Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
We don’t disrespect Australia, so don’t disrespect us – Igesund
BAFANA BAFANA can expect a fired- up Australian outfit which cannot be taken lightly, coach Gordon Igesund said before his arrival in Sydney yesterday.
The South Africans play the the Socceroos on Monday.
“If anybody underestimates Australia, then there’s something wrong. They’re a very good team, they’re going to the World Cup and they’re a very useful team,” he said.
“They’re a hugely talented team with four or five players that play in England and all over the place. They qualified in a very tough group and this is exactly the type of challenge that we want.”
Ranked 59th in the world, six spots above South Africa, the meeting between the two fierce rivals across all sporting codes serves as Australia’s final preparations before heading to Brazil for the World Cup, which gets under way on June 12.
Australia play their first match against Chile on June 13, while defending champions Spain and 2010 runners-up, the Netherlands, make up their Group B.
Despite a troubled build-up for the South African coach, following 15 changes to his original squad due to player withdrawals, Igesund said he hoped many critics would take the time to watch the game.
He expected many to be surprised by the amount of young talent on show.
“We’re giving Australia respect and we’ll be watching a lot of their tapes from the last couple of weeks over and over and over,” the 57-year-old fourtime Premiership winning coach said.
“We’re in a very good space right now. You’ll see when you watch this team play against Australia. I’m not saying we’re going to win, but you’ll see a lot of talent out there and a lot of flair and that’s what’s been our plan.”
The squad arrived under somewhat of a cloud of cynicism, with media reports out of Australia, and particularly in New Zealand, less than complimentary towards the travelling South Africans.
Reports of a “B team” in anticipation of a “farcical contest” was splashed across the back pages.
Igesund, however, dismissed the comments out of hand, and branded the utterances “disrespectful” towards his young side.
“I get a bit frustrated when the squad I’ve chosen right now is so disrespected – they’re top players. People are more worried about the players that aren’t here. This squad deserves respect.
“We haven’t even played the game yet and people are talking about Bafana being a farce. I think it’s unbelievable to do that. Rather talk about that when we get back from the trip.
“It’s not fair that these players are getting criticised. Players have pulled out for legitimate reasons. It’s not a train smash. I’ve got a very good squad and I’m happy with my team.”
Bafana’s tour Down Under would be a taxing one, team manager Barney Kujane said, believing that the time difference between South Africa, Sydney and Auckland would be the team’s biggest challenge.
“Sydney is eight hours ahead of us and then we travel to New Zealand which is 10 hours ahead of us,” Kujane said.
“So we’re going to struggle a bit to settle, but we have talked to our medical people. They understand very well what they are expected to do.” – Sapa
Ronaldo said the relationship between the three men, so crucial to Real’s attacking potency, was excellent.
“The connection we have is nearly perfect,” he said.
“Karim and Gareth are excellent players and both are enjoying good spells. I’m happy to be playing alongside them.
“Things are going well and that’s important for the club,” Ronaldo said.
There was huge media speculation that Ronaldo would not take kindly to Bale’s arrival in Madrid last year.
The £86 million fee Real paid to Tottenham Hotspur set a new world transfer record, breaking the previous mark of £80m they paid to Manchester United for Ronaldo in 2009.
That, however, was never the case and Ronaldo has plenty of praise for the Welshman who has scored 20 goals for Real this season – 15 in La Liga and five in the Champions League.
Ronaldo said he made an immediate connection with the devastatingly quick midfielder who has settled well in Madrid after a slow start.
“Of course Gareth speaks English. Not all of the players here do, but I do. So we have a good connection. We have become close. I like him as a player and I like him even more as a person.
“As a player, it doesn’t need saying, but he’s also a very calm person.”
Ronaldo has scored 50 goals in all matches for Real this season and his 16 strikes in the Champions League broke the previous record of 14 shared by Jose Altafini of AC Milan and Lionel Messi of Barcelona.
He is also third on the alltime European Cup/Champions League scoring chart with 66 goals behind Raul (71) and Messi (67) but is now focused on helping Real lift the European Cup for the 10th time.
“It will be special at Benfica’s ground,” said the player developed at Benfica’s rivals Sporting before moving to Manchester United as a an 18year-old.
“It’s a legendary stadium for everyone in Portugal and for me. It’s in my country, and I am very happy for that.
“Perhaps they won’t be supporting Real Madrid, but that’s fine.”
Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid are still sweating on the fitness of Diego Costa and Arda Turan and a decision on whether they can feature in today’sfinal has not yet been taken, coach Diego Simeone said yesterday.
Costa, Atletico’s top scorer, and playmaker Arda limped out of last weekend’s La Liga title decider at Barcelona with hamstring and hip injuries respectively and there were fears they would not be available for the showpiece.
“Later on we will evaluate their condition and see if they can train better today,” Simeone told a news conference.
“We will see how they themselves are feeling and depending on what the team needs we will make a decision,” added the Argentine.
“Costa and Arda are important players but they are just two names on the list. It will either be them playing or two other lads who already know who they are.”
Costa and Arda trained with their teammates on Thursday before Atletico flew to the Portuguese capital from their base near Segovia yesterday morning.
Atletico are seeking their first European Cup title and will be trying to deny Real a record-extending 10th.
Atletico Madrid midfielder Tiago Mendes has described Simeone’s work as godlike as the club prepare for their first Champions League final in 40 years.
Simeone has transformed Atletico since taking over two and a half years ago, guiding them to their first La Liga title in 18 years last weekend to seal the fourth trophy of his time in charge.
“For the players and for everyone at the club he is like a god for us,” said Tiago.
“He arrived at the club and he changed everything. We would follow him anywhere; if he asked us to jump from a bridge, we would jump.
“We are very proud to have him as a coach.”
Simeone, though, hailed the work of his players to carry out his message on the field to perfection which has brought them to the brink of the best season in the club’s 111-year history.
“This group has strengthened a coaching staff that came to work with a lot of desire. Words sometimes aren’t