Sports

Hitzfeld's team surprisingly beat Spain 1-0 in its first match, and takes on Chile in its second match on Monday.

Brazil midfielder Gilberto Silva has trained normally and appears to be injury free, despite reports that he had hurt his ankle.

Wesley Sneijder's 53rd-minute strike finally broke through the Japanese defense.

Maradona had slammed his old foe Pele on Wednesday, telling he should "go back to the museum".

Marchetti will start against NZ in Sunday's second Group F clash after Gianluigi Buffon suffered a back injury.

A goalless draw against Portugal has given Ivory Coast the confidence it needs to tackle top ranked Brazil.

Korea Republic will need to succeed where far more illustrious teams have failed this past year.

Spain open their World Cup campaign against Switzerland today.

Now that the pressure and tension of the opening day draw is out of the way, the hosts are gaining confidence.

Both the players failed to recover from ankle and thigh injuries respectively.

The win is Japan's first at the WC on foreign soil, and puts them at the top of Group E along with the Netherlands.

Veron landed a corner close to the penalty area from where unmarked defender Gabriel Heinze powered a diving header.

Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk said Saturday it was too risky for the winger to play at Soccer City on Monday.

Uruguay are a defensively sound unit, while France have typically been involved in tight matches.

The France centre back said he would refuse to speak to the press during the World Cup.

He was singled out by fans after Argentina failed to get past the group phase in Japan in 2002.