Bradley eyeing American progress

BOB BRADLEY believes his United States side are entering a crucial period in their preparations for next summer’s World Cup.

The USA qualified for the finals comfortably, finishing top of the CONCACAF qualifying group ahead of Honduras and Mexico and today face Slovakia in Bratislava in the first of a friendly double-header.

And highly-respected coach Bradley, whose son Michael is expected to start the match, said: “These matches present a terrific opportunity to continue building on the nucleus of our team, and at the same time evaluate more of the player pool against very good opponents.

“We are very pleased with what we have accomplished in a long and challenging year, and we move forward with the goal of getting ourselves ready to be a competitive team in the World Cup.”

The friendly between Germany and South American qualifiers Chile in Munich was postponed this week as a mark of respect following the death of international goalkeeper Robert Enke.

Germany coach Joachim Low claimed there was no other option but to call off the fixture.

He said: “No-one feels in the position to simply go about their normal day in this situation.

“We have lost a friend. That is a moment in which you have to stop, even in football. We are mourning Robert Enke deeply.”

World champions Italy face fellow qualifiers Holland in a glamour friendly with coach Marcello Lippi urging the supporters to give his side a fair chance.

“If we play badly, I ask the fans to give us 10 minutes more or to wait until the end of the game before expressing their discontent,” he said.

“We don’t pretend as world champions to be given absolute credit but we don’t expect to be booed after a few minutes played.”

Other friendlies this weekend include Argentina’s trip to face Spain in Madrid and Belgium clash with Hungary.

Elsewhere Switzerland host Norway, World Cup hosts South Africa welcome Japan, South Korea face Denmark, Croatia play Liechtenstein, Estonia are against Albania. Macedonia and Canada clash in Skopje, Iceland travel to Luxembourg, Northern Ireland welcome Serbia, Poland host Romania, Saudi Arabia take on Belarus and Honduras meet Latvia.