MaltaToday previous editions

MT 29 June 2014

Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/337883

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 49 of 55

maltatoday, SUNDAY, 29 JUNE 2014 50 50 NETHERLANDS v MEXICO Robben expected to be fit to play Mexico despite light training Estadio CastelaoFortaleza (BRA) - Time: 18:00 NETHERLANDS winger Arjen Robben did not engage in train- ing with the rest of the squad Thursday, and instead jogged around the training pitch with team-mates Stefan de Vrij, Daley Blind and Nigel de Jong. The four were, however, ex- pected to be fit for the round-of- 16 game against Mexico Sunday in Fortaleza. Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal simply wanted to take no risks ahead of the trip to the north-eastern Brazilian city on Friday. The Dutch side had Wednes- day off, and Robben had jogged instead of doing football training Tuesday. Van Gaal will again have cap- tain Robin van Persie available against Mexico, after he served a suspension in their 2-0 win over Chile. Midfielder Leroy Fer will be unavailable for the round of 16, with an injury to his left thigh. Bruno Martins Indi was still recovering from the concussion he suffered in the Netherlands' second game, against Australia. Dirk Kuyt was likely to replace Martins Indi, in what would be the veteran striker-turned- midfielder's 100th match for the Dutch national team. Dutch national soccer team player Arjen Robben attends his team's training session in Rio de Janeiro. Photo by EPA/KOEN VAN WEEL Mexican coach Herrera mulling options to replace Vazquez MEXICO are pondering how to replace suspended key midfielder Jose Vazquez in Saturday's World Cup round of 16 clash against the Netherlands. Santos, Brazil (dpa) - Mexico coach Miguel Herrera has three days to solve a difficult World Cup riddle: how to replace one of his key players, midfielder Jose Vazquez. Herrera put out the same start- ing lineuup in Mexico's three Group A matches against Cam- eroon, Brazil and Croatia. But for Saturday's round of 16 clash against the Netherlands, he will have to get by without the inf lu- ential Vazquez, who is suspended for one match after picking up a second yellow card in Monday's 3-1 defeat of Croatia. This suspension is provoking a fierce debate because Vazquez - the defensive midfield anchor- man - is the only player in the Mexico team who does not really have a 'natural replacement' on the subs' bench. "This is a pity but this is part of football, and I am sure that what- ever he (Herrera) does will be for the best. There are many players on our bench who would function well," Vazquez said Wednesday. Vazquez established himself in the qualif ying matches for the World Cup as one of Mexico's three most reliable players, along with Hector Herrera and Rafa Marquez. Vazquez's strong physical con- dition, together with his energy, permit his midfield companions Herrera and Andres Guardado to constantly join the attack - as well as damaging the opponents' ability to construct moves. "Without Vazquez, we lose an important part of our play. He gives us the balance that the team needs in order to attack comfort- ably and safely. The challenge will be to show that the team has the capacity to play well without him," said Guardado. There are three alternatives to replace Vazquez: Carlos Salcido, Carlos Pena and Marco Fabian. Salcido has alternated between left-back and defensive midfield in recent years but, at the age of 34, it is doubtful whether he will be able to handle the rapid Dutch attacks - especially in Fortaleza, with a temperature above 30 de- grees. However, Salcido was utilized in defensive midfield at the 2012 Ol- ympics and did fairly well against opponents who were on average 10 years younger than him. The second option is to take Guardado away from the left wing and put him just in front of defence, as happened in the first warm-up match before the World Cup against Israel. If Guardado's position is changed, then Marco Fabian would be brought in down the left. The final option is the inclu- sion of Pena, a much more tech- nical and offensive player than Vazquez. The only downside to picking Pena is his psychological condi- tion. The 24-year-old midfielder reportedly suffered a profound depression when his close friend Luis Montes missed the World Cup at the last minute because of a badly broken leg. "If Herrera has not fielded me yet it must be because he sees something wrong, but I am ready to help the cause. It's true that Montes' injury did affect me but I have managed to leave that be- hind now," said Pena. Mexico's coach Miguel Herrera. Photo by EPA/SRDJAN SUKI The 2014 World Cup Get all the latest updates

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of MaltaToday previous editions - MT 29 June 2014