FRIDAY, MAY 25, 2018 20 Russia welcomes the world

The Russian national team• has welcomed their fellow competing teams at the 2018 World Cup

The Sbornaya squad donned• the playing shirts of the 31 other countries at the tournament 20 days to go…… • Igor Akinfeev expressed his wish that Russia is 100 per cent ready for “all teams enjoy Russia their arrival. Our country has and its hospitality” staged plenty of major sporting events and important match- Russian team es already. I hope every player, FIFA | Moscow coach and fan enjoys Russia and its hospitality.” Supporters from all over the preparations before the 2018 ing touches to the tournament. country competing at Russia e welcome all “I hope everyone likes Rus- world will soon be able to prop- FIFA World Cup Russia, as play- After years of hard work, the 2018 – and posing for a squad the teams who sia,” added defender Sergei Igna- erly appreciate the warmth of ers work to get themselves into Host Nation is eagerly looking photo. “Ware coming here shevich, who holds the all-time Russian people, as there is only top shape and coaches finalise forward to welcoming football The Sbornaya turned up for for the World Cup,” said goal- record for Sbornaya caps. “It’s three weeks left until the Open- their starting line-ups. fans and competing teams. training earlier than usual and keeper Igor Akinfeev, wear- summer here, the weather is ing Match of the 2018 World Meanwhile, the fans lucky In fact, the Russian national upon arrival they were greeted ing the shirt of reigning world wonderful and the people are Cup between Russia and Saudi enough to get tickets are plan- team, coaching and support staff by 32 jerseys from around the champions Germany. “I think friendly. I’m sure you’ll be hap- Arabia at the Luzhniki Stadium! ning their journeys and the or- have taken it one step further: globe hanging in their locker they’ll quickly be convinced that py.” It is time for the last remaining ganisers are applying the finish- by donning the jerseys of every room.

Low remains confident over Neuer comeback FIFA World Cup host nations Six countries have won the World Cup on home soil, with France Espn | London being the last host nation to achieve the feat in 1998 1930 Uruguay bt Argentina, 4-2 Winner oachim Low remains con- 1934 Italy Czechoslovakia, 2-1* Winner Jfident over a Manuel Neu- 1938 France Quarter-final er comeback before the 2018 1950 Brazil Final 1954 Switzerland Quarter-final World Cup in Russia but added KNOW WHAT he is considering Thomas Mul- 1958 Sweden Final ler or Sami Khedira to replace 1962 Chile Third-place him as captain if he is not fit 1966 England West Germany, 4-2* Winner in time. Thomas Muller has 1970 Mexico Quarter-final The German keeper has com- scored 10 goals at two 1974 W. Germany Netherlands, 2-1 Winner pleted the first training sessions World Cups and is only 1978 Argentina Netherlands, 3-1* Winner with the title holders since suf- 1982 Spain 2nd round six strikes away from 1986 Mexico Quarter-final fering recurring fractures to his Thomas Muller with former Germany strik- 1990 Italy Third-place foot. er ’s all- 1994 United States Last 16 “Should Neuer not make it, one, just has a very positive ap- goals in total, making him the 1998 France Brazil, 3-0 Winner there’d be two candidates who pearance with a good mix of country’s 10th best goal scorer time record set with his 2-0 in the historic 2002 Japan Last 16 have shared the job after Neuer: ease and professionalism.” of all time. South Korea Fourth-place Sami Khedira and Thomas Mul- Muller, 28, has scored 10goals He has four short of former 7-1 against Brazil in 2006 Germany Third-place ler,” Low told the paper when at two World Cups and is only captain , but a 2014 2010 South Africa Group asked who would replace the six strikes away from former long way off the Klose’s total of 2014 Brazil Fourth-place Bayern keeper as Germany’s Germany striker Miroslav 71 in 137 matches. Germany hope that Neuer can TOURNAMENTS HOSTED: Including Russia 2018 captain. Klose’s all-time record set with 31-year-old Khedira made his play at the World Cup, and Low Only teams from Europe “Thomas is destined for that his 2-0 in the historic 7-1 against debut for Germany in Septem- reiterated on Thursday that and South America have Europe: 11 ever lifted trophy job because he has a very good Brazil in 2014. ber 2009. He has won 73 caps, Germany remain confident over Brazil (1958) are relationship with every squad The Bayern attacker has won nine less than , his the captain’s chances to play at North, only team from member. He chats with every- 90 caps for Germany, scoring 38 partner. the World Cup. Central South America America South to win World America Cup in 3 5 Europe 1998: Didier Deschamps Lee ruled out of Asia, Africa: 1 Source: FIFA Picture: Getty Images *After extra time © GRAPHIC NEWS South Korea squad PLAYER OF THE DAY

Lee Keun-ho

AFP | London

eteran striker Lee Ke- Vun-ho yesterday ruled out of South Korea’s World Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed Bin Salman Al Saud was pictured meeting with the kingdom’s national team Cup squad after tearing a ahead of their participation in the World Cup next month in Russia. Saudi Arabia are appearing at their first World Cup knee ligament, the latest in finals since 2006, when they exited at the end of the group phase of the competition for the third tournament in a row. a string of injuries to plague Pic courtesy: Al Arabiya the Asian team ahead of Russia. “Lee Keun-ho has been ruled out of the World Cup,” spokesman at the Ndidi recovering ‘faster than expected’ Korea Football Association told. “He sustained a torn AFP | London Ndidi has been training on ligament on his right knee his own in the southern city of during a K-League last Sat- eicester City midfielder Uyo, where the squad have their urday.” LWilfred Ndidi has recov- training camp, since the World Lee was stretchered off ered “faster than expected” Cup camp opened officially on Antonie Griezmann the field during Saturday’s from a hamstring injury and Tuesday. Super Eagles spokes- The France forward will be out to make his mark on another match against Gyeongnam will soon join Nigeria’s full man Toyin Ibitoye said Ndi - major competition, having been top scorer and player of the and team doctors had hoped World Cup training, an official di’s recovery has been ahead of tournament at UEFA EURO 2016. Griezmann provided four he would quickly recover. said yesterday. Wilfred Ndidi schedule. goals and four assists for Les Bleus in the Russia 2018 qualifiers.