FIFA WORLD CUP 2018
CARVAJAL TO MISS OUT?
Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal looks likely to miss out on the World Cup after suffering a hamstring injury during the Champions League final.
Carvajal left the field in tears during the first half of Madrid's 3-1 win against Liverpool on Saturday and cut a desolate figure as he walked into the dressing room, reports Xinhua news agency.
Early tests indicate that he has suffered a torn hamstring, but until further tests are carried out the full extent of the injury won't be known.
However, with just three weeks to go for Spain's campaign opener against Portugal on June 15, head coach Julen Lopetegui has a difficult choice to make. Any tear will need around three weeks to heal and a serious one would need longer, so he could be forced to call on Barca's Sergi Roberto as a replacement.
SON MUST STEP UP: SHIN
Son Heung-min needs to overcome his status as a marked man after an impressive season for Tottenham Hotspur if he is to establish himself among the game's elite at the World Cup in Russia, says South Korea coach Shin Tae-yong.
"He's done well with Tottenham and he's one our best attacking options," Shin told Reuters. "He enhances our team totally with his attacking ability.
Drawn to play Sweden, Mexico and defending champions Germany, the task facing Shin and his team appears daunting.
"Son still plays well for the national team, but when he plays for Tottenham there are many good players and opposing defences are not only focusing on him," he said.
"But when he plays for the national team, the opposition focuses on defending against Son Heung-min. Sometimes he struggles to overcome that but now I think he's doing well. But to become a big player, he has to overcome that barrier."
SAUDIS GET PRINCELY INSPIRATION
The Saudi Arabia players will begin the World Cup countdown against Italy on Monday night with the inspiration from Prince Mohammad bin Salman ringing in their ears.
The Green Falcons met the prince before they left for a camp in Switzerland and he stressed how the whole kingdom was fully behind them. Saudi Arabia are hoping to at least reach the last 16 for the second time.
"He spoke directly to the players about important points: How to represent your country as a Saudi, how to direct your efforts toward making your country proud, and how to be ready in every means," Nawaf Al-Temyat, vice president of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, said.