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Friday 9th April, 2010 15 MONTERREY, Mexico (AP) - Wearing a Qualifying results improved. Mexico defeat- 2006. He achieved Champions League qualifi- back four with attacking full backs, two mobile tuxedo, black bow tie and a big grin, Mexico ed the United States 2-1 in August at Azteca cation in his second season with Atletico, but holding players in front of the defense and a coach Javier Aguirre looks like a man with a Stadium, and confirmed a spot in South Africa impatience for success at one of Spain’s biggest fluid attack. mission on the cover of a recent edition of with a 4-1 win over El Salvador in October. clubs, and a poor start to his third season in Mexico’s players struggle with aerial Esquire magazine. Aguirre did the same thing a few years ago, charge, led to his firing in February 2009. exchanges, so Aguirre has encouraged the The James Bond outfit might be a step up in coming in late to help Mexico qualify for the Aguirre claims he is a born leader and has team to pass the ball quickly and use the pace style for the former Mexico midfielder, but the 2002 World Cup. That time, Aguirre was fired matured since his last World Cup, mellowed by in the forward line to launch counterattacks. gray-haired Aguirre looks relaxed and in high after losing to the United States in the second his time in Spain. The lack of dominance in the air is a weak- spirits. round, the first sign that the Americans might be “Leadership is a genetic advantage or a ness, however, and Mexico has conceded a He should be. The glossy cover reflects passing Mexico as the main power in the CON- quality I’ve developed over time and that’s put number of goals from set pieces in recent years Aguirre’s status as the coach who rescued CACAF region. food on the table for me,” he said. “If there was - most notably against the more athletic Mexico’s World Cup qualification campaign after Aguirre - known as “The Basque” - went off a table of virtues and defects, I think I would get Americans. Sven-Goran Eriksson’s troubled 10 months in and rebuilt his reputation in Spain, proving his good grades verbally, in getting my message If Aguirre can stiffen the back line and identi- charge. He does not like being called a “savior,” ability at modest club across and getting players on side. Definitely, fy a reliable central striker, pushing Mexico past but that’s what he is. Osasuna before areas to improve would be pitch work and tak- the quarterfinals for the first time could be a Coming off an image-boosting spell in landing the ing decisions on the field of play to improve realistic aim. charge of Atletico Madrid, Aguirre was the popu- Atletico games.” For most Mexican fans, that would be mis- lar choice in April 2009 when he replaced Madrid Aguirre’s footballing philosophy is heavily sion accomplished. Eriksson. The appointment’s been a success. job in influenced by his time in Spain, favoring a flat Javier Aguirre LONDON (AP) - From the shot-stop- Puyol and Iker Casillas in the line- ping talent of Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi up, Spain has an abundance of tal- Buffon to the mesmerizing dribbles and ent throughout the team. But the scoring skills of Argentina forward player who pulls things together is W Lionel Messi, the leading World Cup Barcelona midfielder Xavi contenders will be looking to their Hernandez, and he could be the most influential names to guide orchestrator who takes the team to them to the biggest trophy in foot- its long overdue first world title. ball. The two-time runner-up Although Brazil, Spain, England Netherlands reached this year’s and Argentina have talented players World Cup by winning all its throughout the team, they still rely on a qualifying games. But they key individual to shine brighter than the will rely heavily on Robin van Guatemala and Mexico, with others. Persie and Arjen Robben being two, will all be sending referees, If players like Buffon and Messi don’t in top form. FIFA decided that the United play to their usual high standard, that Likewise, 1998 champion and States does not have a capable affects the confidence of their teammates. 2006 runner-up France is low on referee for the World Cup. Conversely, a vital stop by the Italy ‘keeper confidence and only reached the While most of the or a mesmerizing run and goal by the tournament with the help of a European and Latin American Argentine lifts them all. handball by Thierry Henry, who referees are used to officiating Buffon has been one of the world’s best is at his fourth World Cup. in the most stressful circum- goalkeepers for a decade, playing 100 times France’s best player, however, stances, players are hoping for his country. He was in Italy’s squad for could be Franck Ribery, who they avoid some of the referees the 1998 World Cup but didn’t get a game hopes to shake off injury and who take charge of games in and, when the team won the title for the English will be looking to Wayne Rooney to doubts about his club future by countries like fourth time in Germany four years ago, he inspire something similar. shining at the World Cup. Uzbekistan, Saudi did not concede a goal in five games, includ- With his powerful, all-action style of play Three-time World Cup winner Arabia or the ing a run of 453 minutes. even when he is back helping his defenders, Germany will rely on the midfield Seychelles, Because of the way the draw pans out, Rooney has the ability to lift the team and guile and influence of Michael Ballack where the speed Buffon can’t run into Messi until the semifi- the fans when he is at his best. A defender’s and the goals of Miroslav Klose, while of play is far nals. nightmare, he muscles them out of the way the United States will look to Landon more leisurely. The young Barcelona forward made his and scores goals from distance and close Donovan, Clint Dempsey and Michael Once they mark at the 2006 World Cup with a goal in range, hitting the target more than 30 times Bradley to guide them at least to the quar- are at the his first game in the competition at 18, and this season. He has the tendency to lose his terfinals. tournament, was one of the stars of his club’s triple tri- temper, however, and was sent off in his last Of the African nations, Steven Pienaar referees and umph last season, which included the World Cup appearance four years ago for hopes to use his Premier League experience their assis- Spanish league and Champions League stamping on a Portuguese opponent. to help the hosts, and Chelsea players Didier tants will be titles. Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo was Drogba, Jon Obi Mikel and Michael Essien swathed in a Messi torments defenders with his ball Rooney’s Manchester United teammate in should be key figures for Ivory Coast, protective blanket control, pulling them out of position to set those days, but moved to Real Madrid for a Nigeria and Ghana. of security,locked up goals for teammates or weaving through world record transfer fee last June. Tim Cahill, the attacking midfielder who away from the world’s to hit the target. Without a World Cup tri- Ronaldo will be Portugal’s key player as has the habit of scoring vital goals for prying eyes at a luxu- umph since 1986, Argentina badly needs him the team faces Brazil and Ivory Coast in a Everton, could be the player to influence ry hotel where they to be in form in South Africa. tough World Cup group in a competition Australia’s World Cup chances. will be provided with Brazil will chase its sixth World Cup title where it has never made the final. South Korea will look to Manchester sports psychologists to armed with quality players throughout the The same, surprisingly, applies to cur- United midfielder Park Ji-sung to make an boost fragile confi- team. If Kaka is struggling for form, howev- rent European champion Spain, despite the impact, and Japan will be hoping that mid- dence and technologi- er, the team won’t likely have the extra fame of club sides Real Madrid and fielder playmaker and free kick expert cal tools that allow ingredient to turn a good team into a great Barcelona, and it will be a big disappoint- Shunsuke Nakamura will regain form and them to study the one. ment for the Spaniards if they fail to make it boost the team’s World Cup chances. strengths, weaknesses Like Messi, Kaka can create a goal with a to the final at Soccer City on July 11. and favorite tricks of moment of sheer brilliance - a dribble or an With Fernando Torres, David Villa, the teams they will be expertly timed pass to set up a chance for a Andres Iniesta, In this June 12, 2008 file photo Belgian refereeing. proven scorer like Luis Carles referee Frank De Bleeckere gives a yel- At home, viewers Fabiano. will benefit from multi- low card during the group B match ple replays of con- Unlike Brazil, which between Croatia and Germany in last won the title in 2002, tentious decisions that England has been wait- Klagenfurt, Austria, at the Euro 2008 expose refereeing errors.

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