Socceroos arrive in Russia, French stars to play against Australia and FIFA’s threat to cheats

THE Socceroos have settled into their elite live-in venue to prepare for Saturday night’s World Cup opener, France hints at its opening line-up and FIFA overhauls their rankings system.

THE Socceroos have landed safely in Kazan, their home base and site of their World Cup opener with France.

An early start had Bert van Marwijk’s side safely down in the Tatarstan capital at lunch, in time for a cultural greeting and light training duties.

Australia arrive in Russia on the back of two straight friendly wins, the latest being a 2-1 injury-time defeat of Hungary in Budapest.

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Great to be in Russia @FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/rHneAEvkgz

— TIM CAHILL (@Tim_Cahill) June 10, 2018

Australia football team's coach Bert van Marwijk (L) players Mile Jedinak (C) and Mat Ryan disembark from their aeroplane at Kazan airport.

Australia football team's player Andrew Nabbout (L) sits in the bus upon the arrival in Kazan.

They are basing themselves at the Trudovye Rezervy Stadium, home to Russian ice hockey champions Ak Bars Kazan, otherwise known as the Snow Leopards.

Football Federation Australia also successfully petitioned FIFA to stay at the facility, which was not one of the organising committee’s recommended training bases.

They hope the live-in venue, complete with elite medical and recovery facilities, can be an advantage.

While France are basing themselves an hour northwest of Moscow and will need to travel for the opening match on June 16, the Socceroos will need to take only a 15-minute bus trip across town.

That wasn’t planned; Australia had locked in Kazan as a home away from home well before the World Cup draw in December.

As one of three teams — as well as Colombia and Japan — to base themselves in the Volga River port city, the Socceroos hope for a degree of home support in the crowd on match day.

That support was evident on Sunday, when dancers performed a traditional Tatarstan welcome.

They also served up ‘chak-chak’ — a fried honey cake with almonds traditional to the region — which was well received by those game enough to try. An open training session for fans on Monday afternoon is expected to draw thousands — which could be the moment that World Cup fever hits the Socceroos. Australia round out their group stage commitments with matches against Denmark on June 21 in nearby Samara and Peru on June 26 in Sochi’s Fisht Olympic Stadium.

POGBA, GIROUD SET TO FACE SOCCEROOS

(L-R) France's defender Presnel Kimpembe, midfielder Paul Pogba, forward Antoine Griezmann, forward Olivier Giroud, and forward Ousmane Dembele arrive for a training session at the French national football team's training grounds.

Manchester United’s Paul Pogba is almost certain to start France’s World Cup opener against Australia, boss Didier Deschamps has confirmed. The midfielder’s inconsistent season at Old Trafford has not broken Deschamps’ faith, while Olivier Giroud is set to be available on Saturday too despite suffering a head injury.

Pogba was jeered by his own fans during a 3-1 friendly win over Italy and failed to inspire in a drab 1-1 draw against the United States.

He made 25 Premier League starts for United last season and still has his critics following a $150 million move from Juventus in 2016 but, when asked, Deschamps told France TV broadcaster Telefoot it is “very likely” Pogba will start next weekend.

“Paul Pogba has responded rather well to my expectations. I defended him after the match in Nice against Italy. He was much better yesterday against the USA,” he said.

The boss also offered assurances over Chelsea forward Giroud’s fitness after he was forced off following a clash of heads with USA defender and Blues teammate Matt Miazga.

“Olivier Giroud has a beautiful cut of six centimetres. But he will be able to face Australia,” Deschamps said.

FIFA OVERHAULS TEAM RANKINGS TO END MANIPULATION

FIFA’s quirky rankings system to rate 211 men’s national teams and decide seeding in World Cup draws is getting a reboot.

FIFA says it approved a new formula which rewards teams for playing more games, and it takes effect in the post-World Cup ranking on July 19. The new formula is “eliminating the potential for ranking manipulation.” The current system in place since 1993 lets teams boost their status by avoiding friendly games.

Now, teams will gain or lose points from their existing points total with each result. More weight will be given to competitive games over friendlies. Germany is the top-ranked team when the World Cup kicks off Thursday in Moscow. --- 5:20pm.

Kosovo is set to miss the 2026 World Cup hosting vote after the death of its football federation president.

FIFA says Kosovo officials have confirmed they will not attend the election meeting Wednesday after the sudden death of Fadil Vokkri. The former Yugoslavia international died Saturday at age 57.

Vokkri led Kosovo’s campaign to become a member of European football body UEFA, and then FIFA, in 2016.

Up to 206 voters will now choose between Morocco and the joint United States- Canada-Mexico bid in Moscow.

Ghana has kept its right to vote, despite risking a FIFA suspension for government interference in how the national football body is run. Football in Ghana is in turmoil after a television documentary this week broadcast footage of officials taking cash payments from undercover reporters posing as businessmen.

Neymar of Brazil heads a ball during the International Friendly match between Austria and Brazil.

BRAZIL DREAMING OF SIXTH WORLD CUP

Brazil striker Neymar insists the five-time champions are dreaming again of winning the World Cup in Russia.

The Paris St Germain forward scored his 55th international goal to go level with Romario and sit joint-third in Brazil’s all-time scoring charts during their 3-0 win over Austria on Sunday.

Gabriel Jesus and Philippe Coutinho also netted in a comfortable victory ahead of Brazil’s opening World Cup game against Switzerland next Sunday. “You have to trust, you dream,” Neymar told reporters.

“You can talk, you’re Brazilian and you can dream; we’re dreaming more and more. Dreaming is not forbidden.” Manchester City striker Jesus also insisted Tite’s side are ready for the tournament.

“All the games before the World Cup were important to reach this level of performance,” Jesus, who now has 10 international goals, told the Brazilian FA. “Austria had quality and we knew it would not be easy. We managed to play, involve their team and make another big game. Not only was the attack well, the group went very well.” Brazil had spent 10 days preparing at Tottenham’s training ground and beat Croatia 2-0 in Liverpool last week before Sunday’s victory.

Jesus opened the scoring nine minutes before the break when he curled in from an angle after Marcelo’s shot deflected into his path.

Neymar struck just after the hour as he sensationally bamboozled the Austria defence to score and Coutinho wrapped the victory up minutes later. “The game was important to us. It was the last game of preparation before the World Cup. We deserved the victory, we played very well,” added Barcelona forward Coutinho to the Brazilian FA.

“That gives you confidence. I always try to be prepared to play where the coach needs me and contribute in the best way possible.” Brazil also face Costa Rica and Serbia in Group E in Russia as they look to hit back from their shock 7-1 semi-final defeat to Germany on home soil four years ago.

Neymar is now level with Romario and only behind Ronaldo (62) and Pele (77) in Brazil’s all-time record scoring charts.

He joked about Austria’s rough approach.

“We got ready for the UFC today, but it was good,” he added

Originally published as Socceroos arrive in Russia, French stars to play against Australia and FIFA’s threat to cheats