WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014 SPORTS Puyol to leave Barcelona at end of season

BARCELONA: Barcelona captain Carles Puyol And having featured just 10 times this season know me know that I will not give up until the past decade as he won three Champions the goal that took his side to the final in South announced yesterday that he will leave the club in all competitions, he said it was time for a new end. I will continue fighting to help the team Leagues and six La Liga titles with his boyhood Africa with a 1-0 win over Germany. at the end of the season after a hugely successful challenge in a less physically demanding envi- improve and achieve our objectives this season. club. A number of Puyol’s teammates past and “Carles is an example for everyone on and off 15-year career at the Camp Nou. ronment. “After the last two operations it has “I don’t know what I will do on June 30. What present paid tribute to an historic figure in the field,” Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said The 35-year-old, who did not reveal whether been difficult for me to recover the level I need I do know is that I will need time to rest. I have Spanish football. “I will continue to enjoy being at yesterday. In total he has represented Spain 100 he will continue playing elsewhere, has been to be able to continue here, more than I expect- had four years without a break due to the your side until the end of this season. It has been times with his last appearance coming in a 3-1 plagued by injuries over the last couple of sea- ed and more than surgeons said. That is why I injuries. That is what I will do and then we will an honor. I wish you the best for what is to come. friendly win over Uruguay in February 2013, sons and has undergone three knee operations. have taken this decision.” see.” The announcement brings to an end an There is no one like you captain,” Andres Iniesta making him one of only eight players to have “At the end of the season I will leave FC extraordinary career in the Barcelona first team wrote on his official Facebook page. “Thanks won a century of caps with La Roja. Barcelona. The club are aware of this and we are DESTINATION UNKNOWN that began in 1999. Puyol is the club’s second captain for all you have taught me. Good luck,” “He is a natural leader, a person that when in agreement,” he said. “We will rescind the final Puyol didn’t reveal where he would go at the most decorated player of all-time, behind only Cesc Fabregas said in a tweet alongside a photo you hear his name you think of Barcelona,” added two years of my contract that were still to run.” end of the current campaign and insisted he will teammate Xavi Hernandez, having made 593 of the two of them just after Fabregas re-signed former Barca midfielder Thiago Alcantara, now of Puyol signed a new deal with the club in give everything in what remains of the season to appearances. for the club in 2011. Puyol was also a key part of Bayern Munich. “In the time I was there he was a January last year, but admitted in June that he help Barca succeed on three fronts. After beginning his career as a right-back, the Spanish sides that won the European reference on and off the pitch. Everyone knows would not stay if injuries continued to prevent “I am not leaving today, there are still three Puyol was converted into one of the most suc- Championship in 2008 and the country’s first him and whilst Puyol is in the world of football, him from playing a significant part on the field. months of the season remaining and those that cessful centre-backs in world football over the World Cup in 2010, memorably heading home he will be an example for everyone.” —AFP England plan experiments for Denmark friendly visit

LONDON: England manager Roy Hodgson will run the rule over his players for the last time before naming his World Cup squad when they tackle Denmark in a friendly today. Hodgson will not announce his 23-man selection and seven standby players for the World Cup until May 13, but the match at Wembley Stadium represents his final opportu- nity for experimentation before he does so. Having seen his side lose at home to Chile and Germany in friendly games last November, Hodgson is seeking to avoid becoming the first England manager ever to lose three consecu- JOHANNESBURG: Brazil’s soccer team members train in Johannesburg tive fixtures on home soil. However, with the ahead of a friendly match against South Africa today. —AP World Cup in Brazil looming on the horizon, he has hinted that he may use Denmark’s visit to examine some of the players on the fringes of Lots at stake for his first XI. “The Denmark game is very much a game where I’ve got to think about what experimen- South Africa, Brazil tations I need,” he said. “If we take Steven Gerrard, does he need to play against Denmark JOHANNESBURG: World Cup hosts and “It is an opportunity to get the players to prove to me that he needs to play against title favourites Brazil hope to maintain a and back-room staff together a final time Italy (in England’s first match at the World Cup)? perfect record against South Africa today in before naming the World Cup squad.” “Would I be better off playing somebody a Soweto football friendly with much at Brazil rely heavily on foreign-based stars else because I know what Steven Gerrard can LONDON: Denmark’s soccer head coach Morten Olsen speaks to the media during a stake. for the friendly, choosing 16 including do? He’s got 103 caps. Could (Wayne) Rooney press conference. Denmark is to play England today in an international friendly soc- For the South American stars it is a last Chelsea quartet David Luiz, Oscar, be in the same category as Gerrard? And Joe cer match at Wembley Stadium. —AP chance in the national strip to impress Ramires and Willian. Hart too?” with a knee problem. Martin Braithwaite due to injury, which prompt- coach Luiz Felipe Scolari before he names There are also two new faces among The 30-man squad that Hodgson “I think you always have to be on your toes ed Olsen to draft Jakob Ankersen, Jakob his 23-man tournament squad in early May. the 19 Brazilians who arrived in wet and announced for the game did not contain any and make sure that when you have opportuni- Poulsen and Simon Makienok into his squad. And only a victory can possibly save murky Johannesburg-Bayern defender major surprises, but Southampton left-back ties to play for your club or country, you take it With the Danish Superliga season having Bafana Bafana (The Boys) coach Gordon Rafinha and Manchester City midfielder Luke Shaw was awarded a first senior call-up. and show what you have to offer,” said the 20- only just resumed after its winter break and Igesund-labelled a ‘dead man walking’ by Fernandinho. The 18-year-old has both Leighton Baines year-old. most of Denmark’s players plying their trade in the media because of poor tournament After a recent six-hour grilling from and Ashley Cole ahead of him in the pecking “I don’t think I’m playing catch-up (in terms their homeland, Olsen concedes that England results. South African football chiefs, Igesund said order, but Cole’s lack of playing time at Chelsea of fitness). I’m a young player and I’m still learn- will have a physical advantage. Brazil have beaten South Africa twice in he got “a vote of confidence”, but the may hand Shaw an opportunity to gazump ing. When I get the opportunity, I always try to “The English players are in fantastic match Johannesburg, once in Soweto and most media told a different story. him. do my best.” condition, while some of our players can’t have recently in Sao Paulo, but all the victories City Press newspaper quoted an On the opposite side of the defence, a hip Having missed out on a place at the World the same level of match fitness as we have only were by one-goal margins. unnamed South African Football injury to Tottenham Hotspur’s Kyle Walker Cup, Denmark will use the game to begin recently resumed our domestic league,” he said. A squad boasting star Barcelona striker Association (SAFA) official saying the end means that Liverpool’s Glen Johnson is likely to preparations for their Euro 2016 qualifying cam- “So this will be quite a match for them. We Neymar plus drawcards from Bayern was nigh for a coach whose contract win his 50th cap at right-back, while Everton paign. will need to perform as a team if we are to stand Munich, Chelsea, Manchester City, Paris expires in mid-year. centre-back Phil Jagielka is also absent. Morten Olsen’s side finished six points adrift a chance against them at Wembley.” Saint-Germain and Real Madrid start as “Even if he (Igesund) beats Brazil 5-0 it of Italy in World Cup qualifying and face a diffi- Denmark’s players will wear black armbands overwhelming favourites again. will not help his case. The decision has EAGER TO IMPRESS cult task to reach Euro 2016, having been drawn in tribute to Richard Moller Nielsen, coach of the Opposing them at the 90,000-seat already been taken that he should go.” Another player hoping to catch Hodgson’s alongside Portugal and Serbia in Group I. team that pulled off a shock triumph at Euro 92, Soccer City stadium are lesser known foot- Former South Africa coach Portuguese eye is Arsenal midfielder Alex Oxlade- Denmark must do without Tottenham play- following his death last month at the age of ballers from clubs like Bournemouth, Carlos Queiroz, ex-assistant to Alex Chamberlain, who has impressed in recent maker Christian Eriksen and Toulouse forward 76.—AFP Doncaster, Genk, Lech Poznan, Ostend and Ferguson at Manchester United who is weeks after missing the first half of the season Rostov. taking Iran to the World Cup, has been But they rose magnificently to the occa- linked with the post. sion at the same stadium last November When Igesund took over two years against World Cup and European title-hold- ago, he was mandated to reach the 2013 ers Spain, winning 1-0 through a Bernard Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals and the Parker close-range chip. 2014 World Cup. Hopes of another shock win suffered a But Bafana were eliminated by Mali in double eve-of-match blow, though, when the Nations Cup quarter-finals and failed goalkeeper and captain Itumeleng Khune to even reach the African World Cup play- and defensive midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi offs,, losing out to bottom seeds Ethiopia. withdrew injured. Igesund needed a good show at the Scolari,who steered Brazil to the last of 2014 African Nations Championship for five World Cup triumphs 12 years ago in home-based footballers to stem criticism, Japan, values the form of his galaxy of stars but a first-round exit led sports minister far above reputations. “We want to be Fikile Mbalula to call the squad “useless world champions again,” stressed the 65- losers”. year-old Brazilian, “and we are in South Both teams plan new looks for the Africa to win. game with South Africa donning a one- “Bafana Bafana beat Spain recently so off, all-white strip while Brazil wear two they will provide a good test. This match rep- World Cup outfits, changing at half- resents an important part of our build-up. time. —AFP Misfiring China look to seal Asian Cup spot SINGAPORE: China will expect to put an deal with the Chinese and Asian champions. unconvincing qualifying campaign behind Perrin, the well-travelled, 57-year-old for- them and reach their 11th straight Asian Cup mer Marseille and Portsmouth coach, arrives in front of new manager Alain Perrin when with none of the pedigree of the World Cup- they play former champions Iraq today. An winning Lippi. His greatest success was lead- MADRID: Italy’s coach Cesare Prandelli (centre) talks to the players during a training session. Italy will play Spain today in a away draw against lowly Indonesia and ing Lyon to the French double in 2008. But friendly soccer match. —AP defeat to Saudi Arabia have made for a diffi- after disquiet over the large sums reportedly cult path for China, who sacked highly paid paid to Camacho, the Chinese Football ex-Real Madrid manager Juan Antonio Association may have wanted a more afford- Costa to get taste of action Camacho midway through qualifying. But the able manager for the Asian Cup and the 2018 Asian giants-who, despite their size and World Cup qualifiers. Perrin will hope that resources, are ranked just 88th in the world- China’s new-found success in the AFC MADRID: Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa World Cup just three months away. are also expected to get the chance to further are in the box seat to progress in the second Champions League, after Guangzhou is set to make his long-awaited debut for “It will be a nice game because Italy is one their claims for a place in Del Bosque’s World automatic spot in Group C as qualifying ends. became the competition’s first Chinese win- Spain when the world champions host Italy of the biggest teams in the world. They have Cup squad. China lie second behind group winners ners last year, will start to translate into suc- today in their final match before both sides always had the utmost respect from the Italy will be out to avenge recent defeats to Saudi Arabia while Iraq, who lifted the trophy cess on the international stage. name their squads for the World Cup. Spanish national team, so I am sure the fans La Roja in the Euro 2012 final and on penalties in 2007, are two points further back, meaning China have only qualified for one World Ironically Costa also made his debut for the will enjoy it,” he said. in last year’s Confederations Cup semi-final. they need to win today in Sharjah to guaran- Cup, in 2002, and their last success in regional country of his birth, Brazil, against the Azzurri “The World Cup will be here before we However, they are more affected by injuries tee progression. competition was reaching the Asian Cup final just over a year ago. know it, so the players and fans are more and disciplinary issues as Mario Balotelli However, China can lose the game and against Japan on home turf in 2004. However, he has since switched allegiance motivated.” missed out on Cesare Prandelli’s 26-man still be confident of qualifying as the best- Lebanon will also be hoping China beat to his adopted country and having missed Del Bosque has yet to confirm who will be squad due to a shoulder problem. performing third-placed team, with closest Iraq and avoid the need to rack up a hatful of friendlies against Equatorial Guinea and his first-choice goalkeeper in Brazil. Captain Roma’s Daniele de Rossi was also left out challengers Lebanon then needing to beat goals against Thailand-although it is a feat South Africa in November due to injury, will Iker Casillas remains the favourite despite not due to Prandelli’s code of conduct after Thailand by at least six goals. they are well capable of after winning 5-2 at get his first taste of action for Spain at his club playing in La Liga with Real Madrid as he has punching Inter Milan’s Mauro Icardi during Only two spots are up for grabs today with home last year. ground of the Vicente Calderon. been in fine form in the Copa del Rey and their 0-0 draw on Saturday. 13 teams, including hosts Australia and War-wracked Syria also have an outside The 25-year-old is expected to rival Champions League. Giorgio Chiellini has been called up despite defending champions Japan, already con- chance of going through as the best per- Manchester City’s Alvaro Negredo for the lone “I hope to play against Italy. To be in the missing the last three weeks due to injury, firmed and one place reserved for the win- forming third-placed team, but they have to striker’s role in Brazil later this year as coach national team is very important for me and I drawing the ire of Juventus boss Antonio ners of the AFC Challenge Cup in May. beat Jordan and hope both Iraq and Vicente Del Bosque has left out his previously am grateful for the confidence the coach has Conte who criticised Prandelli’s decision to According to state news agency Xinhua, care- Lebanon lose. Elsewhere Malaysia and Hong taker boss Fu Bo will take charge of China for Kong, who like Syria are on four points to preferred pairing of David Villa and Fernando shown in me,” Casillas told Spanish radio sta- include the defender after his side’s 2-0 win the last time with France’s Perrin expected to Lebanon’s five and Iraq’s six, will also be Torres from his 22-man squad. tion MelodiaFM. over AC Milan on Sunday. be watching from the stands. praying for a miracle when they take on Gerard Pique is Spain’s only big name Del Bosque has often used two goalkeep- Paris Saint Germain midfielder Marco Perrin was announced as a surprise choice Yemen and Vietnam away. Iran rounded off absentee through injury so Sergio Ramos will ers in friendly matches, though, so Barcelona’s Verratti returns to the squad for the first time of manager last week, after Guangzhou their campaign with a 3-2 win over Kuwait be partnered in central defence by either Javi Victor Valdes could also be involved. in a year, whilst Torino forward Ciro Immobile Evergrande’s Marcello Lippi had been hotly late on Monday. Both teams had already Martinez or Raul Albiol, and Ramos said the Chelsea’s Cesar Azpilicueta and in-form and Parma defender Gabriel Paletta could tipped. Lippi later signed a new three-year qualified. —AFP game will take on extra significance with the Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara make their debuts. —AFP