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WB Dibben...der er er også Tyskland - Chile...

International Friendly Preview: Germany v Chile

Miroslav Klose has the chance to write his name into German football folklore on Wednesday by becoming his country´s leading goalscorer.

Lazio striker Klose is tied with the legendary Gerd Muller at the top Germany´s all-time goalscoring charts on 68 goals heading into the clash with Chile, but he has not played for his country since September.

A foot injury forced the 35-year-old to miss the FIFA World Cup qualifiers against the Republic of Ireland and Sweden and the friendlies with Italy and England.

But Klose is now fit and firing on all cylinders again and will be seeking a place in the record books when Germany welcome the South Americans to the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Stuttgart.

The former Bayern Munich man is one of four players to return to the fray, with former team-mate Bastian Schweinsteiger, Borussia Dortmund midfielder Kevin Grosskreutz and Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski also making their comebacks.

Germany are likely to be among the favourites to win the World Cup later this year given the wealth of talent at coach Joachim Low´s disposal.

But, ahead of a tournament that will see Germany face Portugal, Ghana and United States in the group stages, Low has opted to shuffle his pack, affording four uncapped players the chance to stake a claim for place in the World Cup squad.

Hamburg´s Pierre-Michel Lasogga is included after a season that has seen him find the net 12 times, while Augsburg attacking midfielder Andre Hahn has also been given the opportunity to impress.

Freiburg centre-back Matthias Ginter is named among the defenders, along with Sampdoria right-back Shkodran Mustafi, whose call-up comes after two seasons that have seen the 21-year-old establish himself with the Serie A side following his release by Everton in 2012.

The three-time world champions have never played Chile, and can expect a tough test against a team that enjoyed a fine World Cup qualification campaign.

Jorge Sampaoli´s side qualified third behind Argentina and Colombia in the CONMEBOL zone, with their dubious reward a draw that sees them grouped with Spain, the Netherlands and Australia.

This visitors approach the clash having lost just two of their last 15 matches and have held their own in games against European nations in recent times, earning a 2-2 draw with Spain last September and beating England 2-0 at Wembley in November.

There are few surprises in Sampaoli´s squad, which includes Barcelona forward Alexis Sanchez and Juventus duo Arturo Vidal and Mauricio Isla.

However, one shock call-up is that of Cardiff City´s Gary Medel, who has been selected by Sampaoli despite only recently returning from a thigh injury.

Fiorentina midfielder David Pizarro misses out, along with defender Miiko Albornoz.

The Swedish-born 23-year-old was thought to be under consideration for the clash, but insists that despite failing to be called up he has not given up on his dream of making the World Cup.

"I was ready for the match against Germany, so I must work even harder here in Sweden to be called again," the Malmo defender told TERRA.

"I still have the dream of playing a World Cup with Chile, so we´ll train well to be ready if they call me."

International Friendly Preview: South Africa v Brazil

FIFA World Cup hosts Brazil continue their preparation for the competition against South Africa in Johannesburg on Wednesday.

Luiz Felipe Scolari´s men have three friendlies remaining before they bid to succeed where the country´s 1950 vintage failed - by lifting the World Cup on home soil.

Due to the fact they are staging this year´s showpiece and therefore did not have to qualify, Brazil have not played a competitive fixture since beating reigning world champions Spain in the final of last year´s FIFA Confederations Cup.

The five-time World Cup winners have been in superb form recently, though, having won their last six friendlies.

However, they will face a tricky test in South Africa, as the 2010 World Cup hosts have lost just one of their last six matches and defeated Spain 1-0 at Soccer City back in November.

Brazil´s next three opponents have been carefully selected in an attempt to mirror the opponents they will face in their World Cup group, with their trip to Johannesburg followed by games with Panama and Serbia.

The Selecao begin their campaign for a sixth world crown against Croatia on June 12, and will also face Mexico and Cameroon in Group A, with Scolari - who led Brazil to success at the 2002 World Cup - describing the South Africa trip an "important test".

For South Africa, the friendly represents an ideal chance to put their disappointing World Cup qualification and CAF African Nations Championship campaigns behind them by claiming another huge scalp on home turf.

"It is not every day that one gets to play against five-time world champions," coach Gordon Igesund told the South Africa Football Association website.

"This is a great opportunity for us to continue from where we left off against Spain last year. We played Brazil in Sao Paolo and narrowly lost 1-0 (in September 2012).

"They are the hosts of the 2014 World Cup, so they will definitely be taking this match seriously as you can see from the squad they have selected.

"I also have a lot of confidence in the squad I have selected and I believe we will be very competitive on the night. This should be a very good challenge for the players."

Bernard Parker will likely pose a strong threat for the hosts, having scored five goals in his last four international appearances, including the winner against Spain, while Brazil have added three domestic-based players to their travelling party.

Joining the likes of stars Neymar, Hulk, Oscar and David Luiz in Scolari´s squad are strikers Fred and Jo, as well as goalkeeper Jefferson.

International Friendly Preview: Romania v Argentina

Alejandro Sabella has one last chance to cast his eye over selections for Argentina´s FIFA World Cup squad against Romania on Wednesday.

The fixture in Bucharest will be the first friendly of the year for the two-time World Cup winners and the final game before Sabella announces his squad for the showpiece event in Brazil.

While some decisions are all but certain - the inclusion of Barcelona star Lionel Messi and the likely absence of national side outcast Carlos Tevez among them - Sabella still has choices to make.

Catania defender Gino Peruzzi and Getafe´s Benfica loanee Lisandro Lopez both forced their way into the reckoning and could feature on Wednesday, while Tottenham misfit Erik Lamela is a doubt for Brazil with a back injury.

Despite the potential absence of Lamela and Tevez, Argentina have the likes of Messi, Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain to call on in what will likely prove a fearsome forward line.

Sabella stated to Corriere dello Sport recently: "Tevez? I will not comment on it.

"I´m surprised with the season (of) Higuain in Napoli. He´s a great player and has done things very well."

Wednesday´s encounter will be the first between the sides since the five-goal thriller at the World Cup in 1994, when Romania came out on top in America thanks to goals from Ilie Dumitrescu and Gheorghe Hagi.

While Romania are some way off the quality of the side led by Anghel Iordanescu two decades ago, they remain a difficult proposition, especially on home turf.

Victor Piturca´s team have lost just once at home in their last eight games - a 2-0 defeat to Turkey in September - and came close to joining Argentina at this year´s World Cup.

Having finished second in Group D of qualifying, Romania fell to Greece over two legs in the play-offs and have yet to return to action since their dreams of reaching Brazil were ended.

After taking on the world´s third best team, Romania travel to Algeria before seeking revenge in their UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying opener against Greece in September.

International Friendly Preview: Colombia v Tunisia

Colombia will begin to prepare for Radamel Falcao´s potential absence from the FIFA World Cup in Wednesday´s friendly against Tunisia.

The Monaco striker is a doubt for the competition in Brazil after sustaining damage to the anterior cruciate in his left knee during a Coupe de France tie in January.

While his club confirmed last month that the 28-year-old is in the second phase of his recovery, Colombia coach Jose Pekerman will need a contingency plan - especially after the former Atletico Madrid man played such a key role in their qualification campaign.

He registered nine goals in 13 appearances as Colombia finished second behind Argentina and Pekerman will now turn to the likes of Porto´s Jackson Martinez, Hertha Berlin forward Adrian Ramos and River Plate´s Teofilo Gutierrez to fill the void.

For Ramos in particular, a place at the World Cup would represent an impressive turnaround in the last 12 months, and the striker feels that the fight for a place in the squad for Brazil will be his "biggest challenge", particularly given that he was playing in the German second tier last season.

"It wasn´t easy playing in the second division," Ramos, who is now the third highest scorer in the Bundesliga, told FIFA.com. "I never thought about going back to Colombia, but I did consider moving to another club. The first few months were tough, but I kept it to myself.

"Some of my colleagues are playing really well and there´s a lot of competition. My dream is to be in Brazil, though. It´s my biggest challenge and I just have to wait and see."

Tunisia have been out of action since failing to qualify for the World Cup - suffering a comprehensive 4-1 aggregate play-off defeat to Cameroon late last year, which saw former coach Ruud Krol leave his post soon after.

After a goalless draw in Rades, Tunisia capitulated in the return leg and interim coach Nizar Khanfir will now take charge of the first of their three friendlies over the course of the next few months.

Moez Ben Cherifia, Rami Jridi and Aymen Mathlouthi all miss out on the fixture in Barcelona due to their sides´ involvement in African club competitions, but there is a return for Wahbi Khazri.

The Bastia midfielder missed both clashes with Cameroon amid a reported disagreement with Krol but makes a comeback as the sides meet for the first time since Colombia´s win in World Cup 1998.

International Friendly Preview: Austria v Uruguay

Uruguay´s experienced squad will be without a key figure for the trip to Austria on Wednesday after Edinson Cavani pulled out injured.

The Paris Saint-Germain striker is one of the South American nation´s headline attractions, along with Liverpool forward Luis Suarez, but was forced to withdraw from the initial 23-man selection last week to continue his recovery from a thigh injury.

National team coach Oscar Tabarez will have been thrilled, however, by the 27-year-old´s goalscoring return to domestic action off the bench in PSG´s 2-0 win over Marseille on Sunday.

While a blow to preparations for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Cavani´s absence does not leave Uruguay desperately short of experience, with the remaining members of the squad holding an average of 51 caps.

Indeed, only four members of the squad have made less than 20 international appearances.

At 34, Diego Forlan is the oldest head in the Uruguay camp and will make his 108th outing for his country if utilised at the Worthersee Stadion.

Tabarez´s men reached the World Cup with a 5-0 play-off victory over Jordan, but opponents Austria will not be heading to Brazil in June after finishing third in their European qualification group behind Germany and Sweden.

The hosts have a good record on home soil, losing just three of their last 13 international matches in front of their own fans, but Austria have not come up against South American opposition since suffering a 2-0 home defeat to Chile in 2007.

Despite 36 places separating the two sides in the world rankings, Austria defender Sebastian Prodl believes his team can prove to be a stern test for their more illustrious visitors.

"We take this test very seriously," said the Werder Bremen man.

"There is to be no easy task against number seven in the FIFA world rankings, but we do not need to hide.

"We want to present ourselves well in Klagenfurt, but our goal is to qualify for the European Championship finals in France."

In addition to Cavani, Uruguay will be without Martin Caceres, who suffered a head injury in a collision with Andrea Poli in Juventus´ 2-0 win at Milan on Sunday, and Abel Hernandez (chest).

Guatemala 10- Runde

Comunicaciones vendte 0-1 til 2-1, i den svære udekamp mod Suchitepequez på mål af Joel Benitez og Jair Arreola. Da førerholdet USAC samtidigt smed point hjemme på Estadio Revolucion, er de forsvarende mestre nu within shooting distance af universitetsholdet.

http://www.youtube.com/w…mqPTiWmOZK0

Det startede ellers godt for USAC som kom foran ved den legendariske honduranske angriber "Tyson " Núñez, der trods sine 41 år stadigvæk ved hvor målet står - ren Serie A materiale. føring holdt dog blot få minutter, inden Anderson Andrade havde bragt balance i regnskabet for Heredia.

http://www.youtube.com/w…ZGmSB0qVZNY

Lokal rivalerne fra Municipal tabte hjemme til Mictlam, den 18-årige angriber Diego Palma blev matcvinder små 5 min før pausen for gæsterne.

http://www.youtube.com/w…IlHLTNIR4H8


Marquense og Malacateco spillede 0-0, mens de 2 oprykkere Iztapa og Coatepeque begge hentede 1-1 resultater mod henholdsvis Xelaju og Halcones.


http://www.youtube.com/w…Nu_WaJtB8lo

http://www.youtube.com/w…4-fXTbYyrjc



Honduras 10- runde

Landsholdsangriberen Romell Quioto sikrer med sin scoring Olimpia sejren over Real Sociedad. Dermed øger Los Leones føring i toppen af tabellen ned netop Real Sociedad, forspringet er nu 5 point.

http://www.youtube.com/w…zwow-qBY-Ls

Lokalrivalerne fra Motagua hentede en 1.0 sejr over Savio i Tegucigalpa, målscorer uruguyanske José Varela.

http://www.youtube.com/w…OJf1taJYVw8

Platense hentede 2 point i La Ceiba med 2-1 sejr over VIDA, mens Diego Reyes sikrede Marathón 1-1 ude mod Parrillas One.

http://www.youtube.com/w…oSPsSblqAqw

http://www.youtube.com/w…iHns3eb3gJ8


Juan Mejia scorede 2 gange for Real España i hjemmekampen mod Victoría, i en kamp hvor mestrene smed alle tre point til sidst takket være Samuel Córdovaøs overtidsscoring.

http://www.youtube.com/w…k7CPyATjMG8

El Salvador 8 Runde

FAS led første nederlag og fik ikke revanche for Mesterskabsfinalen, da der blev spillet Derbi de Santa Ana hvor los tigrillos tabte 0-1 til Isidro Metapan Marvin Monterrossa med mål kort før pausen.

http://www.youtube.com/w…x49j0RWBh4I

lidt passion efter kampen....

http://www.youtube.com/w…wIfeWnFL2fA

Jesus Toscanini og en straffesparksscoring af Yubini Salamanca sikrer Juventud en 2-0 sejr over L.A Firpo og en 3 plads til holdet fra Opico.

http://www.youtube.com/w…l4GzsOwqDsw

Santa Tecla besejrede UES 3-2 i San Salvador, mens 2 straffesparksscoringer af argentineren Cristián S+anchez sikrede Aguila en 2-1 sejr over Atletico Marte.

http://www.youtube.com/w…q0bf097VCks

http://www.youtube.com/w…l4GzsOwqDsw

I den sene kamp scorede FAS-legenden William Reyes 2 af målene i Dragóns 4-0 sejr over Alianza i San Miguel.

http://www.youtube.com/w…l4GzsOwqDsw

Pellegrino y un "sabor amargo"

LA PLATA -- El entrenador de Estudiantes de La Plata, Mauricio Pellegrino, admitió que tiene "un sabor amargo por el empate" y que su equipo mereció "ganar ampliamente", tras la igualdad como local ante Newell´s Old Boys, 0 a 0, en el cierre de la 5ª fecha del Torneo Final.

"Tengo un sabor amargo por el empate, merecimos ganar ampliamente. No es fácil ver a Newell´s, de los mejores de los ultimos años, tirar la pelota lejos, no poder salir jugando y pidiendo la hora", destacó el DT Pincha.

Y siguió: "Eso es mérito de Estudiantes, que habla que el equipo crece y madura. Hay que felicitar al equipo por el esfuerzo".

"Nos tenemos que quedar con el rendimiento del equipo, que nos va a dar resultados a largo tiempo", rescató.

Por su parte, el delantero Franco Jara, que salió a los 14 minutos del primer tiempo, sufrió una contractura en el biceps femoral de la pierna izquierda.

Berti analizó el empate de Newell´s

LA PLATA -- El director técnico de Newell´s Old Boys, Alfredo Berti, destacó que se va "conforme con el esfuerzo", luego de la igualdad como visitante frente a Estudiantes La Plata, 0 a 0, en el cotejo que cerró la 5ª fecha del Torneo Final.

"Me voy conforme con el esfuerzo, se viene jugando seguido con bajas importantes (faltaron, entre otros, Maximiliano Rodríguez y Ever Banega) y el equipo responde", rescató el entrenador del conjunto rosarino.

Después Berti analizó: "No fue un partido sencillo y en el final lo pudimos ganar, pero (Gerónimo) Rulli tuvo una gran atajada que lo impidió".

"De ser más precisos en la contra, lo ganabamos. Los muchachos dan todo y siempre se mantiene la idea de juego", cerró.

River: Mercado y Kranevitter, listos

BUENOS AIRES -- El defensor Gabriel Mercado, recuperado de una lesión, y el mediocampista Matías Kranevitter, que purgó una fecha de suspensión, podrían regresar a la titularidad en River, que no contará con sus colombianos Eder Alvarez Balanta y Teófilo Gutiérrez en el partido ante Tigre, el jueves próximo por la 6ª fecha del Torneo Final.

Mercado superó un desgarro en el isquiotibial izquierdo, sufrido en el partido frente a Godoy Cruz, recibió el alta médica y se entrenó con normalidad el lunes a la mañana en el Monumental.

En efecto, retornaría al primer equipo en Victoria, al igual que Kranevitter, ausente en la victoria del domingo ante San Lorenzo (1-0) por haber acumulado cinco amonestaciones.

Por otra parte, el domingo a la noche viajaron a Barcelona los colombianos Balanta y Teo, quienes el miércoles enfrentarán a Túnez en un amistoso y regresarán el viernes para poder estar presentes en el partido siguiente con Arsenal, el domingo.

El plantel trabajó por la mañana en su estadio y mientras los titulares tuvieron tareas regenerativas, el resto realizó fútbol en espacios reducidos y en ese grupo se movió con total normalidad Mercado a quien el médico Rafael Giulietti le dio el alta médica.

En cuanto al probable equipo, el entrenador tiene la posibilidad que tanto Marcado como Kranevitter ingresen en lugar de Teo y Balanta, quienes ya están con su selección nacional, aunque para ello deberá cambiar el sistema táctico nuevamente.

Los buenos rendimientos de Ariel Rojas y Augusto Solari ponen al "Pelado" en una situación de duda en cuanto al armado del equipo, algo que resolverá en los entrenamientos del martes y el miércoles previos a la concentración del plantel.

Por otra parte, Emanuel Mammana, el defensor juvenil que iba a ser titular ante San Lorenzo y por una intoxicación no pudo debutar el domingo, se entrenó con normalidad y será tenido en cuenta por Ramón Díaz.

En otro orden, el entrenador de River volverá a intensificar en las próximas horas las tareas de definición pues en los últimos 20 partidos (incluidos los de Sudamericana 2013) solamente en dos el equipo anotó más de un gol.

Uno fue ante Tigre en el torneo Inicial cuando goleó 3-0 y el otro en la Copa frente a Liga de Loja, al que venció 2-0, ambos en el Monumental.

River volvió el lunes al trabajo en su estadio tras su triunfo en el clásico de cara a su visita a Tigre, el jueves a las 22.10, por la sexta fecha con arbitraje de Fernando Echenique y luego seguirá concentrado para enfrentar a Arsenal el domingo próximo, de local.

En referencia a ese encuentro, los socios de River podrán volver a ocupar las plateas Sívori que fueron clausuradas por el Comité de Seguridad por la agresión a Leandro Grimi en el partido frente a Godoy Cruz.

Esta semana el organismo de seguridad realizará una inspección para volver a habilitar el sector luego que la directiva inicie las modificaciones edilicias solicitadas, entre ellas el cambio de las plateas de madera por asientos "antivandálicos".

Además se exigió la colocación de un acrílico en lugar del alambrado que separa la platea del campo de juego y el recambio progresivo del sistema de cámaras y de monitoreo visual.

Ortiz analizó el momento de Racing

BUENOS AIRES -- El zaguero Fernando Ortiz consideró que Racing Club no está "haciendo un mal trabajo defensivo" pese a que arrastra una racha de cuatro partidos sin ganar, con tres derrotas consecutivas y un empate en el Torneo Final 2014.

El exfutbolista de Boca, San Lorenzo y Vélez, entre otros clubes, asumió que algunas "distracciones" le "cuestan caro" al equipo de Reinaldo Merlo, como en el último partido ante All Boys (1-1).

"Teníamos prácticamente ganados los tres puntos pero nos fuimos muy atrás y se nos escaparon por un error", lamentó en conferencia de prensa, luego del entrenamiento del lunes a la mañana en Avellaneda.

Ortiz, de 36 años, reconoció que en "un plantel joven" como el de Racing "lo anímico pesa" frente a la adversidad deportiva, con lo que asumió que "los más grandes" del equipo deberán "sacar el equipo adelante".

Luego evitó fijar un objetivo en el actual torneo, que se inició de manera promisoria con una goleada ante el actual líder, Colón de Santa Fe.

"No queremos comeer el mismo error del torneo pasado en ponernos un objetivo y generar presión. Debemos ir partido a partido y ahora pensar sólo en Lanús", dijo.

En relación al próximo rival, con el que jugará el miércoles en La Fortaleza, el defensor de Racing se propuso: "Tratar de ganar de visitante porque hace mucho tiempo que no lo conseguimos".

La última victoria en esa condición fue el 2 de noviembre del año pasado ante Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata (3-1), por la 14ª fecha del Torneo Inicial 2013.

Si bien no confirmó la formación, Merlo podría realizar cuatro variantes para el juego de la sexta fecha, que se jugará desde las 18 con arbitraje de Néstor Pitana.

José Luis Gómez y Luis Ibáñez, recuperados de diversas lesiones, retornarían por Mauro Bazán y Rodrigo De Paul; mientras que Bruno Zuculini y Gabriel Hauche, que ya cumplieron con su partido de suspensión, lo harían por Diego Villar y Valentín Viola, respectivamente.

Así, el probable equipo para visitar a Lanús es el siguiente: Sebastián Saja; Gómez, Ortiz, Esteban Saveljich y Matías Cahais; Zuculini, Gastón Campi, Francisco Cerro e Ibáñez; Hauche y Luciano Vietto.