All the other news from South Africa on Day 13 of the World Cup
Elano says refs are too soft
BRAZIL’S ELANO believes referees at the World Cup are being too soft when it comes to punishing harsh play.
Elano was stretchered off with a shin injury after a tackle from Ivory Coast defender Cheik Tiote during Sunday’s 3-1 victory.
“I forgive because I am not a player that feels remorse,” he said. “But I believe referees should be much tougher because in this case the foul was committed close to where the official (Stephane Lannoy) was.”
The good news for the former Manchester City midfielder, who scored his side’s third goal against the Ivory Coast, is that he has avoided a serious injury.
“I have something but it’s less serious than first feared,” he said. “I will do everything possible so that I can play in our next game.”
This will be a relief for Brazil coach Dunga, who will be without the inspirational Kaka for Friday’s match against Portugal.
The Real Madrid star will serve a one-match ban having been controversially sent off against the Ivory Coast.
The 29-year-old Elano has proved pivotal for the South Americans, scoring in both of his team’s opening two Group G games.
Brazil, who have already assured themselves a place in the last 16, top the group by two points over second-place Portugal.
Chile coach confident
CHILE COACH Marcelo Bielsa does not even want to contemplate the prospect of bowing out of the World Cup finals at the first hurdle with six points.
The South Americans are top of Group H, three points clear of Spain and Switzerland.
However, with the Spaniards awaiting them in Pretoria on Friday while the Swiss face pointless Honduras in Bloemfontein, there is a very real possibility Chile could find themselves heading home if they do not pick up at least a draw.
But asked if he had considered that scenario, 54-year-old Argentinian.
Bielsa said: “It’s never useful in football to interpret things that are yet to come.
“The great attraction of football is precisely that it hardly ever confirms what you think may happen.
“I don’t want to think about what could happen and what we could achieve in the match on Friday.”
Of course, a point against Spain would send Chile through to the last 16 and could see Vicente del Bosque’s side dumped out of the competition instead if Switzerland beat Honduras.
Villa faces anxious wait
FIFA WERE yesterday waiting to receive the referee’s report from Monday’s World Cup match between Spain and Honduras before deciding whether to take any retrospective action against David Villa.
He scored twice in a 2-0 win but also struck Honduras defender Emilio Izaguirre in the face as they waited for a free-kick to be taken towards the end of the first half.
Japanese referee Yuichi Nishimura took no action but Fifa will need to establish whether he would have booked or dismissed Villa if he had seen the incident.
Villa told Spanish broadcaster Canal Plus: Its not something that I am proud of. Theyre just instincts, in this case I wasnt expecting (Izaguirre) to tread on me.
