..::Football IV::..

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'Lucky' Spain need improvement to achieve dreams – Hierro


Spain head coach Fernando Hierro admits his side was lucky to top Group B after a VAR-assisted equaliser earned the 2010 World Cup winners a 2-2 draw with Morocco.

Iago Aspas’ backheel in injury time was initially ruled out for offside before the technology correctly reversed its decision and gave Spain an equaliser, which combined with Portugal’s 1-1 draw with Iran, was enough to see La Roja win the group.

Hierro, a former defender for the national team, said that whilst the group games provided a good challenge, Spain must improve if they are to progress through the knockout rounds after twice coming from a goal down.

“I like the group, it was a level playing field, we weren't sure who was going to be first or second until the last minute and I have to admit we were lucky to finish first,” he said.

“We have to be very demanding with ourselves. This is not the way. We can’t allow the opposition so many chances. If we want to get to where we dream, we have to adjust these details and be self-critical, knowing there is room for improvement.”VAR has been a big talking point in the World Cup so far, but Hierro was satisfied with how the technology has been implemented so far.“All coaches and all players have been instructed about what VAR means and how it works,” he said.

“It has to be included and they’re going to try and use it as fairly as possible. We understood the referee was waiting for VAR and we did our job, the players didn’t pressure him.”However, one of Hierro’s players, Thiago Alacantara was not convinced by the use of VAR.

“There are people who are in favour [of VAR], but for me it loses a little essence of football,” he said.“But it is true that today it has favoured us.”Spain will now face hosts Russia in Moscow on Sunday for a place in the last eight.

 

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Spain defending 'not the way forward', admits Hierro in error-strewn campaign


Spain boss Fernando Hierro admitted to concerns about his side's defending following the 2-2 draw with Morocco that sealed their place in the last 16.

An injury-time equaliser from Iago Aspas snatched a point for the 2010 world champions and Iran's late leveller against Portugal meant La Roja finished top of Group B, despite winning only one of their three games.

They twice fell behind in Kaliningrad, with Khalid Boutaib capitalising on a defensive mix-up to open the scoring and Youssef En-Nesyri heading in from a corner after Isco had initially brought Spain level.

Hierro is happy to have won the group but, having watched his side concede three against Portugal in their first match, he admitted that their defensive play "is not the way forward"."We said this would be a tough match," he told a news conference. "We knew full well Morocco would fight, they have an excellent team, they only lost their two games 1-0 when they deserved much more.

"The first conclusion I draw is that, despite all these challenges, we were on top, so I need to look at the silver lining. Obviously, there are things we need to improve and we're going to be self-critical. "Five goals in three matches is not the way forward and it's what I've told my players. They're professionals, they understand the situation."

Despite his demand for improvement, Hierro refused to pin any individual blame on centre-backs Gerard Pique and Sergio Ramos, who looked vulnerable for much of the match.

"I assess the entire team, not individuals," he said. "I keep those in-house. In a public forum, I talk about how we can improve as a team as a whole."Hierro was only placed in charge on the eve of the tournament after Julen Lopetegui was sacked for negotiating a deal to take over at Real Madrid without the full knowledge of the Royal Spanish Football Association.

But the former Madrid defender has made it clear he is in complete command of the group and has not been reaching out to his predecessor for any advice."Julen has his job now, I have mine, I have my hands full," he said. "We're not texting each other. We each have our identity.

"Right now, I'm the person who is head coach. Yes, we are friends, we communicate as friends, but we do not talk about football and tactics. Don't think that, whenever I have to make a decision, I call up Lopetegui and ask him!"

 

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Spain defending 'not the way forward', admits Hierro in error-strewn campaign

Ow Spain defending nam echchara hari naha meh campaign ekema​

 

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'Ronaldo and Messi treated differently' - Queiroz questions red card call on Portugal talisman


Iran boss Carlos Queiroz did not hold back his anger over the use of VAR at the World Cup, after his side were eliminated from Group B despite a 1-1 draw with Portugal .

Queiroz's side were the benefactors of VAR late on in Saransk, as Cedric Soares was harshly adjudged to handle from Sardar Azmoun's header.

It was the final time that referee Enrique Caceres would call on his visual aid, having earlier awarded Portugal a penalty - which Cristiano Ronaldo failed to convert - before then utilising the system to conclude that a stray elbow from the Real Madrid star on Morteza Pouraliganji was only worthy of a booking.

And Queiroz, who managed his native Portugal during a poor 2010 World Cup campaign, was blunt in his criticism of the technology , which has played a huge part in a record number of penalties been awarded at this World Cup ."We are the coaches, I want to know what's going on, I want to see what's going on. We can't see. They don't allow us to see," Queiroz told a news conference.

"The reality is you stop the game to VAR. There is an elbow that is a red card in the rules. It doesn't say whether it is [Lionel] Messi or Ronaldo. It is a red!
"The question for me is not about referees, it is about the attitude and the bravery and the character. The decisions must be clear for everybody.

"In my opinion, Mr Infantino and FIFA, everybody must agree that VAR is not going well, that is the reality. There's a lot of complaints."Who takes the decisions in the game? We have the right to know. We have VAR. Human mistakes were before, we accept that.

"The referees on the pitch are washing their hands, covering themselves with decisions because of the guys upstairs. The guys upstairs don't know what they should do."If you implement VAR, to then make mistakes? When you have high technology, training, and five guys sitting upstairs, and they don't see an elbow? Give me a break, give me a break."

Iran's penalty, converted emphatically by Karim Ansarifard, cancelled out Ricardo Quaresma's earlier stunner , with Mehdi Taremi squandering a golden chance to complete the comeback late on and send Queiroz's side through.Portugal held firm, however, and Queiroz said he will now be fully behind his compatriots for the rest of the tournament.

"It was a very competitive World Cup game, minute-by-minute, duel-by-duel playing against one of the best teams in the world," he added."Iran, without any doubt, with discipline with attitude with the way we controlled the game, if there were some justice in football – which doesn't exist – there is only one winner that should come out of this and this should be Iran.

"Congratulations to Portugal. I hope they carry this on. Before the game I could not support them openly of course, but from now on they've won another supporter."

 

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No pity for World Cup flop Messi, says Nigeria’s Gernot Rohr


Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr says his side will show no mercy to misfiring Lionel Messi and Argentina at the Saint Petersburg Stadium on Tuesday.

Prior to the crunch tie, the Barcelona star failed to impress for the South American giants as he missed a penalty in a 1-1 draw with Iceland and was silenced in their 3-0 loss to Croatia.The 31-year-old looks destined for his last World Cup outing with his Albiceleste side on the brink of an early exit from the tournament, except they fight hard and subdue the three-time African champions.

However, the German insists his side are poised to get their first World Cup win over the South Americans giants.

“We love this great player Messi, everybody loves him,” Rohr told media at the press conference in Saint Petersburg on Monday.

“But the question for us is not if it’s the last World Cup for him. We are not here to watch him play. We’re here to get a result.

“We are professionals and we have to defend the colours of Nigeria. In football, there is no mercy, no pity. Everybody wants to win.”

 

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Argentina must be 100% motivated to beat Nigeria, says David Trezeguet


Former France international David Trezeguet has called on the La Albiceleste to prove their mettle when they face Nigeria on Tuesday.After a 1-1 opening draw with Iceland on June 15, Jorge Sampaoli’s men had their bid to reach the knockout phase hanging on the balance as they bowed 3-0 to Croatia six days later.

The South American side are fully aware that a draw with the Super Eagles will see them crash out of the tournament, and the former Juventus marksman insists the Argentines must find an ‘alternative solutions’ - against Gernot Rohr’s side - to avoid an early exit.“Jorge Sampaoli has his own plan and we must respect that,” Trezeguet told media.“Argentina are in a difficult situation where they have to find alternative solutions and system they've not shown so far.

“It's not an easy situation but in their final game the system will not be important, along with who players and who doesn't.“The players must be 100% motivated on the pitch so they can win and reach the next stage.”

 

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'Ozil is one of the best players in the world' - Under-fire Germany star receives Reus support


Mesut Ozil may have been dropped by Germany amid intense criticism, but the Arsenal playmaker is still considered to be “one of the best players in the world” by Marco Reus.

Having seen some of his off-field decisions questioned in the build up to World Cup 2018, a forgettable opening performance in Russia – in a 1-0 defeat to Mexico – saw the key performer from the triumphant 2014 campaign dropped for the clash with Sweden.

Borussia Dortmund forward Reus was the man to be drafted in and found the target in a crucial 2-1 victory for Die Mannschaft which keeps them on course for the last 16.

That snub represents the first time that Ozil has been dropped for a fixture at a major tournament and he may struggle to force his way back into favour under Joachim Low after several calls for him to be overlooked.

Reus, though, remains a big fan of the 29-year-old and expects him to have an important role to playing heading forward, telling reporters: "We are one team, on and off the pitch, no matter what they say."It just shows that Mesut, despite not playing, is with the team, and is there for us.

"He's just an extremely important player for us. He's one of the best players in the world, and I am more than convinced we'll see him in this tournament again."Germany will be back in action on Wednesday when they face South Korea in their final Group F encounter.

Victory is required to guarantee a spot in the second round, with there still a chance that the group winner and runner-up could be determined by Fair Play count or the drawing of lots.Reus is eager to avoid such a scenario, with the reigning champions setting their sights on a comfortable success.

He added: "If it comes down to it, it would certainly be a difficult situation. It [a drawing of lots] would be bizarre, but there'd be nothing for us players left to do.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

FIFA World Cup 2018 Group Stage Fixtures 2018.06.26

FIFA World Cup 2018 Group Stage Fixtures 2018.06.26

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Group C
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Australia Vs Peru

Denmark Vs France

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Group D
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Nigeria Vs Argentina

Iceland Vs Croatia

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[Wolverine GTR]

Its now or never for Argentina


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[RottenCOLT]

Its now or never for Argentina


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meka nikan dinnama final 16 yanna puluwanda naththan goal kipayk wadipura gahanna onida.


iye ronaldoge red card review eka welawenam mage papuwa hira wenawa thawa podden baya una para

 

[Wolverine GTR]

meka nikan dinnama final 16 yanna puluwanda naththan goal kipayk wadipura gahanna onida.

iye ronaldoge red card review eka welawenam mage papuwa hira wenawa thawa podden baya una para

Elbow case eka neda?

Ow bro aniwa win karanna one.habai Iceland vs Croatia match result ekath balapanawaArgentina Nigeria match eka win karala Iceland v Croatia match eken Iceland win kaloth Argentina & Iceland same points wenawa(4).ahema unoth goal difference eke balapamak thiyanawa

monawa unath adath pattama gemak yana dawasak wei bro

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[RottenCOLT]

Elbow case eka neda?

Ow bro aniwa win karanna one.habai Iceland vs Croatia match result ekath balapanawaArgentina Nigeria match eka win karala Iceland v Croatia match eken Iceland win kaloth Argentina & Iceland same points wenawa(4).ahema unoth goal difference eke balapamak thiyanawa

monawa unath adath pattama gemak yana dawasak wei bro

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ow ow e seen eka thmai


argentina me tike sellam karapu widihata nigeria gahala daida manda iwra wennama


ela ela balamuko ada

 

[Puzhi]

Its now or never for Argentina


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Nigeria difference karanawa hodai ban. Argentina eda match eke wage play kaloth nam baduma thamai.
Balamu..

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Nigeria difference karanawa hodai ban. Argentina eda match eke wage play kaloth nam baduma thamai.
Balamu..

Anything can happen bro.balamu
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[Wolverine GTR]

ow ow e seen eka thmai

argentina me tike sellam karapu widihata nigeria gahala daida manda iwra wennama

ela ela balamuko ada

Ow brohabai ithin team ekama 100% match ekata dunnoth nam hoda result ekak ganna bari wena ekak naha

 

[RottenCOLT]

Ow brohabai ithin team ekama 100% match ekata dunnoth nam hoda result ekak ganna bari wena ekak naha

 

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Australia 0 0 Peru - Peru punish Socceroos to end 2018 World Cup on a high

Paolo Guerrero teed up Peru's first World Cup goal in 36 years and then scored the second himself as Ricardo Gareca's side ended Australia's qualification hopes with a 2-0 victory.

Experienced striker Guerrero, who was only allowed to play in the tournament after the captains of Peru's World Cup opponents petitioned FIFA to temporarily lift his suspension, made the most of what may have been his final appearance for Los Incas, who finished with three points to add to the many plaudits they have won in Russia.Their opener would have been worthy of winning any World Cup match, Andre Carrillo volleying Guerrero's weighted cross into the net to beckon forth a cavalcade of emotion from the hordes of Peru fans packing the stands in Sochi.

The talismanic Guerrero, 34, made his mark on the game's biggest stage with his 36th international goal early in the second half, extending his record as the country's all-time leading scorer.

Despite head coach Bert van Marwijk throwing on talented 19-year-old Daniel Arzani and veteran Tim Cahill to try and turn the game, Australia failed to muster a comeback as they finished bottom of Group C. A win would not have been enough for the Socceroos anyway, as Denmark picked up the point they needed to accompany France through to the last 16.

Mile Jedinak was booked for a high boot on Christian Cueva after nine minutes of the first half and Australia looked the better side as they sought to stamp their authority on the game.

But they were rocked by a brilliantly taken Peru goal after 18 minutes when Guerrero broke into the penalty area, cut back onto his right foot and swung a deep cross for Carrillo to lash a volley through Jedinak's legs and into the bottom right corner of Mat Ryan’s net.

Peru then had to soak up some pressure as Tom Rogic beat three defenders on a jinking run into the penalty area after 26 minutes and saw his shot saved by Pedro Gallese, before Mathew Leckie was denied by a last-ditch Anderson Santamaria tackle as he slid in on goal.The second half was five minutes old when Guerrero struck, hooking the ball into the far corner of the net beyond Ryan's left hand to leave Australia with a sizeable task ahead of them.

They set about it immediately as Jedinak's far-post header was denied by Gallese and Trent Sainsbury fired wide from close range, while substitute Cahill had a volleyed effort blocked in the penalty area.As the minutes ticked away so too did Australia's hopes of a turnaround; Aziz Behich got in behind the Peru defence and had time and space to pick his spot but instead opted to send a cross beyond the unmarked Cahill.

Edison Flores almost added a third goal on the counter when he crashed a low drive onto the post from the edge of the box in the closing minutes, but the offside flag was raised and there was to be no final flourish for Peru.

 

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Denmark 0 France 0: World Cup's first stalemate sends both teams through

Denmark followed Group C winners France into the last 16 with the first goalless draw of the 2018 World Cup against Les Bleus at the Luzhniki Stadium on Tuesday.

France had already qualified and Denmark needed a point to be certain, although a 2-0 win for already eliminated Peru against Australia sent them through regardless of their result.

Didier Deschamps, marking his 79th game in charge to level Raymond Domenech's France record, rested key players such as Paul Pogba and Hugo Lloris and kept Kylian Mbappe on the bench for the majority of the game with an eye on their knockout campaign.




Deschamps' six changes contributed to a lack of cohesion that prevented France from ending the group stage with maximum points for the first time since they won the tournament in 1998, Antoine Griezmann struggling to link with partner Olivier Giroud.

After topping Group C thanks to a dull draw, France are on track to face Argentina in the first knockout round if Lionel Messi can inspire his side to victory against Nigeria, who occupy second spot in Group D.

Denmark - likely to face Croatia next - rarely threatened and appeared happy with a 0-0 draw that sends them into the knockout stages for the first time since 2002, with Tottenham star Christian Eriksen providing their greatest threat in front of goal.


Giroud and Raphael Varane sent early efforts off target as news of a Peru goal in Sochi reduced the pressure on Denmark.Ousmane Dembele bent a presentable opportunity wide as a low-tempo match continued to await a shot on target.

And when it finally arrived in the 38th minute the strike from Griezmann was straight at Kasper Schmeichel and easily dealt with by the Leicester City goalkeeper.Griezmann set up Giroud, but a late offside flag spared the blushes of the striker - scorer of Les Bleus' last three goals against Denmark - after he blazed over the crossbar.

Steve Mandanda became France's oldest World Cup debutant and the goalkeeper almost cost his side, spilling a long-range Eriksen free-kick before recovering to claim the loose ball ahead of lurking striker Andreas Cornelius.

Eriksen drilled wide in the 59th minute as Age Hareide's side took control of the contest, although France substitute Nabil Fekir rippled the side-netting with an ambitious drive shortly after his introduction for lacklustre Griezmann.Fekir forced a smart stop from Schmeichel in the 82nd minute, while Giroud had a late penalty appeal rejected by referee Sandro Meira Ricci.

 

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Australia 0 Vs 2 Peru

Group H Match in Pictures

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Denmark 0 Vs 0 France

Group H Match in Pictures

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