his contract at the Fury after the club became mired in financial trouble a the end of last season.
Now as Perth's marquee foreign player, Fowler's wage is exempt from the A-League's salary cap. No details of the deal with Perth were disclosed.
A wealthy property investor, Fowler is the final signing on Perth's 23-man squad for the 2010-11 season. He is expected to join his new teammates for preseason training in June.
Fowler had an up-and-down season with the Fury, including a disagreement with coach Ian Ferguson when he was left out of the starting lineup for an A-League match against Brisbane Roar. Fowler subsequently refused to suit up for the match and questioned the selection, but later resolved his differences with Ferguson.
Ferguson has also joined Perth as an assistant coach after leaving the Fury.
Arshavin: Joining Barca would be 'peak of career'
LONDON — Arsenal striker Andrei Arshavin wants to play for Barcelona, saying it would be the highlight of his career.
Before Arshavin joined Arsenal in February 2007, Zenit St. Petersburg rejected a lower offer from Barcelona, to the Russia international's frustration.
Arshavin played in the first leg but was injured for the second when Arsenal was knocked out by Barcelona in the Champions League quarterfinals earlier this month.
"In case I have an opportunity to play one season in Barcelona, it would be the peak of my career," Arshavin was quoted as telling the English-language website of Russian newspaper Sport Express.
"After Arsenal played with Barca in the Champions League, my feeling of excitement changed to (a) feeling of dissatisfaction because Spanish club has become much stronger than any other club."
The 28-year-old Arshavin said he would prefer to finish his career back in the Russian league rather than playing for an English team that isn't challenging for the title.
"If someday I will have to choose between middle English club and (a) leading Russian championship (team), I would prefer to return to Russia," he said.
Arshavin's second season at Arsenal will end without a trophy. The Gunners are third in the Premier League they haven't won since 2004.
Man City signs goalkeeper Fulop on emergency loan
MANCHESTER, England — Manchester City signed Hungary international Marton Fulop on an emergency loan from Sunderland on Tuesday after goalkeeper Shay Given dislocated his shoulder.
Given injured his shoulder in Saturday's 0-0 draw at Arsenal and, with backup goalkeeper Stuart Taylor already sidelined, City was left with Faroe Islands international Gunnar Nielsen as its only fit senior 'keeper.
City failed in its attempts to recall Joe Hart, who is on loan at Birmingham, for the final three games of the Premier League season as it chases the fourth Champions League place.
Instead, the 26-year-old Fulop signed late Tuesday and is set to make his debut Saturday against Aston Villa, which is one point above City in fifth place — level on 64 points with fourth-place Tottenham.
Fulop is set to join City for training on Wednesday.
Peru midfielder Solano arrested on charge of rape
NEWCASTLE, England — Peru midfielder Nolberto Solano has been arrested on suspicion of rape.
Solano, who plays for second-tier English club Leicester, was released on police bail after being arrested at his house in Newcastle on Monday after an allegation was made by a 22-year-old woman.
"Nobby (Solano) denies the allegations in full and is cooperating and assisting the police fully with their enquiries," Leicester said in a statement. "Nobby is looking for a speedy solution and has the full support of Leicester City Football Club."
Solano became the first Peruvian to play in the Premier League when he joined Newcastle in 1998 from Boca Juniors.
Wesley Sneijder trains again with Inter Milan
MILAN — Inter Milan playmaker Wesley Sneijder has trained regularly again after two days out due to a left thigh muscle strain. The move means the Netherlands international could start as usual in the second leg of the Champions League semifinals against Barcelona on Wednesday.
Sneijder and Inter forward Mario Balotelli were both included in Inter coach Jose Mourinho's 25-man squad for the match.
Balotelli's status had been in question after the 19-year-old Italian threw his jersey to the ground and stormed off the field without celebrating after Inter's 3-1 win in the opening leg. He was apparently upset over fans whistling at him.
Kaka unhappy with debut Real Madrid season
MADRID — Kaka has blamed his poor form with Real Madrid in his debut season on various injuries. Kaka says they affected him physically and that he "suffered a lot when the injuries started. When I'm physically well, my quality will show."
The Brazil playmaker says a groin problem followed by a thigh injury forced him to be sidelined for 45 days. He returned on Saturday to score the winning goal in a 2-1 victory at Zaragoza.
Kaka says "in no moment did I think about leaving Real Madrid" and that "my moment with the club will come."
Real Madrid opens school for Jamaican kids
KINGSTON, Jamaica — A foundation for football's Real Madrid has opened a sports academy in northern Jamaica.
The Real Madrid Foundation held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new academy in Montego Bay on Monday. Former Madrid player and current official Emilio Butragueno attended.
Avalon Arscott, the spokeswoman for the Spanish Embassy in Jamaica, said on Tuesday that local youngsters from some of the area's poorest communities will attend the school.
Arscott says students will be taught athletics and "social integration" by staff led by former Jamaica goalkeeper Aaron Lawrence.
CAS confirms FKL as Kenya football's ruling body
LAUSANNE, Switzerland — The Court of Arbitration for Sport has confirmed FIFA's decision to recognize Football Kenya Ltd. as the African nation's rightful governing body of football. In doing so, CAS rejected the dissolved Kenya Football Federation's claim to represent the country.
CAS says KFF members decided in November 2008 to dissolve the old federation and that move was never challenged. The court said in its ruling on Tuesday that there were no "legal grounds that would entitle the KFF to be recognized as a member of FIFA."
FIFA suspended the KFF in October 2006 because of government interference in the running of the federation. Kenya didn't qualify for the coming World Cup in South Africa.
Christoph Metzelder to join Schalke
GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany — Former Germany defender Christoph Metzelder will join Schalke when his contract with Real Madrid expires at the end of the season.
Schalke says Metzelder has already signed a three-year contract. The 29-year-defender spent three injury-plagued seasons at Madrid and lost his place in the Germany squad after getting little playing time.
Metzelder is not expected to be in the World Cup squad. Before going to Madrid, Metzelder played for Borussia Dortmund, Schalke's neighbor and biggest rival. Schalke is battling Bayern Munich for the Bundesliga title and is assured of playing in the Champions League next season.
Former Germany player Hilbert to leave Stuttgart
STUTTGART, Germany — Former Germany midfielder Roberto Hilbert will leave Stuttgart when his contract expires at the end of the season. The club said Tuesday it was unclear where the 25-year-old midfielder will play next season.
Hilbert arrived in Stuttgart in 2006 and had eight appearances for Germany. He has not been called in for recent matches.
Goalkeeper Hildebrand leaving Hoffenheim
FRANKFURT — Former Germany goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand will leave Hoffenheim at the end of the season. The Bundesliga club said Tuesday the 31-year-old goalkeeper's contract will not be extended when it expires at the end of the season.
Hildebrand arrived in Hoffenheim in January 2009 after being released by Valencia. Before that, he played eight seasons in Stuttgart and had seven games for Germany.
