Snak

FIFA World Cup Qualifying Preview: Chile v Venezuela

Venezuela boss Cesar Farias has revealed 20 of his squad are suffering with a stomach bug ahead of their FIFA World Cup Qualifier in Chile.

Farias´ side will travel to Santiago for Friday´s game, which could have a major bearing on who qualifies for Brazil 2014.

Venezuela are currently sixth in the standings - level on points with fifth-placed Uruguay - while Chile are well-placed to earn automatic qualification in fourth.

However, Farias´ team could see their chances of reaching next year´s showpiece damaged by illness.

"They didn´t have a good night and they weren´t able to train well," said the manager.

The bug represents an undoubted setback for Farias, who was previously in bullish mood ahead of the clash in the Chilean capital.

"The key is to stay focused on each match and not be thinking about the other results," he had stated.

"The only option for us is to earn our own points.

"We will work to the end for it. We know it will be difficult but it is time for us to play to our best and deliver for all who have trusted and dream of hearing the national anthem in Brazil."

Meanwhile, Chile know that eight points from their final four matches will see them qualify for next year´s tournament, and their squad was supplemented by the arrival of six players on Tuesday.

Claudio Bravo, Francisco Silva, Carlos Carmona, David Pizarro, Matias Fernandez and Bryan Rabello all joined up and will be available for selection for manager Jorge Sampaoli.

Dinamo Zagreb striker Junior Fernandes will also be in contention for a place in Sampaol´s side, as he has been called up to replace the injured Humbarto Suazo.

FIFA World Cup Qualifying Preview: Costa Rica v United States

Jurgen Klinsmann wants his United States side to be positive in their first-meets-second FIFA World Cup Qualifier in Costa Rica on Friday.

Klinsmann´s team are top of the CONCACAF qualifying table with 13 points from six games, and two wins from their next two fixtures - against Costa Rica and Mexico - will see them book their place at Brazil 2014.

However, Costa Rica sit just two points behind the US, knowing a victory in San Jose will put them in pole position in the section.

"We would love to go to San Jose and approach it very positively," said Klinsmann.

"I think it´s a huge opportunity but also quite a big challenge. We are aware of that and we have a lot of respect for the Costa Rican team.

"We expect a very difficult and very tough game but that´s what we´re looking forward to."

A Clint Dempsey goal separated the sides in the reverse fixture in March and Landon Donovan, who returns to the squad after injury, is in confident mood ahead of this week´s encounter.

"We have a group of players that are pretty special," said the forward.

"We´re very confident right now. Obviously the first goal is to qualify for the World Cup but, assuming that happens, you set the sights bigger. We´re excited for that."

However, Costa Rica defender Junior Diaz has called upon his team-mates and the nation´s supporters to give their all for what would be a crucial three points.

"We as players on the pitch must show what we are capable of," the Mainz man stated.

"But we also need the fans, they need to play their game in the stands and be felt."

Full-back Jose Salvatierra has withdrawn from the Costa Rica squad after picking up an injury in training and has been replaced by Carlos Johnson.

El Burrito, nueva duda para Bianchi

BUENOS AIRES -- El delantero Juan Manuel "Burrito" Martínez, con un traumatismo en la rodilla izquierda, abrió un nuevo interrogante en Boca Juniors para definir la formación titular que jugará el domingo ante Olimpo en Bahía Blanca, por la sexta fecha del torneo Inicial.

El ex futbolista de Vélez trabajó esta mañana en el gimnasio de manera diferenciada para facilitar la rehabilitación que le permita mantenerse en un equipo ya diezmando por lesiones y convocatorias al seleccionado argentino.

En Bahía Blanca, Boca no contará con su arquero Agustín Orión y el mediocampista Fernando Gago, ambos afectados al equipo de Alejandro Sabella, y tampoco con el delantero Nicolás Blandi, que se recupera de una contractura en el aductor derecho.

Además, su capitán, Juan Román Riquelme, permanecerá fuera de la formación (hoy trabajó en kinesiología) por su distensión en el gemelo izquierdo.

El DT Carlos Bianchi esperará hasta el jueves, cuando ordene una práctica de fútbol formal, para avanzar en el armado de la alineación titular, cuya principal incógnita pasa por saber si regresará Guillermo Burdisso a la defensa, después de una suspensión.

Su retorno obligaría al desplazamiento del uruguayo Ribair Rodríguez a su posición natural de mediocampista central, luego de haber sido ovacionado por su rendimiento como zaguero en la victoria pasada frente a Vélez.

En el entrenamiento de hoy, el ´Virrey´ dispuso un trabajo en espacios reducidos. De un lado, con pechera blanca, jugaron Sebastián D´Angelo; Daniel Díaz, Guillermo Burdisso, Emanuel Insúa, Cristian Erbes, Claudio Riaño y Emmanuel Gigliotti.

Del otro, con camiseta naranja, lo hicieron Manuel Vicentini, Matías Caruso, Ribair Rodríguez, Gonzalo Escalante, Jesús Méndez, Pablo Ledesma, Juan Sánchez Miño y Joel Acosta.

Boca, octavo con 9 puntos, a dos del líder Newell´s, visitará a Olimpo, que todavía no ganó en el torneo, el domingo a las 21.15 por la sexta fecha.

Jeg skal huske at Costa Rica spiller mod USA i weekenden. Jeg skal heldigvis ikke andet end at forberede næste uge, så mon ikke der skulle være tid til at se kampen.

Jeg skal huske at Costa Rica spiller mod USA i weekenden. Jeg skal heldigvis ikke andet end at forberede næste uge, så mon ikke der skulle være tid til at se kampen.

Ja det bliver en gang vilde kampe, Costa Rica - USA, Mexico - Honduras, Peru - Uruguay, Colombia - Ecuador og Chile - Venezuela som de mest interessante....ser lige om jeg kan finde kamp kick off tiderne ved lejlighed imorgen.....

Jeg var lige inde og tjekke. Costa Rica - USA spiller først kl 4!

kommer til at holde dig med selskab for Peru - Uruguay starter 4.30 - satser på Kayokay, TR1986, FF17, evt Ca$h er med noget af vejen ellers bliver det sgu en lang nat...

Havde du en god jul, andib? ;)

Havde du en god jul, andib? ;)

Ja den var fantastisk. Man Utd lavede ikke de store investeringer og Liverpool fik hvad jeg kunne forvente. Det kunne ikke være meget bedre. En ekstra angriber og måske en back up for Lucas og en enkelt costaricaner til truppen, så havde jeg været lykkelig.

Jeg regner også med at se de fleste af kampene.