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World Cup countdown kicks off
(China Daily/Agencies)
Updated: 2006-03-01 06:14
PARIS: The World Cup countdown kicks off on Wednesday night as the
competition's favourites begin their warm-up matches a little over three months
before the start of Germany's football extravaganza.
Brazil, Argentina, France, England, Germany and Italy, for many football
pundits the top nations at the June 9 to July 9 event, are all in action on a
night of international friendlies.
Brazil travel to Moscow to face Russia and Argentina meet Croatia in Basel,
Switzerland, as the perennial top teams of South America begin their build-up to
the footballing bonanza.
Surely the most intriguing fixture is between Italy and Germany in Florence,
given the two nations' success over the years.
Both countries are among the favourites in Germany this summer given their
rich international pedigree, with three World Cup wins apiece and four European
championship triumphs between them.
England meet Uruguay in Liverpool as preparation for their opening World Cup
match against another South American side in Paraguay while 1998 world champions
France host Slovakia at the Stade de France to the north of Paris.
Ronaldinho will miss Brazil's match after picking up an injury in Barcelona's
Champions League win against Chelsea last week.
The World Footballer of the Year left Stamford Bridge with a swollen left
ankle but was still considered fit enough to turn out for Barcelona against Real
Zaragoza on Saturday.
But after scoring a penalty in the 2-0 win the injury flared up again forcing
Ronaldinho to leave the pitch before the final whistle.
Ronaldinho joins AC Milan keeper Dida and Julio Cesar (Inter Milan) on the
sidelines for Wednesday's game at Lokomotiv Moscow's ground.
Brazil face Croatia, Australia and Japan in the World
Cup group stages.
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