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World Cup brief
(AP)
Updated: 2006-06-02 09:07
KEWELL'S STRUGGLES:@ Australia coach Guus Hiddink said winger Harry Kewell won't be fully fit during the group stage of the World Cup because of a groin injury.

Kewell has rejoined Australia's training sessions, but he's not expected to play in Sunday's warm-up game against the Netherlands and could miss the last friendly against Liechtenstein on Wednesday.

"He will not be top fit in the tournament," Hiddink said. "He is not a player who will be able to go full out for 90 minutes for three games. We have to be very careful how we deal with that."

Hiddink said the Liverpool player can turn a match with his speed and instincts, making him a key to Australia's prospects at the World Cup.

After opening against Japan on June 12, Australia plays Brazil and Croatia in other Group F games.

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SPAIN'S ADDITION: Spain called up left back Mariano Pernia to its World Cup squad Thursday after FIFA gave permission to replace the injured Asier Del Horno.

The Argentine-born Pernia, who was the highest scoring defender in the Spanish league this season with 10 goals for Getafe, has never played for Spain. The 29-year-old Pernia was only recently granted Spanish citizenship and is currently on holiday in Argentina.

Tests Tuesday revealed that Chelsea defender Del Horno will be out for about 20 days after he tore a tendon near his left ankle during training last Wednesday.

While Del Horno could have recovered in time for Spain's third Group H game against Saudi Arabia, Spain's federation asked soccer's world governing body for a replacement.

Spain has two more friendlies to play before the World Cup: against Egypt on Saturday and Croatia four days later.

Its opening game is against Ukraine on June 14.

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FANS BANNED: The German soccer federation on Thursday banned 400 Swiss fans from attending the World Cup, a list submitted by the Swiss soccer federation to German authorities.

Tickets won't be sold to anyone who has a history of hooliganism or are on lists submitted from around the world by their soccer federations, interior ministry spokesman Christian Sachs said.

Switzerland will play France on June 13 in Stuttgart, and the city's police said it had written to 37 Swiss people warning them not to cause trouble.

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IN OLSO: World Cup-bound South Korea was held to a 0-0 draw by Norway in a warmup game Thursday night.

South Korea didn't create its first scoring chance until the 70th minute when Baek Ji-hoon shot just wide after a cross from Kim Don-jing.

Norway dominated throughout but failed to capitalize on its chances.