Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/326223
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 8 JUNE 2014 50 Klinsmann facing pressure of excluding veteran Donovan THE United States will be focused on trying to get past a hugely dif- ficult group stage and reach the knock-out stage for the third time in four World Cups. But a player not even on the squad may haunt coach Juergen Klinsmann at Brazil 2014 as the German coach made the widely questioned decision of excluding from his roster veteran and US all-time leading scorer Landon Donovan. The Americans face a stiff enough test as it is with super- powers Germany and Portugal in their Group G along with strong African side Ghana. "Germany are the group favour- ite. Portugal also have a few big names and Ghana are kind of like a hated rival for us since the 2006 and 2010 World Cups. But we ab- solutely think we have realistic chances of reaching the knock-out stage," said Klinsmann. Donovan played in the last three World Cups, appearing in more World Cup matches, 12, than any other US player. He is also second on the list of US caps. But the vet- eran is not on board in Brazil. Klinsmann has instead decided on a younger team that is more athletic and quick though it lacks in experience. Included on the squad are John Brooks, Julian Green and DeAndre Yedlin - all 21 years or younger with a combined six caps for the US. The Americans will rely on a strong midfield with Michael Bradley and Jermaine Jones while Jozy Altidore and captain Clint Dempsey must score goals if the US want to advance, though Aron Johannson from AZ Alkmaar and MLS veteran Chris Wondolowski are ready to step in up front if needed. Veteran DaMarcus Beasley will be in charge of a defence that must lock up Cristiano Ronaldo and some other of the best attackers in the world. As if the task at hand wasn't hard enough already, the US players had better be ready as well to an- swer questions about not having Landon Donovan in Brazil. USA manager Juergen Klinsman. Photo by: EPA/Brian Stewart. Eto'o, Cameroon eyeing long-awaited return to knock-out stage SAMUEL Eto'o was just nine years old the last time Cameroon reached the knock-out stages of the World Cup, getting to the quarter-finals at Rome 1990. Now the 33-year-old veteran star is ready to finally bring the Afri- can nation beyond the group stage again Brazil 2014. Chelsea's Eto'o is clearly the leader of Volker Finke's Indomitable Lions - as his teammates clearly state. "Eto'o is a living legend in Cam- eroon, like Roger Milla. And Eto'o is a very pleasant open person who is also an excellent forward," said Schalke veteran centre-back Joel Matip. "It's a great pleasure and an hon- our to play with him. That really touches your heart." Eto'o, Matip and company will be out to help erase the bad memo- ries of the 2010 World Cup, where Cameroon lost all three matches while scoring just two goals. "The World Cup in South African was really a catastrophe for us," Matip said. "But since then we have learned from that and the team has matured quite a bit." But things will not be any easier in Brazil, where Finke's men have been drawn into Group A with hosts Brazil, Croatia and Mexico. Other than reaching the quarter- finals with Milla in 1990, Cam- eroon have collected just one vic- tory in five other tournaments and not gotten out of the group stage once. The country also has dealt with turmoil since 2010. Eto'o had initially announced his retirement from the Indomitable Lions before returning. The federation was also sus- pended by FIFA in July 2013 for governmental interference. But the suspension was lifted three weeks later. In addition, the legendary Milla has been vocal critic of Finke as he believes a local coach could be leading the team. That being said, Cameroon have loads of talented players, who play for a number of top level teams throughout Europe including Pierre Webo, Alex Song, Stephane Mbia, Aurelien Chedjou, Maxim Choupo-Moting, and Jean Mak- oun. Cameroons Samuel Eto'o (L) reacts with Cameroonian national soccer team's German head coach Volker Finke during an international friendly match between Cameroon and Paraguay in Kufstein, Austria, 29 May 2014. Photo by: EPA/EXPA / JFK Is everything too perfectly aligned for World Cup hosts Brazil? EVERYTHING seems lined up perfectly for Bra- zil to finally capture their much-anticipated sixth World Cup title in 2014. But can they avoid anoth- er national tragedy? The last time the World Cup was in Brazil in 1950, the hosts lost to Uruguay 2-1 in the decisive game in front of an estimated 200,000 spectators at Ma- racana Stadium. This time things will be different for the record champions, the entire football-mad nation hopes. The Selecao will have huge passionate crowds behind them every step of the way with a wily proven winner of a coach on the sidelines and a fantastic group of players in superb form and ready to join the Brazil- ian fraternity of world champions. Luiz Felipe Scolari guided Brazil to their last World Cup crown in 2002 and the nation is hoping he can do it again after World Cup quarter-final losses in 2006 and 2010. "I accepted this job because I am 100 per cent certain that I can win the World Cup with Brazil," said Scolari. Brazil have a manageable Group A with Croatia, Mexico and Cam- eroon. But waiting in the last 16 could be reigning champions Spain or 2010 runners-up Nether- lands who ousted Brazil four years ago. Scolari's men have won seven games in a row and 13 of their last 14, including the 2013 Confedera- tions Cup title - with the final be- ing a 3-0 drubbing of Spain. But all of the winning has Brazil fans no longer hoping their Selecao can win the World Cup but expecting it. "Of course I feel the pressure," admitted centre back David Luiz. But have Brazil peaked too soon? How will the likes of Neymar, Da- ni Alves, Thiago Silva and Marce- lo react to playing with so much pressure? And what about the Confedera- tions Cup curse? No team has ever won the World Cup the year after winning the Confederations Cup. Brazil have already been victim of the curse three times after after 1997, 2005 and 2009 Confederations Cup ti- tles. Can Brazil finally break the curse and win World Cup title number six? Brazilian fans cheer on their team during the Brazilian's training session. Photo by: EPA/ARNE DEDERT