Xavi is likely to get the playmaker’s role after performing well in training

Xavi is likely to get the playmaker’s role after performing well in training.Camacho also plans to bring on new full-backs Curro Torres and Romero to join Ivan Helguera and Miguel Angel Nadal, while the team captain Fernando Hierro is expected to be rested.South Africa reported no injury problems as they attempt to reach the second round for the first time in their history.Paraguay will stick to a tried and tested formula as they seek to score a hatful of goals against Slovenia to have a chance of qualifying for the next phase. That will then give us the advantage of playing our next match a day later.”The Spain coach Jose Antonio Camacho is planning major changes, with up to five new faces. “We have to maintain our form from the wins over Slovenia and Paraguay and make certain we finish first. Second place would mean a match against Group E winners Germany a day earlier.”This third game is very important,” said striker Raul, who bagged Spain’s first goal of the competition in their 3-1 win over Slovenia. A point against South Africa would take them through as group winners to face Group E runners-up Ireland on Sunday. Spain are hoping to earn an extra day of preparation for the second round of the World Cup by continuing their solid start against South Africa today.
Two victories out of two in Group B mean Spain are already certain of improving on their campaign in France four years ago and reaching the second phase. Coach Mirko Jozic has several options; the Internazionale defender Dario Simic may play at the back with the versatile Stjepan Tomas moving forward into Soldo’s position, or Jozic could bring in the youngster Jurica Vranjes as a direct replacement..

Also sitting out the game is likely to be Roberto Carlos, who has complained of muscle pains in his calves.* The Croatian defensive midfielder Zvonimir Soldo, suffering from a foot injury, has been ruled out of Croatia’s key game against Ecuador on Thursday. Yet to counter the Costa Ricans’ offside trap, it is thought the pacy Edilson will join Ronaldo in attack, while Rivaldo will move back to midfield alongside Juninho. Scolari had planned to rest midfielder Ronaldinho, and Ricardinho had trained in his place among the starters. We don’t do no voodoo stuff.”
* In a surprise move, Brazil’s coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has put striker Edilson in the starting line-up for Thursday’s match against Costa Rica. “Don’t worry, South Africa doesn’t want anything to do with that voodoo stuff,” he said, laughing at being asked by a Spanish journalist if it was true that their trainer rubbed animal blood and feathers on the players’ legs “We’re for fair play,” he said “We do the same with our legs as any European team.

Meanwhile, McCarthy laughed off rumours that his team were using voodoo to bring them good luck in their World Cup campaign. There was no indication from Middlesbrough as to why they have had second thoughts. That deal was scuppered when McCarthy was refused a work permit, and the latest breakdown comes after claims from the player’s agent that the transfer had all but gone through. The Teessiders have pulled out of a £6m deal which would have seen McCarthy’s move from Spanish side Celta Vigo go through 10 months after they first attempted to sign him on loan. We don’t do no voodoo stuff.”

* Middlesbrough have abandoned their latest attempt to sign the South African striker Benni McCarthy. * Middlesbrough have abandoned their latest attempt to sign the South African striker Benni McCarthy. The clash occurred after the rival factions tried to hoist the flags of Brazil and Argentina on the same coconut tree..

At least 20 fans were injured in the fighting in Badanpur, 75 miles northwest of Dhaka. Before yesterday’s matches, the dirtiest side was Japan, with 60 fouls – but also the most sinned-against, with 59 fouls on them.* Dozens of Bangladeshi fans of Brazil and Argentina fought each other yesterday with stones and iron rods over hoisting flags in their village. Most participants picked France, Argentina, Brazil and Italy to make the final, but the Swedish pundits were particularly caught out by all the big-name defeats and exits in the first 10 days.* The chances of a typhoon threatening the World Cup have receded, according to meteorologists.* Mexico have been the cleanest team so far, picking up one yellow card in their first two games. 278 so-called experts, and ordinary Swedes, took part, predicting who would come out on top in South Korea and Japan. Gomez bounded up into the stands to sign autographs and was swarmed by admirers as he boarded the team bus.* Swedish football experts are no better at predicting World Cup success than anyone else, a study at Stockholm’s School of Economics has shown. Around 200 fans crowded Ecuador’s training session Tuesday to salute coach Hernan Gomez and thank him for leading the team to their first finals. The Super Eagles are booked into Osaka’s Ana Gate Hotel, a stone’s throw from the main runway at Kansai International Airport.* Failure does not always lead to condemnation.