World Cup Briefs

Santrac could not announce the list of 26 players who will start the preparations as several of Yugoslavia8217;s key players are either injured or are recuperating. He said the list will be announced on May 18.

First-choice goalkeeper Ivica Kralj and central defender Risto Vidakovic are on the injury list. Key mid-fielder Dejan Savicevic, of AC Milan, and main striker Predrag Mijatovic, of Real Madrid, have just returned after lengthy injuries and are not in the top form.

Wright8217;s hopes rest on two games

LONDON: Arsenal striker Ian Wright has only a few games to win a place on England8217;s side for the World Cup.

Wright, 34, who has been out since January with an injury, will start today for the new Premier League champions against Liverpool. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger gaveWright his full-fledged endorsement.

Roberto Baggio named reserve striker

ROME: Roberto Baggio might get a return trip to the World Cup after all. Italy coach Cesare Maldini has penciled in the 31-year-old playmaker as a reserve striker, the Corriere Dello Sport newspaper reported yesterday.

Maldini will be in the stands on Sunday at Turin to see Baggio8217;s Bologna take on the player8217;s former club Juventus, which can clinch the Serie A title with a victory.

Norway find song, search for meaning

OSLO: After a battle of songwriters that was almost as tough as qualifying for the World Cup itself, Norway8217;s national team has finally settled on a team song to take to France.

It8217;s called 8220;Let8217;s do it,8221; and edged out 8220;Here comes Norway.8221;Norwegians have to wait another two weeks to find out exactly what the 8220;it8221; in 8220;let8217;s do it8221; refers to, since the full text and song won8217;t be released until May 20.

The refrain is in English, while the rest is in Norwegian.

Zamoranofaces tough decision

SANTIAGO: Chilean striker Ivan Zamorano is torn between two masters. Head coach Nelson Acosta said him to join Chile8217;s national soccer squad now not after the end of the Italian league where Zamorano plays for the Internazionale side of Milan.

8220;The national squad is more important than Inter,8221; Acosta told the Santiago daily El Mercurio. He said he expects Zamorano to join the team on Friday along with the other 24 players he nominated yesterday for the World Cup.

France get closer to real number

PARIS: French coach Aime Jacquet yesterday narrowed his final team down to 28, but the guessing goes on about the final list of 22 for the World Cup.

Because several of his players are still involved in national leagues and European Cup competitions, Jacquet refused to commit himself to the final selection with a month left until the June 10-July 12 finals. The player group of 28 has no major omissions or surprise inclusions.