World Cup Digest

Today's other stories in brief

Presidential support

IRAN: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is uncertain about whether he will be following his national team in Germany. Iran play Mexico in their first World Cup match on June 11th in Nuremberg. "My decision depends on a lot of different things," said the state president, a noted football fan. "Whether I have time, whether I want to, and some other things."

Ahmadinejad also said he was unsurprised by the debate about his possible visit to Germany after the German Interior Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble announced he would be welcome.

"I was not at all surprised because there is a very active worldwide network of Zionists, also in Europe," said Ahmadinejad, who stood by previous statements questioning the Holocaust.

Iran managed a 2-2 draw away to Croatia yesterday. Ali Karimi opened the scoring in the 21st minute before Dado Prso equalised. Arash Borhani put Iran back into the lead with eight minutes later but a Marko Babic penalty, with seven minutes added-time played, ensured the draw.

Rooney back in fold

ENGLAND: Wayne Rooney joined the rest of England's World Cup squad when they gathered in Manchester last night to prepare for tomorrow's friendly against Hungary.

While the other players train on the Old Trafford pitch, Rooney will continue his rehabilitation at Manchester United's training ground. He hopes this week to be allowed to jog for the first time since breaking his foot on April 29th.

Rebrov's fighting fit

UKRAINE: The former Tottenham striker Sergei Rebrov will be fit for Ukraine's World Cup campaign after tests on his injured thigh revealed the damage was not serious. The 31-year-old sustained the injury in a training camp in Turkey but his coach Oleg Blokhin says he will be available in Germany.

Ukraine received a perfect send-off to the World Cup yesterday when they crushed fellow qualifiers Costa Rica 4-0 in their final warm-up on home soil.

Spain held by Russia

SPAIN: The Spanish made a lacklustre start to their World Cup preparations with a 0-0 draw against Russia on Saturday. Luis Aragones' side dominated the game but could not find a way past Alexander Borodyuk's men. Fernando Torres, David Villa and Liverpool's Luis Garcia began the game in attack in a 4-3-3 formation that Aragones has said he wants to employ in Germany.

France fail to convince

FRANCE: Coach Raymond Domenech admitted his side will have to improve to keep their World Cup dreams alive after the 1-0 win in a friendly against Mexico, with Florent Malouda scoring the only goal. And he warned his players that he is expecting a better performance against Denmark on Wednesday in Lens.

"We knew what to expect in terms of physical level," said Domenech. "We knew that we would suffer in the second half because Mexico have played more matches than us."

Fae matches the Swiss

SWITZERLAND 1 IVORY COAST 1: The sides played out a 1-1 draw on Saturday as both nations continued their World Cup build-ups.

The Swiss took the lead after 32 minutes through Bayer Leverkusen's Tranquillo Barnetta but the Ivorians hit back just after half-time through substitute Emerse Fae.

John's goal not enough

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO: The Caribbean side suffered a 2-1 defeat to Wales side in Austria on Saturday. Trinidad took the lead just past the half hour mark when Stern John stabbed in a close-range volley but Robbie Earnshaw then scored twice for the Welsh.

Trinidad are in Group B at the World Cup and begin their campaign against Sweden in Dortmund on June 10th before facing England on June 15th and Paraguay on June 20th.