San Jose: Russian-based striker Winston Parks was surprisingly left out of Costa Rica’s provisional 28-man World Cup squad on Monday. The omission of the 24-year-old Lokomotiv Moscow forward was the only major surprise of coach Alexandre Guimaraes’ list, which must be trimmed down to 23 by May 15.
The squad contained only four players who play abroad, Italian-based defender Gilberto Martinez, Norwegian-based defender Roy Miller, US-based defender Douglas Sequeira and midfielder Mauricio Solis, who plays in Guatemala.
THE 28 ? Goalkeepers: Wardy Pizarro (Alajuelense), Jose Porras (Saprissa), Gabriel Badilla (Saprissa), Alvaro Mesen (Herediano), Adrian de Lemos (Brujas);Defenders: Gilberto Martinez (Brescia, Italy), Roy Miller (Bodo Glimt, Norway), Luis Marin (Alajuelense), Michael Rodriguez (Alajuelense), Harold Wallace (Alajuelense), Cristian Montero (Alajuelense), Jervis Drummond (Saprissa), Douglas Sequeira (Chivas USA), Carlos Johnson (Herediano), Leonardo Gonzalez (Herediano), Michael Umana (Brujas); Midfielders: Carlos Hernandez (Alajuelense), Walter Centeno (Saprissa), Christian Bolanos (Saprissa), Randall Azofeifa (Saprissa), Mauricio Solis (Comunicaciones, Guatemala), Danny Fonseca (Cartagines);
Forwards: Bryan Ruiz (Alajuelense), Ronald Gomez (Saprissa), Alvaro Saboro (Saprissa), Victor Nunez (Cartagines), Kurt Bernard (Puntarenas), Paulo Wanchope (Herediano) (Writing by John McPhaul).
Blatter on the offensive
Zurich: Fifa president Sepp Blatter launched an offensive against possible match-fixing at the World Cup finals. He revealed that Fifa was initiating a major anti-gambling strategy and will be asking referees to pledge they will not place any bets at the World Cup finals.
Blatter told reporters he would personally address all the 23 referees selected. “They will all sign papers to say that they, and their families, will never be involved in any betting or other similar problems,” he said.
Flight of fancy
Zurich: Fifa has officially launched its Fantasy Game where one can step into the manager’s hot seat for a whole month by building up one’s own fantasy team at the World Cup. Fifaworldcup.com will give users a hand in making their selection with daily up-to-the-minute news stories of each of the 32 challengers for the title. Registration for the game starts on May 18.
Cole on fire
London: Despite Jos? Mourinho’s belief that Joe Cole’s form has dipped, the Chelsea and England midfield player believes that he is in good shape before the World Cup finals. “I feel sharp and ready to go,” he said.
