..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Japan 1-4 Colombia: Jackson Martinez double sends Zaccheroni's side home

Colombia finished Group C with three wins from three as Jackson Martinez scored twice to seal a 4-1 win over Japan on Tuesday.

Jose Pekerman's side, so impressive in securing wins over Greece and Cote d'Ivoire earlier in the tournament, were already assured of qualification and knew a draw would be enough to secure their passage as group winners. Japan, meanwhile, needed to win and hope the result between Cote d'Ivoire and Greece went their way in order to progress.

The South Americans hit the front shortly after the quarter-hour mark, Juan Cuadrado smashing home a penalty after Yasuyuki Konno had fouled Adrian Ramos.Japan equalised on the stroke of half-time, Shinji Okazaki squeezing a header inside the near post to raise hopes of qualifying.

Yet Colombia then pulled clear in the second half, Jackson Martinez scoring twice following assists from half-time substitute James Rodriguez, who added a delightful late fourth.

Colombia will now take on Uruguay in the second round, while Japan exit the tournament having finished bottom of their group.Japan made the stronger start as Colombia struggled to find their feet having made eight changes from their victory over Cote d'Ivoire.

However, it was the South Americans who went in front after 17 minutes, following their first real foray forward.

Konno needlessly brought down Ramos inside the area, and Cuadrado dispatched the spot-kick, prompting further choreographed celebrations from the Colombians.Japan responded well, Shinji Kagawa creating space on the edge of the box before firing in a low shot which was tipped behind by David Ospina.

Keisuke Honda was the next man to go close, sending a dipping free kick narrowly wide of the right-hand post in the 33rd minute.

Colombia ought to have doubled their lead three minutes before the interval, Martinez firing wide of the target from 14 yards after being picked out by Ramos.
They were made to rue that miss soon afterwards, with Okazaki flicking home Honda's right-wing cross with the final touch of the half.

Half-time substitute Carlos Carbonero wasted a golden chance to restore Colombia's advantage in the 54th minute, stabbing the ball over the crossbar after a devilish ball in from fellow replacement James.

It mattered little as Martinez made it 2-1 a minute later, taking a touch and firing low beyond Eiji Kawashima after a nicely-weighted pass from James inside the area.

Eder Alvarez Balanta was perhaps lucky to escape punishment after his forearm struck the face of Okazaki in the corner, drawing blood from the nose of the Japan goalscorer.

Honda continued to pose a threat from set-pieces, bringing a save out of Ospina with a rasping free kick in the 64th minute.

Yoshito Okubo went close a minute later, meeting Atsuto Uchida's low cross at pace only to see his close-range effort fly over the bar.Martinez doubled his tally eight minutes from time with a cool finish, and moments later Kagawa summed up a disappointing campaign for the Japanese by firing wide with just Ospina to beat from close range.

There was a notable moment five minutes before the end, as 43-year-old goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon - retiring after the tournament - was brought on in place of Ospina to become the oldest player in World Cup history.

James, one of the players of the tournament so far, showed his class in the 90th minute to round off the scoring, turning Maya Yoshida inside out and dinking an impudent finish over Kawashima, before Mondragon made an injury-time save to deny Yoichiro Kakitani.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Greece 2-1 Cote d'Ivoire: Last-gasp Samaras penalty sends Santos' side through

Greece will face Costa Rica in the last 16 of the World Cup after a last-minute penalty from Georgios Samaras sealed a 2-1 win over Cote d'Ivoire on Tuesday.Needing a win to qualify in Fortaleza on Tuesday, Greece left it late, with Samaras' 93rd-minute spot-kick sealing their progression in dramatic circumstances.

The penalty was given after the forward was tripped by Giovanni Sio and the Celtic man dusted himself down before scoring to Boubacar Barry's left.A draw would have been enough for Cote d'Ivoire to progress and that looked likely when Wilfried Bony came off the bench to level proceedings with 16 minutes left.Greece had initially taken the lead through Andreas Samaris – an early replacement for the injured Panagiotis Kone – in the 42nd minute.

They had also hit the bar earlier, through Jose Holebas, and the woodwork was to deny them again in the second half as Giorgos Karagounis saw his 35-yard strike bounce away to safety.

But Greece claimed a deserved win as Samaras kept his nerve, setting up a clash with Costa Rica in the round of 16.Yaya and Kolo Toure both started, after deciding to stay in Brazil following the death of their brother, while captain Didier Drogba made his first start of the tournament, replacing Bony.

Greece's start was thrown into disarray by two forced substitutions inside the first 30 minutes, as Kone and goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis suffered injuries.But they almost took the lead in the 33rd minute from a quick break, as Holebas – played in following Samaras' well-weighted through-ball – saw his fierce strike come back off the crossbar.The goal frame did not come to the rescue of Barry nine minutes later, though.

A stray pass from Cheick Tiote saw Samaris pounce, and he combined well with Samaras before coolly slotting past the goalkeeper.

Cote d'Ivoire continued to control possession but failed to convert it into regular chances, as their opponents looked more decisive in attack.Greece's threat on the counter only grew as the second half progressed and Cote d'Ivoire were rescued by the bar for a second time with 22 minutes to go, when captain Karagounis tried his luck from 35 yards.

The introduction of Bony gave the Africans another dimension and after wasting a pair of half-chances, the Swansea City forward drew his side level, producing a composed first-time finish after Gervinho's clever cut-back.But it was the Greeks who looked more likely to score the winner, as Dimitrios Salpingidis flashed an effort wide, before Sio's foul gave Samaras the chance to be a hero.

And it was an opportunity he took with both hands, slotting past Barry to earn Fernando Santos' side a place in the next round.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Colombia Vs Uruguay & Costa Rica Vs Greece

Colombia Vs Uruguay last 16 wala patta gemak yai

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[rcccc]

Full Time

Italy 0 Vs 1 Uruguay

Uruguay Goal(s)

D.Godin 81'
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Italyth gedara

 

[rcccc]

suraez ta ban ekak set weyida

 

[rcccc]

Sissoko: France are going places

 

[panchaz]

suraez ta ban ekak set weyida

2 years ban ekak set wei kiyanne

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Italyth gedara

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[Wolverine GTR]

suraez ta ban ekak set weyida

Long ban 1kak set wei bro godak durataIllan kanawa kiyanne owata thamai
​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

King James can propel Colombia all the way

Jackson Martinez scored two, Faryd Mondragon bid farewell but neither could outshine the brilliance of James Rodriguez.

Colombia finished with nine points out of nine in Group C thanks to this 4-1 win over Japan but they were not as comfortable as the final scoreline would suggest. Shinji Okazaki nodded the Japanese level on the stroke of half-time after Juan Cuadrado's penalty.

Jose Pekerman had to do something. Having rested eight players he turned to a bench containing most of his first team and picked the No. 10. That decided the outcome. A thrilling half of football later and Martinez took the man of the match trophy and Mondragon departed in happy tears. Nothing would have been assured were it not for James Rodriguez.

"We saw all his qualities," says Fredy Guarin. "Now we know what he can do in complicated matches like today."

The Monaco man is coming of age in front of our eyes at these finals and there is a spectacular efficiency about how he plays the game. Like Mondragon he didn't start. The two changes represented the past, present and future of this brilliant Colombia team. James came on at half-time and his first touch brought electricity from thousands of Colombians present.

It didn't take him long to truly hit his stride. Good work from Santiago Arias carried the ball into the box where James lurked. He shoved the ball into the path of Jackson Martinez, taking three defenders out with a sideways stab of his left foot. Martinez made no mistake.

It was a similar story not long after. James picked up possession and carved Japan open with a brilliant through pass. Martinez sidestepped the goalkeeper and rolled the ball home. Colombia home and dry. Japan on their way home.

In the last minute Rodriguez demonstrated his burgeoning confidence in front of goal with a moment that was nothing less than stunning. He made Maya Yoshida look like he was playing a different sport, turning him this way and that inside the box, before lofting the best finish of these finals skilfully over the head of Eiji Kawashima.

He danced and drank in the adulation - totally at one with the expectations on him. There is joyfulness in his game. There is ruthlessness. There is efficiency. Colombia have a deep squad and many options up front but the form of their own King James will be key to progress.

"He's strong," says team-mate Juan Camilo Zuniga. "We all know the quality he has. But not just him. In the national team we have players all over the pitch who can make the difference."

Up next is a pretty ordinary looking Uruguay side who will surely be without a suspended Luis Suarez. The signs don't bode well for them. Rodriguez has the capability to stamp his special mark on every match he plays. Mondragon's night was one to warm the heart. James Rodriguez - that was one to stop it.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

James sub in kalata passe Colombia team 1ke pattama energy 1kak thibbe​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Lampard: England's kids are alright

Frank Lampard insists England have a bright future, despite their dismal 2014 World Cup campaign.

Lampard captained the side as they laboured to a 0-0 draw with Costa Rica in their final group game – a dead rubber following defeats to Italy and Uruguay.

Roy Hodgson named a much-changed side for the fixture, with youngsters Luke Shaw, Ross Barkley and Raheem Sterling all featuring in Belo Horizonte.

And, despite the scoreline, Lampard believes the youth in the squad will only improve.

“The manager will want to bring those young players through,” he said. “It’s been important for them to get their chance at a World Cup.

“I have been impressed with their attitude – all of them. There are no big-heads; there’s no kids coming in and thinking they can stroll around. Not at all.

“They’ve all tried to do the right thing and even though we haven’t improved, individually everyone has applied themselves very well.”

Lampard also praised the England fans who made the trip to Brazil, claiming their support shows the Three Lions are “building something.”

“It was absolutely amazing,” he said of the support. “It made me proud to be an Englishman playing for my country. From leaving the hotel this morning until before and after the game, they were incredible. They were immense.

“It was a bad experience, but I think the fans sticking with us today is because they see signs that we are building something.”

Reports have suggested the 36-year-old will call time on his England career in the coming weeks and Lampard dropped a hint that he has made a decision on his international future.

“I’ve kind of made my mind up,” he added, “but I'm not going to talk about that until I get back [to England].”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mondragon becomes the World Cup's oldest ever player

Colombia goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon became the oldest player to take to the field in a World Cup after his substitute appearance against Japan on Tuesday.
The Colombia shot-stopper entered the pitch in the 85th minute, replacing David Ospina to a rapturous applause from los Cafeteros' fans during the 4-1 Group C win.

Having just turned 43 on June 21, the keeper became the oldest man to play in a World Cup finals match, beating Cameroon's Roger Milla, who appeared at the age of 42 years, one month and eight days during the 1994 World Cup.

Mondragon not only broke Milla's record, but also entered into the annals of World Cup history by becoming the player with the most time elapsed between his most recent appearances, having last featured 16 years ago at France '98.

This record was formally held by the Switzerland's Alfred Bickel, who experienced a 12-year gap between playing in World Cups which, interestingly, were also held in France and Brazil in 1938 and 1950 respectively. Mondragon, who has 57 international caps, is set to retire from football after the tournament in Brazil, bringing to an end a 24-year career.

The goalkeeper left Deportivo Cali at the end of the previous campaign after spending time in eight countries, earning two league titles with Galatasaray and a Copa Libertadores with Independiente.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Congratzzzzzzzzz Mondragon!​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Deschamps: Public backing has inspired turnaround

France coach Didier Deschamps believes his players are performing to their potential because they now have the backing of the French public.

Les Blues struggled in qualifying and only booked their place in the World Cup finals after scraping through a play-off with Ukraine last November with a 3-2 aggregate victory.

But France have started the World Cup in superb form, winning both of their Group E fixtures to reach a position in which they are all but mathematically assured of winning the group ahead of Wednesday’s clash against Ecuador.

France have scored eight goals in the tournament so far and Deschamps believes an improved relationship with the French public is behind the upturn in performances.

“We definitely had a tough qualifying campaign but now the players are living in a very strong moment with the French public, and they have since the Ukraine games,” Deschamps said on Tuesday.

“The players are very proud of wearing the national shirt. You have duties when you play for your country and the players I have selected in the squad all understand that.”

Deschamps will make a number of changes to his starting line-up for the Ecuador fixture at the Maracana – but he insists he will not ‘throw away’ the match and risk losing momentum.

He added: “It is a World Cup game, there is pressure. I am not throwing away the game at all. We need to continue our positives.

“I don’t want to have a brand new team with people who have never played together.

“We have been very efficient and we have scored a lot of goals. The objective is to win the match against Ecuador. I have too much respect for them to say we will have an easy game tomorrow.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Argentina have an overdependence on Messi - Sabella

Alejandro Sabella believes that his Argentina side need to learn to depend less on Lionel Messi and also look to improve on recent displays when they face Nigeria.
The 27-year-old attacker has scored in both Group F games so far, netting sublime winners in both the 2-1 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina and the 1-0 win over Iran.

However, head coach Sabella conceded that his team need to show some improvement on those performances and acknowledged that his players must look beyond Messi to win matches."Every time you have a player like Messi, there is of course overdependence," the 59-year-old told a press conference.

"We try to reduce that but you have to depend on him. I guess this is normal pressure for a player and we try to reduce the pressure on him by playing together.
"Leo has played very well in the national team in Argentina and the friendly matches we have played outside. In these two matches he has been good. He is venerated in Argentina and he has deserved the veneration."We have to improve in the group, we need a little more mobility to find the spaces.

"Team problems can't be discussed publicly as a matter of respect for the group. I think we are improving little by little and we need trust and confidence."The Albiceleste will face Nigeria in their final group game on Wednesday and Sabella insisted that the Super Eagles, who go into the game after defeating Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-0, will pose a real threat given their speed in attack.

"Every time that we have won against Nigeria, we have scored with set-pieces. They are a difficult opponent to play," he continued."I see a fast team, attacking swiftly whether [Peter] Odewmwingie or [Ahmed] Musa plays.

"We know about [Emmanuel] Emenike and the physical strength he has. We know that generally the Africans are very fast. They have this way of playing that you always have to watch out when they get the ball into the attack. It is a team that is very fast."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Samaras: I don’t remember my winning penalty

Costa Rica coach Jorge Luis Pinto has stressed that the Group D winners will be ready for any opponent in the World Cup knockout phase.

Pinto's men will meet Greece in the round of 16 after Fernando Santos' side snatched second spot in Group C with a last-minute winner against Cote d'Ivoire.

"I'm delighted we've topped the group. We are prepared to face whoever comes and we will face them with great confidence," he said at at a press conference after his side's scoreless draw against England on Tuesday.

"Our potential rivals from Group D will be difficult as they're experienced, but we'll approach them as we have been doing.

"We're a well-balanced team with good tactics."

Costa Rica retained their unbeaten status against England after earlier victories over Uruguay and Italy and Pinto feels Tuesday's encounter was an even game.

"It was an even game today against an opponent who was looking for its first win."

Costa Rica last made it to the round of 16 in 1990 and will take on Greece while Group D runners-up Uruguay prepare to meet Colombia.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Pekerman: This is a reward for all Colombians

Jose Pekerman has described Colombia's successful passage to the second round of the World Cup as a reward for their jubilant supporters.Los Cafeteros secured a 4-1 win over Japan on Tuesday with two goals from Jackson Martinez and strikes from James Rodriguez and Juan Cuadrado confirming the three points despite Shinji Okazaki's goal.

Pekerman expressed his delight at how Colombia have performed in Brazil as their 100 per cent record earns them progress to the knockout stages and a clash with Uruguay.

"I'm happy because the team worked a lot," the 64-year-old Argentine told reporters after the game."This is the result of work and patience of all the players and a whole country's support."This is a reward for Colombians - I always have felt Colombian."

Pekerman also reflected on their upcoming game against Oscar Tabarez's Celeste, who only confirmed their qualification for the next stage of the competition after defeating Italy 1-0 on Tuesday."[Uruguay] will be a very tough opponent," he added."Uruguay is a team renowned in world history and really can play. But we are confident and we want to move forward."

Pekerman referred to Colombia next opponent and said the meeting on Saturday will be a "heads up" against the selection "Uruguayan".

"It's a very tough opponent, we knew it could happen, (Uruguay) is a great team, with history, today and is a very tough opponent, but we have a lot of confidence and that will be a head to head game," said Argentine, who for this game made several changes to the roster.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Honda apologises for Japan failure

Keisuke Honda has offered his apologies for Japan's disappointing World Cup campaign after they crashed out at the group stage following defeats against Cote d'Ivoire and Colombia, and a draw against Greece.

The AC Milan midfielder claimed ahead of the tournament that they had what it takes to go all the way and win the tournament, yet Japan eventually had to settle for fourth place in Group C with just one point from three games.

"It's incredibly disappointing, but this is the reality," Honda told TV Asahi.

"I said we could win the title and I'm sorry we couldn't back that up. We'll take time to reflect."

Head coach Alberto Zaccheroni, meanwhile, was equally disappointed with Japan's exit and felt they deserved more in their final group game against Colombia, which ended in a 4-1 defeat.

"It's incredibly disappointing. We played well against Colombia and we could have done more," Zaccheroni stated.

"We wanted to score the first goal but Colombia's counterattacks were incredibly good. We weren't able to finish our chances, but it was a good match.

"I'm satisfied with how we played, but we weren't lucky. Our opponents were very good."

It's the third time in five World Cup appearances that Japan have crashed out in the group stages.

 

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Lugano: Chiellini is a coward

Uruguay defender Diego Lugano has hit out at Italy's Giorgio Chiellini in the wake of the incident involving Luis Suarez during Tuesday's World Cup encounter.

The Liverpool star appeared to bite the defender during a tussle in the Italy area, with the Juventus man attempting to show the referee the mark on his shoulder following the incident.

Images circulated on social media showing the alleged damage caused by Suarez after the match but Lugano insists the Azzurri defender already had a scar from a previous incident and has branded the player "a coward."

"Are you sure you saw a bite?" Lugano said to reporters when questioned.

"Because I've watched the incident again and I saw nothing...

"I've seen the picture of Chiellini. That scar isn't from today's game. You have to be very stupid to believe that scar is from now.

"Italy had been wasting time the entire match, provoking us on the pitch like they always do.

"I never believed an Italian player could be such a coward off the pitch. During the game, yes, it is all part of football, but I think the manly thing to do would be to just accept defeat. To denounce your opponents just out of bitterness is bad.

"There was no bite and there was no scar."

Cristian Rodriguez, meanwhile, also downplayed the incident before hailing defender Diego Godin's influence following his matchwinning goal.

"We are all men. I think it was nothing, I didn’t see anything and I think there will not be consequences," he said.

"Godin's goal was no coincidence. He is a player who is very strong in the air and has scored important goals."

Uruguay will meet Colombia in the round of 16.