World Cup » News » Football: Socceroos say won’t be overawed in Brazil

Football: Socceroos say won’t be overawed in BrazilNemanja Matić in duel met Lionel Messi. (05-12-2012)

Australia stars Jason Davidson and Matthew Spiranovic said Friday they were rapidly acclimatizing to Brazil after their marathon trip from Sydney and ready to tackle three daunting World Cup group rivals.

Bookies make Ange Postecoglou’s team, the first to arrive in Brazil, rank outsiders as they face Chile in Cuiaba on June 13 before tackling 2010 runners up Holland on June 18 in Porto Alegre and then champions Spain in Curitiba five days later.

But the Aussies say the underdog tag could work in their favor.

“If the other teams under-estimate us or become complacent we can definitely take advantage of that,” said Spiranovic, who enjoyed a sterling season with Western Sydney Wanderers.

“It’s been a good year for me personally and for my club — I can take that confidence into the World Cup,” said the 25-year-old.

Davidson meanwhile went on an early charm offensive as he put to good use Portuguese language skills learned from two seasons spent in Portugal before joining Dutch side Almelo.

“Ola boa tarde. Este cidade e muito bonita (good afternoon this city is very beautiful),” said Davidson as he addressed the media.

Bedding in as a regular under Postecoglou, Davidson said: “the training facilities are fantastic and the pitch is very good. We are very happy to have good facilities and now we can concentrate on training.

Asked if he felt he could cement his recent run in the side, Davidson said: “You’re only as good as your last game. I’m just trying to work hard so I don’t let anyone else take my position.

“It looks like I’m doing the right thing and hopefully, like I said, I’m going to work hard in training camp in Brazil and try to keep the position for the first game against Chile.”

His debut two years ago featured an own-goal against Scotland — but he has put that behind him.

“Obviously it wasn’t the ideal debut, but I think I just tried to work hard at club level and with the national team as well and tried to earn my spot here.”

Davidson agreed with Spiranovic that the Socceroos plan to give as good as they get in Group B.

“We’re going in as underdogs and it’s up to us to work hard and try to prove a point. We can use that to our advantage and try to upset a couple of teams at the World Cup,” he insisted.

Football » News » AFP Sports Schedule for Saturday May 31

AFP Sports Schedule for Saturday May 31

AFP Sports Schedule for Saturday May 31:

WORLD CUP FOOTBALL

Twenty-first part of AFP’s preview package filed ahead of the June 12 start of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

See separate advisory.

Pre-World Cup friendlies: Uruguay v Northern Ireland, Chile v Egypt, Bosnia v Ivory Coast, Portugal v Greece, Italy v Republic of Ireland, Netherlands v Ghana, Norway v Russia, Croatia v Mali

Master slug: Fbl-WC-2014

World Cup » News » Football: Hodgson defends England’s lacklustre Rooney

Football: Hodgson defends England’s lacklustre RooneyDanny Welbeck (l.) rekt samen met land- en clubgenoot Wayne Rooney (r.). (30-05-2014)

England manager Roy Hodgson said that he was satisfied with Wayne Rooney despite the Manchester United striker producing a subdued showing in his country’s 3-0 friendly win over Peru.

Goals from Daniel Sturridge, Gary Cahill and Phil Jagielka enabled England to sign off with victory in their final pre-World Cup game on home soil on Friday, but Rooney played a peripheral role.

The 28-year-old, who missed United’s last three games of the season with a groin injury, threatened only once, with a first-half header, before being replaced by Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling in the 66th minute.

However, Hodgson said that he was encouraged by the former Everton striker’s display after a month of inactivity.

“I was happy with Wayne Rooney’s performance,” Hodgson said.

“We think we know where he is. We think we know how his fitness is being maintained or progressing. We obviously took him off tonight (Friday). Him and (Steven) Gerrard are important members of our squad.

“We’re not blessed with loads of senior players and at 3-0 it seemed to be a great opportunity to give younger ones a go.

“I don’t have any fears in that respect (about Rooney’s fitness). His attitude and commitment are first-class, even in a game of this nature. And he’s got two more weeks to keep that going.”

Hodgson saw all of his players come through Friday’s game unscathed and described it as “the perfect end to a perfect two weeks”.

Having previously completed a warm-weather training camp in Portugal last week, England will fly to Miami on Sunday, where they face Ecuador and Honduras in two further warm-up games.

Hodgson explained that the decision to withdraw Leighton Baines late in the game against Peru was “pure caution” after the Everton left-back felt discomfort in his calf.

He also revealed that Phil Jones and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are in line to start Tuesday’s game against Ecuador in Miami after proving their fitness in training this week.

United defender Jones damaged his shoulder towards the end of the season, while Arsenal midfielder Oxlade-Chamberlain has been working to overcome a groin problem.

“They’re going to play on Tuesday,” said Hodgson, who handed Everton defender John Stones his international debut against Peru.

“They could have both played tonight, but I determined that they would start the game on Tuesday and we had number of substitutes on the bench.

“We decided it would be better for them to do an extra day’s training. We’ve got Saturday free and Sunday’s a travelling day, so rather than have them with three days with no training, we chose to train them.”

Peru coach Pablo Bengoechea was appointed in March after the South American side failed to qualify for the World Cup and is bidding to build a team capable of competing at next year’s Copa America in Chile.

“It’s the start of a new cycle,” he said.

“But although it was a good start, and we can start learning about the players and the squad, it’s not preparation in terms of the Copa America because this is a European side we were playing against.”

On England’s chances of success at the World Cup, he added: “This was a warm-up game. I guess the England manager is reasonably satisfied with their performance, but the really tough stuff is still to come.”

Cup » News » AFP Sports diary for May 31 to June 27

AFP Sports diary for May 31 to June 27Virgil van Dijk neemt de bal op de volley tijdens Celtic – St. Mirren. (22-3-2014)

AFP Sports diary for May 31 to June 27:

Saturday, May 31

FOOTBALL: World Cup friendlies

CRICKET: England v Sri Lanka at Lord’s, 4th ODI

CYCLING: Tour of Italy (until June 1)

TENNIS: ATP and WTA at French Open (ends June 8)

GOLF: EPGA at Nordea Masters, Malmo, Sweden; USPGA at Memorial Tournament, Dublin, Ohio (end June 1); LPGA at ShopRite LPGA Classic, Galloway (ends June 1)

RUGBY UNION: Super-15 Round 16, France Top-14 final at Paris, English Premiership final at Twickenham

ATHLETICS: Diamond League, Eugene

MOTOR RACING: Indy Cars, Detroit

Sunday, June 1

FOOTBALL: World Cup friendlies

MOTORCYCLING: Italian MotoGP, Mugello

FIELD HOCKEY: World Cup (men and women), The Hague (to June 15)

CYCLING: Tour of Italy (ends)

TENNIS: ATP and WTA at French Open (ends June 8)

GOLF: EPGA at Nordea Masters, Malmo, Sweden; USPGA at Memorial Tournament, Dublin, Ohio; LPGA at ShopRite LPGA Classic, Galloway (end)

MOTOR RACING: Indy Cars, Detroit

RACING: Prix du Jockey Club, Chantilly

RUGBYU: England v Barbarians, Twickenham

Monday, June 2

FOOTBALL: World Cup friendlies

TENNIS: ATP and WTA at French Open (ends June 8)

FIELD HOCKEY: World Cup (men and women), The Hague (to June 15)

Tuesday, June 3

TENNIS: ATP and WTA at French Open (ends June 8)

FOOTBALL: World Cup friendlies

CRICKET: England v Sri Lanka at Birmingham, 5th ODI

FIELD HOCKEY: World Cup (men and women), The Hague (to June 15)

Wednesday, June 4

TENNIS: ATP and WTA at French Open (ends June 8)

FOOTBALL: World Cup friendlies

FIELD HOCKEY: World Cup (men and women), The Hague (to June 15)

Thursday, June 5

TENNIS: ATP and WTA at French Open (ends June 8)

FOOTBALL: World Cup friendlies

GOLF: USPGA at St Jude Classic, Memphis; LPGA at Ontario, Canada; Asian Tour at Koh Samui, Thailand; EPGA at Atzenbrugg, Austria (until June 8)

FIELD HOCKEY: World Cup (men and women), The Hague (to June 15)

ATHLETICS: Diamond League, Rome

BASKETBALL: NBA finals start

RALLYING: Rally of Italy (until June 8)

Friday, June 6

TENNIS: ATP and WTA at French Open (ends June 8)

FOOTBALL: World Cup friendlies

GOLF: USPGA at St Jude Classic, Memphis; LPGA at Ontario, Canada; Asian Tour at Koh Samui, Thailand; EPGA at Atzenbrugg, Austria (until June 8)

FIELD HOCKEY: World Cup (men and women), The Hague (to June 15)

RALLYING: Rally of Italy (until June 8)

HORSE RACING: Epsom Oaks, Epsom

Saturday, June 7

TENNIS: ATP and WTA at French Open (ends June 8)

FOOTBALL: World Cup friendlies

RUGBYU: Australia v France in Brisbane; New Zealand v England in Auckland; Argentina v Ireland in Resistencia; USA v Scotland in Houston

GOLF: USPGA at St Jude Classic, Memphis; LPGA at Ontario, Canada; Asian Tour at Koh Samui, Thailand; EPGA at Atzenbrugg, Austria (until June 8)

FIELD HOCKEY: World Cup (men and women), The Hague (to June 15)

RALLYING: Rally of Italy (until June 8)

HORSE RACING: Epsom Derby; Belmont Stakes, Belmont Park

AUTO: IndyCar at Fort Worth, Texas

Sunday, June 8

TENNIS: ATP and WTA at French Open (ends)

GOLF: USPGA at St Jude Classic, Memphis; LPGA at Ontario, Canada; Asian Tour at Koh Samui, Thailand; EPGA at Atzenbrugg, Austria (end)

FIELD HOCKEY: World Cup (men and women), The Hague (to June 15)

RALLYING: Rally of Italy (ends)

FORMULA ONE: Canada GP, Montreal

CYCLING: Criterium du Dauphine (ends June 15)

CRICKET: West Indies v New Zealand at Kingston, 1st Test – Day 1 (ends June 12)

Monday, June 9

TENNIS: ATP at Halle, Queens; WTA at Birmingham, Nuremberg (end June 15)

FIELD HOCKEY: World Cup (men and women), The Hague (to June 15)

CYCLING: Criterium du Dauphine (ends June 15)

CRICKET: West Indies v New Zealand at Kingston, 1st Test – Day 2 (ends June 12)

Tuesday, June 10

TENNIS: ATP at Halle, Queens; WTA at Birmingham, Nuremberg (end June 15)

FIELD HOCKEY: World Cup (men and women), The Hague (to June 15)

CYCLING: Criterium du Dauphine (ends June 15)

CRICKET: West Indies v New Zealand at Kingston, 1st Test – Day 3 (ends June 12)

Wednesday, June 11

ATHLETICS: Diamond League, Oslo

TENNIS: ATP at Halle, Queens; WTA at Birmingham, Nuremberg (end June 15)

FIELD HOCKEY: World Cup (men and women), The Hague (to June 15)

CYCLING: Criterium du Dauphine (ends June 15)

CRICKET: West Indies v New Zealand at Kingston, 1st Test – Day 4 (ends June 12)

Thursday, June 12

FOOTBALL: 2014 World Cup finals, Brazil (ends July 13)

TENNIS: ATP at Halle, Queens; WTA at Birmingham, Nuremberg (end June 15)

FIELD HOCKEY: World Cup (men and women), The Hague (to June 15)

CYCLING: Criterium du Dauphine (ends June 15)

CRICKET: West Indies v New Zealand at Kingston, 1st Test – Day 5 (ends); England v Sri Lanka at Lord’s, 1st Test – Day 1 (ends June 16)

GOLF: US Open, Pinehurst (ends June 15)

Friday, June 13

FOOTBALL: 2014 World Cup finals, Brazil (ends July 13)

TENNIS: ATP at Halle, Queens; WTA at Birmingham, Nuremberg (end June 15)

FIELD HOCKEY: World Cup (men and women), The Hague (to June 15)

CYCLING: Criterium du Dauphine (ends June 15)

CRICKET: England v Sri Lanka at Lord’s, 1st Test – Day 2 (ends June 16)

GOLF: US Open, Pinehurst (ends June 15)

Saturday, June 14

TENNIS: ATP at Halle, Queens; WTA at Birmingham, Nuremberg (end June 15)

FIELD HOCKEY: World Cup (men and women), The Hague (to June 15)

CYCLING: Criterium du Dauphine (ends June 15); Tour of Switzerland (ends June 22)

CRICKET: England v Sri Lanka at Lord’s, 1st Test – Day 3 (ends June 16)

GOLF: US Open, Pinehurst (ends June 15)

RUGBY UNION: New Zealand v England, South Africa v Wales, Canada v Scotland, Argentina v Ireland

Sunday, June 15

FOOTBALL: 2014 World Cup finals, Brazil (ends July 13)

TENNIS: ATP at Halle, Queens; WTA at Birmingham, Nuremberg (ends)

FIELD HOCKEY: World Cup (men and women), The Hague (ends)

CYCLING: Criterium du Dauphine (ends); Tour of Switzerland (ends June 22)

CRICKET: England v Sri Lanka at Lord’s, 1st Test – Day 4 (ends June 16); Bangladesh v India at Dhaka, 1st ODI

ATHLETICS: Diamond League meet New York

GOLF: US Open, Pinehurst (ends)

MOTORCYCLING: Catalonia GP, Barcelona

Monday, June 16

FOOTBALL: 2014 World Cup finals, Brazil (ends July 13)

CRICKET: England v Sri Lanka at Lord’s, 1st Test – Day 5 (ends); West Indies v New Zealand at Port of Spain, 2nd Test (ends June 20)

TENNIS: ATP and WTA at Eastbourne (ends June 21)

CYCLING: Tour of Switzerland (ends June 22)

Tuesday, June 17

FOOTBALL: 2014 World Cup finals, Brazil (ends July 13)

TENNIS: ATP and WTA at Eastbourne (ends June 21)

HORSE RACING: Royal Ascot (ends June 21)

CRICKET: West Indies v New Zealand at Port of Spain, 2nd Test (ends June 20); Bangladesh v India at Dhaka, 2nd ODI

CYCLING: Tour of Switzerland (ends June 22)

Wednesday, June 18

FOOTBALL: 2014 World Cup finals, Brazil (ends July 13)

TENNIS: ATP and WTA at Eastbourne (ends June 21)

HORSE RACING: Royal Ascot (ends June 21)

CRICKET: West Indies v New Zealand at Port of Spain, 2nd Test (ends June 20)

CYCLING: Tour of Switzerland (ends June 22)

Thursday, June 19

FOOTBALL: 2014 World Cup finals, Brazil (ends July 13)

TENNIS: ATP and WTA at Eastbourne (ends June 21)

HORSE RACING: Royal Ascot (ends June 21)

CRICKET: West Indies v New Zealand at Port of Spain, 2nd Test (ends June 20); Bangladesh v India at Dhaka, 3rd ODI

GOLF: The EPGA Irish Open at Co. Cork (ends June 22)

CYCLING: Tour of Switzerland (ends June 22)

Friday, June 20

FOOTBALL: 2014 World Cup finals, Brazil (ends July 13)

TENNIS: ATP and WTA at Eastbourne (ends June 21)

CRICKET: England v Sri Lanka 2nd Test, Headingley (ends June 24); West Indies v New Zealand at Port of Spain, 2nd Test (ends)

HORSE RACING: Royal Ascot (ends June 21)

GOLF: The EPGA Irish Open at Co. Cork (ends June 22)

CYCLING: Tour of Switzerland (ends June 22)

Saturday, June 21

FOOTBALL: 2014 World Cup finals, Brazil (ends July 13)

TENNIS: ATP and WTA at Eastbourne (ends)

CRICKET: England v Sri Lanka 2nd Test, Headingley (ends June 24)

HORSE RACING: Royal Ascot (ends)

RUGBY UNION: New Zealand v England, Argentina v Scotland

ATHLETICS: European Team Championships, Germany (ends June 22)

GOLF: The EPGA Irish Open at Co. Cork (ends June 22)

CYCLING: Tour of Switzerland (ends June 22)

Sunday, June 22

FOOTBALL: 2014 World Cup finals, Brazil (ends July 13)

CRICKET: England v Sri Lanka 2nd Test, Headingley (ends June 24)

ATHLETICS: European Team Championships, Germany (ends)

FORMULA ONE: Austrian Grand Prix at Spielberg

GOLF: The EPGA Irish Open at Co. Cork (ends)

CYCLING: Tour of Switzerland (ends)

Monday, June 23

FOOTBALL: 2014 World Cup finals, Brazil (ends July 13)

CRICKET: England v Sri Lanka 2nd Test, Headingley (ends June 24)

TENNIS: Wimbledon (ends July 6)

Tuesday, June 24

FOOTBALL: 2014 World Cup finals, Brazil (ends July 13)

CRICKET: England v Sri Lanka 2nd Test, Headingley (ends)

TENNIS: Wimbledon (ends July 6)

Wednesday, June 25

FOOTBALL: 2014 World Cup finals, Brazil (ends July 13)

TENNIS: Wimbledon (ends July 6)

Thursday, June 26

FOOTBALL: 2014 World Cup finals, Brazil (ends July 13)

TENNIS: Wimbledon (ends July 6)

GOLF: EPGA at Cologne, Germany (ends June 29)

Friday, June 27

FOOTBALL: 2014 World Cup finals, Brazil (ends July 13)

TENNIS: Wimbledon (ends July 6)

GOLF: EPGA at Cologne, Germany (ends June 29)

Premiership » News » RugbyU: Edwards try inspires O’Callaghan’s Barbarian dream

RugbyU: Edwards try inspires O’Callaghan’s Barbarian dreamVirgil van Dijk neemt de bal op de volley tijdens Celtic – St. Mirren. (22-3-2014)

Ireland lock Donncha O’Callaghan will realise a childhood ambition when he runs out for the Barbarians against England at Twickenham on Sunday.

Although not normally accorded Test status, matches for the Barbarians — rugby union’s most famous invitational side — have traditionally been regarded as a significant honour for the players selected.

The Barbarians’ most celebrated fixture was their 23-11 win against New Zealand in Cardiff in 1973.

Gareth Edwards’s opening score, when the outstanding Wales scrum-half finished off a seven-man length-of-the-field move initiated by half-back partner Phil Bennett, is widely regarded as one of rugby’s greatest tries.

And it certainly was in the O’Callaghan household where the future Munster second row and his brothers wore out the BBC compilation videotape of 101 Greatest Tries by constantly replaying Edwards’s stunning effort.

O’Callaghan’s older brother Ultan played for the Barbarians against the Combined Services in 2002 and the British and Irish Lions second row said he was delighted to follow him in wearing the famous black-and-white hooped jersey.

“We were a rugby-mad house growing up,” said O’Callaghan after winning selection in a line-up boasting more than 700 caps and captained by Argentina back-row forward Juan Manuel Leguizamon, one of 13 players at French clubs in the starting XV.

“We had the 101 Greatest Tries video, and I remember after about three months you couldn’t watch the 1973 try against New Zealand any more because the tape was so worn, from just rewinding over and over,” he recalled.

“Growing up with three older brothers, when we played rugby in the garden it was always the Baa-Baas (Barbarians) versus Ireland, because no one ever wanted to be Scotland or England!

“Even back then you threw the ball around when you did it. That’s the tradition.

“I’m delighted: I was ready to swim over when I got the call. It’s an honour to be thought good enough even to be in the room with players of this calibre frankly,” added O’Callaghan, himself capped 94 times by Ireland.

It will be an unfamiliar England side that takes the field on Sunday.

Not only is coach Stuart Lancaster already in New Zealand with his initial squad ahead of next weekend’s first Test against the world champion All Blacks, but England players with Premiership finalists Saracens and Northampton are unavailable for Sunday’s non-cap match because of their clash at Twickenham 24 hours earlier.

Uncapped Leicester lock Graham Kitchener will captain England in a side where the most experienced internationals are Bath centre Jonathan Joseph (six caps) and Gloucester’s four-cap wing Charlie Sharples.

However, Lancaster hasn’t ruled out calling up further reinforcements for the New Zealand tour from those who impress against the Barbarians, as well as from the ranks of Saracens and Northampton.

“We have seen 10 players involved in these Barbarians fixtures over the last two years who have gone on to win caps for England,” said Joe Lydon, head of international player development at England’s Rugby Football Union.

Nevertheless Sunday’s match provides the Barbarians with an ideal chance to prove their worth following their much-criticised display in a heavy defeat by the Lions (59-8) in Hong Kong last year — a warm-up for the combined side’s tour of Australia that England’s 2003 World Cup-winning coach Clive Woodward labelled “a waste of time”.

While the social side of the Barbarians has always been part of their appeal, Dean Ryan, their coach this weekend, said: “I think everyone has a responsibility to make this fixture competitive because the history of the Barbarians is there, but the here and now needs to be looked after as much as everything else.”

And O’Callaghan for one thinks he might fit in with at least part of the new regime.

“Two of the big values you need for the Baa Baas I might not have had: I’m a non-drinker and I’ve spent my career hitting rucks and mauling!” he said.

Cup » News » Football: Iraq holds poll amid FIFA suspension threat

Football: Iraq holds poll amid FIFA suspension threatSt. Gallens Mario Mutsch (l.) musste nach 66 Minuten mit Gelbrot wegen wiederholten Foulspiels vom Platz.

Iraq’s football association is due to finally hold long-postponed elections for its board Saturday, following threats from the sport’s global governing body that postponing them any further risks indefinite suspension.

IFA board elections have long been plagued by chaos and allegations of political meddling, with polls originally held in July 2011 marred by claims of malpractice, while efforts in recent months to finally hold a new vote have been blighted by multiple delays and apparent threats of violence.

The never-ending crises, which mirror the standoffs and deadlocks in Iraq’s national politics, have overshadowed a rare issue with cross-sectarian appeal in a country grappling with fragile communal ties amid deteriorating security.

A 75-member committee made up of the heads of local clubs, provincial sports officials and others is due to select a president, two deputies and an eight-member board in a vote at 1:00 pm (1000 GMT) at a central Baghdad hotel.

The main poll pits current president Najeh Hmoud against his deputy Abdulkhaliq Massud, after contested elections won by Hmoud in 2011 were annulled by the Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport based on claims of multiple problems with vote.

The IFA was originally due to hold these elections in January, following the CAS ruling, but balloting was postponed until April, and then finally to Saturday.

The multiple delays spurred world football’s governing body FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation to warn that if the polls were not held by the end of May, the IFA faced “immediate and indefinite suspension”.

FIFA and the AFC also alleged in a letter that in the lead-up to the planned April vote, “the AFC representative received threatening phone calls during his mission.”

Although FIFA insists that football must be free of politics, in Iraq politics permeates nearly everything, including sport.

In July 2013, FIFA barred Iraq from hosting international friendlies due to a surge in violence, reversing a decision three months earlier to allow the country to host such matches.

But despite the near-constant chaos, football continues to dominate Iraq’s sporting landscape, with cafes routinely packed with supporters cheering on the national side.

The team failed to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, however, and has struggled to replicate its stunning success in the 2007 Asia Cup when Iraq emerged triumphant, giving the country a rare national symbol as it was mired in a brutal Sunni-Shiite sectarian war.

World Cup » News » Football: Sturridge can’t wait for first taste of World Cup

Football: Sturridge can’t wait for first taste of World CupDaniel Sturridge (m.) wint een kopduel van Fabricio Coloccini (l.) en Mike Williamson (r.). (11-5-2014)

England forward Daniel Sturridge admits he can’t wait to get started at the World Cup after cementing his place with a majestic goal in the 3-0 win over Peru.

Sturridge produced a strike good enough to grace the World Cup final, let alone a low-key friendly, as his sublime curler into the top corner ended Peru’s stubborn resistence late in the first half of Friday’s clash at Wembley.

It was the Liverpool striker’s fourth goal in 11 appearances for England and his third in his last five starts, making it almost certain he will feature in the starting line-up when Roy Hodgson’s team begin their World Cup campaign against Italy in the sweltering tropical heat of Manaus on June 14.

Before the big kick-off in Brazil, Hodgson’s squad head to Miami for a training camp and two more friendlies against Honduras and Ecuador, but Sturridge is already thinking about how it will feel to take part in his first World Cup.

“It’s within touching distance. Everybody is looking forward to it,” Sturridge said.

“It’s going to be a great time for everybody. It’s my first World Cup and I’m looking forward to embracing everything that it brings.

“I understand that it is a huge occasion. It is the pinnacle of everyone’s careers and I can’t wait to get there and be a part of what England are trying to do.”

Sturridge has emerged as one of the most lethal hitmen in the Premier League this season and has had no problems transferring that form onto the international stage.

Following his match-winner against Denmark in England’s previous friendly in March, this was a real statement of intent from Sturridge.

But the soft-spoken 24-year-old was keen to deflect the plaudits and insisted he would happily sacrifice individual praise for the team to do well in Brazil.

“I was pleased but it isn’t about myself, it’s about the team and working as a unit,” he said.

“Everybody takes praise from this game. The defence kept a clean-sheet and the midfield worked tirelessly. It was great preparation for the Italy game.”

Given England’s tough group, which includes Uruguay and Costa Rica as well as Italy, and the team’s repeated underachievement at major tournament, there is little expectation England will return home with their first World Cup crown since 1966.

But Sturridge sees parallels with the way Liverpool ignored the critics to mount a serious challenge for the Premier League this season.

“There are no real favourites, everyone’s got a chance, just like the Premier League,” he said.

“Last season no one would have said Liverpool would be challenging and have a chance of winning the title, so regardless of whether we have pressure or if people think we will or won’t win it, that doesn’t matter.”

Sturridge now has 27 goals for club and country this term and Steven Gerrard, his captain with England and Liverpool, knows his side will need more magic for the striker to thrive in Brazil.

“That will do wonders for his confidence,” Gerrard said.

“If we are going to do well in this World Cup and progress in the tournament, we need our strikers to produce moments like that. He delivered and I’m pleased for him.”

Gerrard struck a note of caution as England prepared to fly out to Miami however, insisting there is still work to be done to improve on the team’s low-key performance against minnows Peru.

“I’m happy, I wouldn’t say I’m delighted. There are still things to work on,” Gerrard said.

“We are in good shape, but as you know it’s going to get more and more difficult as we move along so it’s important we keep improving.

“It’s exciting because we are near the start of the tournament.

“But I don’t think we are ready to peak yet. We have worked really hard in training so we were a little bit leaden against Peru.”

World Cup » News » Football: Spain name Costa, Torres and Villa in World Cup squad

Football: Spain name Costa, Torres and Villa in World Cup squadSergio Ramos viert het winnen van de Champions League. Voetbal.com Foto van de Week. (24-5-2014)

Experienced strikers Fernando Torres and David Villa were both included in Vicente del Bosque’s final 23-man World Cup squad on Saturday as he sought to cover Diego Costa’s injured hamstring.

Brazil-born Atletico Madrid striker Costa has battled an ongoing hamstring problem that limited him to just nine minutes in the Champions League final defeat to city rivals Real, a week after he was forced off 15 minutes into his side’s La Liga title decider with Barcelona.

Del Bosque also left strikers Jesus Navas, Alvaro Negredo and Fernando Llorente, midfielder Ander Iturraspe, and defenders Alberto Moreno and Dani Carvajal out of his squad, the six having been named in his initial 30-man list.

Defending champions Spain face Chile, the Netherlands and Australia in World Cup Group B. Their first match pits them on June 13 against the Netherlands — their opponents in their 2010 World Cup final triumph.

World Cup » News » Football: Germany’s Neuer, Lahm treated in Munich

Football: Germany’s Neuer, Lahm treated in MunichDaniel Van Buyten (l.) viert de bekerwinst met een bierdouche voor Josep Guardiola (r.) na afloop van Borussia Dortmund – Bayern München. Voetbal.com Foto van de Week. (17-5-2014

Germany’s World Cup squad jetted to Moenchengladbach for Sunday’s friendly against Cameroon without captain Philipp Lahm and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who flew to Munich for treatment.

Joachim Loew’s squad concluded their 10-day pre-World Cup training camp in south Tirol on Saturday and flew back to Germany, for their penultimate friendly before Brazil 2014, minus Lahm and Neuer.

The Bayern Munich stars will continue to be treated in the Bavarian capital by the German Football Association’s (DFB) medical staff in their bid to be fit for Brazil.

The pair have both laboured with injuries since the German Cup final a fortnight ago when Lahm suffered an ankle knock while Neuer damaged a shoulder.

Head coach Loew has said the there are no concerns either of them will miss the opening World Cup match against Portugal in Salvador on June 16 in Group G.

Both are expected to be involved in Germany’s final warm-up match against Armenia in Mainz next Friday before the squad flies to Brazil 24 hours later.

Lahm was seen grimacing after his participation in Friday’s session at the team’s pre-World Cup training camp in the Italian Alps was cut short.

Loew insisted it was just a precautionary measure, while Neuer trained for the second consecutive day, but was again protective of his troublesome right shoulder.

Germany’s Loew will submit his final 23-man World Cup squad on Monday and must cut three names from his preliminary group.

World Cup » News » Football: Spain name Costa, Torres and Villa in World Cup squad

Football: Spain name Costa, Torres and Villa in World Cup squadSergio Ramos viert het winnen van de Champions League. Voetbal.com Foto van de Week. (24-5-2014)

Experienced strikers Fernando Torres and David Villa were both included in Spain coach Vicente del Bosque’s final 23-man World Cup squad on Saturday as he sought to cover Diego Costa’s injured hamstring.

Brazil-born Atletico Madrid striker Costa has battled an ongoing hamstring problem that limited him to just nine minutes in the Champions League final defeat to city rivals Real, a week after he was forced off 15 minutes into his side’s La Liga title decider with Barcelona.

And he did not feature in the reigning World Cup champions’ 2-0 win over Bolivia in Seville on Friday.

Del Bosque also left strikers Jesus Navas, Alvaro Negredo and Fernando Llorente, midfielder Ander Iturraspe, and defenders Alberto Moreno and Dani Carvajal out of his squad, the six having been named in his initial 30-man list.

Manchester City winger Navas has been sidelined with an ankle injury since mid-April and failed to find the favour Del Bosque granted Costa.

Spain face Chile, the Netherlands and Australia in World Cup Group B. Their first match pits them on June 13 against the Netherlands — their opponents in their 2010 World Cup final triumph.