Lauren warns of Saudi backlash

World Cup in brief

* Lauren has emulated Roy Keane and severely criticised his side's World Cup preparations. Arsenal's Cameroonian international believes the travel chaos that delayed the Indomitable Lions' arrival in Japan by five days has hampered their chances. "The way we travelled here was terrible," Lauren said ahead of his side's game against Saudi Arabia today. "The way that we prepared wasn't good enough to play for a tournament at the highest level like the World Cup." Of the Saudis, who will be hoping to regroup after their 8-0 defeat to Germany, he said: "It may be dangerous to play them now after losing 8-0. They will want to show everybody they can win again. We know that and we will be trying to win the game." Meanwhile, Real Madrid are close to completing the transfer of the Cameroon defender Géremi to Chelsea. The Brazilian midfielder Flavio Conceicão is also expected to move to Chelsea on loan from the Spanish side.

* In yet another Keane-like affair, Slovenia's president Milan Kucan called for the national coach Srecko Katanec and his best player Zlatko Zahovic to forget their bitter feud. Katanec had said he would resign as soon as Slovenia are eliminated because of the dispute which nearly led to Zahovic's walk-out. It was sparked during the 3-1 defeat to Spain during which the captain was substituted. Zahovic screamed abuse at his coach after the defeat, and, at a tearful press conference, Katanec said: "I'm not used to this sort of communication. I was shocked when Zahovic attacked me." Zahovic was ready to fly home before the players persuaded him to stay.

* Liverpool have completed the £4m signing of Salif Diao. The Senegalese international will move from the French club Sedan straight after the World Cup, together with his Senegal team-mate El Hadji Diouf.

* China's second choice goalkeeper An Qui will train with Newcastle in December as the Magpies develop their links with the Far East. The 19-year-old will not be arriving on a permanent basis because he does not fulfil the requirements for a work permit.

* Nerves are clearly running high in Sapporo ahead of tomorrow's crucial game between England and Argentina. Local police sent a special truck built to handle chemical weapons to a building in the city following reports that an object had been placed by the entrance, only to find out that it was a new mobile phones antenna. "Usually, we will not send such a vehicle to the scene right away. It's obviously because of the World Cup," a Sapporo police spokesman said.