Election Rules
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SPORTS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2015 Spain call on misfiring Costa for key Slovakia clash MADRID: European champions Spain can take a big showing at the World Cup last year. step towards securing the right to defend their title in Yet, it is at the other end of the field Del Bosque’s France next year when Slovakia travel to Oviedo today side have tended to struggle in recent times scoring defending a 100 percent record in qualifying Group C. just four times in their last five outings. Vicente del Bosque’s men trail the Slovakians by three In the search for goals, Del Bosque has turned to points in the battle to top the group thanks to their 2-1 Diego Costa with the Chelsea striker returning to the defeat in Bratislava in October last year. squad for the first time in nearly a year despite his less However, victory in Asturias and another three than stellar start to the season at club level. points when Spain visit Macedonia in midweek will Costa has failed to shine in a Spain shirt since turn- remove any nagging doubts that the holders could ing his back on Brazil, the land of his birth, to represent spectactularly miss out on the opportunity to win the the defending champions at the World Cup. tournament for a record third consecutive time. Indeed his only goal in seven appearances came Spain’s preparations have been overshadowed by against minnows Luxembourg on his last outing an David de Gea’s failed move from Manchester United international level. “I feel I owe a debt to the coach and to Real Madrid as both clubs pinned the blame on the teammates that have given a lot for me,” said each other for not formalising the deal before the Costa. “The only thing that bothers me is that I haven’t transfer window closed at midnight on Monday night. returned the warmth shown to me by the Spanish De Gea has been included in Del Bosque’s squad national team. It was the right decision, of course it despite not playing a minute of competitive action was, and now that I feel good, there are no injuries and this season as United boss Louis van Gaal claimed the it is a new situation.” Costa is expected to start up front 24-year-old’s concentration had been affected by his as Juventus striker Alvaro Morata misses out through proposed move. However, that lack of match practice injury, whilst Paco Alcacer has yet to find the net for meant the former Atletico Madrid stopper was unlikely Valencia this season. Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel to have started in any case with captain Iker Casillas won’t be able to resume his intense battle with Costa expected to maintain his place despite ending his 25- from when the sides last met as he misses out through year association with Real Madrid to join Porto. suspension. The visitors will also be without the Casillas was badly at fault for Slovakia’s two goals banned Juraj Kucka, whilst Jan Durica and Vladimir in their only competitive defeat since their miserly Weiss miss out through injury. — AFP Iker Casillas in action in this file photo. ‘Overweight’ Balotelli Chung accuses AFC of not ready: Mihajlovic ‘violating’ election rules MILAN: AC Milan fans hoping to see Mario augurs well for the rest of the season,” said SEOUL: Balotelli hit top form for the first city derby of Galliani. “When I see goals like that I get excit- South Korean FIFA presiden- their choice; the elections will be held expressed an interest for other candi- the season were kept in check yesterday by ed.” Milan, who like Inter failed to qualify for tial candidate Chung Mong-joon has by secret ballot and so no member dates, have expressed no interest at Rossoneri coach Sinisa Mihajlovic. Europe this season, have one defeat and one accused the Asian Football will be required to disclose who they all, or are waiting before making up Balotelli, who has returned to the San Siro win from their opening two games of the sea- Confederation (AFC) of sending unso- have voted for,” the statement said. their minds,” said the statement. A on a season-long loan deal, hit the opener, son. However Inter arguably made better licited letters to its members urging “Any association who wishes to sup- spokesman for the FIFA electoral com- provided an assist and won a penalty on acquisitions in the summer transfer market, them to support his rival Michel Platini port a specific candidacy or to mittee declined to comment. Chung, Thursday as Milan beat fourth division side notably signing Stevan Jovetic on a loan deal at next year’s election. In a statement announce their own candidate-is free who has been a vocal critic of both Modena 3-2 in a friendly during the break for (Manchester City), midfielders Geoffrey released on Thursday and read out at to do so, whether by letter, via media Blatter and Platini, said a similar letter international fixtures. Balotelli’s goal from dis- Kondogbia (Monaco) and Felipe Melo a news conference in Seoul, Chung conferences and statements, or was circulated among African mem- tance showed the striker, whose departure (Galatasaray), forward Adem Ljajic (Roma) said the letters asked members to sign through any other way that they so bers but the Confederation of African from Liverpool was widely applauded by and Brazilian defender Alex Telles a form pledging their support for choose.” Adressing Chung’s com- Football (CAF) intervened and Reds aficionados, has not lost his nose for (Galatasaray). Platini, the head of European soccer’s plaints about the letters, the AFC said “deemed its behavior highly improper goal. But he has a long way to go until lasting Jovetic has hit three goals in two games to governing body UEFA. it had been contacted by “many” and took measures to rectify the situa- a full 90 minutes, said Mihajlovic, whose push Inter up to third place behind surprise Chung said the letters were in member associations seeking advice tion”. revamped side are away to Inter Milan next leaders Chievo and Torino, and there is an air breach of FIFA’s election guidelines on how they could convey their back- Although there has never been an week. “He’s not played for a while and he still of renewed optimism in the blue and black and threatened to “undermine the ing of a specific candidate. Asian or African FIFA president, the has to improve,” Mihajlovic said La Gazzetta half of the city. In their own friendly on fairness” of the poll, which will be held “A growing majority of AFC mem- two regions account for almost half dello Sport. Thursday Inter suffered a 2-1 loss to lower on Feb. 26, 2016 to decide the succes- ber associations have also expressed the 209 members that will decide the “He’s training well and his physical tests league side Lecco, but coach Roberto Mancini sor to outgoing incumbent Sepp their support for Mr Platini’s candida- next boss of soccer’s embattled world are satisfactory, but he’s three kilogrammes used the game to test some of his younger Blatter. “Sheikh Salman, President of cy, based on his credentials to lead governing body, with Asia holding 46 overweight: he’s on a diet and when he’s players. “It was important to give some of the the Asian Football Confederation world football, whilst others have votes and Africa 54. — Reuters ready he will play.” Milan CEO Adriano lads some playing time and have a look at (AFC), has publicly supported Michel Galliani, meanwhile, rang a more positive some of the youngsters,” he told Inter Platini, President of the UEFA,” the tone when asked about Balotelli’s fitness and Channel. “I thought Felipe Melo and Alex statement said. Samoa scrape through admitted the striker’s goal had got him “excit- Telles played quite well. “We experimented “We have learned that the AFC has ed”. “His fitness is improving, physically he’s in with a few things and didn’t want to make the sent unsolicited letters to almost every in Oceania qualifiers a good place and he can do what he wants senior players stay out there for more than 60 AFC member association. Most of the when he has the ball. Let’s hope his goal minutes.” — AFP AFC member countries including SAMOA: Samoa advanced to the ment. Six of those eight teams will China, Japan, Mongolia, India, and second round of Oceania World Cup continue to the third round of World Singapore received this letter. South qualifying by the barest of margins Cup qualifiers while four will advance Korea and Jordan, however, did not.” after a 3-0 win over Tonga on Friday. to the Oceania Nations Cup semi- Chung, the 63-year-old billionaire The Cook Islands, who only need- finals, which will decide the region’s scion of South Korea’s Hyundai indus- ed a draw to win the four-nation representative at the 2017 trial conglomerate, formally qualifying group, were beaten 2-0 by Confederations Cup. announced last month that he was a 10-man American Samoa. John Hall, playing just his third running for the FIFA presidency. The combined results left Samoa, international, scored twice for Samoa Jordan’s Prince Ali bin Hussein is also American Samoa and Cook Islands all against hosts Tonga to give his team among the potential candidates. level on six points after three match- the crucial superior goal difference Platini has long been the bookmakers’ es, with Samoa winning the group after Andrew Mobberley opened the favourite to succeed Blatter and on goal difference.