French hopes hit by Chinese warm-up loss
France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who has been one of the most vocal critics of the lightweight Jabulani ball designed for the World Cup, was completely bamboozled by the dipping trajectory of Deng’s 68th-minute strike. The hosts largely controlled the game but did not begin to threaten until they had gone behind and eventually signed off their pre-tournament preparations with a win, a draw and a loss after beating Costa Rica 2-1 and tying 1-1 with Tunisia. The 2006 runners-up will now travel to South Africa on Saturday to begin their World Cup campaign against Uruguay on June 11.
Robben injured in Dutch thrashing of Hungary
The Netherlands rounded off their World Cup preparations with a 6-1 demolition of Hungary, but an injury to star winger Arjen Robben brought the game to a muted finish. The home side were caught cold early on, with Balasz Dzsudszak finishing a sixth-minute counter-attack to put the world’s 57th-ranked nation 1-0 up, after Netherlands left-back Giovanni van Bronckhorst was caught out of position.
The goal highlighted the hosts’ defensive frailties but the Duth, possessing a stellar attack, drew level in the 22nd minute when Dirk Kuyt set up in-form Robin van Persie for the equaliser. Wesley Sneijder put the Netherlands ahead in the 56th minute when he converted van Bronckhorst’s centre from close range and it was then that the floodgates opened.
Hosts carry on winning spree
Katlego Mphela scored on 76 minutes as World Cup hosts South Africa edged fellow qualifiers Denmark 1-0 in a warm-up and stretched an unbeaten run to 12 games.
The striker, often referred to as ‘Killer’ and who has also been linked with a move to Birmingham City, pounced on a defence-splitting pass to fire the ball under the body of Stefan Andersen and settle a lively, if overly cautious, contest.
South Africa kick off the tournament next Friday against Mexico at Soccer City in Johannesburg while Denmark face Netherlands three days later at the same stadium.
US edge out Australia
Edson Buddle’s first two international goals helped United States beat Australia 3-1 in both teams’ final World Cup warm-up match. The LA Galaxy striker scored twice in the first half with substitute Herculez Gomez adding a third in stoppage time after Tim Cahill had levelled in the first half.
USA went ahead after four minutes when Vince Grella dwelt on the ball too long and Buddle stole it. The striker took three steps and unleashed a perfect right-foot shot that easily beat Mark Schwarzer.
The Socceroos hit back four minutes later through Cahill as he reacted quickest to a Jason Culina corner and scored his 21st international goal.
In the 31st minute, the Americans did get their second goal as right-back Steve Cherundolo’s cross picked out Buddle at the back post and he made no mistake with a header.
Gomez eventually made the game safe for the first Group C rivals of England when he slammed home Donovan’s cross three minutes into injury time.
Published in the Express Tribune, June 2010.
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