Germans play mind games with Argentina

Johannesburg: Germany's players chided Argentina for the second straight day on Thursday, with captain Philipp Lahm accusing their World Cup quarterfinal opponents of being aggressive and provocative on the field.

Lahm's comments followed similar remarks by Bastian Schweinsteiger on Wednesday in which the midfielder said Argentina showed no respect for their opponents or referees.

The German comments appeared to be aimed at destabilizing Argentina coach Diego Maradona, who is known to have a fiery temperament, before Saturday's quarterfinal match in Cape Town. The two teams have history, fighting on the pitch after Germany beat Argentina on penalties in the quarterfinals at the 2006 tournament.

Maradona mocked Schweinsteiger, saying nerves must be getting to the Germany midfielder.

However, a bigger concern for Maradona may be Lionel Messi's health. The Barcelona playmaker skipped training on Thursday with what team doctor Donato Villani said were "cold-like symptoms." The team downplayed the ailment, however, saying Messi is expected to resume full training on Friday.

After two days of rest, the World Cup resumes on Friday with The Netherlands playing Brazil in Port Elizabeth and Uruguay meeting Ghana, Africa's last hope at the first World Cup to be played on the continent.

Ghana is trying to become the first African team to reach the World Cup semifinals, and is certain to feel the support from local South African fans at the stadium.

"We have an opportunity to show to the whole world what we are capable of doing, to get to the semifinal," Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan said on Thursday. "There is no doubt that nobody in Africa is going to support any team other than Ghana. I don't predict but if we work hard we will come out victorious.

Brazil coach Dunga may have a hard time selecting his midfield against the Netherlands because of injuries and a suspension. Kaka and veteran Gilberto Silva are set to start at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, but a suspension to Ramires and injuries to Elano, Felipe Melo and Julio Baptista leave the coach with few options for the other two midfield positions.

Still, Dunga is expecting the match to be one of the most entertaining of the tournament.

"Both sides play an attacking game, both feature very technical players, both know how to dribble and take risks, and both want to score," the former midfielder said. "So you can always expect a great football game."

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque is sticking by Fernando Torres despite the striker's poor World Cup form so far.

Torres has struggled to establish himself in South Africa since returning from knee surgery in April. Although Fernando Llorente played well after replacing the Liverpool striker in the 1-0 win over Portugal, Del Bosque says "our striker is Fernando (Torres)."

Spain plays Paraguay at Ellis Park on Saturday.

Fallout for eliminated teams continued, with FIFA mulling what action to take against Nigeria, whose president, Goodluck Jonathan, ordered the team to sit out international competition for two years as punishment for its poor showing.

FIFA spokesman Nicolas Maingot said that FIFA is looking at the case but is not yet ready to act. FIFA rules demand that national federations manage their affairs independently, or face suspension from world football. National and club teams then cannot play in international competitions.

Javier Aguirre quit as Mexico coach, three days after the national team was knocked out of the World Cup in a 3-1 loss to Argentina in the round of 16.

It marked the fifth straight time that Mexico has been eliminated in the second round of the World Cup.

"I'm the person responsible," said Aguirre, adding that he'd made a commitment to reach the quarterfinals.

World Cup organizer Danny Jordaan said the tournament could set a 16-year high for paid attendance at games.

He said there is a "big possibility" that the tournament will surpass three million paying fans for the first time since 1994 in the United States.

"The signs are there, Jordaan said, adding that 2.69 million people had already paid to watch games. "The South African fans have been superb."