SAO PAULO: When Brazil hosts Argentina in Sunday’s World Cup qualifier, it may not be fair to call it a rematch of the Copa America final from less than two months ago.
Brazil is missing nine England-based players who did not travel because of Britain’s coronavirus restrictions.
Meanwhile, Argentina star Lionel Messi is a slight doubt after being subjected to a harsh tackle by Venezuela’s Adrian Martinez on Thursday, which led to a red card.
If Messi can play, as expected, Argentina will have a good chance of strengthening its status as the best team in South America after beating Brazil 1-0 in the Copa America final in July in Rio de Janeiro. Especially since it was able to bring four Premier League players: Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez and Emiliano Buendia and Tottenham’s Giovanni Lo Celso and Cristian Romero.
“What matters the most is not to rest on past achievements and march on,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said after the 3-1 win in Venezuela. “It will be a different match against Brazil, everyone is available and whoever is at their best will play.”
Brazil leads the South American qualifying group with a perfect 21 points after seven games, while Argentina is second on 15.
But Brazil coach Tite is missing a big part of the team that started the Copa America final, including the suspended Marquinhos and England-based Thiago Silva, Fred and Richarlison.
Tite used four forward in Thursday’s 1-0 win at Chile but is unlikely to repeat that formation against Argentina, not only because he’s facing a more dangerous opponent but also because it didn’t work very well. The winning goal came from substitute Everton Ribeiro in the 64th minute, with star forward Neymar having a sub-par game.
The uncertainty surrounding Brazil’s team is such that midfielder Gerson, who hadn’t even been called up by Tite for more than a year, hopes to start against Argentina.
“If it is meant to be, I am ready,” said Gerson, who played in the second half of Brazil’s win in Chile.
Also Sunday, third-place Ecuador hosts Chile and Uruguay takes on Bolivia. Colombia will travel to Paraguay, while Peru plays Venezuela.
The first four teams will automatically qualify for the tournament in Qatar next year. The fifth-place team will take part in a playoff against a team from a different confederation.
Depleted Brazil to face revamped Argentina in WC qualifying
https://arab.news/jf4ym
Depleted Brazil to face revamped Argentina in WC qualifying
- Brazil is missing 9 England-based players who didn’t travel because of Britain's coronavirus restrictions
- Argentina star Lionel Messi is a slight doubt after being subjected to a harsh tackle
Stinger Golf Club rebrands as Southern Guards GC
- South Africa’s LIV Golf team unveils new identity ahead of 2026 home debut
NEW YORK: LIV Golf has announced that South Africa’s Stinger Golf Club has rebranded as Southern Guards GC, just months before the league tees off on African soil for the first time.
At the heart of the Southern Guards’ brand identity is an emphasis on culture, unity and resilience, inspired by the principle of Ubuntu, under the slogan: “I am because we are.”
Also central to the team’s new identity is the rhino, which has considerable symbolic meaning in South African culture.
The rebrand comes ahead of LIV Golf South Africa at Steyn City, Johannesburg, from March 19 to 22. With more than 70,000 tickets already sold, interest continues to grow.
Richard Glover, general manager of Southern Guards GC, said: “This has been an emotional and considered decision, but we felt the time was right to embrace a name and visual identity that more authentically reflects who we are and where we come from.
“Southern Guards GC reflects the responsibility we carry in representing South Africa on a global stage. With LIV Golf coming to the country for the first time, the timing couldn’t be more fitting for us to represent our heritage with pride.”
Southern Guards GC will continue into the 2026 season with the same all-South African lineup that has become synonymous with the team’s identity.
The team members are Louis Oosthuizen, Branden Grace, Dean Burmester and Charl Schwartzel, four of the country’s most accomplished golfers.
