Hello, police? Hurry, it's England against Nigeria

World Cup Diary

Riot police took to the streets of Osaka yesterday, staging large-scale security drills in preparation for what they feel will be the most volatile match of the tournament. More than 1,500 took part in a drill which included rounding up fans who were in "unauthorised" areas and breaking up a "riot". The police later said that for the "real thing" they would have 8,000 men on duty. Oh yes, the match? 12 June... England v Nigeria.

Riot police took to the streets of Osaka yesterday, staging large-scale security drills in preparation for what they feel will be the most volatile match of the tournament. More than 1,500 took part in a drill which included rounding up fans who were in "unauthorised" areas and breaking up a "riot". The police later said that for the "real thing" they would have 8,000 men on duty. Oh yes, the match? 12 June... England v Nigeria.

David Beckham sets the trend as far as haircuts are concerned, but Cameroon, Ireland's Group E rivals, intend being the fashion icons of the World Cup. At this year's African Nations Cup they wore basketball-style sleeveless shirts, but Fifa declined their request to do the same in Japan and Korea. But the Africans and the governing body have reached a compromise. They will turn out in shirts with a transparent sleeve, the Cup logo placed on the attachment.

Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has denied reports that he has ordered his players to abstain from sex during the World Cup. "While I favour abstention, in their off-duty days they are free to do what they want," said the man known as "Big Phil". Edilson spoke up for the players when he said Scolari's views could complicate things. "We all have active sex lives and it's clear that 50 days without sex will not be easy," he said.

Leeds United's Lucas Radebe has a last chance to prove his fitness for South Africa against Madagascar today. His return has been overshadowed by the spat between coach Jomo Sono and top technical adviser Gordon Igesund, whose club won the domestic league. Sono questioned Igesund's ability because "his three different championship clubs have never beaten (Sono's) Jomo Cosmos". Now we know where the Bafana Bafana nickname comes from. Its translation is Boys Boys.

If this is how Costa Rica (Group C) and Ecuador (Group G) go about friendlies, one shudders to think what the main course will dish up. Costa Rica this week slumped to a third recent defeat, 2-1 to Colombia, but female referee Clareth Jiminez booked 12 players and sent one off. Three players meanwhile were sent off in Ecuador's 1-0 win over Yugoslavia. Other "friendlies" reverted to type: Germany trounced Kuwait 7-0 and Nigeria beat Kenya 3-0.

While the FA's website was jammed awaiting Sven's announcement of his final 23 players, rivals Sweden were unfazed. "There were no sensations. Our man in England, the former Malmö coach Roland Andersson, had already guessed the right 23 players a while ago," coach Tommy Soderberg said.