World cup tidbits

FANS PICK ON FRED

A new poll published on Friday makes it official: Fans think striker Fred is the worst player on Brazil's World Cup squad.

The respected Datafolha polling group said that for 21 percent of the close to 3,000 people questioned, the Fluminense forward is the Brazilian team's worst player. Nine percent picked striker Hulk and six percent named defender Dani Alves, who was removed from the starting lineup for Fridays' quarterfinal against Colombia.

It was no surprise that 56 percent of respondents identified injured striker Neymar as the team's best player, woalkeeper Julio Cesar a distant second with 10 percent.

EXTRA, EXTRA!

Taking advantage of the huge Colombian crowd accompanying the national team at the World Cup, Colombia's main newspaper handed out free copies of its daily edition to fans arriving for Friday's quarterfinal match against the host.

Youngsters dressed in the Colombian colors - blue, yellow and red - gave away a special edition of El Tiempo at traffic lights outside Arena Castelao in the northeastern city of Fortaleza.

The newspaper said it is the first time in its 103-year history it has been published in another country. The paper featured 12 pages of coverage about the Colombian team and the World Cup in general.

SWISS SUPPORT

Disheartened Swiss fans returning to Zurich after their country's 1-0 World Cup loss to Argentina could at least take comfort in one parting treat - they were flying home with their beloved team.

Faces perked up at the departure gate moments before boarding when coach Ottmar Hitzfeld and his players strode in. Some stopped to sign autographs and briefly mingled with fans still sporting the team's red paraphernalia.

Fans quickly snapped selfies with the players, and once everyone was seated, the flight captain - even before announcing the duration and altitude - welcomed the team aboard and said the country was proud of its valiant effort against the heavily-favored Argentines.

Some players said the memory of Angel di Maria's crushing 118th-minute goal was still too fresh.

"We have to try to forget it," said defender Johan Djourou. "When you lose that way, it is always hard."

KLINSMANN'S PICKS

No way is Juergen Klinsmann going against the home Brazilians in this World Cup.

The US coach believes the Selecao are making quite a run at their sixth World Cup championship, even if his homeland of Germany is still in the tournament while the Americans head home.

"Brazil is the No 1 name to mention because of their talent and their home advantage and the energy they bring into this tournament," Klinsmann said. "There are other teams that will be difficult to beat. Germany will be difficult to beat. Holland will also be difficult to beat."

(China Daily 07/06/2014 page12)