UAE eye full points

©khaleejtimes.com DUBAI — The UAE senior national team take on Lebanon in the second round of the ongoing 2014 World Cup Qualifiers at the Sports City Stadium in Beirut, Lebanon today. The match is scheduled to kick off at 6pm UAE time.

According to observers, it is a must win encounter for the boys in white following their sad 2-3 home defeat at the hands of Gulf rivals Kuwait on Friday.

But, the hosts are by no reason in a better position than their visitors. Lebanon were hammered 6-0 by the Asian giants South Korea in Seol last Friday.

And given this very fact, both UAE and Lebanon are at crossroads which makes it a do-or-die clash for the deeply wounded opponents.

The UAE carried out two training sessions at the match venue, the Sports City Stadium in Beirut, under the supervision of the Slovenian coach and the watchful eye of the country’s football boss Mohammed Khalfan Al Rumaithi who headed the delegation to Lebanon.

The immediate concern of the administrative and technical staff was to relief the players from the aftermath of the shock defeat and to work on the weak points in the three lines of the squad.

But, the worse was still to come when the x-rays revealed that Hamdan Al Kamali sustained a serious fracture in the face and should skip even the Olympic national team crucial away game against Australia in the 2012 London Games Qualifiers.

The UAE left winger Ali Al Weihibi was also injured in the first work out and won’t be able to show.

However, Katanech has no much choice and will most likely substitute Al Kamali’s absence with Al Ain’s defender Musallam Faiz to play besides Waleed Abbas while Khaled Sabeel and Yousuf Jaber would be deployed on the flanks.

In midfield, Subait Khater and Amer Abdul Rahman might be aided by Mohammed Al Shehhi and Hassan Amin while Ahmed Khalil and Ismail Al Hammadi will lead the charge upfront.

Matildas lose to Japan

© abc.net.au Some heroic shot stopping by goalkeeper Lydia Williams was not enough to save the Matildas from a 1-0 loss to Japan in the third match of their Olympic qualification campaign in Jian, China.

The defeat leaves their participation at the London Games in doubt.

The Matildas held Japan to a scoreless first half at Shandong Sports Centre with Williams effectively keeping her side in the contest.

But a succession of strong build-up plays saw Japan's Nahomi Kawasumi score the match-determining goal in the 62nd minute.

With three matches played and just the one win, the Australians face an uphill battle to get to London with a top two finish required in the six-team group to qualify for the Games.

The Matildas lost their opening match to North Korea 1-0 and defeated Thailand 5-1.

They will play China on Thursday and South Korea on Sunday.

Iraq coach Zico critical of Singapore pitch

(© Reuters) - Iraqi head coach Zico has slammed the artificial turf at Singapore’s Jalan Besar stadium, deeming it unprofessional ahead of their Asian World Cup qualifying clash on Tuesday.

The Brazil great told reporters on the eve of the match that the pitch was not suitable for World Cup qualifying matches and suggested it would be more appropriate for schoolboy soccer.

“I don’t like the field, the grass. I think the good game is on natural grass,” the 58-year-old former midfielder said.

“Maybe for schools, for the youths, it is ok, but not professional (soccer). Qualifiers for the World Cup need natural grass,” he added.

The synthetic surface at the interim soccer arena was approved for competition by FIFA as the city-state awaits the 2014 completion of it’s National Sports Hub, which will include a 55,000-seater stadium with a retractable roof.

Zico, often referred to as the ‘White Pele’, was also unhappy with the lack of recovery time between matches following Friday’s 2-0 loss to Jordan in the opening Group A encounter in the third round of Asian World Cup qualifying.

“After the game, (it is) not possible to relax, the players are tired, they have to take a flight, a long flight,” he complained.

“The last day’s travel was difficult for us, 30 hours from Iraq to here.

“It is difficult for the players, (they are) not machines. Two games in four days, in this moment, for Iraq (it) is very bad.”

China, who beat Singapore 2-1 on Friday, and Jordan top the standings on three points apiece ahead of their clash in Amman on Tuesday, with the top two teams from the group advancing to the final stage of qualification for the 2014 finals in Brazil. (Editing by John O’Brien)

Saudi coach faces a huge test

© theage.com Saudi Arabia boss Frank Rijkaard and Socceroo skipper Lucas Neill will be only too happy to raise a glass to each other after the World Cup qualifier between the two teams to celebrate (or commiserate) a friendship forged when the pair were coach and player at Turkish club Galatasaray.

Given that this is Saudi Arabia, the liquid consumed is unlikely to be alcoholic, but the sentiment will be there.

Rijkaard yesterday described Neill and Harry Kewell, the other formerly Turkey-based Australian, as terrific players to work with.
Kewell, who is due to join Melbourne Victory for the next A-League season, is not available for this international but Neill will lead the national team out in the heat of this desert city in the early hours of Wednesday morning (AEST).

''When you work with these guys your sympathy goes to them,'' Rijkaard said yesterday at the pre-match press conference. ''I worked with them in Turkey and I followed their games. I have really got warm feelings about these guys, they are great professionals.

''I am used to taking on old colleagues. It happens in football, it's not the first time. The game is the game. Lucas will know that the game is the game and we will always have a drink afterwards.''

For Rijkaard, who has only just taken over the Saudi side, this is a big test. But for a man who has played and coached at the highest level for 30 years, it is far from the toughest assignment he has faced.

Still, the Saudis are in a rebuilding phase, and a match against the team the former Barcelona manager and AC MIlan defender says is the best in the group will give him an idea of the immediate impact he is having on a Saudi squad in serious need of a reboot after its disastrous Asian Cup campaign in January.

He will have to do without midfielder Abdulaziz Al -Dhosari, one of his best players, who was injured in the 0-0 draw with Oman last Friday and cannot play here. ''Abdulazziz is not going to make it to play tomorrow. That's a loss, he was one of the best players for us against Oman.''

There is both a brutal impatience and an almost comic naivety about expectations fans - and media - have for their teams in this part of the world.

One questioner yesterday asked the coach whether there were any similarities between the way he wanted Saudi Arabia to play with the way Barcelona played in his tenure in charge at the Catalan club.

''We are not similar to Barca, it's not fair to compare the Saudi team to Barca,'' Rijkaard, who appeared bemused even at the notion of the question, responded.

Rijkaard has spent his few weeks in charge working on the team's structure, shape and organisation. He passed up the opportunity of a friendly match so that he could continue to work in training with his team, but yesterday had to face down suggestions that the Saudi team might now not have a cutting edge.

''We have strikers, we can get people into attack. We could have won the last game against Oman. I am looking forward to tomorrow's match. We are playing against the best team in the group and that's a big challenge. I am quite satisfied with the way we played against Oman. We didn't lose there, and we could have won.. they could have too, so I am satisfied with the result,'' he said.

''We hope to be good enough to control the game against Australia.

''It was important to get to know each other, so we did mainly training and tactics (in camp). Everyone now knows on the pitch what they have to do, and we needed the time to do that. We spent our time working with the team and getting the players to understand what was needed through the game.''

Australia boss Holger Osieck expects Saudi Arabia to be more disciplined and focused in this game as a result of Rijkaard's crash course in structure and shape.

''Saudi (Arabia) is a strong team, they have excellent players and they look more organised than before, at the Asian Cup earlier this year.''

He was disappointed with the pace at which his team used the ball in last Friday's rather fortunate 2-1 win over Thailand, and wants more urgency in this game although the heat could restrict the players' ability to run at speed for long periods. The answer, says Osieck, is to make the ball do the work.

''The faster tempo doesn't depend on faster running. The ball is the fastest player on the pitch and we have to move it accordingly, and with accuracy.

''In the Thailand game it was just a little bit different from what I expected, it doesn't mean it was all negative. From Saudi Arabia, I expect a strong solid team that is really going to test us. We have to show our solid potential to get something out of the game. We have a style and we want to play in it. it doesn't matter which team we play, we want to play our game.''

The results of Asian qualifiers for Brazil 2014 World Cup first round

The results of Asian qualifiers for Brazil 2014 World Cup first round

Australia 2 : 1 Thailand

Japan 1 : 0 North Korea

South Korea 6 : 0 Lebanon

Tajikistan 0 : 1 Uzbekistan

China 2 : 1 Singapore

Iraq 0 : 2 Jordan

Oman 0 : 0 Saudi Arabia

Iran 3 : 0 Indonesia

United Arab Emirates 2 : 3 Kuwait

Bahrain 0 : 0 Qatar

Australia hit late winner to beat Thailand

DPA © Australia came from behind at half-time for a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Thailand in Brisbane Friday at the start of their quest for a third consecutive World Cup appearance.

Teerasil Dengda opened the scoring in the Asia group D game after 15 minutes, making the most of a brilliant cross from Jakkaphan Kewprom.

Australia had to wait until the 58th minute before Josh Kennedy slotted home the equalizer. Alex Brosque hit the winner for the Socceroos four minutes from time in front of a crowd of 24,540 at Suncorp Stadium.

The group also features Oman and Saudi Arabia who were playing later in Muscat.

Rain, rain go away come again another day, say Japan

© Reuters Having left behind searing temperatures at home, Japan had a rude awakening to the wet and windy conditions that teams will face at the World Cup in New Zealand on Friday.

Temperatures struggled to reach over 10 degrees Celsius at the Silverdale Rugby Club in Auckland on Friday as Japan took part in their first session since arriving in New Zealand from a hot and humid Tokyo, which is basking in 30 degree heat.

"I had a little bit of an issue with a couple of the little half backs that got a little bit cold and ran inside, so I had to ask them if they want to be selected if it's raining and cold," Japan's coach and former All Black winger John Kirwan told reporters.

"We had a bit of a laugh about it. I felt at home anyway, though," the Aucklander added.

Japan, who won the recent Pacific Nations Cup, were one of the first sides to arrive for the Sept. 9-Oct. 23 tournament in New Zealand which was hit by snow storms last month.

Hooker Hiroki Yuhara was one of those complaining about conditions.

"It was so cold out on the field. The rain came down so hard it hurt. I couldn't see because the rain covered my eyes," Yuhara told reporters.

However, lock Toshizumi Kitagawa was happy to be away from the heat.

"Me personally, I like it cold more than hot. I feel better in this sort of weather."

Japan kick-off their campaign against France in Albany on Sept. 10 before matches against the hosts and hot favourites New Zealand and then Tonga and Canada in Pool A.

Captain Takashi Kikutani was not surprised by the conditions and said the team would not change tactics because of the weather as they try to finish third in the group and qualify for the next World Cup in England.

"There's New Zealand for you. I'll just try to enjoy the weather along with the rugby and have a good time," the flanker said.

"Our strength is pace so we want to play a fast game versus the French.

"We're not going to try anything new at this phase. We can only do what we've been doing all along... but at a higher level."

Australia beat Thailand in World Cup qualifier

© Reuters Substitute Alex Brosque fired an 86th minute winner as Australia fought back from a goal down to edge Thailand 2-1 in their World Cup third round qualifier in Brisbane on Friday.

Brosque lashed home a left foot strike from inside the penalty area to complete the comeback after Thai defender Chonlatit Jantakam slipped as the ball bounced to the Australian striker.

The result and three points gave Australia an early lead in Group D with Oman hosting Frank Rijkaard's Saudi Arabia later on Friday in the other match in the group.

Although the Socceroos dominated possession they failed to create the chances they should have in a rusty performance in front of 24,540 fans.

The Thais took a surprise lead in the 14th minute after a quick break from their own half when Neil Kilkenny gave the ball away.

Midfielder Matt McKay, playing out of position at leftback, was exposed as the visitors broke down their right and a pinpoint cross from Jakkaphan Kaewprom cut out Australian captain Lucas Neill.

Teerasil Dangda was on hand to cushion the ball past a helpless Mark Schwarzer.

Australia, ranked 22 by FIFA and some 98 places ahead of Thailand, improved their intensity after the break and equalised in the 58th minute through Japan-based striker Josh Kennedy.

McKay made up for his earlier error by firing a left-foot shot which goalkeeper Sinthaweechai Hathairattankool could only parry to the feet of Kennedy who easily converted to equalise.

Thailand, who narrowly edged Palestine 3-2 on aggregate in the previous round, were marshalled superbly by defender Niweat Siriwong as they battled to hold the mighty Australians at bay.

But Chonlatit's late slip allowed Brosque the space to fire the winner as Australia coach Holger Osieck was able to celebrate victory over his compatriot, Thailand boss Winfried Schaefer.

Australia travel to the Middle East to play Saudi Arabia on Tuesday with Thailand hosting Oman.

Japan vs North Korea Live

in the World Cup 2014 Qualifying North Korea travels to Saitama to challenge the Samurai Blue who will have to do without the injured Keisuke Honda, Japan is one of the best Asian teams
Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni will have some tough choices to make with the absence of Keisuke Honda and Kengo Nakamura from the line-up. Urawa Reds midfielder Yosuke Kashiwagi is a likely choice to replace Honda behind Lee in what would be a 4-2-3-1 formation similar to that which Japan used to dismantle South Korea in last month's friendly.
North Korea travelled to Japan for the first time in six years, and the team is shielded from any contact with the foreign press, thus no detailed information is available.

Japan vs North Korea
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Match Details:
Competition: WC2014 Qualifying - Asia 2014
Game: Japan vs North Korea Live
Date: 2 September, 2011
Time: 10:15 GMT
Live From Saitama Stadium 2002

Line Up
Japan (4-2-3-1): Kawashima; Uchida, Konno, Kurihara, Komano; Endo, Hasebe; Okazaki, Kagawa, Kashiwagi; Lee
North Korea (4-4-2): Ri Myong-Guk; Ri Kwang-Chon, Ri Kwang-Hyok, Pak Nam-Chol, An Jong-Ho; Pak Nam-Chol, Ri Chol-Myong, Ryang Yong-Gi, Jong Su-Hyok; Jong Il-Gwan, Jong Tae-Se

Australia vs Thailand Live

In the Asian qualifiers for the World Cup Brazil 2014 Australia faces Thailand on Friday today at home,in the first match in the Qualifying.
Australia is the overwhelming favorites given their opponents are ranked some 98 places below them.
The Australian team is seeking to get off to a good start in their opening 2014 World Cup qualifier.
and on the other side of Thailand team is not strong enough, which makes it a win in this match against Australia.

Australia vs Thailand
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Match Details:
Competition: WC2014 Qualifying - Asia 2014
Game: Australia vs Thailand Live
Date: 2 September, 2011
Time: 10:00 GMT
Live From Suncorp Stadium

Line Up
Australia (4-4-2): Schwarzer; Wilkshire, Neill, Ognenovski, Zullo; Emerton, Valeri, Jedinak, Holman; Cahill, Kennedy.
Thailand (5-4-1): Hathairattanakool; Tiepma, Jantakam, Siriwong, Phukhom, Bunmathan; Nutnum, Sukha, Thonglao, Sunthornpit; Chaikamdee.