..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Del Bosque delight as Spain sprint away from France

Vicente del Bosque is delighted that Spain's 2-0 victory over Finland on Friday made 2014 World Cup qualification look increasingly guaranteed.

Goals from Jordi Alba and substitute Alvaro Negredo were enough to seal a 2-0 victory for the world champions in Helsinki, who now sit three points clear of France at the top of Group I following their goalless stalemate with Georgia, and the significance of the result was not lost on Del Bosque.

"We’ve achieved the three points and that was the important thing," he told Telecinco. "After France drawing and our victory, the difference becomes three points.

"It was a tough game. Not for the great quality of Finland, but because they made things very uncomfortable and were very solid. We attacked in a very small space and every time they came out on the counterattack, they did so quickly and caused danger."

Much had been made before the match over whether Iker Casillas or Victor Valdes would start in goal and Del Bosque opted for the former, who won his 150th cap despite not being first choice for Real Madrid.

"Iker? This isn’t the time for debate," he said, in no mood to discuss the issue. "Time will put everyone in their place. What happens at their club is a different matter entirely."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Klose: It's a joke to compare me to Muller

Miroslav Klose insists that comparing him to Gerd Muller is "an absolute joke" following his equalling of as Germany's goalscoring record in the nation's 3-0 win over Austria on Friday.The Lazio striker opened the scoring during the 2014 World Cup qualifying win in Munich, taking his international tally to 68 goals from 129 appearances - level with striking legend Muller.

Toni Kroos and Thomas Muller added a goal each to consolidate Germany's position at the top of Group C but the day belonged to Klose, who remained adamant that it was farcical to compare him to the Bayern Munich and Mannschaft idol.

The 35-year-old told reporters after the victory: "It means an awful lot, but I do not want you to put me on the same level as Gerd. It's an absolute joke to compare myself with him.

"One must not compare him with anyone after what he has done. The number of matches and goals, he is unique."

Klose's coach, Joachim Low, believes extra preparation time gave his Germany team an immediate advantage.

He continued: "We had two or three days more time this week [than usual] and did our homework. We knew how Austria play and have made them toothless because our defence played well. Ultimately, it's the victory that counts."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ronaldo hat-trick breaks Eusebio record

Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed his pride at breaking Eusebio's goalscoring record with a hat-trick in Portugal's 4-2 win over Northern Ireland to become his nation's second-highest goalscorer of all-time.

A second-half trio of goals helped the Seleccao leap back into first place in their 2014 World Cup qualification group, two points ahead of Russia who have a game in hand.

The Real Madrid forward entered the game with 40 international goals but left with 43, surpassing legend Eusebio's 41 and only trailing Pauleta - who is on 47 - in the nation's standings.

"It was the first time I scored three goals for the national team and for me is something historic," Ronaldo, 28, told reporters.

"At club-level I have done it, but internationally it has never happened before. I am happy, it was special.

"I came closer to the record, but that was not my goal. I am proud to have tied and then exceeded Eusebio, one of the greatest players to ever play for Portugal. It is with great pride that I take this record."

Afterwards, the Santiago Bernabeu star wrote on his official Twitter account: "It was an important result for Portugal in a very special date for me.

"I would like to dedicate this victory to my father that has left us 8 years ago."

Portugal coach Paulo Bento was thrilled with the forward's three-goal performance and he believes the sky is still the limit for the former Manchester United man.

“Cristiano Ronaldo is from another planet,” he told reporters.

“He is already the second-best scorer in Portugal history, which is crazy because he is still young.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Congraulations for CR7 & Klose!

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Benzema berated by French football chief

Karim Benzema has been slammed by France's football association (FFF) president Noel Le Graet after surpassing 20 hours without a goal for his country following their 0-0 draw with Georgia on Friday.

The last time the Real Madrid striker scored for his country was June 5, 2012 against Estonia, when he netted a brace in a friendly leading up to that summer's European Championship.

It has since been 15 games without a goal for Benzema, and just three in the last 27 for les Bleus, prompting the French sporting chief to speak out against the forward.

"There is a problem," he told reporters. "He is very disappointing. A starter at Real Madrid can’t be as bad as people say. We expect more."

Benzema, who was subbed off in the 62nd minute against Georgia in favour for Andre-Pierre Gignac, jumped to his own defence after the match, suggesting he isn’t the only player failing to find the back of the net amidst France’s five-game goalless drought.

"I know when I am good or not," he told reporters. "Tonight I was not terrible. For me to do better in the next game, I will not dwell on my substitution.

"It’s complicated - we don’t win, we don’t score goals and we don’t do good things. It’s a difficult period. I wouldn’t say we doubt ourselves, but it’s becoming a long time since we scored a goal."

The scoreless draw essentially locks France into second place in their World Cup qualification group behind Spain, meaning they must advance through the play-offs, a fact Frank Ribery seems content with.

"It’s a shame. The opportunities are there," the Bayern Munich winger told reporters.

"We had a lot of chances in the second half. We just didn’t score. We are disappointed tonight. We will get back to work and we will recover well because play again on Tuesday.

"We should not think we are already eliminated. If it is necessary to go through the play-offs, then we will. We will win and we will qualify for Brazil."

France will travel to Belarus on Tuesday, where a draw would secure at least a second place finish in the group.

 

[charitha chandi]

England 4-0 Moldova: Welbeck doubles up in comfortable Three Lions victory

nice goals from Welbeck ..!

 

[rcccc]

Germany 3-0 Austria: Klose helps hosts towards World Cup

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[unicornx]

Klose: It's a joke to compare me to Muller

Miroslav Klose insists that comparing him to Gerd Muller is "an absolute joke" following his equalling of as Germany's goalscoring record in the nation's 3-0 win over Austria on Friday.The Lazio striker opened the scoring during the 2014 World Cup qualifying win in Munich, taking his international tally to 68 goals from 129 appearances - level with striking legend Muller.

Toni Kroos and Thomas Muller added a goal each to consolidate Germany's position at the top of Group C but the day belonged to Klose, who remained adamant that it was farcical to compare him to the Bayern Munich and Mannschaft idol.

The 35-year-old told reporters after the victory: "It means an awful lot, but I do not want you to put me on the same level as Gerd. It's an absolute joke to compare myself with him.

"One must not compare him with anyone after what he has done. The number of matches and goals, he is unique."

Klose's coach, Joachim Low, believes extra preparation time gave his Germany team an immediate advantage.

He continued: "We had two or three days more time this week [than usual] and did our homework. We knew how Austria play and have made them toothless because our defence played well. Ultimately, it's the victory that counts."

This is G.Muller

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Brazil 6-0 Australia: Selecao hit Aussies for six

Brazil continued their impressive recent form with a 6-0 thrashing of Australia.

Two goals from Jo and a strike from Neymar put the Selecao 3-0 in front at half-time and second-half efforts from Ramires, Alexandre Pato and Luiz Gustavo added gloss to a resounding victory.

After dominating the opening exchanges, it took Brazil just eight minutes to open the scoring. Neymar found Bernard at the back post and after his volley hit the woodwork, Jo was on hand to slam home the rebound from close range.

The second arrived in the 33rd minute, when Paulinho seized on a loose pass from Brett Holman. Maicon moved the ball forward quickly to Bernard, who crossed for Jo to net again.

Less than two minutes later, Brazil made it 3-0 and put the result beyond any doubt.Ramires' slide-rule pass in behind the Australia defence allowed Neymar to ease past Ryan McGowan and the Barcelona forward raced away to slip a cool finish beyond Mark Schwarzer.

Maxwell replaced the injured Marcelo at left-back for the second half and it was the substitute who supplied the cross for Brazil's fourth, as he picked out Ramires to head beyond Schwarzer in the 58th minute.

A beautifully crafted move involving two more substitutes then engineered Brazil's fifth on 73 minutes. Hernanes scooped the ball over Australia's backline, with Neymar cutting the ball back to Pato, who back-heeled the ball into the back of the net.

More punishment arrived with seven minutes to go, when Luiz Gustavo exchanged passes with Neymar before slamming a strike from distance beyond Schwarzer.
In a worrying subtext for the Brazilian government ahead of the World Cup, there were renewed clashes between protesters and police before the match, although not on the scale of the unrest that marked the Confederations Cup in June.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'Ronaldo and Bale can play together' - Ancelotti

Carlo Ancelotti has claimed Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale can play alongside one another following the Welshman's €100 million move to Real Madrid.

Concerns have been raised over whether Ancelotti can mould the pair together in the same system given the similarities between their respective playing styles.

But the Italian says he is already mulling over a formation capable of bringing the best out of the two most expensive footballers of all time, while ruling out the possibility of playing Ronaldo in a more central role.

"No [Ronaldo will not be used as a striker], I think we’ll be working out a system which will bring out the best characteristics of both players," the 54-year-old told Uefa.com.

"You need to field the top players where they feel comfortable. Everything is going really well. Real Madrid is a massive club and it is well organised.

"I’m in no doubt at all that it will all work out well for him [Bale]. There’s been no problem at all in adapting. The team has changed a little since I came in.

"He’s a great player and he’s young. He wanted nothing more than to come here and play for Real Madrid and I’m sure he’ll do well."

Ancelotti took over the reins of the Spanish giants earlier this summer after Jose Mourinho departed for Chelsea, but insists he is not concerned by the pressures associated with his new job.

"It’s normal for a coach. There is a great deal of pressure at Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain," he continued.

"There is pressure within both of those teams to reach objectives and you don’t always reach them. After so many years of experience, in the end you grow used to the pressure."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bale could be a striker, says Clement

Real Madrid assistant coach Paul Clement has revealed Gareth Bale could play as a striker in a bid to accommodate all of the club's attacking talent.

The 24-year-old winger became the most expensive player in history after completing his €100 million move from Tottenham last Sunday, with speculation mounting as to where the Welshman will feature in an already star-studded attack.

"Gareth has the goalscoring talent and ability to set up goals for others. He recently became more central. He's got that versatility," the Frenchman told BBC on Thursday.

"[Coach] Carlo Ancelotti has a clear idea how to use him but things can change. We have a lot of exciting players here.

"[Karim] Benzema is a great talent, while Isco plays in midfield but has chipped in with three goals already. It'll be interesting to see how players fit in together.

"We'll be trying to find their best position and what's best for the team as quickly as possible."

Bale was an unused substitute for Wales on Friday night as they were beaten 2-1 by Macedonia in their latest World Cup 2014 qualifier.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

I was right to drop Hummels, claims Low

Germany coach Joachim Low believes his decision to drop Mats Hummels for Jerome Boateng was vindicated by the 3-0 victory against Austria on Friday.

Hummels had been held culpable for the Germans' 3-3 draw with Paraguay in August, with Low opting to pick Boateng ahead of him for die Mannschaft's latest World Cup qualifier.

And the trainer's faith was rewarded withGermany's first clean sheet since March, leading him to cite the grounds why Hummels had been relegated from the team.

"Hummels is a very good central defender," began Low to SID. "[But] I've seen him in recent games for Dortmund.

"Maybe he lacks the security. Boateng earned this opportunity because of his performances for Bayern Munich. You cannot always prevent opponent's chances, but it is always up to the whole team.

"The intensity which we attacked Austria with was much higher than recent games. They were forced to play high balls which our defence intercepted easily."

Friday's result in Bavaria ensures Germany maintain their five-point lead over Sweden at the top of Group C ahead of their trip to the Faroe Islands on Tuesday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Pogba eyes Ballon d'Or

Juventus starlet Paul Pogba has claimed he will not be satisfied until he wins the Ballon d'Or.

The 20-year-old has been a standout performer for his club since moving to Turin on a free transfer after leaving Manchester United last summer and was rewarded with his first France call-up in March.

But the midfield prodigy, who was also recognised as the best player at the Under-20 World Cup en route to captaining his side to victory in July, is refusing to rest on his laurels until he is crowned the world's best player.

"I won the World Cup and was named the best player and it was all beautiful," Pogba recalled to L'Equipe. "But I do not feel like king of the world.

"I will not stop there, because I have not yet won the Ballon d'Or."

Suspension means Pogba has been absent from les Bleus' squad for their World Cup 2014 qualifiers with Georgia and Belarus but he is likely to feature when France are in action again in October.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

South Africa 4-1 Botswana: Bafana out of World Cup running despite fine finish

South Africa have failed to reach consecutive World Cup finals despite beating Botswana 4-1 in their final group game of Caf qualification.

Bafana Bafana needed to win to have any chance of making the play-offs for the finals in Brazil next summer but Ethiopia's 2-1 win at Central African Republic scuppered their hopes.

The crowd tried to roar the side to an opener from the start and, in the 27th minute, their prayers were answered when Siphiwe Tshabalala's corner was headed by Bernard Parker as a flick-on to the far post where Orlando Pirates' new striker Kermit Erasmus nodded his first international goal into the roof of the net.

Doncaster Rovers star Dean Furman doubled the lead just before half-time following a flurry of missed opportunities by side-footing into the net off the post.

Bafana started the second half with a spring in their step after hearing that Ethiopia were 1-0 down at the break but they were caught exposed at the back and Botswana's Jerome Ramatlhakwana pounced to pull one back in the 73rd minute.

It was nervous times for the South African fans after hearing that Ethiopia had staged a comeback but a beautifully-placed free kick from Parker provided temporary respite heading into the final 10 minutes.

Parker scored again from the penalty spot soon afterwards but it was not enough to secure a place in the play-offs due to Ethiopia's three points and the 2010 World Cup hosts will play no part in next summer's tournament.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Injured Ronaldo ruled out of Brazil clash

Cristiano Ronaldo has been ruled out of Portugal's friendly with Brazil on Tuesday with injury following a match-winning and record-breaking performance on Friday.
The Seleccao skipper scored a hat-trick in their 4-2 win at Northern Ireland to prevent the nation's World Cup 2014 qualification hopes from crumbling and overtook striking legend Eusebio as the second-highest goalscorer in Portugal's history in the process.

Team doctor Henrique Jones admitted that the 28-year-old had been a doubt for the clash at Windsor Park due to tendinitis, but put himself through the pain barrier to help them to victory. "Ronaldo has had a week of intense treatment, he made an enormous sacrifice and now he needs to rest," he told reporters.

The result in Belfast kept Portugal on top of Group F of the European qualifying section with 17 points from their eight matches.

And the Real Madrid star's treble - Ronaldo's 41st, 42nd and 43rd goals for his country - moved him to just four behind Portugal's goalscoring record holder Pauleta.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Wilshere: I learnt so much from Fabregas

Jack Wilshere says that he "learnt so much" from playing with Cesc Fabregas at Arsenal and believes the Barcelona midfielder is the best he has ever played with.

The Spain international spent eight years with the Gunners before returning to Barcelona in 2011 and the England international holds his former team-mate in high regard.

"The best player I ever played with is probably Cesc Fabregas," Wilshere told Esquire Weekly.

"I only got to play with him for a year before he went back to Barcelona but I learnt so much from him – the way he knew what he was going to do with the ball before he got it and his passing – and he scored goals.

"Also, he grew up at Arsenal – he got into the first team at a young age, which is something I wanted to do."

Wilshere is currently on international duty with England and featured for the Three Lions during their 4-0 win over Moldova at Wembley on Friday.

The victory has put Roy Hodgson’s men top of their group ahead of Tuesday’s clash in Ukraine, and Wilshere is confident England will qualify for World Cup 2014.

"As a footballing nation with the quality we have, we can’t think of anything else," he added

"We have got some tough qualifiers coming up, but we know if we win them, it’s in our hands.

"We will be in Rio and I think all the players are going to have to come together on that one."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'Barca-Madrid dominance is a tremendous injustice' - Luis

Atletico Madrid defender Filipe Luis has described Barcelona and Real Madrid's duopoly of Spanish football as "a tremendous injustice."

Barca and Madrid have occupied the top two positions in La Liga for the last five seasons, with the last league winner outside the dominant pair coming in the 2003-04 season when Rafa Benitez led Valencia to glory.

Filipe, who joined Atletico from Deportivo La Coruna in 2010, feels the duopoly over the title race makes La Liga boring to watch at times and is frustrated at the huge imbalance in funds available to the top clubs.

"We are talking about two teams that no-one can compare to," the Brazilian left-back told AS.

"It is a tremendous injustice that the league is so unbalanced. That Barca and Madrid have budgets that are so immensely greater increases doubts that this is the best league in the world.

"It is more interesting lower down in the table than it is in the fight for the title.

"[At Atletico] we have to try to fight with our weapons. We, with much work and humility, have barely reached them.

"From humility we have achieved many things, but to fight them is very complicated."

The 28-year-old is still positive about Atletico's current side, however, and believes they can continue to make their mark domestically and in the Champions League after lifting the Copa del Rey last term.

"The team is in a great moment. The fact that most of the team is the same as three years ago helps. Almost all the other teams have been dismantled and lost many players and we have not," he said.

"We have maintained our core. [Radamel] Falcao was the great reference for last season but now we have David Villa, who will give us a lot.

"The team is playing the same way as two years ago. We have had many training sessions and years together.

"It shows that we are familiar and that we have not changed much from year to year."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ozil will shine under Wenger, insists Mertesacker

Per Mertesacker is relishing the arrival of Mesut Ozil at Arsenal and believes his compatriot will be a success in the Premier League.

Germany international Ozil signed for the Gunners from Real Madrid on transfer deadline day for a club-record fe of €47 million, having fallen out of favour at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The pair played together at Werder Bremen earlier in their careers and are team-mates at international level.

And Mertesacker believes Ozil will adapt quickly to life in England, while helping the club challenge for trophies this season."I think that Arsene Wenger will get the best out of him," he said following Germany's 3-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Austria on Friday. "I think he will fit in.

"He suits us and we're really looking forward to playing with him and to be his team mate."We need players in every position - maybe two or three players, they can rotate and change position.

"We need to be dangerous up front and with him we are more dangerous."
Ozil could make his Premier League debut in Arsenal's trip to Sunderland on August 15 following the international break.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Sturridge ruled out of Ukraine trip

Daniel Sturridge will not travel to Ukraine with the England squad as he continues to undergo treatment on a thigh injury.

Sturridge – who has scored five goals in four matches for Liverpool this season – was ruled out of Friday's 4-0 win over Moldova at Wembley due to the problem.

And the striker will not be risked by England manager Roy Hodgson in Kiev on Tuesday, despite the crucial nature of the fixture, which could play a big role in deciding who qualifies automatically from Group H for World Cup 2014.

A statement from the Football Association read: "The FA can confirm that Daniel Sturridge will not return to the England squad ahead of the World Cup qualifier with Ukraine on Tuesday.

"Club England medical staff have been in constant contact with their counterparts at Liverpool since he returned there on Thursday, his injury has not progressed as had been hoped and it is now clear that Sturridge will not be fit for the match in Kiev on Tuesday evening.

"No additions will be made to Roy Hodgson's squad of 23 players who travel to Ukraine on Sunday evening."

Manchester City midfielder James Milner is expected to fill Sturridge's role from the start in Kiev.

Sturridge has scored in each of Liverpool's three Premier League matches, helping the Anfield outfit to the top of the table.

The latest news surrounding his injury could leave him a doubt for Liverpool's trip to Wales to face Swansea in their next match on September 16.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Kaka: I'm almost back to my best

AC Milan star Kaka believes he is getting back to his best after rejoining his former club from Real Madrid.

The 31-year-old returned to Milan on a free transfer on Monday and made an immediate impact on his debut, assisting Antonio Nocerino's goal in Saturday's 4-0 friendly rout against Chiasso.

And after a troubled four-year spell in Madrid, Kaka insists he in on course to emulate the form that first elevated him to prominence in his initial spell at San Siro.

"It was a good game today," he told reporters after the match. "Milan need to improve but we have room for growth.

"From my personal point of view, at age 31 you have learnt a lot of things and now I choose plays that are best when passing the ball.

"I missed just a little rhythm and continuity but I'm happy."

Rossoneri boss Massimiliano Allegri was likewise enthused at the promise shown by his latest signing, who was handed the captain's armband for the game.

"Today Kaka played more as a midfielder and just needs to find the rhythm to his game," the Italian added. "[Riccardo] Saponara came back fine, he's fine too. He needs to play and find the right condition.

"We have an excellent department of attack, with different solutions to deal with every game when the players are in good condition.

"We play once every three days and we will need everyone."