Valcke: Don't waste time at World Cup opening stadium

FIFA's top World Cup official visited the delayed stadium that will host the opener in less than two months and said there is "not a minute" to waste to get the venue ready. FIFA Secretary-General Jerome Valcke said on Tuesday that there's still a lot of work to do at the Itaquerao stadium, but stressed that it will be ready for the opening match between Brazil and Croatia on June 12. He said local organisers are "running against time," but they know there is "no choice" and understand they have to come through with their promise to finish all the work in time. There is only one FIFA-scheduled test event planned for the stadium before the opener, and it won't even happen in front of a full crowd. At the beginning of his latest tour of host cities, Valcke said there are "potential issues" with two other stadiums, one still being built in the southern city of Curitiba and the other in nearby Porto Alegre. Valcke visited Curitiba later on Tuesday and said there is "still lots to do inside and outside" the Arena da Baixada stadium. He was not happy that 27 000 seats were yet to be installed and said that it's crucial the venue is finished in time for a test event on May 14. "We have to make sure all is working... because there will be no other choice," Valcke said. "There is not a single minute we can waste, because there is still a lot of work to do to," Valcke said after checking the construction work at the Itaquerao. "We are running against time, but yes, the stadium will host the opening game." There will be five other World Cup matches in Sao Paulo, including one of the semi-finals. The FIFA test event at the Itaquerao will be a Brazilian league match on May 17 or May 18, about three weeks before the opener. Only 50 000 tickets will be sold even though the opener will hold nearly 70 000 people. FIFA usually wants three test events at venues used in tournaments such as the World Cup. SAO PAULO- NAMPA/AP