..::Football III::..

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Deschamps relieved as Benzema ends goal drought

France boss Didier Deschamps has expressed his relief at seeing Karim Benzema end his international goal drought in the 6-0 demolition of Australia on Friday.

The Real Madrid star netted the final strike of the match early in the second half after coming on as a substitute, bringing an end to a torrid run of 1222 minutes without a goal for les Bleus.

Deschamps was thrilled to see the 25-year-old back on the scoresheet but remains uncertain who he will deploy as his central striker heading in to November's World Cup play-offs, after Olivier Giroud continued his fine form with two more goals on Friday.

"When he [Benzema] came on, he had nothing to be applauded for," he told reporters after the match. "All of a sudden, it's the opposite.

"It's good, I'm happy for him and for the team. He needed it because it's been a long time [since he last scored].

"Since I became coach, Karim has played more matches than Olivier. I don't know what will happen before our game in November. One of them may have a problem. I hope not, I want to have both for their different qualities."

All six of France's goals emanated from the left-hand side of midfield where Franck Ribery was deployed and Deschamps believes it was little coincidence to see the Bayern Munich star at the heart of the team's best attacking play.

"It seems logical to me that our game leans to the left, because of the player we have there," continued Deschamps. "Until proven otherwise, he is one of the best players in the world. The more he touches the ball, the better. He can also play on the right, but differently.

"If we can take this forward as a habit then we will not complain. It's obviously nothing trivial to score six goals. You could say Australia are not a great team, but they have qualified for the World Cup. Our intentions were good from the start. We put them under constant pressure."

Deschamps experimented with Samir Nasri in the No.10 role and the 44-year-old hinted that the Manchester City man could continue in such a position in future.

"I was convinced before the game that Samir was a very good footballer. He confirmed that tonight in a role in which Mathieu usually plays," he added. "It was a chance to see Samir in that role. Afterwards, I'll make a choice."

 

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Rooney lauds 'exciting' England attacking line-up

Wayne Rooney has hailed the strength of England's "exciting" attacking talents following a convincing 4-1 win over Montenegro at Wembley.

Heading into the first of two final qualifying games for the World Cup, the Three Lions knew only maximum points would guarantee a place at next summer's tournament - and controlled the game with over 60 per cent possession.

Rooney opened the scoring early in the second half after a frustrating opening 45 minutes, before an own goal by Branko Boskovic, a stunning 25-yard debut goal by Andros Townsend and a Daniel Sturridge penalty sealed the three points.

"It was great," Rooney told Sky Sports. "Exciting, with a lot of speed and with experience of Steve [Gerrard] and Frank [Lampard] behind us.

"The manager gave us the freedom and platform to go out and express ourselves and I thought the four of us did that, especially Andros [Townsend], that was some debut."

Rooney commended Montenegro for their performance, but believes his opening goal was key to breaking down the side England have failed to beat on all three previous occasions.

"It was a tough game," he continued. "First half they defended deep and defended well but we still created a few opportunities. So we came in at half-time knowing we could create chances against Montenegro.

"I think getting the goal so early in the second half was vital and we excelled after that and deserved the three points.

"I think you saw a weight come off everyone's shoulders. It was always going to be a night where we had to be patient and try and break them down but getting that goal was vital for us."

England host Poland on Tuesday with a second-place finish all but guaranteed, while Ukraine will look to take advantage of any slip up when they travel to San Marino.

 

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Van Gaal praises record breaker Van Persie

Louis van Gaal heaped praise on Robin van Persie after he became Netherlands' record goalscorer with a hat-trick in Friday's 8-1 demolition of Hungary.

Van Persie's treble moved him on to 41 goals for his country - surpassing Patrick Kluivert's previous record of 40 - as Kevin Strootman, Jeremain Lens, Arjen Robben, Rafael van der Vaart and a Szilard Devecseri own goal added to a comprehensive dismantling of their opponents, despite Oranje having already qualified for World Cup 2014.

Van Gaal was delighted to see the Manchester United star go ahead of the former Barcelona striker's tally but was equally thrilled at the ruthless manner in which his whole side approached Friday's encounter.

"This [breaking the record] is a great achievement," the coach told SBS6. "But ultimately it is all about the way the team puts him in contention."The best part of the evening I found [was] that we were trying to squeeze them for 90 minutes

"This is a difficult process to squeeze after losing possession. It's the first time we were able to keep going.

"The whole team put in a performance, we took a big step tonight."Netherlands face Turkey in their final Group D match on Tuesday as they aim to complete their qualifying campaign unbeaten.

 

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Argentina 3-1 Peru: Lavezzi double continues Albiceleste streak

Argentina capitalised on Colombia's earlier draw with Chile to ensure top spot of the South American section of World Cup qualification with a 3-1 victory over Peru.

Claudio Pizarro had given the underdogs the lead but Ezequiel Lavezzi's double and Rodrigo Palacio's strike ensured that Alejandro Sabella's men picked up three more points.

The win ensured Argentina will finish the South American qualifying group on top as they rose to 32 points, five clear of second-placed Colombia, who wrapped up a spot at next year's finals on Friday.Peru had entered the match in Buenos Aires knowing they could not qualify for Brazil 2014 and finished the game still on 14 points in seventh position.

The visitors started strongly, however, with Pizarro bursting onto a through-ball by Gianmarco Gambetta in the 21st minute and then finishing inside the far post of Sergio Romero's goal.

Peru's joy did not last long though as Lavezzi equalised two minutes later, tapping home from close range after Federico Fernandez's header from a corner was saved.

The Paris Saint-Germain striker put Argentina ahead in the 35th minute, after a flowing move down the right ended with Palacio cutting the ball back from the byline and Lavezzi had no trouble side-footing into the net.Argentina almost had a third goal just before half-time as Sergio Aguero hit the back of the net only to be ruled out for offside.

Coach Alejandro Sabella and his Argentine players did not have to wait much longer to make it 3-1, however, with Aguero linking up with Marcos Rojo in the 47th minute and the latter crossed for Palacio to finish from close range.

Palacio hit the bar soon after with a delicate chip but the home side failed to add to their tally, while Peru were barely in the contest as they copped their fourth loss in five international matches.

 

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USA 2-0 Jamaica: Zusi & Altidore secure top spot

USA ensured that they will top the Concacaf section of World Cup qualification with a 2-0 victory over Jamaica in Kansas City on Friday.

Jurgen Klinsmann's men were made to work hard for victory, but two goals in the final 15 minutes from Graham Zusi and Jozy Altidore allowed them to secure all three points.

The result of Friday's World Cup qualifier was basically irrelevant as the USA had already qualified for next year's tournament in Brazil, while Jamaica had no chance of qualifying.And the game seemed to reflect that for the opening 70 minutes with a lack of urgency meaning there were only four shots that tested either goalkeeper in that time.

With World Cup qualification already secure, the USA's head coach Jürgen Klinsmann took the opportunity to give a starting debut to Icelandic-born striker Aron Johannson.But it was not until Johannson was substituted that the hosts finally hit the back of the net with Zusi finishing off a nice cutback by Alejandro Bedoya in the 77th minute.

The Americans then opened up Jamaica's defence in the 81st minute with Edgar Castillo getting free on the left-hand side to set up Altidore for a simple tap in from close range.

The victory continued the USA's incredible run of form that stretches back to June, while Jamaica suffered their fifth defeat in seven World Cup qualifiers.

Klinsmann's team moved to 19 points at the top of Concacaf's standings, four points clear of second-placed Costa Rica, while Jamaica (four points) remain bottom of the six-team group.

 

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Ecuador 1-0 Uruguay: Hosts end winless streak against Copa America champions

Ecuador have ended a four-match winless run with a 1-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Uruguay on Friday.

Jefferson Montero's goal on the half-hour mark at the Estadio Olimpico Atahualpa was all the hosts needed in Quito to earn the three points and move one step closer to Brazil.

Second-half substitute Joao Rojas looked to have all-but-sealed the result in the final 20 minutes, but his goal was controversially ruled out for offside despite seemingly being played on by two Uruguay defenders.

The Celeste remain fifth spot in the group table - and must beat the already-qualified Argentina in the final game and turn around a four-goal differential on Chile to gain an automatic spot.Oscar Tabarez's men are guaranteed of a least a play-off place, though, which would see them face Jordan in November.

Ecuador and Chile play one another in their final group game - and a draw would send both parties to next year's finals, while a result either way would leave the loser vulnerable to being overtaken by Uruguay.

A healthy Uruguay win over Argentina seems unlikely, however, given Tabarez's men lost 3-0 to them last time out.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Colombia 3-3 Chile: Falcao spearheads stunning comeback

A pair of Radamel Falcao penalties has seen Colombia snatch a 3-3 draw with Chile and clinch a berth at the 2014 World Cup finals.

Chile blitzed the home side early to lead 3-0 before the half-hour mark with Barcelona forward Alexis Sanchez central to the visitors' start as he scored his team's second and third goals.

But a red card to Chilean midfielder Carlos Carmona in the 66th minute allowed Colombia to recover with Teofilo Gutierrez scoring the home side's first three minutes later before James Rodriguez was fouled in the box on two occasions and, both times, Falcao converted from the spot.

The draw saw Colombia move to 27 points and ensured they will be a part of Brazil 2014 - the first time they have qualified for a World Cup since France 1998.
Meanwhile, Chile missed the opportunity to qualify and will need to claim at least a point at home against Ecuador on the final matchday in South American qualifying to secure a berth at next year's tournament.

Chile started brilliantly with Arturo Vidal putting the visitors ahead at the Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Melendez in Barranquilla in the 19th minute from the penalty spot after Eduardo Vargas had been brought down in the area by David Ospina.

Just three minutes later and Jorge Valdivia set up Sanchez for Chile's second and the visitors were flying in the 29th minute when the Barcelona striker struck again, finishing off Marcos Gonzalez's pass.The game turned around after the hour mark as Carmona received his second yellow card for halting a Colombia counter-attack by handling the ball.

Soon after Gutierrez struck from Pablo Armero's cut-back and in the 73rd minute Rodriguez went down easily under pressure from Francisco Silva and Falcao scored to make it 3-2.

Colombia's comeback was complete in the 84th minute when Rodriguez was brought down by Chilean goalkeeper Claudio Bravo and Falcao again made no mistake from the spot.The result leaves Chile with 25 points and in the fourth and last automatic qualifying position in South America.

Uruguay sit on 22 points after their 1-0 loss to Ecuador, who moved up to third on 25.

If the Ecuadorians draw with Chile on Tuesday they will both qualify for Brazil, while Uruguay will be consigned to an intercontinental playoff against Jordan.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ronaldo wary of potential France play-off

Cristiano Ronaldo admits he is wary of potentially facing France in a World Cup qualifying play-off after Portugal's 1-1 draw with Israel on Friday all-but-ended their chances of automatic qualification.

The Seleccao succumbed to a late Eden Ben Basat goal after a mistake from goalkeeper Rui Patricio, meaning that a draw for Russia in Azerbaijan on Tuesday will be enough to see them clinch top spot in Group F after they beat Luxembourg 4-0.

While Portugal can still mathematically snatch the automatic spot away from Fabio Capello's men, Ronaldo conceded his side are almost certain to be facing another play-off for a major tournament, having also navigated the process to reach World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012.

"It's not a drama to be in the play-offs," the 28-year-old told A Bola. "It's become normal, it's not a surprise because that's what has happened to us in recent years.

"[Automatic qualification] is mathematically possible but not up to us. We must be content to play the play-off.

"Hopefully, we'll now get a bit of luck and not get a complicated team. The only team I wouldn't like to face is France."

Portugal spurned a number of chances before Patricio's kick landed straight at the feet of Ben Basat for an easy equaliser, with head coach Paulo Bento refusing to place sole blame on his goalkeeper for the result.

"Mistakes are made collectively," Bento said after the match. "In the second half we started just as well but after 10 minutes we had more difficulties to move the ball, we were more inaccurate and ended up penalised for a situation that can happen.

"We tried to react but more with the heart, using a more direct game that we are not prepared for.

"We ended up being penalised for a mistake."

 

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Spain u21 vs Boznia Herz

Simply UNBEATABLE

#HalaEspaña

Congratulations Spain U21!

 

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Belgium patta team eka

Aniwa pattama set 1kak inne

 

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RVP the man

 

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Final score Mexico vs Panama 2-1

 

[unicornx]

Aniwa pattama set 1kak inne

Kompany Cortoius Fellani Lukaku patta form eken inne...

Not to forget Boznia team ekath maxa form eken inne. Most underrated team eka kiala mata hitenne..Ibisevic Dzeko Pjnic firing form eke inne...Me parann sirama World cup ekak tiyei

 

[unicornx]

BREAKING NEWS

These are the transfer targets of the Jan transfer window of Real Madrid

- Gundogan
- Aguero
- Silva
- Suarez
- Mata
- Inigo
- Draxler
- Paulinho
- Vidic
- Lewandowski

GUNDOGAN, SUAREZ, SILVA and MATA sure case ekak tiyenne. Xabi, Benzema, Khedira already hinting to be a part of EPL

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Germany failure is inexcusable, insists Ribbeck

Former Germany boss Erich Ribbeck has piled the pressure on Joachim Low, insisting failure at next year's World Cup would be unforgivable.

The 76-year-old notably presided over die Mannschaft's worst managerial record from 1998 to 2000, with the team crashing out in the group stages of Euro 2000.

However, Ribbeck claims Low cannot afford to fail with the talent at his disposal, and has laid down the gauntlet for the latter to finally deliver silverware at Brazil 2014.

"Of course I envy Joachim Low, with his selection of players," he told Bild.

"I think we are already better than Spain. In goal and the attacking department we are top, while the back four certainly have room for improvement.

"In the cursed Confederations Cup [of 1999, when Germany were forced to field a reserve team due to sports policy reasons], I could hardly defend myself, because the selection was not as big as today's.

"I think I could be successful with the squad at Low's disposal. With the current national team, it is not all that difficult."

Low's spell in charge has been characterised by a series of near misses, as his men could only finish second at Euro 2008 before coming third at the 2010 World Cup.

Germany were most recently ousted by Italy in the semi-finals of Euro 2012.

 

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Record-breaking Van Persie worth applauding, says Bruma

Netherlands defender Jeffrey Bruma believes Robin van Persie deserves all the recognition he is receiving after being crowned his country's all-time top scorer on Friday.

The Manchester United striker notched a magnificent hat-trick in the Oranje's 8-1 rout of Hungary to take his tally to 41 goals in 80 games and surpass Patrick Kluivert's previous record of 40.

And after the forward had been subbed off on 61 minutes to a standing ovation from the Amsterdam ArenA, Bruma joined in with showering his international colleague with praise.

"Something is obviously worth a round of applause, so we just stood there and clapped in front of him," the PSV man told De Telegraaf.

"Our goal was to win and Van Persie also had a personal goal. He seized his opportunity with both hands."

Coach Louis van Gaal opted to start Bruma in the World Cup qualifying match and the 21-year-old feels it is just reward for his fine start to the new campaign.

"I work hard and then it feels like a reward," he concluded. "It is a sign I am on the right track.

"I felt super sharp and full of concentration [versus Hungary], but it was also a game I could fully enjoy on the field."

The former Chelsea stopper has impressed for PSV since completing his €3 million move to the Eredivisie giants in June.

 

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'Balotelli is not indispensable for Italy' - Chiellini

Italy stopper Giorgio Chiellini has claimed the team is not dependant on Mario Balotelli, even after they drew 2-2 against Denmark on Friday.

The AC Milan striker missed the World Cup qualifying match due to illness, but Chiellini refused to attribute the draw in Copenhagen to his absence.

"Nobody is indispensable," the defender told reporters at a press conference. "This is and always will be Balotelli’s Italy, even if it is possible to play without him.

"Mario has been unlucky because he picked up an injury in the first training session and then had a fever. I do not care if he annoys someone, that is the story of his career."

Meanwhile, Cesare Prandelli has been linked to the Juventus dugout after his contract with the Azzurri expires next year after the World Cup, but Chiellini has dubbed such reports as pure speculation.

"I think it is fantasy football, as we are so tied to [Antonio] Conte at Juventus and Prandelli for Italy," he continued.

"We are carrying out a good project with him here [for Italy], but everything else is really fantasy football."

Chiellini then moved to play down his club's admission that they are resigned to losing Turin prodigy Paul Pogba at some point in the future.

"The statements about Pogba are nothing striking. In the face of a big offer, no player is not for sale," the 29-year-old said.

"It does not mean that Juventus have put Pogba on the market - he'd have been sold this summer if that was the case.

"I hope that Paul stays with us for a long time, and I am sure he will soon renew his contract. But as for the future, no one can safely say."

Pogba joined the Bianconeri in 2012 on a free transfer from Manchester United, and has since established himself as a mainstay for the Italian champions.