Togo, France Begin Pre-Cup Training

Brazilian national soccer team coach Carlos Alberto Ferreira is contemplating removing the team’s trainings sessions from the public eye due to excessive attention from fans. “If our extreme fandom interrupts the team’s preparations for the World Cup, we could choose not to disclose our training sessions to the public,” said Ferreira at a press conference held in Weggis, Switzerland yesterday.

Weggis training field, where people can go to see the Brazilian team practice, has sold some 45,000 tickets. Weggis has become a new sightseeing course for soccer fans who wish to see the famous team. The local police force is on full alert as some seven hundred diehard fans plus reporters were attracted to the hotel where the Brazilians are staying. Reportedly, the team is searching for a new place it can hide from all the attention and train in peace.

Korea’s first opponent Togo national team defeated Bayern yesterday in a practice match held at TSV Stadium in Germany. Affo Erassa (Clermont), Abdel-Kader Kougbadja (Guingamp), and Adekambi Olufade (Al Siliyah) each scored a goal. Togo won, 3-2.

Korea`s second opponent, France started their training yesterday. Yesterday’s training involved mild condition checkups in the Alps resort town of Tignes, located 3,032m above sea level. The temperature in Tignes dropped below zero. After some jogging on the mountain, the French team warmed up with a ball toss. Training in the Alps is a French team tradition that started in 1998, the year France won the World Cup. The team plans to return to France on May 27 and start their strategic training. An evaluation match against Mexico is scheduled to be held on May 28 at Saint Denis Stadium in Paris.

The Swiss team’s main attacker Johann Von Lanthen (20, NAC Brada, photo) is in danger of losing his position in the team due to an injury.

The Switzerland Football Association announced yesterday that Von Lanthen injured his left femoral muscle and might not participate in the World Cup. A replacement, Hakan Yakin (29, Young Boys), is being considered. Von Lanthen first complained about muscle pain in his left thigh during sprint training on May 22. After a thorough examination, he was diagnosed with a ruptured muscle that requires at least two weeks of treatment. His doctor said the treatment might take longer than projected. There is a chance that Von Lanthen will drop out of the World Cup all together. Along with Alexander Frei, Von Lathen is a major goal-getter of the Swiss team, and a player to watch out for.

Jae-Yun Jung jaeyuna@donga.com