Paraguay's eccentric former custodian Jose Luis Chilavert has dubbed defending champs Italy as 'oldies'.

Italian squad too old, says Paraguay legend Chilavert

Paraguay's eccentric former custodian Jose Luis Chilavert has dubbed defending champs Italy as 'oldies'.

Chilavert, who excelled as a goalkeeper for the South Americans and scored quite a few goals himself, claims the Italians 'have got very long in the tooth'.

Marcello Lippi's team includes nine players from the World Cup winning squad.

Pato on Brazil's back
He is known as The Duck and was tipped to be Brazil's next big thing only a couple of years ago. But Alexandre Pato was surprisingly axed by coach Dunga from the Selecao squad along with his AC Milan team-mate Ronaldinho.

The 20-year-old striker has however turned up in South Africa as a fan. Pato told reporters he is ready with his vuvuzela trumpet and will be in the stands to cheer for Brazil.

"I'm going to watch Brazil play and become world champions," he said.

Robben boost
Winger Arjen Robben lifted the spirits of the Dutch squad by flying into South Africa on Saturday.

The Bayern Munich flyer has been battling the thigh injury he picked up in Holland's friendly win over Hungary last week. While the Dutch flew to South Africa at the start of the week, Robben remained behind for treatment.

Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk has already said that he will not select Robben for the Oranje's opening World Cup game against Denmark in Johannesburg today, as the charismatic winger has played little football since last month's Champions League final defeat in Madrid.

Still seeing one of the stellar players of the European season fit for the Cup is a good omen for Holland, whose form in the friendlies in the run up to the tournament has been mighty impressive.

Oz's German link
Australia's fortunes on the world football stage seem tied to Germany in an uncanny manner.

The Socceroos qualified for their first-ever World Cup in 1974 in a divided Germany. At that World Cup, they drew eventual champs West Germany as well as East Germany in their group.

Then, after three decades in World Cup wilderness, the Socceroos qualified for their second tournament in 2006, which again happened to be hosted in Germany.

Australia's second consecutive World Cup brings them to South Africa, but the team they faced in their opening clash in Durban last night was Germany.

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