The Word on the Street
19 Jun 2006Blatter rules out video evidence
FIFA president Sepp Blatter on Monday ruled out the use of video evidence to solve contentious refereeing decisions.
The latest clamour for technological innovation came after France claimed that Patrick Vieira had had a perfectly good goal ruled out when his 32nd minute effort crossed the line in the 1-1 draw with South Korea on Sunday.
"I don't think that stopping the match (to make a decision) to be the ideal solution," Blatter told French radio station RMC.
Blatter favours using the 'smartball' which contains a micro-chip and was trialled at the world under-17 championship in Peru last year.
Bleary-eyed Aussies proud of pushing Brazil
The sleep-deprived green and gold army that cheered Australia on through the early hours in their homeland Monday were disappointed but not dejected at the Socceroos' battling 2-0 loss to Brazil.
In Melbourne's Federation Square, crowd numbers exceeded those seen at New Year celebrations, as fans scrambled onto chairs, tables and even the window sills of nearby office buildings to gain a big screen vantage point.
"We definitely rattled them, they knew they'd been in a game," Socceroos fan Fabian Camerino told AFP. "It was great to see us in the World Cup against Brazil -- the world champions -- and we weren't intimidated."
Fans crammed into the square hoping for a giant-killing victory, many draped in Australian flags or yellow Socceroos' jerseys, pounding drums and chanting "ole, ole, ole".
Eriksson hails Ferdinand on milestone
England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson on Monday hailed Rio Ferdinand as the most elegant defender in the world as the Manchester United star prepared to win his 50th cap.
Ferdinand has consistently proved cool under pressure.
"Rio is one of the most elegant central defenders in the world today," said Eriksson ahead of England's match with Sweden here on Tuesday.
"He's incredible, he's quick, a good header, good technique. He has everything and I'm very happy that he is playing like he is playing at the moment.
"Congratulations to him on 50 caps, it's a great number.
Ghana say sorry for Israeli flag
Ghana's World Cup team apologised on Monday after defender John Pantsil waved an Israeli flag to celebrate his team's goals.
Pantsil, who plays for Israeli club Hapoel Tel Aviv, celebrated both goals in Ghana's 2-0 win over the Czech Republic in Cologne on Saturday by pulling an Israeli flag out of his sock and waving it at the cameras.
Ghana team spokesman Randy Abbey said at the team's training base: "It was a thank you to his fans in the Israeli league.
"It was naive, he was not aware of the consequences of his actions. We apologise to everyone who felt offended by this.
"It was not an official message from the Ghanaian team. We do not represent Israeli politics or the politics of any other country. We are just here to play football."
Pantsil's action sparked a barrage of insults and furious reactions in newspapers in Egypt on Monday.
Japanese fans praying for miracle against Brazil
Desperate fans across Japan were left praying Monday for a repeat of their miracle win over Brazil at the 1996 Olympics, with hopes of remaining in the World Cup now resting on beating the title holders.
Led by Brazilian coach Zico, Japan pulled out a 0-0 draw with Croatia in an unimpressive second game Sunday, meaning that they now have to defeat the powerhouse side to survive.
"Japan is surviving as its head hasn't been chopped off yet, although it is hanging by a thin piece of skin," wrote the Tokyo Chunichi Sports newspaper. "Japan must defeat Brazil. God, make a miracle!"
McBride's birthday goal
US forward Brian McBride celebrates his 34th birthday in Munich Monday by starting workouts for what might be his final World Cup match, hoping to delay the farewell beyond Thursday's showdown with Ghana.
With 30 goals in 94 caps, McBride ranks second on the all-time US scoring list, four shy of matching Eric Wynalda's record.
Scoring against Ghana also would give McBride a goal in three World Cups. He prooduced the lone US goal in a winless 1998 campaign and added goals in 2002 triumphs over Mexico and Portugal.
"He brings confidence and experience to our team," US coach Bruce Arena said. "He's invaluable to this team on the field and off the field. He's a key figure for us in this World Cup run."
Park goal triggers early morning frenzy
Thousands of bleary-eyed South Koreans trooped to work Monday tired but happy after staying up all night to watch their team draw 1-1 with France in the World Cup.
Park Ji-Sung, the Manchester United midfielder, was the toast of the nation after his 81st minute goal tied the match, giving his side every hope of making the knock-out stage.
"We have overcome," said the JoongAng Ilbo newspaper, showing a full-page colour photo of hero Park and his teammates jigging down the pitch in Leipzig, Germany.
"Park Ji Sung kicks off a morning of fenzy," read the headline in the biggest selling newspaper, the Chosun Ilbo, which delayed a print run until after the final whistle.
Police said more than 700,000 supporters spent the night on the streets to cheer on the team in front of big-screen TVs. Millions more watched at home, with live broadcasts provided by all three major networks.
Posh, WAGS go shopping-shopping in Baden-Baden
Victoria Beckham and the other England World Cup 'WAGS' (wives and girlfriends) stormed the luxury boutiques of Baden-Baden at the weekend, spending 80,000 euros (101,000 dollars) in one hour, according to a report Monday.
"While their bread-winners trained for the next match on Tuesday, the ladies worked on their shopping endurance," said mass market daily Bild.
The women spent 4,395 euros in 10 minutes alone on shoes and T-shirts, with the rest going for creations from Dolce and Gabbana, Prada and Versace, according to the report.
"I hope England stays in the competition for a while," delighted boutique owner Monika Scholz was quoted as saying.
Ricardo promises penalty strip-show
Portugal goalkeeper Ricardo says he would strip down to his underwear if it helped win a penalty shoot-out.
Ricardo unusually removed his gloves during Portugal's penalties win over England in the Euro 2004 quarter-finals, when he saved from Darius Vassell before thumping home the winning kick himself.
"That wasn't something planned, it was totally spontaneous," Ricardo said.
"But for the team to qualify I would even take my trousers off."
He added that Portugal were working hard on their spot-kicks with the knock-out stages looming.
Ronaldo on the rise says Parreira
Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said he intended to give under-fire striker Ronaldo more game time against Japan in Brazil's final group match in Dortmund on Thursday to help him recover match fitness.
Parreira remains a strong supporter of Ronaldo, who set up the opener in the 2-0 win over Australia and who needs one more goal to move ahead of Pele as Brazil's top all-time World Cup goalscorer.
"Ronaldo is getting fitter and he needs more games to get fit after not playing for two months," Parreira told his post-match press conference.
"Today he was much better than against Croatia and maybe he will get another 70 minutes against Japan to help him get fitter."
Ronaldo was substituted for Robinho after 70 minutes on Sunday.