World Cup Digest

Day 2

Bendtner to miss Netherlands game

DENMARK COACH Morten Olsen admits Nicklas Bendtner is unlikely to be fit for their World Cup opener against the Netherlands.

Bendtner, who is suffering with a nagging groin injury, has not played since May but resumed training with the squad this week, prompting speculation he could feature in the Danes’ Group E opening match on Monday.

Bendtner is likely to be replaced by Jon Dahl Tomasson for the opener if he fails to reach fitness.

Drogba likely to face Portugal

IVORY COAST captain Didier Drogba looks increasingly likely to be fit for his team’s opener against Portugal and coach Sven-Goran Eriksson insists the final decision will be down to the player himself.

Drogba underwent surgery last weekend on a broken arm sustained in the friendly against Japan and there were fears the Chelsea striker would be ruled out of the showpiece event.

“The decision to play will depend on Didier himself and the specialists,” said Eriksson.

Barca better than Argentina - Alves

BRAZIL FULL BACK Daniel Alves believes Lionel Messi struggles to replicate his Barcelona form on the international stage because the Argentina squad is inferior to that at the Nou Camp.

The Barcelona defender said: “I think the reason Messi has difficulties with Argentina is because there is no comparison between Barcelona and Argentina.

“With all respect to the players in Argentina, there is no comparison between the two. At Barcelona, he has players of his level.”

Robben rejoins Dutch squad

THE Netherlands winger Arjen Robben is to rejoin the Dutch squad today, two days before their World Cup opener against Denmark.

The Bayern Munich star suffered a tear to his hamstring in Saturday’s final pre-tournament friendly, a 6-1 win over Hungary, and remained in the Netherlands when the rest of the squad flew to South Africa.

“I haven’t seen him for a week. We will see tomorrow,” said coach Bert van Marwijk when asked about the player’s fitness.

Real Madrid midfielder Rafael van der Vaart could be in line to take his place should Robben not recover for the Group E game against Denmark.

Physio Dick van Toorn has declared Robben fit to play, but the second game against Japan seems a more likely target.