World Cup's Maiden Conflicts

The World Cup has just begun, and we are facing some minor conflicts inside the national teams. Even if expected at the end of the group stage - when the decisive games have a great impact on the players - the conflicts between footballers began already. Not only that, but some coaches were blamed for their failures by their own players, as well.

Poland was the first one to show us the effects of a World Cup loss. After failing to convince against Ecuador - being beaten 2-0 - the Polish players argued with their coach in terms of the way he prepared the team for the opener. And, as a strong coach should have done, they were supposed to be punished accordingly. Still, Pawel Janas just sat and watched how one of his most important players, Jacek Krzynowek, blasted him in the media.

Yesterday, though, brought us another conflict, this time inside the Netherlands squad. Unhappy with Arjen Robben's selfish game, Robin Van Persie roughly criticized his teammate right after the game against Serbia & Montenegro.

"He needs to take his team-mates into account. Sometimes he makes choices that are good for him and not for the team. We need to realize we are in this together. We had several chances against Serbia but against the really big countries you maybe get one chance. In that situation you have to make the right choice. He can't do it on his own", said Van Persie.

Sweden is also confronting with the same problems. After a very poor start against Trinidad & Tobago, the Swedish side has to overcome the conflicts between its own players. Everybody lost their cool in the locker rooms after their opener, but Freddie Ljundberg and Olof Mellberg really crossed the line. Still, they admitted earlier this morning, that they'll try to keep it down from now on.

"It was a little bit of an aggressive discussion but there's nothing strange with that. Sometimes it happens. It was not just between Olof Mellberg and me. It was more players involved but I won't name them here. Olof and I can handle this. There are no problems between us", concluded Arsenal striker Freddie Ljundberg.