..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Redknapp refuses to name England shirkers

Harry Redknapp has refused to appease Steven Gerrard by revealing which players he claims shirked England duty during his time at Tottenham.

The QPR manager revealed on Sunday that "two or three" England internationals from his Spurs days did not want to play for their country during his time at White Hart Lane, a suggestion that irked Gerrard.

Gerrard, England's captain at the World Cup, implored Redknapp to name who these players are to "embarrass" them.

But the 67-year-old told the Daily Mail: "I understand Steven's concern but I don't want to get into naming names because it wouldn't be fair to the players.

"Every Premier League manager past and present knows what I'm talking about, probably even [England coach] Roy Hodgson. But sadly this attitude is not unusual these days.

"You've only got to look at how many players pull out of an international game on Tuesday and Wednesday then are running about for their clubs the next Saturday to see that this is a very real issue."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Heitinga joins Hertha Berlin

Johnny Heitinga has joined Hertha Berlin, penning a two-year deal with the Bundesliga club after becoming a free agent this summer.

The defender, 30, arrives in Germany having been released by relegated Premier League outfit Fulham last month.

The former Ajax, Atletico Madrid and Everton man - who missed out on Netherlands' squad this summer, having been a key member of the 2010 World Cup team which reached the final - is looking forward to beginning a new chapter of his career.

"I really wanted to come to the Bundesliga, that's why I am really looking forward to joining Hertha,” he told the club website.

"I’m excited to meet the team and the great fans. After Amsterdam, Madrid and London, Berlin will be the next world capital in which I will continue my career."

Heitinga has made 87 appearances for his country and Hertha sporting director Michael Preetz clearly believes that he will bring vast experience to Jos Luhukay's squad.He said: "John Heitinga is an internationally experienced defender, from whom our young players especially will certainly benefit a lot."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Odemwingie: Nigeria can reach final

Peter Odemwingie sees no reason why Nigeria are not capable of reaching the World Cup final, if they play to their potential.

The Stoke City forward scored the only goal of the game against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Saturday to put Nigeria on the verge of qualifying for the last 16 in Brazil.

Odemwingie believes Nigeria have what it takes to go all the way to the final and the 32-year-old revealed that he is not the only one who is optimistic about their chances.

"I saw a Brazilian on the street who told me he foresaw Nigeria playing the final against Brazil and I said to myself 'why not', going by the level of our players and the fact that they are yet to peak," he said.

"But mark my words - we have a very resilient defence, a creative midfield and an attack force that can trouble any defence in the world. If we played to our potentials, we can go all the way."

The African champions only need a point against Argentina at Estadio Beira-Rio on Wednesday to ensure they will progress from Group F along with their opponents, and they will also be guaranteed to go through if Iran fail to beat Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Nigeria have not featured beyond the group stage of a World Cup since 1998.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Sevilla chief insists Liverpool must match Moreno's valuation

Sevilla president Jose Castro admits Alberto Moreno will be allowed to join Liverpool if the left-back’s asking price is met.

The Spanish club value the 21-year-old, who made 29 Liga appearances for Sevilla last season and narrowly missed out on Spain's World Cup squad, at €22 million.

"It's true that there is interest from several teams," Castro told ABC.

"One of these teams is Liverpool, but there haven’t been any formal talks over his signing.

"We decide his price. If Alberto Moreno want to stay, he'll stay. If Liverpool pay his price, he'll leave."

With Champions League football secured for the 2014-15 campaign, Rodgers is keen to add to his squad.

Rickie Lambert and Emre Can have already signed from Southampton and Bayer Leverkusen respectively, while interest in Adam Lallana remains.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Shaqiri unhappy with criticism about his World Cup form

Bayern Munich playmaker Xherdan Shaqiri has hit back at criticism over his performances for Switzerland at the World Cup, insisting that he is being singled out unfairly.Despite beating Ecuador 2-1 in their opening game in Brazil, the Swiss were hammered 5-2 by France in their second Group E match in Salvador.

Shaqiri has failed to have an impact on the tournament so far, and will be under pressure to do so in Switzerland’s final group game against Honduras on June 25 - with Ottmar Hitzfeld's men needing to better Ecuador's result against Les Bleus to progress from Group E.

But, the 22-year-old has stressed that the focus going into Switzerland’s final match in Manaus should not be on his individual performances but rather on the collective."We have enough players in the national team that can be decisive. Not just me," Shaqiri told Blick. "It's about the team. Always.

"I feel very comfortable in the team. What bothers me is that I am criticised much harder when something is not working. I'm exactly the same as everyone else.”
Switzerland came from 5-0 down against Didier Deschamps’ impressive France team on Friday with two late goals – a response that Shaqiri was proud of.

"We have just been totally run over by the French. In the second half we tried to play football. I think to some extent we succeeded."It's certainly good for morale that we scored two goals.

"It wasn't easy, we had to chase the ball a lot. We were always a step too late. The performance of the whole team was not optimal."Even though I have not scored a goal or made an assist (in the first two games), I am always working.

"I have created opportunities. For me, the most important thing is that we play well as a team. We did not succeed in this against France."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Di Maria in the dark over Real Madrid future

Argentina midfielder Angel Di Maria admits he is in the dark over his Real Madrid future and will not make a decision under after the World Cup.

The European champions are reportedly prepared to allow him to leave the Bernabeu despite his impressive impact in Carlo Ancelotti's first season in charge.

But the 26-year-old, who made the move to Spain from Benfica four years ago, says he has asked his representative to wait until the end of the tournament in Brazil before discussing his plans for next season.

"I've asked my agent not to tell me anything about the talks he's having," he told reporters. "I don't know what's going to happen with my career.

"I don't want to know anything about my future right now. I'm focusing on my national team and not on what's going on elsewhere."

Di Maria was named man of the match in Madrid’s Champions League final victory over Atletico Madrid last month, but his future has been the subject of constant speculation since the world-record signing of Gareth Bale.

However, Ancelotti moved him further back from the wing into a three-man midfield where he mostly thrived in 2013-14, most notably as the Blancos won La Decima.

Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain are among of host of clubs to have been linked with a move for Di Maria.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Vidal wa Real Madrid la gatthoth nam Di Maria ta yanna dei.Ath sure karanna baha

Anith 1ka top form 1ke inna player kenek​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Adios, Villa - Spain's greatest ever striker

Adios, El Guaje. The finest centre-forward Spain has ever produced has bid an emotional farewell.

David Villa's first-half flick helped defeat Australia in his side's meaningless Group B closer, and it was typical Villa; instinctive, skilful, clinical. But it will be his 59th and last goal for his country, and the realisation brought an outpouring of emotion from a much-loved and respected footballer.

He departed the pitch in tears upon his substitution in the 60th minute. He made his decision to retire from Spain duty before the World Cup began. "Given my age, my level of performance, and everything I have given the team, it is time," he announced. But often it's not until the day arrives that a retrospective can begin.

Eight years of achievement spearheading not just Spain's finest side, but perhaps the greatest international team we'll ever see, came into sharp focus. He'd broken records with these players, both personally and collectively, and now the end is here.

Raul had ruled the roost for Spain for over a decade. But despite his notable talent, success didn't follow for a unit that perennially underachieved. In 2006, Luis Aragones made a difficult decision. Villa ensured that it was the decision that kick-started the golden generation. Raul is the only Spanish striker who comes close to Villa in terms of quality. But their careers for La Roja are incomparable - Villa simply made the difference.

His record at international level is sensational: 59 goals in 97 appearances makes him Spain's all-time record scorer, a total that others will struggle to break. But it wasn't just the volume of goals, it was the occasions in which he scored them.

Four strikes at Euro 2008 made him top scorer as he blasted through the group stages, and only injury denied him from adding more. At World Cup 2010, when sides sat deep to stifle Spain and deny them space to express themselves, Villa was decisive, defeating Honduras, Chile, Portugal and Paraguay with goals of varying skill and style.

After the horrific leg break while playing for Barcelona denied him yet more accolades at Euro 2012, he never quite had the same dynamism as before. But he adapted his game to such a degree that he played a pivotal role in Atletico Madrid's title triumph this season. He did enough to convince Vicente Del Bosque that he still had a part to play at this tournament, even at the age of 32.

Indeed, had Villa been given any kind of opportunity against Netherlands and Chile, who knows, things might have been different. The Diego Costa experiment has failed and Fernando Torres is not the threat he once was. Villa is a tournament player. He has lasted the course and distance. Perhaps he deserved another run.

Scoring at a third successive World Cup proved that.

His career does not end here, of course. A loan spell in Australia with Melbourne City comes before a lucrative move to New York City FC, where Villa will undoubtedly prove his quality for years to come yet.

This end of sorts, however, is indeed representative of an overall transition for Spain. From unbreakable, at times touching perfection, now beaten, and their very approach to the game being brought into scrutiny.

Villa is unlikely to be the only experienced head to leave the team behind. Xabi Alonso, Xavi and Iker Casillas may all follow suit. It will be a new Spain, a rebooted version, which takes the nation forward. But they will struggle to find another player quite like David Villa.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

We Miss You David Villa!​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Del Bosque's future as Spain boss to be resolved in 'next few days'

Vicente del Bosque has revealed that his future as Spain coach will be decided "in the next few days".

The 63-year-old's position has been called into question because of la Roja's shock World Cup elimination before the conclusion of the group stage, after devastating defeats at the hands of Netherlands and Chile.

Spain did, at least, manage to round off their disappointing campaign with a 3-0 win over Australia on Monday to avoid the ignominy of finishing bottom of Group B, but Del Bosque admitted immediately after the game in Curitiba that he has yet to decide whether to step down.

"We have time enough later to decide my future," the former Real Madrid boss told Telecinco. "But it will probably be sorted within the next few days."

Del Bosque also argued that whether he stays on or not, Spain do not need to completely revamp their squad in order to reclaim their place at the summit of international football.

"We have ended our participation admirably and the players gave their best," he stated.

"After the opening minutes we took the control of the game and we have been better than them.

"We have performed below expectations at this World Cup and had two great rivals, Netherlands and Chile, that played really well. The merit is all theirs.

"But there are still a lot of players in this squad that can give a lot to the national team and we can't dismiss anyone because of their age.

"But we will be keeping an eye on what is coming through from underage level."

David Villa, Fernando Torres and Juan Mata got the goals as Spain ensured that Australia finished their World Cup campaign without a single point.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Cameroon Vs Brazil

​

Starting Line-ups​

&​

Croatia Vs Mexico

​

Starting Line-ups​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Half Time

Cameroon 1 Vs 2 Brazil

​

​

Croatia 0 Vs 0 Mexico

​

​

​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Full Time

Croatia 1 Vs 3 Mexico

Croatia Goal(s)

Ivan Perisic 87'

&

Maxico Goal(s)

Rafael Marquez 72'
Andres Guardado 75'
Javier Hernandez 82'


​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Full Time

Cameroon 1 Vs 4 Brazil

Cameroon Goal(s)

Matip 26'

&

Brazil Goal(s)

Neymar 17',34'
Fred 49'
Fernandinho 84'
​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

It's Netherlands Vs Mexico & Brazil Vs Chile Quater Finals
​

 

[rcccc]

Full Time

Cameroon 1 Vs 4 Brazil

Cameroon Goal(s)

Matip 26'

&

Brazil Goal(s)

Neymar 17',34'
Fred 49'
Fernandinho 84'
​

Neymar

 

[rcccc]

Full Time

Australia 0 Vs 3 Spain

Spain Goal(s)

David Villa 36'
Torres 69'
Mata 82'


​

 

[rcccc]

Full Time

Croatia 1 Vs 3 Mexico

​

Mexico team ekath hodayi ne

mama hithuwe Croatia win karayi kiyala

 

[Chathurangaabey]

මට පොඩි ප්‍රශනයක් තියෙනවා... දැන් දැන් us & germany june 26th play කරන්නේ උන් දෙගොල්ලන්ටම 4 points තියෙන හින්දද?

නැත්නම් 1G & 2H , 1H & 2G නෙමෙයිද play කරන්න ඕනෙ.?

 

[rcccc]

මට පොඩි ප්‍රශනයක් තියෙනවා... දැන් දැන් us & germany june 26th play කරන්නේ උන් දෙගොල්ලන්ටම 4 points තියෙන හින්දද?

නැත්නම් 1G & 2H , 1H & 2G නෙමෙයිද play කරන්න ඕනෙ.?

USA & germany ekama group eke.ekama group eke team e group eke anith ratwal ekka play karanna one.
eka team ekakata match 3k thyenawa...
match 3 play kalata passe group table eke 1 & 2 team last 16 walata qualify wenawa


1G & 2H , 1H & 2G play karanne last 16 waladi