9 erring body care centers shut in Riyadh    20,000 military emblems confiscated in Riyadh    Al-Samaani visits headquarters of Hague Conference on Private International Law    KSrelief provided over $7bln to support children around the world    Al-Jasser: Saudi Arabia to expand rail network to over 8,000 km    OMODA&JAECOO: Unstoppable global cumulative sales over 360,000 units    Saudi Arabia sees 73.7% rise in investment licenses in Q3 2024    Al Hilal doesn't need extra support to bring new players, CEO says    Rust premieres at low-key film festival three years after shooting    Fate of Gaetz ethics report uncertain after congressional panel deadlocked    Ukraine fires UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles at Russia for first time    Netanyahu offers $5 million and safe passage out of Gaza to anyone returning a hostage    Indian billionaire Gautam Adani indicted in New York on fraud charges    Rafael Nadal: Farewell to the 'King of Clay'    Indonesia shocks Saudi Arabia with 2-0 victory in AFC Asian Qualifiers    Sitting too much linked to heart disease –– even if you work out    Yemeni Orchestra's captivating performances in Riyadh, showcasing shared cultural legacies    Future of Ronaldo's Al Nassr contract remains undecided, says Saudi Pro League CEO    GASTAT report: 45.1% of Saudis are overweight    Denmark's Victoria Kjær Theilvig wins Miss Universe 2024    Order vs. Morality: Lessons from New York's 1977 Blackout    India puts blockbuster Pakistani film on hold    The Vikings and the Islamic world    Filipino pilgrim's incredible evolution from an enemy of Islam to its staunch advocate    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Ronaldinho among big stars overlooked for Cup
By Robert Millward
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 13 - 05 - 2010

Ronaldinho was left out of Brazil's probable World Cup squad, Francesco Totti and Luca Toni were missing from Italy's 30-man squad and Jamie Carragher came out of retirement for England as coaches issued their provisional lists Tuesday.
The coaches of the 32 teams headed for next month's championship in South Africa faced a FIFA deadline Tuesday to announce provisional 30-man squads.
The lists included some walking wounded who hope to be fit for the tournament, some unexpected inclusions and some big names who missed out.
Brazil coach Dunga announced his main 23-man squad first, causing a fuss when Ronaldinho missed out. Dunga later unveiled a full 30-man provisional squad that included Ronaldinho, but made it clear that the AC Milan star would only be used in case of injuries.
Adriano and Neymar were left out of Brazil's 30-man squad, along with three-time FIFA world player of the year Ronaldo and veteran left back Roberto Carlos.
Dunga has stuck to most of the players who helped Brazil win last year's Confederations Cup and finish top of South American qualifying.
“These players are winners,” Dunga said. “There is no doubt that they are prepared to help Brazil reach its goal.
They are ready to give their best for the country.
“Ronaldinho's quality and capacity as a player is indisputable. But my decision has to be made based on reason. I have to make a decision based on what happens on the field.”
Karim Benzema was a surprise omission from France's provisional squad and coach Raymond Domenech said it was because of his form on the field rather than allegations of his involvement in an under-age sex scandal with an escort.
“To me this is not a concern,” said Domenech, who also left out veteran midfielder Patrick Vieira but selected off-form striker Thierry Henry. “I'm only thinking about football and about what the players want to give on the pitch.”
World Player of the Year Lionel Messi will lead Argentina's attack at the World Cup, but there was no room for veteran defender and Inter Milan captain Javier Zanetti in coach Diego Maradona's provisional list.
The 30-man Argentina squad included four high-profile forwards to support Barcelona's Messi – Gonzalo Higuain, Diego Milito, Martin Palermo and Carlos Tevez.
Ruud van Nistelrooy was left out of the Netherlands squad despite having recovered from a long-term knee injury.
Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk said the 34-year-old former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker was not at a high enough level to play at the World Cup.
There was speculation that Totti might also come out of international retirement to help Italy defend the World Cup. But when Marcello Lippi's squad was announced Tuesday, there was no sign of his name, nor that of Toni, despite seven strikers being picked.
Because the final 23 must come from these provisional lists, that means no chance for Totti of Toni unless there is a serious injury to one of the other squad members.
Spain's Xavi Hernandez, Cesc Fabregas and Fernando Torres were selected despite carrying injuries. The deadline for the final squad is three weeks away.
Eighteen of the Spain squad of 23 that triumphed impressively at the 2008 European Championship are in this one, too.
Carragher quit England's national team three years ago, complaining he could never get a start under coach Steve McClaren. But the 32-year-old Liverpool defender was in the 30-man squad announced by Fabio Capello on the deadline day set by FIFA.
Capello included Gareth Barry even though the Manchester City midfielder is sidelined for three weeks with ankle ligament damage. He will miss England's friendlies against Mexico and Japan and the squad's two pre-World Cup training camps in Austria.
With defenders Ledley King and Rio Ferdinand dealing with persistent injury problems, Capello decided to bring Carragher back.
“The FA got in touch a few weeks ago and asked if I would have a rethink, due to injury problems,” Carragher said.
“I said I would make myself available. The World Cup and Champions League are the highest levels of football. I am keen to work under Fabio Capello.”
First up for England is a group game against the United States at Rustenburg June 12. US coach Bob Bradley had no surprises in his squad but could not find a place for Charlie Davies, who made a good recovery from a car smash but has been sidelined for seven months.
A former teammate of Carragher's at Liverpool and now with Turkey's Galatasaray, Australia's Harry Kewell is struggling with a groin injury but Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek is confident he will make it in time for South Africa.
“There are rumors, there are opinions. But Harry will be ready,” Verbeek said. “The medical staff and Harry himself convinced me that Harry will be OK. We still have five weeks to prepare for the first game against Germany, so don't worry _ Harry will be there.”
Switzerland selected its final squad of 23 three weeks early and has included 18-year-old Xherdan Shaqiria, who has only 45 minutes international experience. The FC Basel midfielder made his club debut in July and had his first taste of international football against Uruguay in a friendly on March 3.
Ivory Coast coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has a largely European-based squad of players that features Didier Drogba, whose 29 goals helped Chelsea win the Premier League.
But the former England and Mexico coach said Tuesday he didn't want his team to rely too heavily on Drogba's goals.
“It's not enough to hope Drogba will go out and score some goals,” Eriksson said. “If we don't play as a team, we cannot be impressive. Quality isn't enough in football, you need to work together.” Chile coach Marcelo Bielsa steered clear of surprises by selecting most of the players who featured in qualifying.
Goalkeeper Luis Marin, of Chilean club Union Espanola, was the most unexpected name, picked after being overlooked by Bielsa during qualifying.


Clic here to read the story from its source.