Adidas’ new soccer ball is called Jabulani, but chances are players at this month’s World Cup will be using some other words to describe it, depending on exactly what language they curse in.
Stars from Brazil, England and defending champion Italy have criticized the controversial ball, and U.S. players have ripped it as well.
Players have said, unlike the Nike ball that preceded it, the new ball bends unpredictably in flight, like a knuckleball — or a David Beckham free-kick gone wild.
“Listen, I don’t particularly like them. I don’t think many goalkeepers do like them,” said U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard. “I think I understand the nature of the game now, and how that business works. Shutouts don’t bring the attention.”
David James, England’s keeper, called the ball “horrible,” while Brazil striker Luis Fabiano labeled it “weird.”
“People think that makes the game more exciting, people think adding the possibility of goals from distance,” said U.S. coach Bob Bradley. “I don’t think you’ll find too many keepers that think that’s what they want.”
Bradley’s team got a taste of the ball in last summer’s run to the Confederations Cup final, and is busy trying to readjust now. Any ball carries more in altitude, and that’s a consideration they have to deal with since arriving in South Africa. They play Australia in their final tuneup on Saturday, and open the World Cup on June 12 against England.
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Behind goals from Michel Bastos, Robinho and Elano, Brazil easily beat Zimbabwe 3-0 in a pre-World Cup exhibition despite an injury scare that forced first-choice goalkeeper Julio Cesar out of the game yesterday in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Cesar walked out of the match in the 26th minute because of a back injury, though team doctors said the Inter Milan player was not seriously injured and was replaced as a precaution.
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Striker Humberto Suazo seems certain to miss Chile’s first match at the World Cup after suffering a hamstring injury.
Suazo picked up the injury in a friendly match against Israel on Sunday, in which he scored a goal. Medical reports released yesterday said he need up to three weeks to recover. Chile faces Honduras in its Group H opener on June 16. It plays Switzerland on June 21 and Spain on June 25.
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Officials in Rio de Janeiro say former Brazil striker Adriano is being questioned on his alleged ties to local drug traffickers. Adriano has denied any wrongdoing. — With AP