..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Shaqiri: Switzerland can beat France

Xherdan Shaqiri is brimming with confidence following Switzerland's hard-fought 2-1 win over Ecuador in Sunday's Group E game at the Estadio Mane Garrincha in Brasilia and is optimistic about his side's chances of beating France in their second match.

Ottmar Hitzfeld's men were trailing 1-0 at half-time against the South Americans following Enner Valencia's successful header in the 22nd minute, but Admir Mehmedi restored parity shortly after the interval before Haris Seferovic eventually helped the Swiss to the full three points with his stoppage-time winner.

"It’s a very good feeling to have won the game like this. This was a very important game and we are all very happy," Shaqiri told Goal.

"It's great for the team when you play at the World Cup and get a result like this in the first game. This gives the team a boost for the second and third group games. So we are delighted that we won in the end."

Switzerland endured a difficult first half before they eventually turned things around and the Bayern Munich winger was quick to admit things didn't go according to plan in the opening 45 minutes.

"We played really bad in the first half. We misplaced a lot of passes and lost possession too often. We didn’t play our own game.

"The coach had a good talk at half-time and then in the second half we were a completely different team. We dominated the game and created a lot of chances. We are very proud that we turned things around and won the game."

Hitzfeld's men take on favourites France in their second game on June 20, but Shaqiri has insisted that Switzerland don't fear the 1998 World Cup winners.

"France are a top team in our group and it will be a very difficult game for us. But it will be tough for France as well. We are a very good team.

"Before the World Cup, we beat Germany and Brazil, so we have shown that we can beat big teams. We want to play our own game against France and I can hope we will win."

 

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Lukaku: I'll decide my future after the World Cup

Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku says he will make a decision about his future following his World Cup campaign with Belgium this month.

Lukaku spent last season on loan at Everton and manager Roberto Martinez is keen to sign the 21-year-old on a permanent transfer, although Wolfsburg are also interested and Toffees team-mate Joel Robles claimed this week that the forward would fit in perfectly at Atletico Madrid.

Chelsea are close to completing a move for Atletico's Diego Costa and the arrival of the Brazil-born forward means Lukaku is likely to find opportunities few and far between if he stays at Stamford Bridge next term.

Lukaku has already revealed his intention of leaving the London club this summer in any case, but said on Sunday: "I'm not thinking about myself at the moment. I'm only thinking about Belgium. We have waited 12 years to be at a World Cup and I am only thinking about representing the team in the best manner possible.

"If we all do well, then it will be a benefit to all of us [in terms of possible transfers], but at the moment I am not thinking about my future. Not until after the World Cup."

Lukaku, who has shaken off an ankle problem picked up in a friendly against Tunisia last week, is primed for a starring role with Belgium in Brazil after Aston Villa's Christian Benteke was ruled out of the competition with a serious injury in April, but says he thrives under pressure.

"I love the pressure, I am crazy about it!" he said in a press conference in Belo Horizonte ahead of his side's World Cup opener against Algeria on Tuesday. "If you can't play under pressure you shouldn't be at a World Cup. I'm used to playing under pressure, in the Premier League there are big players and big teams - we are used to it.

"We have been together as a group since 2010 and our coach (Marc Wilmots) has given us lots of advice from day one. We won't feel the pressure."

And team-mate Alex Witsel added: "We have a great generation of players, we are here to play a great World Cup and our first aim is to finish top of our group."

 

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Neuer: I'm fit to face Portugal

Manuel Neuer has declared himself fit for Germany's pivotal Group G clash with Portugal in Salvador on Monday.

The Bayern Munich goalkeeper injured his shoulder during the DFB-Pokal final against Borussia Dortmund last month and there had been growing concerns surrounding his availability for his country's World Cup opener.

However, after training at the Arena Fonte Nova on Sunday morning, Neuer insisted that he is 100 per cent ready to face Cristiano Ronaldo and Co.

"I feel well, fit," the 28-year-old shot-stopper told reporters in Salvador. "I have no limitations in my movements whatsoever. I trained fully with everyone else. I feel well, upbeat.

"These injuries are part of football. Nobody wants to be injured but things do happen. It's clear that our leading players have been affected by injuries - Bastian [Schweinsteiger], Philipp [Lahm], Sami [Khedira] and also myself.

"We have not been available for long periods of our World Cup preparations but we were constantly a part of the squad.

"And, in the last few sessions, we all came together. The most important thing now is that every player on the pitch is 100 per cent fit and that we can play our usual game."

Portugal have had their own injury problems, with star man Cristiano Ronaldo struggling with both tendonitis and a thigh problem.

The Real Madrid superstar is expected to start in Salvador and Neuer is well aware of just how significant a threat Ronaldo is to Germany's hopes of of topping the group.

"I don't know if he's fit; we'll see tomorrow [Monday]," the goalkeeper mused.

"But if he's at the top of his form, he's one of the most dangerous players you can face in world football.

"We're facing Portugal and they often have winning streaks in the World Cup;: they were fourth in the last World Cup.

"So, you can see they're a great team. That's something I'd like to stress here.

"It's not the case that we can swagger through the group phase and finish first. As I say, we have three finals to play. This is the first."

 

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Schweinsteiger helicopter trip a Fifa precaution – Low

Germany boss Joachim Low has confirmed that there are no injury fears over Bastian Schweinsteiger ahead of his team’s opening fixture against Portugal on Monday.

The Bayern Munich midfielder was airlifted by helicopter away from his side’s training base on Saturday, generating fears that he would miss their first match of the tournament.

However, the coach has insisted that this was at the instruction of Fifa and does not relate to any ongoing concerns over the 29-year-old.

"We had a first investigation of [Philipp] Lahm's condition and he and [Manuel] Neuer were checked in Munich. Bastian was also checked, in Mainz,” the coach told the media. “But Fifa also demanded a medical check for insurance reasons. We then decided we would wait for a couple of days to see and in the game against Armenia he was fine. His knee is fine but Fifa wanted this extra medical check."

Indeed, the coach had further positive news on the injury front: "As far as tomorrow is concerned, all players will be 100 per cent fit."

Although Low has selected a young squad, veteran Miroslav Klose is on the verge of becoming the World Cup’s all-time top scorer, and the 54-year-old is hopeful the Lazio striker can quickly pass the milestone.

"I believe it will be very important for him personally to break the record," he stated. "It is quite extraordinary if you can become one of the best scorers of all time.

"It's an added motivation but it's a secondary issue for me. I would be very happy for him but those stats are secondary. The team needs to be successful.

"Whether Miroslav starts or is on the bench, he is very important for us. He is a role model. He has worked so hard, he is also 100 per cent fit. He has not been distracted by the whole hullabaloo surrounding the record or the tournament."

After finishing third in each of the last two World Cups, Low is optimistic that he can once more lead his squad deep into the competition.

"I think we've shown in the last years that we are a team that have a lot of options. If we perform consistently across the tournament, with plenty of passion and commitment, we can very tough to beat."

After playing Portugal, Germany will face Ghana and then the USA as they attempt to win a place in the knockout stages.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Hulk concern for Brazil

Hulk limped out of Brazil training on Sunday morning, leaving the striker as a doubt to feature in the World Cup hosts’ second match of the competition against Mexico on Tuesday.

The Zenit St. Petersburg forward featured as the Selecao kicked off the competition with a 3-1 success over Croatia, though he was forced to leave his team-mates prematurely as they continued their build up for the North Americans, who they will meet at Fortaleza’s Stadio Castelao.

After taking part in training for about 10 minutes on Sunday, the forward was forced out with a thigh problem. Nevertheless, he is optimistic of featuring.

"I'm fine, I'm cool," he told the press. "I prefered to exercise caution, as there is only two days before the game.

"I'll travel with the squad but it's Scolari who will decide at the last minute. If I play it's because I can give my best."

Although team doctors have not yet commented on the severity of the problem, there is a chance that the forward could miss the Mexico clash.

His absence would force head coach Luis Felipe Scolari to change the dynamic of the side, with some suggestions that Ramires could be drafted in as an additional body in the midfield, though Bernard, who replaced the 27-year-old midway through the second half of the opening game, and Willian would represent more attack-minded alternatives.

Hulk has won 36 caps in total for his country and has scored nine goals in those fixtures, often playing out on the right wing, which allows him to cut inside and shoot off his stronger left foot.

 

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Fabregas: Wenger and I talked about an Arsenal return

New Chelsea signing Cesc Fabregas says Arsenal opted against exercising their first option on signing him as they already had enough players in his position.

The former Gunners captain rejoined Barcelona in 2011 but was never able to nail down a key role in the Blaugrana's first team and signed a contract with the Blues on Thursday.

Arsenal retained first refusal on Fabregas as part of his transfer to Camp Nou but, after talks with Arsene Wenger, the Spain international says that the likes of Mesut Ozil got in the way of a homecoming.

"Arsenal was my first option for the contract clause [but] we talked with Wenger and my position was filled in his team," he told the press.

"I had very good offers from other teams. I wanted to come back to Premier League, obviously, then I talked with Jose Mourinho and he said what I wanted to hear, he convinced me and nothing else. I'm very happy with this."

Fabregas came on as a substitute as Spain were beaten 5-1 in the first game of their World Cup defence against Netherlands on Friday and is determined to improve in order to get out of their group.

"We are a national team and we know how we need to play," the midfielder declared. "We can win in different ways. I'm not saying we should change the players but we have to be stronger in attack.

"This team can do it; I don't see why we couldn't have a great match against Chile and teach them a footballing lesson."

 

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Drogba: I was disappointed not to start

Didier Drogba says he was disappointed at being left out of the Cote d'Ivoire starting line-up in their 2-1 victory over Group C rivals Japan.Coach Sabri Lamouchi opted to start with Wilfried Bony leading the line in between Salomon Kalou and Gervinho.

Drogba eventually entered the match after the hour mark with the Elephants trailing 1-0 after a close range Keisuke Honda effort. The former Chelsea striker inspired an improvement in his teammates, however, and less than five minutes after his entrance, the Africans were 2-1 up following goals from Bony and Gervinho.

"Yes, I was disappointed," Drogba told L’Equipe about his omission. "But I must also show respect to those who started and support them."When I came on, I just wanted to help the group win the match and I had no need for this disappointment to be motivated.

"It’s a beautiful victory. We are content with the result. We prepared ourselves for this for several weeks and it was important to have a good start in the tournament.
"Now, this result will be even more important if we manage a good one against Colombia."

Lamouchi was pleased with the former Chelsea star's contribution to the match, heaping praise upon him afterwards.

"To have a player like Didier Drogba in one’s team, starting or substitute, it changes a match."The players are very happy with the victory, but we are not yet qualified."

 

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Diego Costa: We will learn from Netherlands defeat

Diego Costa says Spain can learn from the 5-1 humiliation they suffered at the hands of Netherlands in their World Cup opener.

The World Cup holders threw away a one goal lead as doubles from Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie, as well as a goal from Stefan de Vrij, set the Dutch on their way to an important victory.

And Costa believes his team have to improve on their dismal performance but still feels his side can progress from the group stage.

"Nobody likes to lose and even less in this way, but people know that we can't give up because we have lots of possibilities," he said.

"We must learn from defeats and they can serve us as a lesson so that it doesn’t happen again."We have options. The good thing in life is that there is always an opportunity, we have to take advantage of this and fight right to the end."

Regardless of the defeat to Louis van Gaal's side, the 25-year-old insists he is happy in the squad.

"I am very happy and content for my first World Cup. It’s not been the start that I wanted, but it is necessary to take the good things [from the situation]."I will give everything for this shirt. If we are all united together we can advance the cause and make people as happy as before."

 

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Lambert excited to link up with 'world-class' Gerrard

Rickie Lambert is excited about the prospect of playing alongside "world-class" Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard next season.

The 32-year-old secured an emotional return to Liverpool from Southampton earlier this summer, before heading to Brazil with England for the World Cup, where he is also captained by Gerrard.

And Lambert is looking forward to playing alongside the Anfield skipper regularly next term, hailing his influence on all members of Brendan Rodgers' squad.

He told the club's official website: "He's still one of our best players - still world-class, in my opinion. As a deep-lying midfielder he's one of the best.

"And he's good off the field too - not one to shout.

"He does his actions on the pitch and he speaks to the young lads and puts an arm around them when it's needed.

"It was top drawer the way he walked off with Raheem Sterling when Raheem was sent off against Ecuador. The young lads aren't intimidated and he's one of the main reasons for that."

Gerrard has hinted that the Brazil showpiece could be his last tournament with England, but Lambert has backed him to extend his international career beyond the South American showpiece.

"Whatever decision he makes everyone is going to be behind him and respectful of it," added the former Southampton man.

"But, if you are asking my opinion, I think he can go on for a number of years."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

My goal was for Fanny - Balotelli

Mario Balotelli says his goal in Italy's 2-1 win over England was for his fiance Fanny Neguesha and stressed he would not get carried away over his side's prospects.

The AC Milan forward scored a 50th-minute header to give the Azzurri a 2-1 victory after Claudio Marchisio and Daniel Sturridge had both found the net in the first half of the Group D clash.

Balotelli expressed his delight with making his first appearance in a World Cup and dedicated his decisive strike to his Belgian fiance, who was watching the game in an Italy shirt from the stands after accepting an engagement proposal from him at their training camp this week.

"It's a unique experience," the 23-year-old was quoted by Gazzetta dello Sport.
"I've never played a World Cup. It was my first World Cup match and it was a wonderful sensation to experience."My goal is dedicated to my future wife who is here and my friends who are at home.

The Azzurri now appear favourites to top the group after Uruguay's 3-1 defeat to Costa Rica but the former Inter and Manchester City striker refused to dwell too long on his side's chances of attaining a fifth World Cup win."We do not fear anyone," he continued.

"But we have to play without getting ahead of ourselves, and only think of Costa Rica. We must keep our feet on the ground otherwise we're going nowhere.
"The climactic conditions were just terrible tonight in Manaus," he added when asked about the heat and humidity of the Amazonian city."It was far too hot. Italy always suffer, but the important thing is to win."

Cesare Prandelli's men will now take on Costa Rica on June 20 and Uruguay on June 24.

 

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:De Gea suffers leg injury to leave World Cup participation in doubt

Spain goalkeeper David de Gea is a doubt for the rest of the World Cup after picking up a leg muscle injury.

The Manchester United No.1 had been tipped by some to make a starting appearance for Vicente del Bosque's men against Chile in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday following Iker Casillas' horror show in the 5-1 loss to Netherlands.

But now the former Atletico Madrid man could miss the remainder of the group stage after suffering a gluteal injury and was forced to sit out of training on Monday.

De Gea underwent medical scans on Sunday, and it is feared that a significant strain will end his tournament, with initial reports in Spain suggesting he will be out for at least 10 days. Medical staff have confirmed they will make day-to-day assessments of the 23-year-old's condition.

Casillas' poor showing in Salvador on Friday led to the Spain first-choice accepting culpability for the loss in the media, and some have questioned his place in the side. However, if De Gea is forced to leave the camp as a result of his injury, only Pepe Reina remains at Del Bosque's disposal as a potential replacement.

Spain currently sit bottom of Group B, and will also take on Australia following their clash with Chile at the Maracana on Wednesday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Get well soon De Gea!​

 

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Mourinho wants Diego Costa at Chelsea

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has confirmed that he wants to sign Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa.

The Spain international - currently representing his country at the World Cup - scored 36 goals last season as Atletico won a thrilling La Liga title race and reached the Champions League final.

Diego Simeone's side dumped Chelsea out at the semi-final stage on their way to the showpiece in Lisbon, with Costa scoring from the penalty spot in a 3-1 triumph at Stamford Bridge.

The striker dropped a strong hint before the World Cup that he would be heading to Stamford Bridge - where he has already completed a medical ahead of a €44 million move, saying: "Am I going to Chelsea? It looks like it."

And Mourinho has now revealed that he has demanded Costa be snapped up as Chelsea look to improve upon a trophyless first season under the Portuguese.

He told Marca: "Costa is a player I want in my team.

"I've asked the club to bring him in and I am extremely confident that we are going to get him and he'll end up signing for Chelsea."

Chelsea have already secured the signature of Cesc Fabregas from Barcelona as Mourinho looks to reinvest cash earned from the recent big-money sales of Juan Mata to Manchester United and David Luiz to Paris Saint-Germain.

One player definitely headed to Stamford Bridge from Atletico is goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois - who has spent the last three seasons on loan at the Vicente Calderon.

Courtois is also at the World Cup, with Belgium, and has previously suggested he would prefer not to play understudy to regular Chelsea keeper Petr Cech. As a result, Chelsea are ready to sell Cech, with Courtois set to take the No.1 shirt in the 2014-15 season.

Mourinho explained: "When the World Cup in Brazil is over, Courtois will be coming straight back to Stamford Bridge - end of story."

 

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Argentina Vs Bosnia

Starting Line-ups

​

 

[රජ්ජුරුවෝ]

franc ekka match ekak thiyenawa neda ra. ?

 

[Wolverine GTR]

franc ekka match ekak thiyenawa neda ra. ?

France Vs Honduras thibbe bro SL time 3.30AM thibbe Argentina Vs Bosnia match 1ka.​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

France 3-0 Honduras: Brilliant Benzema dispatches Suarez's side

Karim Benzema was in inspired form as France opened their World Cup campaign with a convincing 3-0 win over Honduras.

Luis Suarez's Central Americans were not afraid to put in several robust challenges - an approach that resulted in Wilson Palacios' dismissal shortly before the break.

There was also a first moment of doubt in relation to goal-line technology at the World Cup, with initial confusion over the verdict for France's second goal.

However, Didier Deschamps' men were rightful victors as they moved top of Group E despite having struggled to break down Honduras' backline for the majority of the opening 45 minutes.

Benzema gave France the lead from the penalty spot just prior to the break, with Palacios shown a second yellow card after barging into Paul Pogba, and the 10 men of Honduras fell further behind early in the second half.

After a short delay, goal-line technology confirmed goalkeeper Noel Valladares had fumbled Benzema's effort over the line, and the Real Madrid man added a third 18 minutes from time as the French got their first points on the board in Brazil.

Both sides struggled to build momentum early on, although Mathieu Valbuena and Antoine Griezmann were among the livelier French players in the opening 10 minutes.

Valbuena in particular was a danger and his delivery led to France's first chance 14 minutes in - Blaise Matuidi seeing his effort from inside the area tipped onto and over the crossbar by Valladares.

From there, France dominated play and Griezmann was next to go close with a header that hit the woodwork.

Tempers flared shortly before the half-hour mark when Pogba and Palacios were involved in a heated exchange after some tenacious tackling from the Stoke City man.

Pogba kicked out at the Honduran from on the ground and was perhaps lucky to escape with only a yellow card, while Palacios was also booked for the initial challenge.

For Honduras, that break in play provided welcome respite from constant French pressure and the incident seemed to slow the Europeans' momentum somewhat.

Indeed, they needed a penalty to give them a lead at the break - Benzema tucking the spot-kick away after Palacios had mindlessly bundled over Pogba in the area.

The midfielder's subsequent dismissal gave the Central Americans a mountain to climb in the second half, with things getting worse for Honduras two minutes after the restart with the arrival of France's second.

Benzema's initial effort struck the far post and, with the assistance of goal-line technology and some poor handling from Valladares, it found its way over the line.

While there was a delay on the confirmation of the goal and subsequent disagreements between France coach Deschamps and his counterpart Suarez on the touchline, the ball was - eventually - clearly adjudged to be over the line.

There was no doubt whatsoever as to Benzema's second of the game, though - the impressive striker crashing an effort into the roof of the net from a tight angle with 18 minutes left.

That put further daylight between the two sides, although more robust tackling from Honduras late on meant that Deschamps will likely have been satisfied to simply come through a physical encounter unscathed and seemingly without injury.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Argentina 2-1 Bosnia-Herzegovina: Messi magic lights up Maracana

A moment of magic from Lionel Messi helped Argentina to a winning start in their World Cup campaign as they beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-1 at the Maracana on Sunday.

Sead Kolasinac's unfortunate own goal in just the third minute sent the South Americans on their way before Messi scored with a fine second-half effort.

Substitute Vedad Ibisevic gave Bosnia hope with an 85th-minute goal, but they were unable to find an equaliser.

Messi, like his team, had been largely poor until the 65th-minute goal as Argentina, one of the tournament favourites, toiled away manfully in the Group F clash.

Alejandro Sabella would have been worried about the opening hour, but his team finished decently after Messi's second World Cup goal and first since 2006.

Starting with a 5-3-2 was perhaps the biggest surprise to Sabella's Argentina line-up.

Napoli forward Gonzalo Higuain was left on the bench, seemingly still yet to recover fully from an ankle injury.

In their first ever World Cup game, Bosnia-Herzegovina had few shocks in their starting XI with Edin Dzeko leading the line in a 4-2-3-1.

But Safet Susic's men made the worst possible start to be behind after two minutes and eight seconds.

Messi's set-piece from the left was headed by Marcos Rojo, hit a stranded Kolasinac and crept past goalkeeper Asmir Begovic for the fastest own goal in World Cup history.

Izet Hajrovic almost had Bosnia level in the 13th minute, but goalkeeper Sergio Romero scrambled away after the midfielder's heavy first touch.

Despite the awful start, Susic's side looked comfortable in defence and were just lacking some polish in the attacking third.

Maxi Rodriguez blazed well over from 30 yards just after the half-hour mark for Argentina, while Javier Mascherano's effort from range forced Begovic into a save moments later.

An off-balance Dzeko tried his luck from outside the area in the 33rd minute, but he curled his left-footed shot over the bar.

A largely dull first half was brought to life four minutes before half-time.

Senad Lulic almost had Bosnia's equaliser from a Miralem Pjanic corner, only for Romero to push the header around his post in the last chance of the half.

Unhappy with his side's first half, Sabella made two changes at the break as Higuain and Fernando Gago replaced Rodriguez and Hugo Campagnaro, with the system shifting to a flexible 4-3-3.

But Bosnia remained on the front foot after the interval as Hajrovic struck a free kick straight at Romero from 25 yards in the 50th minute and then shot at him from range.

Sergio Aguero's strike from an angle lacked the power and direction to seriously trouble Begovic after he was teed up by Messi.

Messi had squandered a good free kick chance before he doubled Argentina's lead in the 65th minute in truly emphatic style.

The Barcelona star exchanged passes with Higuain, skipped past a challenge and placed his left-footed shot in off the post from the edge of the area.

Ibisevic pulled a goal back for Susic's side - their first ever in the World Cup - as he poked through Romero's legs after a fine through ball by Lulic, but Argentina held on.

 

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Eto'o set to miss vital Croatia clash

Samuel Eto'o is set to miss Cameroon's vital World Cup clash with Croatia on Wednesday due to a knee injury.

The Indomnitable Lions' talisman took to Twitter on Sunday to reveal the news which will come as a major blow to coach Volker Finke.

His side lost their opening Group A game 1-0 to Mexico on Friday and need a positive result against the Croatians to stand a realistic chance of progressing to the knockout stages.

But they will have to do it without Eto'o, who said on the social media site: "The doctors have confirmed I will probably not be able to play the match vs Croatia on Wed, June 18th due to an injury on my knee causing me pain."

 

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Ronaldo no guarantee for success, says Bento

Portugal coach Paulo Bento has stressed that the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo is no guarantee for success at the World Cup ahead of their Group G opener against Germany on Monday.

The Real Madrid attacker won the prestigious Fifa Ballon d'Or earlier this year and enjoyed a stellar campaign for the Champions League winners, but persistent knee and thigh problems mean he could be doubtful to feature against Joachim Low's men.

Bento has made it clear that the prolific attacker, should he be fit, cannot guide his team to success all by himself.

"I think having a player like Cris is very importance because he influences the way we play greatly. He knows that and, more importantly, his team-mates know that," the Portugal boss said at a press conference.

"But just because we have the best player in the world doesn't mean that we should be world champions. I know that some people in my country don't like me to say that but it's true.

"What we just have to do is focus on getting out of the group. I think regardless of the person in any group, you have to first do what's best for the team. Then you'll become recognised individually.

"We have a very good team. It is a team that has participated in big championships and had positive results, bearing in mind the size of the country. We're going to try to have a good World Cup but our first objective is to pass through the group phase, so having the best player in the world available to us makes us very pleased."

Bento then went on to voice his dismay with the early kick-off times of some games as he feels the heat makes it hard for players to perform at their best in Brazil.

"We have established a plan for ourselves, which includes three stages: one in Portugal, the second for the friendlies in Portugal and the United States, and then arriving in Brazil on the mandatory date five days beforehand. I think we've chosen to do things a different. But if you're asking me if we're at a disadvantage, I think it's not for our national team but all teams," he said.

"As well as all the teams have adopted, it is not good to have a match at 1pm. That, I believe, is a disadvantage. We should have learned this in the United States World Cup when you had matches at 2 and 3pm in extremely high temperatures. That is something that his harmful. It's harmful for the players, the fans, everyone. It's not the best way to play football and I believe what is most important in football is the players."

After Monday's encounter with Germany, Portugal take on USA on June 22 and Ghana on June 26.