The Hindu : Hierro to hang up his boots

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jun 19, 2002

Sport

Sport - Football

Hierro to hang up his boots

Ulsan (South Korea) June 18. Spanish captain Fernando Hierro announced on Tuesday that he would retire from international soccer after the World Cup.

In a statement, the 34-year-old Real Madrid defender said Spain's last match at this year's tournament would mark the end of his 13-year career on the Spanish national team.

Hierro made his debut for Spain in 1989 in a 1-0 win over Poland. He is the country's all-time leading scorer with 29 goals in 89 games.

Marcos in the limelight

He's rarely mentioned when Brazil is either heralded or criticised. But the steady play of goalkeeper Marcos is quietly drawing attention.

Marcos made several crucial saves in Brazil's 2-0 second-round win over Belgium on Monday, including a point-blank shot from Gert Verheyen.

``That one burned my hands,'' Marcos said. ``But that's why I'm here — to stop goals.''

Marcos, 29, and Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari have a relationship dating back to 1999, when Scolari led Brazilian club Palmeiras to the Copa Libertadores championship.

Marcos is widely regarded as a reliable goalie with few glaring weaknesses.

When Scolari took over as Brazil's coach in the middle of the team's World Cup qualifying campaign, one of his first decisions was to substitute Marcos for longtime starter Dida.

Dida, of Corinthinas, is now the No.2 goalie, followed by Rogerio Ceni of Sao Paulo.

In four games, Marcos has allowed just three goals despite playing behind a three-man backline.

But in the quarterfinals he is likely to face his stiffest test yet in this year's World Cup when Brazil faces England and striker Michael Owen.

Owen misses training

Michael Owen sat out during England's training on Tuesday due to a groin injury he sustained in the second-round match against Denmark.

The Liverpool striker was continuing to receive intensive treatment ahead of Friday's quarterfinals with Brazil.

Owen was substituted at halftime of England's 3-0 win over Denmark. Both the player and coach Sven-Goran Eriksson have insisted his injury is minor.

Figo may bid au revoir

Portugal's star midfielder Luis Figo is considering quitting the national team following its early exit from the World Cup, press reports said on Tuesday.

Citing sources close to the Real Madrid player, the O Jogo sports daily said the 29-year-old was disappointed with his side's performance and the jeering of some fans when the squad arrived home at Lisbon airport.

Portugal failed to make it to the second round of the World Cup despite being in what was widely considered one of the easiest groups, losing to underdogs United States and South Korea and beating only Poland.

Germans to sport

black bands

Germany will wear black armbands in Friday's World Cup quarterfinals against the United States following the death of former captain Fritz Walter.

Newcastle eyeing Rivaldo

Newcastle manager Bobby Robson has confirmed the Premier League club is interested in signing Brazilian star forward Rivaldo. ``We know that he could be available and our chairman, at the moment, is investigating the financial possibilities of that,'' Robson told BBC Radio 5 Live. ``It's colossal but we are looking into it.''

Signing Rivaldo, who has scored in all four of Brazil's World Cup matches so far in Japan and South Korea, would signal Newcastle's intention to be a Premiership title contender next season. Robson led the club to fourth spot last season to earn a place in the Champions League..

A 25-year-old man was so engrossed in the U.S.-Mexico World Cup tie being show on television on Sunday that he slipped off the platform and was killed by a speeding train in eastern India.

Aveek Tarafdar was standing near the edge of the platform in a Kolkata station, his eyes locked on an overhead television set, when he lost his balance and fell on the railroad tracks, police said. He tried to climb back, but was hit by the train, police said.

Witnesses said Tarafdar inadvertently stepped back, teetered on the edge and fell.

Across India people are glued to their television sets as World Cup soccer heads to its decisive stages. But enthusiasm has been greater in soccer-crazy Kolkata, home to some of the country's best teams. — AP & Reuters<137>

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