World Cup Digest

All the latest World Cup news with just 6 days to go

Italy may have lost Pirlo

MIDFIELDER Andrea Pirlo looks set to be sidelined for Italy’s World Cup opener against Paraguay on June 14th with a calf injury and he could even miss the entire tournament.

The 2006 World Cup winner, injured in Thursday’s 2-1 friendly defeat by Mexico, will definitely sit out today’s final warm-up with Switzerland in Geneva.

“It’s an injury which worries me but there’s time,” team doctor Enrico Castellacci said. “The intention is to take him to South Africa to see if he can be fit. Maybe not for the first game but before June 13th we can change players in the squad.”

The 31-year-old Pirlo, who would have been a definite starter, has left the Azzurri’s training camp in the Italian Alps to rest at home but will fly out with the team on Tuesday.

France given Chinese burn

FRANCE slumped to a surprise 1-0 defeat by China in their final game warm-up yesterday.

The former world champions, playing on the French Indian Ocean island of Reunion for the first time, did nothing to suggest they could make an impact at the June 11th-July 11th finals in South Africa.

China, who did not qualify for the World Cup, scored against the run of play in the 68th minute through midfielder Deng Zhuoxiang’s 25-metre free-kick.

Raymond Domenech’s men play their first World Cup match against Uruguay on Friday in Cape Town.

Novakovic puts Slovenia clear

MILIVOJE Novakovic scored twice as Slovenia beat fellow qualifiers New Zealand 3-1 in Maribor last night.

The home side took the lead on six minutes before New Zealand equalized through Rory Fallon 14 minutes later. Slovenia again took the lead through Novakovic before Andraz Kirm completed the scoring just before half time.

Torres looking good for return

FERNANDO Torres may get some playing time in Spain’s warm-up with Poland on Tuesday as the Liverpool striker continues his recovery from knee surgery, coach Vicente Del Bosque said yesterday.

Torres was the only player in Del Bosque’s 23-man squad to miss the European champions’ games against Saudi Arabia and South Korea over the past week, with injury concerns Cesc Fabregas and Andres Iniesta close to full fitness.

“We have a positive feeling, even though it will be tight,” Del Bosque said of Torres.

Kaka claims to be fighting fit

KAKA has reassured Brazil he is in “great condition” after overcoming his injury problems. The Real Madrid playmaker’s participation at the World Cup was threatened by a groin injury that contributed to his loss of form this season. But Kaka insists he will be firing on all cylinders when Brazil play their first match against North Korea on June 15th.

“I am getting better every day The injury does not bother me anymore,” he said. “I’ve been doing everything planned so far and by the time we play the opener I will be in great condition.”

Portugal and Ivory Coast are also in Group G.