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World Cup roundup FIFA gives go-ahead for Austria qualifier in Israel
ZURICH, Switzerland (AP) -- The governing body of world soccer has given Sunday's World Cup qualifier in Israel the go ahead despite security concerns from opposing Austria. The FIFA said Monday it had carried out 'a comprehensive assessment of the situation' and had requested safety guarantees from Israeli authorities. Sunday's match in Tel Aviv will determine which team qualifies to reach the playoff against Turkey for a spot in next year's soccer World Cup in Japan and South Korea. "The decision to play the match has been made on the basis of these guarantees," FIFA said. Israel reacted positively to the news. "I'm delighted with the announcement, now we can all concentrate on fully preparing for the Austria game on Sunday," Israel's coach Richard Nielsen said. Russia recall Panov for World Cup qualifierMOSCOW -- Russia coach Oleg Romanstev has recalled St Etienne striker Alexander Panov for their World Cup qualifier against Switzerland in Moscow on Saturday. Romantsev named Panov in his 20-man squad announced on Monday for the first time in over a year. Russia must avoid defeat in their final European group one qualifier to secure a spot in next year's World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea. Panov last played for Russia in their opening World Cup qualifier against Switzerland in September last year, which Russia won 1-0. He is mostly remembered for two spectacular goals he scored in Russia's 3-2 away win over world champions France in a Euro 2000 qualifier in 1999. Shortly after, Panov signed a five-year contract with French first division side St Etienne, but his career has gone downhill ever since. The stocky striker, who turned 26 earlier this month, has been plagued by various injuries over the last two years and has seen little action this season. But Romantsev, who dropped Torpedo Moscow striker Alexander Shirko and veteran defender Dmitry Khestov for the Swiss match, wants Panov to compliment in-form Spartak Moscow striker Vladimir Beschastnykh. Russia, with 20 points from nine matches, have a three-point lead over second-placed Slovenia, who face the Faroe Islands in their final qualifier on Saturday. The Swiss, in fourth place with 14 points, have only a mathematical chance of making the playoffs, even if they beat Russia. Third-placed Yugoslavia, with 16 points, play Luxembourg and also have only a slim chance of making the playoffs. The Faroe Islands and bottom-placed Luxembourg cannot reach the finals. Squad: Goalkeepers: Alexander Filimonov (Dynamo Kiev), Ruslan Nigmatullin (Lokomotiv Moscow) Defenders: Yuri Nikiforov (PSV Eindhoven), Viktor Onopko (Oviedo), Igor Chugainov and Yuri Drozdov (both Lokomotiv Moscow), Yuri Kovtun (Spartak Moscow), Vyacheslav Dayev (Torpedo Moscow) Midfielders: Alexander Mostovoi and Valery Karpin (both Celta Vigo), Dmitry Alenichev (Porto), Yegor Titov (Spartak Moscow), Dmitry Khokhlov (Real Sociedad), Sergei Semak (CSKA Moscow), Rolan Gusev (Dynamo Moscow), Andrei Karyaka (Krylya Sovietov Samara), Alexei Smertin (Girondins Bordeaux), Marat Izmailov (Lokomotiv Moscow) Forwards: Vladimir Beschastnykh (Spartak Moscow), Alexander Panov (St Etienne). Turkey confident of winning World Cup playoffISTANBUL -- Turkey coach Senol Gunes is confident of beating either Israel or Austria in a World Cup qualifying playoff, he said on Monday. Israel and Austria meet in Tel Aviv on October 7 in a match that will decide which nation clinches the runners-up spot in group seven behind winners Spain. Turkey have already secured second place in European qualifying group four behind Sweden. "It doesn't matter whether we play Austria or Israel. We will eliminate them, we have no other choice," the state-run Anatolian news agency quoted Gunes as saying. He insisted his players had learned their lesson from Turkey's defeat to Sweden earlier this month, when the Swedes scored twice in the last four minutes to win 2-1 and secure their place at the finals while forcing Turkey into the playoffs. "We'll beat whoever comes but no match is won until you've played it," Gunes said. "It is massive mistake to say it's over before the match is done." He explained that he was learning to deal with the criticism that followed the Sweden loss. "I used to be a fanatic," he said. "In the past I'd have beaten up those who attacked me. Now I get angry but I know I have no right to be angry. It's my job to work and create ideas." He gave no clue as to the team he will pick for their final group qualifying fixture against Moldova in Chisinau on Saturday, a match that Turkey can now use to experiment. He also said he was not bothered that some national team regulars, such as Hakan Sukur and Emre Belozoglu, have not been regular choices at Inter Milan. "They have contributed a great deal to the national side in the past," Gunes said. "It's not so important that they do not play so much for their sides." Gunes has also recalled two other national team regulars who have been out of the side with fitness and disciplinary problems. Blackburn Rovers' Tugay Kerimoglu and Galatasaray's Sergen Yalcin are both midfield playmakers with much to offer, but Gunes did not reveal who he would favour for a place in the starting line-up. Costa Rica's Wanchope out for qualifierSAN JOSE, Costa Rica -- An injury will keep star forward Paulo Cesar Wanchope out of Costa Rica's key World Cup qualifying game with Mexico on Sunday -- possibly shaking the chances of other teams. A weakened Costa Rican team could give Mexico a stronger shot at qualifying for the 2002 tournament. And an outright Mexican victory Sunday would add pressure on the United States. Costa Rican coach Alexandre Guimaraes said he learned of Wanchope's knee injury on Saturday, and he told reporters here he would not summon a replacement ahead of Sunday's home match against Mexico. Wanchope, who hurt his knee during training with England's Manchester City, apparently will undergo surgery and will be out for at least six weeks. Wanchope and fellow Costa Rican forward Rolando Fonseca have been deadly during qualifying, helping Costa Rica (6-1-1) qualify for the 2002 tournament. Four other teams are fighting for the two remaining spots from the North and Central America and Caribbean region: Honduras (4-2-2), Mexico and the United States (both 4-1-3) and Jamaica (2-2-4). "You can't say it's good news that the fearsome Wanchope will not play against Mexico because he is going to be operated on," wrote columnist Ramon Marquez in the Mexico City newspaper El Universal. "You can't say that: No, it would be unethical. But it's great!" The United States will qualify for its fourth straight World Cup if it wins its final two games against Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. But a tie or loss in either of those matches would put it in danger of elimination. Mexico, which leads the United States on goal difference, plays Honduras on Nov. 11. Honduras plays winless Trinidad and Tobago this weekend. Seedorf returns for Dutch World Cup qualifierAMSTERDAM -- Inter Milan's Clarence Seedorf is set to make his Dutch international comeback after a five-month absence when his side takes on Andorra in Arnhem on Saturday in their final World Cup qualifying match. Seedorf last played for the Dutch, who have failed to qualify for next year's finals in Japan and South Korea, against Cyprus at the end of April. The Netherlands last failed to qualify for a World Cup finals in 1986 and cannot now catch either Portugal or Ireland at the top of European group two. Juventus midfielder Edgar Davids, who has been banned for two matches after Italian authorities examined video evidence of an off-the-ball clash in Sunday's game against Lecce, was also named in the squad by Dutch coach Louis Van Gaal on Monday. The Dutch, who overwhelmed Estonia 5-0 last month in a consolation win after Portugal's victory in Cyprus ensured the Dutch could not qualify for the 2002 finals, will have a point to prove against Andorra, Van Gaal said. "There are already between 18,000 and 20,000 tickets sold. We have to show those people the Dutch team is alive," he said. Glasgow Ranger's Fernando Ricksen and Viktor Sikora of Vitesse were also selected. Squad: Goalkeepers: Edwin van der Sar (Fulham), Sander Westerveld (Liverpool); Defenders: Fernando Ricksen (Glasgow Rangers), Mario Melchiot (Chelsea), Kevin Hofland (PSV Eindhoven), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Arsenal), Arthur Numan (Glasgow Rangers); Midfielders: Paul Bosvelt (Feyenoord), Edgar Davids (Juventus), Danny Landzaat (Willem II), Clarence Seedorf (Internazionale); Forwards: Jerrel Hasselbaink (Chelsea), Pierre van Hooijdonk (Feyenoord), Boudewijn Zenden (Chelsea), Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United), Viktor Sikora (Vitesse), Bobby Petta (Celtic). Filipescu adds to Hagi's injury woes for Georgia matchBUCHAREST -- Real Betis defender Iulian Filipescu will miss Romania's World Cup qualifier against Georgia on Saturday, coach Gheorghe Hagi has said. Filipescu's absence is another blow for Hagi after the loss of three other key defenders for the group eight match in Bucharest. Cosmin Contra of Milan and Cristian Chivu of Ajax Amsterdam are banned after picking up two yellow cards in previous games. Hagi has also decided not to risk Steaua Bucharest central defender Mirel Radoi, who is already on one yellow card, and dropped him from the squad last week. "Filipescu suffered a muscle strain of his right leg during [Betis'] match over the weekend," Hagi said. Hagi has called up Rapid Bucharest defender Florin Soava to replace Filipescu. Soava is one of five players drafted in by Hagi from the local Romanian championship. But Hagi refused to be worried by the big-name withdrawals. "I won't complain about my poor defense against Georgia," Hagi said. "I have been able to pick several good defenders from the local championship." Italy, who face Hungary at home on Saturday, lead the group with 17 points, two more than Romania in second place. An Italy victory will see them qualify automatically for the 2002 World Cup finals. Romania cannot lose the runners-up spot to third-placed Georgia, as their opponents are six points adrift going into the final round of qualifiers. If Hagi's side do not overhaul leaders Italy, they will face the runners-up from European qualifying group one in a two-legged playoff for a place at next year's finals in Japan and South Korea.
Reuters contributed to this report. |
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