SPORTS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2014 Brazil’s worst nightmare if Argentina wins World Cup

RIO DE JANEIRO: For Brazilians, not winning the two - and a highly disputed victory, at that - 20 which Brazil won 1-0. Argentina has the world’s top player in Lionel World Cup would be bad enough. Even worse years later. Argentina fielded its first national team in 1902, Messi and an easier draw with Bosnia Herzegovina, would be bitter rival Argentina winning in Brazil “Argentina was always much more developed according to Santos, 12 years ahead of Brazil. Iran and Nigeria, and may not face a difficult match where 200 million locals are expecting to cele- than Brazil,” Santos explained. “Argentina didn’t “Amazingly, people have not paid that much atten- until the quarterfinals. brate. have slavery, we did. They had industry. They had tion to the numbers,” Santos said. “Everyone knows Many Brazilians fear what may happen in the “This would be every Brazilians worst night- everything first. As a country, we admitted we it’s very even.” Santos says there is a sector of streets if Brazil is eliminated, particularly if it hap- mare,” said Newton Cesar Santos, the Brazilian were a kind of second-class country compared to Brazilian society hoping for Brazil to lose in the pens before the final. author of a 600-page history of the Brazil- Argentina.” World Cup. “They are against this government and “I think if Brazil loses early, or does anything but Argentina rivalry - Brazil X Argentina: Stories of the In truth, football has delivered where politicians they figure a loss could create instability, more win, people will come out and express their frus- Biggest Classic in World Football. “Let anybody win, have failed. Both countries have been through eco- demonstrations and force social changes,” he said. tration,” said Marta Nagai, a Brazilian physician but not Argentina.” nomic instability, dictatorships, coups, and run- The reality of this year’s World Cup is that while working in Rio. “All the issues about the big spend- There are many intense football matchups: The away inflation. But the football has usually been Argentina may have a better team and an easier ing will be questioned.” And of course Argentines Netherlands vs. Germany and England vs. Scotland. world class. Brazil has Pele, Argentina has draw, Brazil has the advantage of playing at home. would like nothing better than to see Brazil fold. If But none rivals Brazil vs. Argentina. Maradona and the debate about who is better nev- Brazil is placed among the favorites with Spain, it’s in the final at the Maracana, all the better. Some of Brazil’s national self-esteem rests on er ends. Argentina and Germany, in part because it’s the It happened in 1950, the last time Brazil hosted being the world’s lone football superpower. It’s the The records? It depends whose record. The host nation. Brazil’s problem is the draw and, the World Cup. Brazil lost the deciding match of only country to have played in every World Cup Argentine Football Association and the Brazilian although the team led by young forward Neymar is the final group stage to Uruguay 2-1, a loss that’s and won the most title - five. The South Americans Football Confederation have slightly different good, few rank it as one of Brazil’s greatest. Its never forgotten in Brazil lore. set the standard for flair, and 73-year-old Pele results. Santos has kept his own record. “Brazil and chances of winning are given as probably 25 per- “The most beautiful thing that can happen this remains the game’s most famous brand. It wasn’t Argentina records disagree about what is an offi- cent. Not great odds. Brazil has a relatively easy year is Argentina winning the World Cup in Brazil,” always this way. It the early history of football, it cial match or not,” Santos said. “Of course, each has four-team group with Mexico, Croatia and said Celia Dominguez, who works in a dental office was Argentina that was the power in South a record that favors its national team.” Cameroon, but is likely to face either Spain or the in Buenos Aires. “To make it even better. Let’s have America. The game arrived there before it did in Santos calculates that from over 99 matches, Netherlands in its first game of the knockout stage. Argentina win the final against Brazil with Messi Brazil. But that changed when Brazil won the 1958 Brazil has won two more. Santos says the first offi- Next up could be one of three former World Cup scoring a penalty in the final minute. This is just to World Cup, long before Argentina won its first of cial match was Sept. 27, 1914 in Buenos Aires, champions - Uruguay, Italy or England. make the Brazilians suffer more.” — AP

Sports digest PSG out to brush aside European nights are back! off-form Leverkusen By Ahmad Al Othman

LEVERKUSEN: Bayer Leverkusen must brush off recent poor form if they are to stop Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s Paris Saint- Germain’s march to the Champions League quarter-finals in today’s last 16, first-leg clash. Leverkusen have their work cut out containing maverick Ibrahimovic and overcoming the formidable obstacle of high-scoring PSG if they are to reach the last eight for the first time since 2002. Any side with Ibrahimovic in their ranks is dangerous and the Parisians finished as comfortable winners of Group C, scor- ing 16 goals in the process. The 32-year- old boasts the superb return of eight goals from five Champions League matches this term, leaving him second only to Real Madrid’s , who has nine. The Sweden star already has three more than in his previous best inally, Champions League foot- by Barcelona throughout the season. seasons in the competition with Inter ball is back! Waiting for more Evidently, it’s the Blaugrana’s weakest in 2007/08 and AC Milan in Fthan two months was never an link compared to their majestic mid- 2011/12. GERMANY: Players listen to PSG’s coach Laurent Blanc during a training session ahead of the easy thing, and I assure you football field and fierce attack. Mascherano, Sami Hyypia-coached Leverkusen fans will set their timers at 10:45 local Pique and Puyol haven’t been having Champions League round of the last 16 first leg soccer match between Bayer Leverkusen and Paris have had far from an ideal preparation, time to witness the classics of the sea- the best of seasons, and at times it Saint-Germain today. — AP son. The Etihad Stadium is set to host was down to Victor Valdes who saved crashing to their second straight home the first leg of the last 16 as cash-rich the day and kept opponents at bay. defeat, their fifth loss in seven games, Manchester City take on league lead- The Catalans would surely favor play- when they went down 2-1 to Schalke 04 South American coaches add ers Barcelona. Two high-flying sides ing their first leg away at England, in Saturday’s Bundesliga match. that have been performing excellently which gives them an advantage of The defeat followed second-division spice to Champions League throughout their league campaigns playing the return one at Camp Nou. Kaiserslautern’s shock 1-0 extra time lock horns in what could be a goalfest This wasn’t the case back in 2009 German Cup win at Leverkusen’s BERNE: After years of trying, South American coaches are have struggled to adapt in the modern era even when and an open match. We’re just glad when Andres Iniesta scored that mem- BayArena last Wednesday, but Hyypia finally gaining a foothold in European football and their they their records suggested they had all the right cre- the wait is over! orable last-minute equalizer at refuses to panic. Although they beat Bayern Munich Stamford Bridge to cancel Essien’s growing influence will be heavily felt as the Champions dentials. Carlos Alberto Parreira lasted only a few months “If we play like we did against Schalke, back in December at the Allianz Arena, wonder strike and guide Barca to the League round of 16 gets under. Three of the eight teams at Spanish club Valencia after leading Brazil to World Cup it still wasn’t good enough to prevent triumphant final. we will be able to live with Paris,” said the in action this week are coached by South Americans, AC victory in 1994 while the hugely successful Boca Juniors City from finishing second and draw- City would have a decent chance ex-Liverpool defender. “Only playing well Milan’s Clarence Seedorf was born and ended his playing and Velez Sarsfield coach Carlos Bianchi fared just as bad- career on the continent and Bayern Munich’s Pep ly, with short spells at AS Roma and later Atletico Madrid. ing a group winner. Had they scored going into the second leg if they can doesn’t bring us points, we have to be more effective and score goals. I hope Guardiola said he was inspired by what he learned during Argentina’s Ramon Diaz and Colombia’s Francisco one more goal in that match, they cer- prevent Barcelona from scoring a visit to Argentina. Maturana were others who failed to make it on the other tainly would’ve faced another oppo- tonight. Pellegrini would surely com- we manage that against Paris.” Two of them meet in the week’s top clash as side of the Atlantic. The new generation has proved far nent. Manuel Pellegrini is praised for mand his team to be more rigid and Hyypia will be able to call up Germany Manchester City, coached by urbane Chilean Manuel more adaptable, although there is little connection his attacking and midfield control dur- inflexible in their pitch roaming. He winger Sidney Sam, who was rested for Pellegrini, host Gerardo Martino’s Barcelona today. between Pellegrini, Martino and Simeone who took very ing his reign at City, but today he’s not needs his fullbacks to stick to their the Schalke defeat after announcing in “I have always been interested in Pellegrini’s career different routes to Europe. up against any ordinary rival - it’s the positions and not get carried away January that he will join the Royal Blues both in Europe and before, when he was coaching in Pellegrini, a qualified engineer and former Chile one and only Barcelona. when moving the ball forward, while at the end of the season. Having reached South America,” said Argentine Martino, a surprise defender, coached five clubs in his homeland then Messi and Co have resumed normal his midfield has to be at their best the quarter-finals for the first time last appointment by Barcelona before the start of the season. worked in Ecuador and Argentina before carving out his business after their recent blip, with against Barcelona’s superiors. “He is one of the best coaches in the world. I feel very sat- reputation in a five-year spell at Spain’s Villarreal, leading wins against Sevilla and Rayo putting The Etihad is expected to be rock- season, big-spending PSG are gunning isfied to be facing him in this tie.” Atletico Madrid, revi- them to the Champions League semi-finals in 2006. them on top with TEN goals in the ing and their faithful Sky Blue fans to to be crowned European champions for talised by former Argentina captain Diego Simeone, trav- Martino, whose only major title as a coach was process! With the Argentine back to be at their vocal best to spur the team the first time. el to AC Milan on Wednesday where they seem certain to Argentina’s Final championship with Newell’s Old Boys his best, it’s up to Kompany and the on. A clean sheet is vital for City today, “I think it would mean a lot,” said give Seedorf a baptism of fire as he makes his coaching last season, took an even more unlikely route, coaching rest to negate his presence and halt as they’re expected to be in the receiv- Ibrahimovic, who scored in PSG’s 3-0 win debut in a competition in which he was immensely suc- modest clubs in Argentine and then Paraguay’s Cerro his movement. However, if Man City ing end in the away leg. Aguero and at home to Valenciennes on Friday to cessful as a player. Guardiola’s Bayern Munich visit Arsenal Porteno and Libertad before making a positive impres- the same evening as the two sides meet at the same sion during five years as coach of the Paraguay national over-concentrates on Messi, it’s Fernandinho are expected to miss stay top of the French league. “If we can Sanchez, Pedro, Fabregas and Iniesta today’s clash, so it’s down to Negredo stage for the second season in a row. team. get further than the quarter-finals this Overall, the round of 16 has a familiar ring to it after a Martino is widely regarded as a disciple of former who could do the damage and create and Navas to up their game and enter year, it would be a big step for us. “This chance after chance. and their fans’ hearts. There will be goals predictable group stage where the only major surprise Argentina, Chile and Athletic Bilbao coach Marcelo Bielsa project has been ongoing for two years was the elimination of champions Juventus. Ten , who also inspired Guardiola when he visited Argentina Busquets will be hoping to control the and I am quite sure Barcelona will and I’ve been here for one-and-a-half - it of the 16 teams reached the same stage last year and before his hugely successful spell in charge of Barcelona. game from the scruff of the neck score at least once, but it’s down to Manchester City are the only knockout phase debutants. Simeone, often describing as playing with a knife against a side featuring Yaya Toure City to keep their quarterfinal qualifi- is developing.” Leverkusen’s last foray into the Predictably, the English Premier League and Bundesliga between his teeth, is a former Atletico Madrid player and Silva. cation chances alive. dominate with four teams apiece, while Spain’s strongly identified with the club which he has revitalised The home side would look to Match prediction: Manchester City Champions League’s knockout rounds has three. Bayer Leverkusen, second in the Bundesliga, since coming back as coach at the end of 2011. Seedorf, exploit the defensive frailties shown 2, Barcelona 1 came two years ago when they lost 3-1 host big-spending Paris St Germain in the other of this his opposite number on Wednesday, was born in the for- at home to Barcelona in the last 16’s first- week’s ties today. The remaining four first legs will all be mer Dutch colony of and ended his career in leg, only to be humiliated 7-1 in Spain played the following week with Olympiakos-Manchester Brazil with Botafogo, where he commanded enormous when hit a record five goals. United and Zenit St Petersburg-Borussia Dortmund on respect. “The Brazilian league is very different and it gave Cruz Azul extend Mexican lead With the return leg in Paris on March Feb. 25 and Galatasaray-Chelsea and Schalke 04-Real me a lot to be able to face this new adventure,” Seedorf, Madrid on Feb. 26. who won the Champions League four times as a player, MEXICO CITY: Marco Fabian scored deep after halftime following a swift attack. 12, Leverkusen will need to tighten up at told Milan’s website (www.acmilan.com). into second half injury time to give Pablo Velazquez completed the scor- the back. The Werkself need to correct TOUGH TRANSITION “My experience with Botafogo helped me to prepare Mexican first division leader Cruz Azul a ing in the 86th with a left foot shot from their deep-lying defence, which was South American players have long been hugely influ- for this new job,” added Seedorf, who took over in 1-0 victory over Puebla on Saturday in inside the penalty area. Ismael Sosa punished when Dutch striker Klaas-Jan ential in European football but, until recently, coaches January with the club in disarray..— Reuters round seven of the Clausura champi- equalized in the 76th for Pumas after Huntelaar headed Schalke’s late winner. onship. Arturo Gonzalez struck from just outside Hyypia will be without Australia Toluca kept pace in second with a 3-0 the penalty box to give Atlas the lead in winger and knee injury-victim Robbie win against Veracruz, also Saturday, but the 21st. — AP remain three points behind, while Pumas Kruse, who is out for the season, while missed the chance to go third as they ex-Bayern Munich Emre Can is drew 1-1 against Atlas on Sunday. suspended. In other weekend games, Santos Matches on TV Uruguay forward Edinson Cavani is Laguna defeated Tijuana 3-2, Leon won (Local Timings) missing for PSG with a hamstring injury, 2-0 against Monterrey, Chivas beat while defenders Zoumana Camara, calf, Queretaro 2-1, Tigres drew 0-0 with UEFA Champions League and Christophe Jallet, back, are rated Chiapas, Atlante overcame Pachuca 1-0 doubtful. and Morelia secured a 1-0 victory over Man City v Barcelona 22:45 Nevertheless, PSG head to Leverkusen America. in buoyant mood after Friday’s win kept Fabian controlled the ball, twisted and beIN SPORTS 13 HD them top of the French league with a lofted a shot from the edge of the penal- beIN SPORTS 11 HD beIN SPORTS 3 HD ty area to hand Cruz Azul its sixth victory five-point lead. “The primary goal before beIN SPORTS 1 HD in seven games. the Leverkusen match was to take the Paraguayan Edgar Benitez slid the ball three points,” said PSG coach Laurent Leverkusen v PSG 22:45 Blanc. “The players were thinking about in from close range to open the scoring beIN SPORTS 5 HD in the 6th minute for Toluca, with Isaac beIN SPORTS 2 HD Leverkusen, but they ignored that and Brizuela extending the lead four minutes got the job done.” — xAFP Clarence Seedorf Manuel Pellegrini