FRIENDLY: HOLLAND 2 - MEXICO 1

 

A brace from Robin van Persie saw Holland step up their World Cup preparations with a 2-1 friendly win over Mexico on Wednesday.

 

The Arsenal striker opened the scoring after 17 minutes in Freiburg before doubling the Dutch lead shortly before half-time.

 

Manchester United new-boy Javier Hernandez pulled one back for the Mexicans after the break but they slipped to a second defeat in the space of a week, having gone down 3-1 against England on Monday.

 

 

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CHAMAKH IS THE NEW GUNNERS

 

Arsenal have signed Morocco's 26-year-old striker Marouane Chamakh on a long-term contract from Bordeaux. He also held talks with Liverpool and Arsenal's north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur but set his heart on playing at The Emirates having followed the club as a youngster. Arsenal did not disclose the length of the contract.

 

Chamakh, who played 293 games and scored 79 goals in eight years with Ligue 1 side Bordeaux, joins on a free transfer at the end of his contract with Bordeaux. He scored 10 goals in Ligue 1 last season having netted 14 times in the previous campaign when he helped Bordeaux win the French title ending Olympique Lyon's seven-year reign.

 

Born and raised in France, Chamakh decided to play for the country of his parents and has played 53 times for Morocco, scoring 27 goals. He was part of the side that lost 2-1 to host nation Tunisia in the 2004 African Nations Cup final.

 

 

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HENRY DENY RED BULLS DEAL

 

Barcelona forward Thierry Henry has rejected stories that he has agreed in principle to sign a contract with Major League Soccer side New York Bulls.

 

Henry, who seems certain to leave Barcelona this summer after a disappointing season with the La Liga champions, was widely reported in the US media on Monday to have already agreed to put pen to paper.

 

It was suggested that Henry will sign for the Red Bulls after the World Cup, with Henry in the French squad for the tournament in South Africa. But Henry wants to concentrate on the World Cup before considering his next move in club football.

 

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GALLAS IS STILL IN THE RACE

 

France coach Raymond Domenech will cut his World Cup squad to 24 players on Monday in order to give William Gallas every chance of making it. Domenech will make the announcement in TF1 programme Telefoot on Sunday.

 

Arsenal centre-back Gallas, who is recovering from a calf injury, is guaranteed place in the squad only if he is fit on June 1 when the final list of 23 names has to be sent to FIFA. On Tuesday, Domenech unveiled a provisional selection of 30 players for the tournament in South Africa.

 

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SEAMAN BACKS CAPELLO'S GOALKEEPING SELECTIONS

Former England number one David Seaman believes Fabio Capello has selected the right combination of goalkeepers for next month's World Cup.

 

The Italian has picked Portsmouth's David James, West Ham's Robert Green and Manchester City's Joe Hart, who spent this season on loan at Birmingham, in his 30-man provisional squad.

 

Barring injury that trio will go to South Africa, despite Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce claiming Capello had made a mistake in not taking Paul Robinson.

 

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NASRI DOES NOT COMMUNICATE WITH GALLAS

 

Samir Nasri has said he is one of "four or five" Arsenal players who do not speak to William Gallas.

 

Nasri and Gallas are known to have a problematic relationship, with a bust-up at Euro 2008 documented in Gallas' autobiography, but Nasri has now revealed a number of players do not get along with the 32-year-old.

 

Kolo Toure revealed last month that his feud with Gallas had driven him to quit the club for Manchester City last summer.

 

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TORRES AND FABREGAS IN SPAIN SQUAD

 

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque has named injured trio Fernando Torres, Cesc Fabregas and Andres Iniesta in his initial 30-man World Cup squad, while uncapped Barcelona forward Pedro is also included.

 

Del Bosque has selected five goalkeepers in the list, with uncapped duo Victor Valdes of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid youngster David De Gea likely to be battling out with Villarreal's Diego Lopez to see who will be joining Iker Casillas and Jose Reina in the final squad.

 

Provisional Squad:

Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), David De Gea (Atletico Madrid), Diego Lopez (Villarreal), Jose Reina (Liverpool) Victor Valdes (Barcelona), Raul Albiol (Real Madrid), Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid) Cesar Azpilicueta (Osasuna), Joan Capdevila (Villarreal), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Sergi Busquets (Barcelona), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Javi Martinez (Athletic Bilbao) Marcos Senna (Villarreal), David Silva (Valencia), Xavi (Barcelona), Santi Cazorla (Villarreal), Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Juan Manuel Mata (Valencia) Pedro Rodriguez (Barcelona), Dani Guiza (Fenerbache) Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao), Alvaro Negredo (Sevilla), Fernando Torres (Liverpool FC) and David Villa (Valencia). 

 

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DRIBBLING IS NOT GILBERTO'S STYLE

Gilberto Silva may not have the eye-catching flamboyance of some of his team mates but still believes his role in Brazil's midfield is crucial for the five-times world champions, even if it goes unnoticed. The former Arsenal player is set to play at his third World Cup, yet after 91 appearances is still trying to convince Brazil's demanding critics that he is worthy of the famous gold shirt.

 

"I'm not the type of player who dribbles, scores goals and does anything eye-catching"

 

At times, Gilberto, who has managed three goals for his country, almost plays as a third central defender as the two full backs push up to join the attack. Gilberto was ever-present at the 2002 World Cup, having won his place in the team at the last minute when first-choice Emerson was forced out through injury.

 

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