World Cup specials on BBC World Service

Sportsworld’s World Cup specials on BBC World Service speaks to Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast), John Panstil (Ghana), Hassan Yebda (Algeria), Jonathon Spector (USA) and Roque Santa Cruz (Paraguay)
Sportsworld – Saturday 12 June and Sunday 13 June on BBC World Service

London, Wednesday 9 June 2010. Sportsworld, BBC World Service’s flagship sports programme, has spoken to a selection of international players all taking part in this June’s FIFA World Cup. The full interviews with Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast), John Panstil (Ghana), Hassan Yebda (Algeria) and Jonathon Spector (USA) will air in Sportsworld on Saturday 12 June and Roque Santa Cruz (Paraguay) on Sunday 13 June.

These special editions of Sportsworld will be live from Johannesburg on 12 June and 13 June, where presenter Russell Fuller will be speaking to South Africa's captain Aaron Mokena, following the host nation's opening game. Russell will also be looking ahead to the game between England and the United States on the 12 June. In 1950 the USA beat England at the World Cup and the show will speak to one of the surviving members of the USA team, Walter Bahr.

Sportsworld spoke to Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast), John Panstil (Ghana), Hassan Yebda (Algeria), Jonathon Spector (USA) and Roque Santa Cruz (Paraguay) ahead of the World Cup. Below are quotes from the pre-recorded interviews which will air on the show. Please credit Sportsworld/BBC World Service if using any of this material.

Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast) – quotes from the interview

- On the World Cup:
"The expectation back home is really high. Most of our players play for big teams and have won things with big teams. But for the country we have won nothing. People speak about this generation being the best in Ivory Coast for years and that is why the expectation is so high, higher than in France or England".

- On the stadium disaster during a World Cup qualifier between Ivory Coast and Malawi in Abidjan in March 2009 which killed 22 people:
"They just came to support us and enjoy the game. It was a difficult moment for Ivory Coast football. When we go out on the pitch there, we are going to think about them because they wanted to see us at the World Cup. As the captain of the national team I went with Soloman Kalu to the injured people in hospital and it was very difficult".

- On Sven Goran Eriksson, the new coach of Ivory Coast:
"He is one of the best managers on the market and has done a lot of good things with the England national team. He is a very good professional and with his experience I hope we can beat one or two big teams at the World Cup. He knows there is a lot of work to do that’s why he started very quickly when he got the job".


John Panstil (Ghana) – quotes from interview

- On the question of how far Ghana can go?
“I look at us being in the semi-finals. In Germany in 2006 we reached the last sixteen but now, with Africa hosting and a stronger squad, I have full confidence of us being in the semi-finals. It's a big chance for Africa to achieve. I believe one of the African countries can lift the cup”.

- On the Ghana World Cup squad of 2010:
“We want to repeat the same spirit we had at our first World Cup in Germany in 2006. Our group is very tricky but we have to focus on doing better than before. We need to keep team spirit and professionalism, support our coach and listen to him. We have a bigger and balanced squad. We are not lacking in any area. We have a good first eleven and a good bench so that will help the team progress to a better level than 2006”.

- On the question of support for African countries in Africa:
“All the African countries will get great support from South Africa. African fans will not support one country but will support Africa. In Africa we love football”.

Jonathon Spector (USA) – quotes from the interview

- On playing England in their opening match:
“You could say it’s our easiest match because there is no pressure on us to win. We are not expected to get anything from it where as the other two games there will be. It's one I am really looking forward to playing against players from the Premier League. There will be some great bragging rights in England next season if we manage to win”.

- On reaching the final of the Confederations Cup in South Africa last year and what they can do this time:
“There is a quiet confidence in the US team. There are no expectations in the US so the only pressure comes from ourselves. We have captured the attention of the general public in the United States and we would like to keep their attention by doing well at the World Cup”.

Hassan Yebda (Algeria) – quotes from the interview

- On the question of Algeria being in the World Cup for the first time since 1986:
“Its fantastic for the people of Algeria and fantastic for us. It is a big big thing in Algeria”.

- On the question of how far Algeria can go?
“In football you never know. We will do our best and play the first game against Slovenia and try to win. The first game is very very important, if we can win it will be better for us. Slovenia though have a good team”.

- On the question of playing England in their second group match:
“I see them on TV. Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney and John Terry are all very good players. It will be very difficult for us”.

Roque Santa Cruz (Paraguay) – quotes from interview

- On the shooting of his team-mate, Salvador Cabanas:
"I was in shock after hearing what happened. When you hear someone has been shot in the head you think the worst. He is a very good friend we have played together since we were 17. He has been a terrific player and a good friend. We hope he will get better and better”.

- On Paraguay doing well at the World Cup for Salvador:
"This is something we want to do for him. To show him we care and we are thinking of him. Everyone in the team has this in their mind and it is what we want to do. He is a fantastic player and we have put a lot of faith in him. We are going to miss him but we want him to be proud from wherever he is watching the World Cup that Paraguay is doing good”.

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