With the big kick-off at the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ fast approaching, the 32 qualified teams are gearing up for a full dress rehearsal in a range of friendlies today. Nine matches will feature a pair of World Cup hopefuls locking horns, including three games in Europe, where current holders SPAIN are set to take on 2006 world champions ITALY in the most eagerly anticipated encounter. In other matches: FRANCE will entertain the NETHERLANDS with coach Didier Deschamps seemingly close to knowing his final squad for Brazil; In SWITZERLAND, coach Ottmar Hitzfeld is enjoying the luxury of a full squad for the visit of CROATIA; As for PORTUGAL, Paulo Bento has included a pair of newcomers for his teams test against CAMEROON, with forward duo Ivan Cavaleiro of Benfica and Bragas Rafa hoping to make a quick impression; Joachim Low turned heads by selecting four new faces for his GERMANY squad. Joining the party for the home encounter with CHILE are Hamburg marksman Pierre-Michel Lasogga, defensive pair Shkodran Mustafi of Sampdoria and Freiburgs Matthias Ginter, plus Augsburg midfielder Andre Hahn. In addition, Low can again count upon Bastian Schweinsteiger, the battling midfielder having recovered from injury; ENGLAND manager Roy Hodgson has omitted Andy Carroll, Adam Johnson and Gareth Barry despite casting a wide net with a 30-man squad to tackle DENMARK; Sabri Lamouchis CÔTE DIVOIRE, meanwhile will meet Marc Wilmots BELGIUM; Lastly, the USA will test their wits against UKRAINE on neutral ground in Cyprus with 18-year-old München forward Julian Green in their ranks. 99 days to go...
Posted on: Wed, 05 Mar 2014 04:10:25 +0000
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