Scolari gets 10 out of 11 for Brazil's preparation

World Cup Diary

If another foreign coach were to step into Sven's padded shoes, Becks will hope it's not "Big Phil" Scolari. While England are practising penalties to avoid history repeating, "Big Phil", the Brazil coach, sent off his captain, Emerson, in practice. "He went off so that I can train the team to play with 10 men. It will be useful if we have a sending-off." A clear sign that the days of Brazil playing "the beautiful game" are long gone.

The thought of taking on Turkey is getting to "Big Phil". "I keep waking up at half-past-three in the morning and going to watch videos of our opponents," he said. "Watching the tapes of Turkey makes me a little apprehensive, they are very good." Then he revealed what relaxes him. "I listen to the Bee Gees." Had he watched Turkey against South Africa instead – they lost 2-0 – he would have made Rip van Winkel seem an insomniac by comparison.

"The pitches are shit, the balls are shit, everything is shit around here. I have no idea why we came here." Not from Roy Keane's website, but the mouth of Brazil's Edmilson, on Kuala Lumpur. Happy days indeed.

Philippe Troussier, the French coach of co-hosts Japan, has finally answered media questions after a week of no comment. On Tuesday he called a press conference, read out a statement and walked off. But on Friday he elaborated his thoughts on the team. "We have God on our side. So what if he hasn't scored in six months," said Troussier of the 34-year-old Masashi Nakayama. Reminds one of the 1970 Brazilian line: "Jesus saves but Pele scores on the rebound."

Jose Luis Chilavert, officially the best goalkeeper of France 98, has broadened his ambitions. The Paraguayan has promised to score a goal against Spain on 7 June. "I've done it before [59 times] and this time I'm going to score against Spain, with a free-kick."

Not much to get excited about as far as Russia's Footballers' Wives are concerned. Before the Russian squad flew into Japan with families, coach Oleg Romantsev barked: "Wives should be engaged in what the tourists are engaged in, in Japan. I am opposed to players having contact with their wives during work." The 48-year-old disciplinarian normally gets his way. The only TV he'll be watching in his room will be of the CC variety.

South Africa's players have been banned from speaking to strangers via mobile phones. "There are long tentacles of Asian betting syndicates and we have to protect the players," team spokesman Albert Mokoena said. Hansie Cronje has a lot to answer for.

Confirmation that the English League is not only the most cosmopolitan, but full of quality. In total, 101 English-based players will be at the World Cup, 85 from the Premiership. Italy supply 76 players, Germany 59, Spain 58 and France 56.

Beckham is not the only one big in Japan. Waiting in a crowd at Italy's training camp this week was Yukari Nishikawa, 23. "I love Pippo [Filippo Inzaghi]," she said. "He's a beautiful boy, he has a beautiful face. He's also very personable. Other players run from the fans." As it happened, "Pippo" and the team bus drove straight past.