Wednesday 26th May, 2010 15

A South Africa soccer fan holds up a fake world cup tro- phy during their international warm-up match against Bulgaria at the Orlando stadium in Soweto, South Africa, Monday May 24, 2010. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) Design by SugathChandra Design by

England's Ledley King, center, turns as he celebrates scoring a goal against Mexico during their inter- national soccer friendly match at Wembley stadium in London, Monday, May 24, 2010. Both England and Mexico have qualified for the World Cup in South Africa 2010, and are playing a series of friendlies in preparation for the competition. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

England beats Mexico 3-1 WEMBLEY, England Carlos Salcido hit the (AP) - Ledley King post, but the visitors headed in England's Guillermo Franco BY STEPHEN WADE opener as the injury- claimed a deserved showed we have a great team prone defender goal for the visitors on BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - and more. Argentines returned from a three- the stroke of halftime. (AP) - Maxi Rodriguez scored should relax, we have some year international exile Glen Johnson two goals and Argentina defeat- tremendous players." to help his team beat restored England's ed Canada 5-0 on Monday in the Two-time champion Mexico 3-1 in a World two-goal cushion at the Gauchos' final tuneup before Argentina was superior Cup warmup Monday. start of the second half their World Cup opener on June from the opening whistle, Chronic knee prob- with a curling shot from 12 against Nigeria. building up slowly with long lems have restricted 20 meters (yards) and Argentina's farewell match spells of possession, with the 29-year-old King's the home side looked was played with FIFA player of Tevez generating several England career, but the more comfortable after the year on the scoring chances with his Tottenham captain sur- changes were made at bench as coach nonstop running. vived the full 90 min- the break. decided to rest the Barcelona Rodriguez gave utes unscathed, boost- England plays after a grueling Argentina a 1-0 lead by scor- ing his hopes of mak- Japan on Sunday, European season. ing from 20 meters (yards) ing the final cut for while Mexico is in South Africa. action again on Rodriguez went off just seconds King was teed up Wednesday against before the half following a hard in the 17th minute by the Netherlands and tackle by Josh Simpson. He was Tottenham teammate takes on Gambia on Argentina beats diagnosed with a minor injury Peter Crouch's header Sunday. The deadline to his right ankle. across goal. for submitting the final Tevez scored with a close- And Crouch man- 23-man World cup range shot from a pass from aged to net a second - squads to FIFA is June Canada 5-0 Higuain, while Aguero's goal with the help of his arm 1. was a left-footed shot from the - in the 34th despite Mexico's World left wing. England being out- Cup campaign opens Javier Pastore started up front on a hooking free kick from the Monday was a holiday in played in the first half. against host South with and Gonzalo left wing. He scored again in the Argentina with the nation cele- Goalkeeper Robert Africa on June 11, with Higuain in a lineup that, except 32nd on a counterattack. brating its 200th anniversary. Green twice denied England playing the for Messi, was the one expected Higuain broke out of The one-sided match added to Mexico's Arsenal for- United States the fol- when Argentina opens the Canada's end and, as he was the fiesta spirit in a 60,000 sell- ward Carlos Vela and lowing day. World Cup. tackled, slipped a pass to Tevez out at River Plate stadium. Rodriguez scored in the 16th who found Rodriguez who and 32nd minutes and Angel Di scored under goalkeeper Maria added another in the Patrick Onstad from 37th. Tevez scored in the 63rd 15 meters (yards). and Sergio Aguero added The third Portugal held to 0-0 draw by Cape Verde his in 71st, seconds after came when coming on as a substi- Tevez dug the COVILHA, Portugal (AP) - Portugal Mozambique June 8. tute. ball out of was held to a 0-0 draw by Cape Verde in Portugal also plays Brazil and North Argentina also faces the corner a friendly on Monday in a disappointing Korea in Group G in South Greece and South Korea and fed it start to its World Cup preparations. Africa. in Group B matches in back to Di Portugal had a tight South Africa. Maria, who defence and a fluid passing "There is no friendly scored on a game but couldn't deliver in match when you are wear- rising, left-foot- front of goal. ing the Argentine uni- ed shot from 25 Cristiano Ronaldo had form," Maradona meters little impact despite playing said. "The (yards). 90 minutes. The Real Madrid guys forward, who didn't score during Portugal's qualifying campaign, had several chances but repeatedly shot wide. Cape Verde, ranked 117th in the world, was the first of three African teams Portugal plans to face in exhibition matches ahead of its June 15 World Mexican fans Cup opener against react as they Ivory Coast. It also watch their team play meets Cameroon on England during June 1 and their internation- al soccer friendly Argentina's at Wembley stadi- Maximiliano um in London, Rodriguez reacts Monday, May 24, after scoring against 2010. Both Canada during a England and friendly soccer Mexico have quali- match in preparation fied for the World for the upcoming 2010 Cup in South Africa South Africa World Cup 2010, and are play- in Buenos Aires, ing a series of friend- Monday, May 24, 2010. lies in preparation for (AP Photo/ Alberto Raggio) the competition. (AP)