Injured eto’o misses training again
Vioria: Cameroon captain and striker Samuel Eto’o has missed training for a second straight day at the World Cup and is an injury doubt for the must-win group game against Croatia. Eto’o was again absent for the workout on Sunday at Cameroon’s base in Vitoria and coach Volker Finke said the Chelsea forward was struggling with the same right knee injury he nursed throughout the buildup to the World Cup. Cameroon lost 1-0 to Mexico in its opening Group A match and will next faceCroatia, which lost its first game to Brazil, on Wednesday. This World Cup is likely to be the last for the 33-year-old Eto’o, Cameroon’s leading all-time scorer. He is playing at his fourth World Cup.
After leaked nude pics, croats won’t talk
Salvador: left embarrassed after their nude pictures were leaked online by paparazzi, Croatia’s footballers at the ongoing FIFA World Cup have refused to talk to the media. The no-talk move comes after two photographers hid behind bushes near the team hotel to click the pictures of players while they were taking a shower and leaked them online. “How would you feel if someone took naked pictures of youIJ They are adamant that they won’t speak to you lot any more,” Croatia coach Nico Kovac told a press conference in Praia do Forte here. “I don’t know whether the silence will end tomorrow or last until the end of our World Cup campaign,” he added. Southampton centre-back Dejan lovren and former Manchester City defender Vedran Corluka, now with lokomotiv Moscow, are clearly visible in the photographs. The controversial penalty that ruined Croatia's chances of scoring an upset win in the World Cup's opening match is now in the past, and Cameroon is in the immediate future. The teams will meet Wednesday at the Arena da Amazonia in the Brazilian rainforest, and the team that can better cope with the hot and humid conditions will likely to be the one to leave town with three points.
No anthems during France-Honduras tie
Teresopolis: The World Cup Group E clash between France and Honduras got off to a bizarre start as the national anthems for both sides were not played before kick-off. Both teams lined up for the anthems as usual but were then instructed by the referee to go through the protocol of shaking hands when no music for the anthems began. The players then had to wait for several minutes till the game could start at the scheduled 4pm (1900 GMT) kick-off time. A FIFA spokesman was unable to immediately give an explanation as to why the anthems hadn’t been played.
Museum for ‘king of santos’
Santos: Coinciding the FIFA World Cup, a museum dedicated entirely to Brazilian football legend Pele opened its doors here. The museum came to life with estimated investments of $22.7 million and six years of work. The museum displays the ‘king’ in Santos where he started his career and spent much of his life, leading Santos FC to win the continental title twice, reports EFE. The opening ceremony saw the screening of a video clip where Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff said that the museum was built as a tribute to the player and as a symbol of Brazil.
De Rossi, Barzagli added to italy injury list
Mangaratiba: Italy midfielder Daniele De Rossi has neck pain and is sitting out training, adding to the Azzurri’s injury problems at the World Cup. Also, center back Andrea Barzagli worked out individually Monday to rest the various aches and pains he has struggled with for months. Captain Gianluigi Buffon and fullback Mattia De Sciglio also remained out. Buffon hurt his left ankle and knee a day before Italy’s 2-1 win over England. De Sciglio missed the Azzurri’s opener with a pulled muscle. Salvatore Sirigu, who performed well in goal in Buffon’s absence against England, was also treated for a problem at the end of Monday’s training session under a torrid sun at the Portobello resort. Sirigu had ice applied to his neck and appeared to be suffering from the heat.