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Home , Allan Simonsen, Radamel Falcao

SPORTS TUESDAY, JUNE 3, 2014 Ronaldo looks to avoid Ballon d’Or curse

PARIS: When Portugal star was short. Take Barcelona star , who won the Footballer of the Year, as the award was also referred their way to the final and seemed destined to be awarded last year’s Ballon d’Or in recognition of his first of his four consecutive Ballon d’Or awards in 2009, to prior to merging with the FIFA World Player of the crowned champions after an early penalty put them dazzling achievements over the course of 2013 he nat- for example. An Argentina side with an embarrass- Year accolade in 2010 to become the FIFA Ballon d’Or, ahead against West Germany. urally had plenty of reason to celebrate although one ment of attacking riches breezed through to the quar- didn’t appear at the global showcase was in 1978 However, the Dutch came unstuck and would lose could forgive him for feeling apprehensive about his ter-finals at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa despite when Danish striker , a European Cup 2-1. Italy’s Gianna Rivera (1970), West Germany striker country’s hopes at the World Cup in Brazil. Portugal Messi not contributing a single goal. However, when finalist with Borussia Moenchengladbach the previous Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (1982) and Brazilian forward will go the tournament as dark horses heavily reliant they needed him most he was unable to deliver as year, saw his nation’s hopes dashed in qualifying. Ronaldo (1998) also fell a win shy of the Ballon d’Or- on their captain and talisman Ronaldo, who will need Maradona’s shellshocked Argentine team were ruth- However, there have been five teams featuring the World Cup double. Three-time reigning European to defy the odds if he is to avoid becoming another lessly torn apart by Germany 4-0 in the last eight. reigning Ballon d’Or winner to reach the final. Perhaps Footballer of the Year saw his France side footnote in a cautionary tale. Since the inception of That provided merely just the latest chapter of a no player has come quite as close nor suffered a fate knocked out in the last four of the 1986 edition, while the Ballon d’Or, conceived by maga- World Cup campaign ending in disappointment for so cruel as the one that befell Italy’s at Eusebio, despite a sparkling performance at the 1966 zine in 1956 to recognise Europe, and then latterly, the the world’s leading player, a story that dates back to USA ‘94. Baggio netted all five of his goals in the tournament where he scored nine times to claim the world’s most outstanding player each year, of the 14 1957 Ballon d’Or recipient and Real Madrid legend knockout rounds, including two in the semi-finals Golden Boot, was part of the Portugal side dumped players in possession of the prize heading into a World Alfredo Di Stefano. against Bulgaria, to send the Azzurri into the final out by hosts England in the semi-finals. Cup none have achieved ultimate success on the glob- For Argentine-born Di Stefano, who acquired against Brazil. But after a goalless 120 minutes in 2001 award winner could only help al stage. Spanish citizenship in time for the 1958 qualifiers Pasadena, the Juventus forward blazed his penalty England as far as the quarter-finals the following year Granted the facts are skewed to an extent given despite previously representing his homeland as well over the bar in the shootout to hand Brazil their fourth before they were dispatched by Brazil, while a sub-par only European players were eligible for the prize prior as Colombia, his adopted nation fell short in their world title. was helpless to save his country from a to 1995, ruling out the likes of three-time World Cup quest to reach the finals leaving one of the world’s Before that and the Dutch appeared last-eight exit the following tournament. The winner Pele and , who was central to greatest players to ultimately finish his career without most likely to put an end to the curse at the 1974 tour- Netherlands’ (1990) and Italy’s Omar Argentina’s 1986 triumph, but that still leaves some of ever appearing at the World Cup. nament. The Netherlands and their revolutionary Sivori (1962) fared even worse, also succumbing to the the game’s most decorated players who have fallen The only other time the reigning European brand of “Total Football” conquered all before them on mysterious jinx of the Ballon d’Or. — AFP Germany, France held, Belgium see off Sweden

PARIS: Germany and France were held to draws while Chelsea duo Eden Hazard and scored for Belgium in the latest batch of World Cup warm-ups on Sunday. Fellow Brazil-bound Cameroon came from behind to claim a 2-2 draw against Germany. All four goals came in an entertaining second-half as Cameroon, coached by German Volker Finke, came within a whisker of a historic first win over Germany. The Africans took a shock lead through another Chelsea player, Samuel Eto’o, on 62 min- utes only for Germany to equalise four minutes later through Thomas Mueller. German replacement Andre Schuerrle then gave the hosts the lead before Cameroon left- HARRISON: United States’ Julian Green (16) goes down while trying to score on wing Eric Choupo-Moting, who plies his trade in Turkey goalkeeper Onur Recep Kivrak (left) in the second half of an international the for Mainz 05, popped up with soccer friendly match. — AP the 78th-minute equaliser. Germany coach Joachim Loew was unimpressed with his side’s US down Turkey 2-1 display, especially from Arsenal’s midfielder Mesut Ozil, who produced a low-key perform- ance. “On the one hand they were a good oppo- in World Cup tune-up nent and a real test of our endurance,” said Loew. “But you could see that the freshness was miss- HARRISON: The United States continued opening half as the US defence struggled to ing from our game. “Our passing game was not their World Cup preparations with a 2-1 tri- get organized. The best opportunity came in good and we made many, many mistakes. umph over Turkey on Sunday. German-born the 12th minute when Nuri Sahin found “Mesut Ozil did not have one of his best days, he Fabien Johnson, one of US manager Jurgen space 16 yards from goal and fired a low shot needs two more weeks, then we’ll see a strong Klinsmann’s army of young, dual-citizenship off the outside of the post. Mesut at the World Cup.” GERMANY: Cameroon’s Alexandre Song (right) and Germany’s Marco Reus challenge for the footballers, made his first strike for the Stars But the American attack gathered steam Down on a rainy Cote d’Azur Franck Ribery ball during a friendly WCup preparation soccer match. — AP and Stripes an impressive one, combining and produced a quality opening goal. started on the bench in France’s 1-1 stalemate We’ll do everything so he’s ready for next Coming after last week’s 5-1 drubbing of with US veteran Michael Bradley for a superb Johnson played the ball to Bradley, whose with Paraguay. Substitute Antoine Griezman had Sunday,” Desachamps said when quizzed about Luxembourg the result offered further proof of 26th-minute goal that gave the United States chip released Johnson into the area and appeared to give the French victory when he his key player’s fitness. the side’s wellbeing ahead of their Group H a 1-0 lead. allowed him to fire a shot just inside the left curled home an 82nd right foot shot before “We can’t win every match 4-0 but there were assignment in Brazil against Algeria, Russia and American veteran Clint Dempsey exploit- post. Dempsey made Turkey pay in the sec- Victor Caceres silenced the partisan crownd in a lot of good things tonight,” added Deschamps. South Korea. Against a Swedish side missing ed a lapse in the Turkish defense to double ond half when they failed to clear Timmy Nice, flicking home an 89th minute equaliser. “On the free kick at the end, we probably retreat- their emblematic striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic the score in the 52nd minute. Klinsmann took Chandler’s left-wing cross, tapping in from a The match was the second Brazil buildup for ed too much into our own box but we were play- Belgium dominated throughout. Lukaku, on advantage of the match to give Brad Guzan, few yards out. Turkey did find the net, howev- Deschamps’ side after they brushed aside ing a good team who know how to defend. loan to Everton last season, set Marc Wilmots’ backup to starting keeper Tim Howard, some er, after Geoff Cameron’s handball on his own Norway 4-0 last Tuesday. Ribery, recovering from “We were not at full strength but we had side on the path to victory in the 34th minute, time on the pitch. goal line gave Inan the chance from the spot. a back injury, is due to play some part in France’s good intentions and there were positives.” with Hazard doubling up after the break. Guzan was in front of goal for the second In addition to Guzan, Klinsmann brought in final tune-up against Jamaica. “I’ve already spo- Hazard and Lukaku were on the mark in Belgium have one final warm-up scheduled, period, and when Turkey pulled one goal John Brooks and Kyle Beckerman at halftime. ken about it and I have nothing new to add. Belgium’s 2-0 win over Sweden. against Tunisia in Brussels next Saturday. —AFP back in the 90th minute with a penalty by He praised Jermaine Jones’ effort in the Selcuk Inan. “Overall what we expected - a defensive midfield role, but said the starting Turkish side that can create problems for you lineup left Turkey too much room to maneu- any time,” Klinsmann said. “Already in the first ver. “We need to close the gaps up better, so Rush to finish stadiums half, they exploited us here and there. But we still have a lot of work ahead of us to overall I think it was a good game. It was become more compact, more connected quite an open game.” between the players to make it more difficult The match was the United States’ second for the opponents to come through there,” ten days from World Cup friendly since Klinsmann announced his 23- Klinsmann said. man squad for the World Cup finals in Brazil- Added Howard: “They spread us out. BRASILIA: With 10 days until the World Cup begins, Blatter yesterday afternoon at a ceremony to present completed. shocking many by the omission of all-time Obviously we defended narrow and they Brazil was rushing yesterday to finish installing seats in the World Cup trophy. Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes warned tourists not to leading US scorer Landon Donovan. They spread us out so we had to make some stadiums and to deal with threats ranging from vio- The world football body was meanwhile under expect Brazil to be like home. “People who arrive in defeated Azerbaijan 2-0 last Tuesday and will adjustments. “To have those changes in the lent protests to dengue fever. The count-down to kick fresh scrutiny over new allegations its officials took Brazil imagining they’re in England or who arrive in take on in Jacksonville, Florida, next back-line at halftime is never easy, but I off has been marred by protests-from striking drivers bribes to name Qatar the 2022 World Cup hosts. But Rio imagining they’re in London will have a frustrating Saturday before departing for Brazil. thought (John Brooks) came in and played who abandoned their buses mid-route to indigenous FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke dodged ques- experience in terms of development,” he said. “Rio is a The United States are drawn in Group G really well,” Howard added. leaders in bright-feathered headdresses shooting tions on the controversy as he launched the TV broad- city that doesn’t hide its poorest people like other along with Ghana, who reached the quarter- “We almost had a clean sheet, and the arrows at police. cast center for the World Cup in Rio de Janeiro. “No places.” finals in the 2010 edition, Euro 2012 semi- penalty takes the gloss off it a little bit, but I Anger over the more than $11 billion being spent answer, no question,” he said. Valcke has had a rocky Brazil will have 157,000 police and soldiers provid- finalists Portugal and one of the favorites for thought we played well.” US striker Jozy on the event has raised fears of a return to the vio- relationship with Brazil, whose preparations have run ing security during the tournament. But recent police the trophy-Klinsmann’s native Germany. Altidore’s goal drought continued, but lence seen last year during the Confederation Cup, a chronically behind schedule. strikes-and threats of more during the tournament- Turkey didn’t qualify for the World Cup, but Klinsmann said he was pleased with his World Cup dress rehearsal. The host stadiums in Sao Paulo, Curitiba, Cuiaba, have raised security fears in a country with one of the Klinsmann said they were a talented side that aggression. “It is the Jozy that we want to see,” Then, clashes erupted as a million people flooded Natal and Porto Alegre are all unfinished to varying world’s worst crime rates. The stakes are high for the streets calling for more money for social programs degrees. The Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo, which Rousseff, who is up for reelection in October. The left- offered a good “benchmark” for his team Klinsmann said. “He will, sooner or later, break and less for stadiums. But recent protests have been will host the opening ceremony and first match ist leader is leading in the polls, but her top rivals have heading into the global football showcase. through with goals. It’s just you’ve got to smaller, with journalists and street vendors sometimes between Brazil and Croatia, held a hastily scheduled been consolidating their support. The visitors, who beat World Cup-bound work for it and stay hungry and grind it out, outnumbering the crowds of anti-government second test event Sunday but is still under construc- Analysts say the results on the pitch will probably Honduras 2-0 in a friendly in Washington on and sooner or later it’s time and ‘boom’ it’s in demonstrators chanting: “There won’t be a World tion. Temporary seating areas for 20,000 fans-delayed not affect her chances. But if the Brazilian team loses Thursday, had a few good chances in the the net.” — AFP Cup!” In a country that takes pride in its five World Cup after a worker fell to his death, one of eight construc- the tournament may do little to lessen public anger titles, the tournament is starting to unleash growing tion accident fatalities at stadiums-have still not over the money spent hosting it. Public health officials excitement, with media providing exhaustive cover- received safety clearance from firefighters. The origi- are meanwhile scrambling to fend off a threat to Stars hope to avoid age of the Brazilian team’s training camp. nal deadline for all 12 host stadiums was December Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal and John Mikel Obi’s That national ambivalence is the target of a viral 31. Organizers have shelved much of the other infra- Nigeria, whose base camps will be in Campinas. social network joke. “I see you! You write on Facebook structure they had promised, from roadworks to a The southeastern city is in the middle of the worst Montolivo WCup woe that ‘There won’t be a World Cup,’ but you’ve planned high-speed train to subway and monorail lines. dengue fever outbreak in its history. Sanitation work- a barbecue with your friends on game day,” says a cap- Football legend Ronaldo, a member of Brazil’s ers are spraying for mosquitos, which carry the tropi- PARIS: Italy midfielder Riccardo Montolivo doubts over Montolivo’s replacement tion above a photo of President Dilma Rousseff. World Cup organizing committee, admitted last week cal virus.But health officials recommend players cover saw his dreams of World Cup glory ended Alberto Aquilani who went off injured in The real Rousseff was due to meet FIFA chief Sepp that only 30 percent of the planned projects would be up and wear insect repellant just in case. — AFP cruelly in a nondescript friendly against the first-half-highlighted after the 0-0 draw and he may not be the last big star with the Irish. “We saw the players inside. to suffer a similar fate. Everyone is broken and really sad about Colombia are praying that their talis- what happened. manic striker will win his “Montolivo is a key player for this squad. battle to be fit, Spain have concerns over He is a point of reference not only on the their Brazil-born marksman , pitch but off it for his behavior. “He has Uruguay too are waiting on last season’s such a good attitude. I think all the lads leading scorer in the English Premier were really shocked by what happened.” League Luis Suarez and France on winger The same could be said for the morale Franck Ribery. Montolivo was joined on the of the other injury doubts. While Falcao has sidelines of football’s global showpiece by been a major doubt since January his two other players as Mexico midfielder Luis absence would be a major blow also to Montes went from the joy of scoring in the morale for his team-mates. friendly against Ecuador to the despair The 28-year-old is so pivotal to minutes later of suffering a serious leg frac- Colombia’s hopes-though they have a rela- ture. Ghanaian central defender Jerry tively weak group with goalshy Greece, Asaminko will also have to sit at home and Japan and the ageing but talented Ivory watch his compatriots perform after the Coast-that coach Jose Pekerman has said term ‘play to the final whistle’ came agonis- they will wait till the last minute to see if he ingly true as he broke an ankle in the third makes it. Frustrating for both country and minute of time added on of their 1-0 defeat player is that Falcao, who has scored 20 by Holland. However, while the respective goals in 51 international appearances, tore injuries are devastating for the players, who his cruciate ligaments in a game he could may never again get another chance to easily have been allowed to miss by play in the finals, it can equally be so for side , a French Cup game against their team-mates and their morale. an amateur side. “We will wait until the last Montolivo’s was a case in point as Italy minute of the last day,” said Pekerman earli- coach Cesare Prandelli-who also has er this week. —AFP AZADI: Iranian national football team players attend a farewell ceremony, at Tehran’s Azadi sport hall, yesterday, before their departure for Brazil. The upcoming FIFA 2014 World Cup in Brazil starts on June 12. — AFP