Sport

Newslines: Hiddink headache

Holland's World Cup bid was hit by a stunning new blow yesterday when defender Winston Bogarde broke his ankle in training

Mon Jul 06 1998 - 01:00

Holland's World Cup bid was hit by a stunning new blow yesterday when defender Winston Bogarde broke his ankle in training. The Barcelona star had been pencilled in as the natural replacement for suspended Arthur Numan in tomorrow night's semi-final clash with champions Brazil in Marseille.

Now Hiddink has to take emergency action to fill the gap at left back. His first thought is to switch skipper Frank de Boer from centre back to the left where he regularly plays for his club Ajax, but Hiddink wants de Boer's experience to help Jaap Stam shackle Brazil ace Ronaldo and could ask PSV Eindhoven's Phillip Cocu to drop back in defence. Another option is to give PSV's Andre Ooijer his first cap. Hiddink has another major injury worry over Marc Overmars. He h as not yet been completely written off from the semi-final despite doing more damage to a pulled hamstring when appearing as a late substitute against Argentina, but the Dutch manager is concerned.

Brazil coach Mario Zagallo is ready to plunge Ze Carlos in at the deep end by giving the Sao Paulo defender his international debut tomorrow. The 29-year-old is set to replace suspended right-back Cafu. However, Zagallo will almost certainly recall Cafu if Brazil reach the July 12th showpiece against either France or Croatia at Saint Denis.

Meanwhile Jurgen Klinsmann is considering quitting football after Germany's shock exit from the competition. The 33-year-old striker had already announced his decision to retire from the international stage after German interest ended at France '98.

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Daniel Passarella has confirmed his decision to quit as coach of Argentina. "I didn't achieve my goal of getting us into the last four of the competition," said Passarella.

"I don't know myself if I will carry on," Klinsmann said yesterday.

In Scotland, Celtic are close to bringing one of the most wanted coaches in football to Parkhead - former France boss Gerard Houllier.

Houllier has been approached by no fewer than five English and Scottish clubs but says he is closest to agreeing a deal with Celtic. In England, Ian Wright has admitted he is due to meet manager Arsene Wenger next week and could be about to bring down the curtain on his Highbury career.