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world-cup-e1401810418519   Rossi Dropped by Prandelli Florentine striker, Giuseppe Rossi was the major casualty when CesarePrandelli named his final squad for the World Cup on Sunday. The striker missed four months of the season through injury and couldn’t convince Prandelli to take him to Brazil. In his place, Prandelli has opted for Ciro Immobile, the striker who just completed a move to Borussia Dortmund after leading the scorers’ chart last season and versatile Napoli midfielder Lorenzo Insigne. This is the second time the American-born Italian is missing out on the World Cup. The former Manchester United, Newcastle and Villarreal striker was dropped at the last minute by coach Marcello Lippi for the 2010 edition, a decision Lippi regretted last week. Also, Ricardo Montolivo misses out through injury and is replaced by Parma midfielder Marco Parolo. Italy 2014 World Cup Squad Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Salvatore Sirigu (Paris Saint-Germain), MattiaPerin (Genoa) Defenders: Ignazio Abate (AC Milan), Andrea Barzagli (Juventus), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Matteo Darmian (Torino), Mattia De Sciglio (AC Milan), Gabriel Paletta (Parma) Midfielders: Alberto Aquilani (Fiorentina), Antonio Candreva (Lazio), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Thiago Motta (Paris Saint-Germain), Marco Parolo (Parma), Andrea Pirlo (Juventus), Marco Verratti (Paris Saint-Germain) Forwards: Mario Balotelli (AC Milan), Antonio Cassano (Parma), Alessio Cerci (Torino), Ciro Immobile (Torino), Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli)     Vidal Named in Chile Squad   Despite nursing a right knee injury, Juventus midfielder, Arturo Vidal was named in Chile’s World Cup squad on Sunday. The versatile midfielder had an operation on his meniscus a fortnight ago, but has won the race to be fit in time for the tournament. Chile will play on Group B with Netherlands, Australia and Spain.   Chile 2014 World Cup Squad Goalkeepers: Claudio Bravo (Real Sociedad), Johnny Herrera (Universidad de Chile), Cristopher Toselli (Universidad Catolica) Defenders: Gary Medel (Cardiff City), Jose Rojas (Universidad de Chile), Eugenio Mena (Santos), Gonzalo Jara (Nottingham Forest) Midfielders: Arturo Vidal (Juventus), Mauricio Isla (Juventus), Marcelo Diaz (Basel), Francisco Silva (Osasuna), Felipe Gutierrez (FC Twente), Jose Pedro Fuenzalida (Colo-Colo), Carlos Carmona (Atalanta), Jean Beausejour (Wigan Athletic), Charles Aranguiz (Internacional), MiikoAlbornoz (Malmo) Forwards: Alexis Sanchez (Barcelona), Eduardo Vargas (Valencia), Jorge Valdivia (Palmeiras), Mauricio Pinilla (Cagliari), Esteban Paredes (Colo-Colo), Fabian Orellana (Celta Vigo)       Klose Given the Chance to Write the History Books   Striker, MiroslavKlose has been handed the chance to become the highest goal scorer in the history of World Cup history by Joachim Low. The German coach named Klose has the only recognizable striker for the 2014 World Cup, dropping Hoffenheim’s striker, Kevin Holland. However, Germany is blessed with many attacking options. Andre Schurrle, Lukas Podolski, Marco Reus, Thomas Muller and Mario Gotze can all play alongside Klose if need be. Former Everton misfit ShkodranMustafi and Borussia Dortmund left back Marcel Schmelzerwere also dropped from the team.   Germany 2014 World Cup Squad   Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Roman Weidenfeller (Borussia Dortmund), Ron-Robert Zieler (Hannover) Defenders: Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Erik Durm (Borussia Dortmund), Kevin Grosskreutz (Borussia Dortmund), BenediktHowedes (FC Schalke), Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Per Mertesacker (Arsenal) Midfielders: Julian Draxler (Schalke), Matthias Ginter (Freiburg), Mario Gotze (Bayern Munich), Christoph Kramer (Borussia Monchengladbach), Sami Khedira (Real Madrid), Toni Kroos (Bayern Munich), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), MesutOzil (Arsenal), Lukas Podolski (Arsenal), Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund), Andre Schurrle (Chelsea), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich) Forward: MiroslavKlose (Lazio).   Old Man Eto’o Heads Cameroon’s Final List   Samuel Eto’o is set to feature in his fourth World Cup after he was named in Volker Finke’s final 23-man squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™.Eto’o, 33, labeled old by Chelsea coach, Jose Mourinho earlier in the year has proven his critics wrong and justified his selection by scoring the opener in 2-2 friendly draw against European heavyweights, Germany over the weekend. Barcelona’s Alexander Song, who has been a bit-part player since making the move from Arsenal to Nou Camp some seasons ago is also included in the team. However, there was no place for veteran striker, Mohammed Idrissou in the squad.   Cameroon 2014 World Cup Squad Goalkeepers: Charles Itandje (Konyaspor), Sammy N’Djock (Fethiyespor), LoïcFeudjou (Coton sport/CMR) Defenders: Allan Nyom (Granada CF/ESP), Cedric Djeugoue(Coton sport/CMR), DanyNounkeu (Besiktas/TUR), AurelienChedjou (Galatasaray/TUR), Nicolas N’Koulou (Marseille/FRA), Henri Bedimo (Lyon/FRA), BenoîtAssouEkotto (Queens ParkRangers/ENG) Midfielders: EyongEnoh(Antalyaspor), Jean II Makoun (Rennes/FRA), Joel Matip (Schalke/GER), Stephane Mbia (Sevilla/ESP), Landry N’Guemo (Bordeaux/FRA), Alexandre Song (Barcelona/ESP), Edgar Salli (Lens/FRA) Forwards: Samuel Eto’o (Chelsea/ENG), Eric ChoupoMoting (Mainz 05/GER), Benjamin Moukandjo (Nancy/FRA), Vincent Aboubakar (Lorient/FRA), Pierre AchilleWebo (Fenerbahce/TUR), FabriceOlinga (Zulte-Waregem/BEL)     Falcao Loses Fitness Battle For World Cup RadamelFalcao has been ruled out of the World Cup after failing to recover from his knee injury. The Colombian striker injured his knee whilst playing for club side, AS Monaco in January. Colombian coach Jose Pekermanhad decided to wait on the striker before naming his final list for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™. However, medical reports on Falcao suggested the star man won’t be fit in time for the World Cup. This opens a chance for Sevilla striker, Carlos Bacca to up the ante in Brazil. Colombia 2014 World Cup Squad Goalkeepers: David Ospina (Nice/France), Faryd Mondragon (Deportivo Cali), Camilo Vargas (Santa Fe) Defenders: Camilo Zuniga (Napoli/Italy), Pablo Armero (Napoli/Italy), Cristian Zapata (AC Milan/Italy), Mario Yepes (Atalanta/Italy), Carlos Valdes (Philadelphia Union/USA – on loan to San Lorenzo/Argentina), Santiago Arias (PSV Eindhoven/Netherlands), Eder Alvarez-Balanta (River Plate/Argentina) Midfielders: James Rodriguez (Monaco/France), Abel Aguilar (Toulouse/France), Carlos Sanchez (Elche/Spain), FredyGuarin (Inter Milan/Italy), Juan Fernando Quintero (Porto/Portugal), Aldo Ramirez (Morelia/Mexico), Alexander Mejia (Atletico Nacional), Victor Ibarbo (Cagliari/Italy), Juan Guillermo Cuadrado (Fiorentina/Italy) Forwards: Jackson Martinez (Porto/Portugal), Teofilo Gutierrez (River Plate/Argentina), Carlos Bacca (Sevilla/Spain), Adrian Ramos (Borussia Dortmund/Germany)     Messi Heads Argentine Stars For World Cup   Lionel Messi heads the list of Argentine stars penciled down by coach, Alejandro Sabella for the summer’s showpiece. The coach decided to cut Atletico Madrid player Jose Sosa who was a substitute in the UEFA Champions League final some weeks back, Nicolas Otamendi and Ever Banega from his squad. Renowned and established players such as Martin Demichelis, Pablo Zabaleta, Sergio Aguero and Angel Di Maria are all on the list. Fernando Gago also made the cut despite fitness concerns. Argentina is locked in the same group with Nigeria, Iran and Bosnia. This will be the fourth time in World Cup history that Nigeria and Argentina will face each other at the World Cup.     Argentina 2014 World Cup Squad Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (Monaco), Mariano Andujar (Catania), Agustin Orion (Boca Juniors). Defenders: Ezequiel Garay (Benfica), Federico Fernandez (Napoli), Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Marcos Rojo (Sporting Lisbon), Jose-Maria Basanta (Monterrey), Hugo Campagnaro (Inter Milan), Martin Demichelis (Manchester City). Midfielders: Fernando Gago (Boca Juniors), Lucas Biglia (Lazio), Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid), Maxi Rodriguez (Newell’s Old Boys), Ricardo Alvarez (Inter Milan), Augusto Fernandez (Celta Vigo), Enzo Perez (Benfica). Forwards: Sergio Aguero (Manchester City), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Paris Saint-Germain), Rodrigo Palacio (Inter Milan).   France Names Final Squad   France coach, Didier Deschamps has included Bayern Munich star, Franck Ribery in his 23-player FIFA World Cup™ squad. The skillful winger has been a serious doubt after picking up a back injury in training but Deschamps hopes to have him back for the final warm-up game against Jamaica on Sunday. Also, goalkeeper Stephane Ruffier has benefitted from Steve Mandanda’s ill luck and will fly to Brazil with the French squad. France 2014 World Cup Squad Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham Hotspur), Stephane Ruffier (Saint-Etienne) MickaelLandreau (Bastia) Defenders: Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle United), Lucas Digne (Paris Saint-Germain), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal), EliaquimMangala (FC Porto), BacarySagna (Arsenal), MamadouSakho (Liverpool), Raphael Varane (Real Madrid) Midfielders: YohanCabaye (Paris Saint-Germain), Clement Grenier (Lyon), Blaise Matuidi (Paris Saint-Germain), Rio Mavuba (Lille), Paul Pogba (Juventus), Moussa Sissoko (Newcastle United), Mathieu Valbuena (Marseille) Forwards: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Olivier Giroud (Arsenal), Antoine Griezmann (Real Sociedad), Loic Remy (Newcastle United), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich)   Capello Names His Russia Squad   Russia coach, Fabio Capello named his final 23-man squad to play in the FIFA World Cup™ on Monday. Included in the team are experienced defender Sergei Ignashevich, midfielder Roman Shirokov and forward Alexander Kerzhakov. Capello, who is going to his second World Cup as coach decided to leave out Sevilla’s Denis Cheryshev and Pavel Mogilevets of Rubin Kazan. The former England manager, who recently extended his contract with the Russian Football Union until the end of the 2018 World Cup, kept faith with youngsters Andrei Semenov and Maxim Kanunnikov. Russia 2014 World Cup Squad: Goalkeepers: Igor Akinfeev (CSKA Moscow), YuryLodygin (Zenit St Petersburg), Sergei Ryzhikov (Rubin Kazan) Defenders: VasilyBerezutsky, Sergei Ignashevich, GeorgyShchennikov (all CSKA Moscow), Vladimir Granat, Alexei Kozlov (both Dynamo Moscow), AndreyYeshchenko (Anzhi Makhachkala), Dmitri Kombarov (Spartak Moscow), Andrei Semenov (Terek Grozny) Midfielders: Igor Denisov, Yuri Zhirkov (both Dynamo Moscow), Alan Dzagoev (CSKA Moscow), Roman Shirokov (FC Krasnodar), Denis Glushakov (Spartak Moscow), Viktor Fayzulin, Oleg Shatov (both Zenit St Petersburg) Forwards: Alexander Kerzhakov (Zenit St Petersburg), Alexei Ionov, Alexander Kokorin (both Dynamo Moscow), Maxim Kanunnikov (Amkar Perm), Alexander Samedov (Lokomotiv Moscow)     Bentaleb Set For His First World Cup   Tottenham Hotspur youngster, Nabil Bentaleb has been given the opportunity to feature in his first ever World Cup after he was included in Algeria coach VahidHalilhodzic final 23-man squad for the FIFA World Cup™. His inclusion comes at the expense of Crystal Palace midfielder AdleneGuediourawho was part of the country’s squad at the 2010 World Cup. The other players who will not play a part at the World Cup are on-loan Nottingham Forest forward RafikDjebbour, goalkeeper AzzedineDoukha, defender NacereddineKhoualed, midfielders RyadBoudebouz and Amir Karaoui, plus forward FouedKadir.   Algeria 2014 World Cup Squad: Goalkeepers: Mohamed LamineZemmamouche (USM Alger), RaisMbolhi (CSKA Sofia), Cedric Si Mohamed (CS Constantine) Defenders: Carl Medjani (Valenciennes), AissaMandi (Reims), MadjidBougherra (Lekhwiya), FaouziGhoulam (Napoli), RafikHalliche (Academica),EssaidBelkalem (Watford), LiassineCadamuro (Real Mallorca), DjamelMesbah (Livorno), Mehdi Mostefa (Ajaccio) Midfielders: SofianeFeghouli (Valencia), SaphirTaider (Inter Milan), MedhiLacen (Getafe), AbdelmoumenDjabou (Club Africain), YacineBrahimi (Grenada), Nabil Bentaleb (Tottenham), Hassan Yebda (Udinese), RiyadMahrez (Leicester) Forwards: Islam Slimani (Sporting Lisbon), HilalSoudani (Dinamo Zagreb, Nabil Ghilas (Porto).             Castillo Named in Ecuador Team   Ecuadorian Segundo Castillo has been named in coach Reinaldo Rueda’s 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ squad despite colliding horribly with Mexican playmaker,Luis Montes. Montes and Castillo went in hard for a 50-50 challenge with both players injuring themselves in the process. However, it seems Montes came off worse as he has been ruled out of the World Cup E.   Ecuador 2014 World Cup Squad Goalkeepers: Maximo Banguera (Barcelona), Adrian Bone (El Nacional), Alexander Dominguez (Liga de Quito) Defenders: Gabriel Achilier (Emelec), Walter Ayovi (Pachuca/Mexico), Oscar Bagui (Emelec), FricksonErazo (Flamengo/Brazil), Jorge Guagua (Emelec), Juan Carlos Paredes (Barcelona, Ecuador) Midfielders: Segundo Castillo (Al Hilal/Saudi Arabia), Carlos Gruezo (Stuttgart/Germany), Renato Ibarra (Vitesse Arnhem/Netherlands), Fidel Martinez (Tijuana/Mexico), Edison Mendez (Santa Fe/Mexico), Christian Noboa (Dinamo Moscow/Russia), Luis Saritama (Barcelona), Antonio Valencia (Manchester United/England) Forwards: Jaime Ayovi (Tijuana/Mexico), Felipe Caicedo (Al Jazira/United Arab Emirates), Jefferson Montero (Morelia/Mexico), Joao Rojas (Cruz Azul/Mexico), Enner Valencia (Pachuca/Mexico), Michael Arroyo (Atlante/Mexico)

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This article was first published on 3rd June 2014

arinzeude

Arinze Ude is a PhD Student at the University of the West of England Bristol, UK, where he's exploring on the mechanisms of donor cell leukaemia. He shares his deep thoughts on his blog and the Naked Convos. He is keen to promote personal development of the Nigerian youth via thought-provoking articles.


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