..::Football III::..

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    Chile Vs Australia
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    Starting Lineups


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    Wolverine GTR

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    Mexico 1-0 Cameroon: Peralta strike secures victory for Herrera's men

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    Oribe Peralta again proved his worth to Mexico as his goal helped them to a 1-0 win over Cameroon in their World Cup opener on Friday.

    The Club America striker now has nine goals from his last seven competitive matches for Mexico as he put his side second in Group A after a hard-fought victory. Amid heavy rain in Natal, the opening 45 minutes saw plenty of goalmouth action - although much of it came courtesy of three disallowed efforts.

    Giovani dos Santos had two ruled out by referee's assistant Humberto Clavijo, both of which seemed close calls, while Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting also had one chalked off in a goalless opening half.Just after the hour, Mexico eventually got their breakthrough when Peralta snaffled up a loose ball inside the area.

    Peralta, scorer of 10 goals in Mexico's qualification campaign, secured his first at a World Cup and it proved enough for Miguel Herrera's side to keep pace with Brazil at the top of the group.Mexico made much of the early running, although Miguel Layun's tame effort on target was easily saved by Charles Itandje.

    Dos Santos then looked to have opened the scoring when he side-footed home after 11 minutes, only to be adjudged offside from Rafael Marquez's delivery.

    The likes of Dos Santos and Peralta proved a threat for Mexico as Cameroon struggled to get out of their own half in the opening 20 minutes.It was then Cameroon's turn to have a goal ruled out - with Choupo-Moting judged to have strayed offside.

    Benoit Assou-Ekotto produced a golden opportunity for Cameroon as he surged down the left wing before pulling a cross back that Samuel Eto'o could only fire wide.

    It marked a first spell of dominance for Volker Finke's men, but Mexico could have taken the lead had captain Marquez left a delivery for the onrushing Hector Moreno after a teasing delivery from the right.

    Dos Santos had the ball in the net for a second time before the break, but again he was denied after Clavijo deemed the flick-on to come from Hector Herrera rather than Choupo-Moting.

    Having been among the talking points at half-time, the officials were soon back in the limelight when referee Wilmar Roldan was required to produce a yellow card for a poor challenge from Alexandre Song on Dos Santos. Assou-Ekotto went close with a deflected free-kick just before the hour, but, when Dos Santos' shot at the other end was only parried by Itandje, Peralta was on hand to tuck away the decisive goal.

    Eto'o cleverly played in Benjamin Moukandjo behind the Mexican defence late on, but his cross was cleared by Francisco Rodriguez. Moukandjo also had a header well saved by Guillermo Ochoa.

    Javier Hernandez then blazed a shot off target from close range in stoppage time, but it mattered little as Mexico stood firm to bolster their hopes of reaching the last 16 for a sixth World Cup running and leave Cameroon with a mountain to climb.
     

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    Messi was always destined for greatness - Pekerman

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    Colombia coach Jose Pekerman says he always knew Lionel Messi was destined for greatness and hopes his side can avoid a meeting with Argentina in the World Cup.

    Pekerman handed Messi his international debut in 2005, but was hugely criticised for leaving the Barcelona forward on the bench as Argentina crashed out of the 2006 World Cup to hosts Germany.

    Speaking at a press conference ahead of his team's World Cup opener against Greece in Belo Horizonte on Friday, Pekerman was reminded how he had described Messi as "a blessing for Argentina football" in 2005.

    "Thanks for remembering that," he said. "Because most people only remember that I left him on the bench against Germany.

    "I couldn't believe what I was seeing when I first worked with Messi. I had no doubts about what Lionel would become - I always dreamed he would go on to achieve what he has. We knew we were looking at a player who was going to be the biggest star for the next few years."

    Pekerman, who quit as Argentina coach after the quarter-final exit in 2006, believes Messi can lead the Albiceleste to great things at this World Cup, but hopes to avoid his countrymen in the latter stages of competition.

    "He is their leader and they will be looking to him to lead them far in this competition," he said. "I just hope we don't play them.

    "My mind is totally focused on Colombia now. I feel very comfortable where I am - and I feel Colombian."
     

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    Berlusconi: Champions League return is Inzaghi's aim

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    AC Milan chief Barbara Berlusconi says returning the club to the Champions League will be new coach Filippo Inzaghi's main task next season.

    Massimiliano Allegri was in charge at the start of 2013-14, having guided the Rossoneri to third the campaign before, but he was sacked in January with the club mired in mid-table.

    Former player Clarence Seedorf was drafted in but the senior figures at San Siro appeared to lose faith in the Dutchman and Inzaghi replaced him on Monday after weeks of speculation regarding the Milan hotseat.

    Barbara Berlusconi, daughter of Milan owner Silvio and a board member at the club, wants Milan to vastly improve on their eighth-place finish under Allegri and then Seedorf's tutelage.

    "We have met with Inzaghi to discuss the targets for next season," she told the club's official website.

    "We are working well and he is very enthusiastic. We want to return to the Champions League next season."

    Milan CEO Adriano Galliani also praised the 40-year-old Rossoneri trainer's passion for the job and promised to help him ahead of the new season by bolstering the team in the summer.

    "Every time I have lunch or dinner with Inzaghi, he... has a contagious enthusiasm," he told reporters.

    "There is one month until the transfer window kicks into gear, we'll give him the most competitive squad possible."
     

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    Whoever I play for, I want to be No.1 - Courtois

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    Thibaut Courtois has insisted that wherever he plays his club football next season, he must be the first-choice goalkeeper.

    The Chelsea shot-stopper has spent the last three seasons on loan at Atletico Madrid, and his performances for the Spanish champions and Champions League runners-up have left the Londoners in a quandary over whether to recall Courtois or stick with current number one Petr Cech.But the Belgium keeper, speaking at his national side’s World Cup training camp, told reporters he would not want to return to Stamford Bridge only to find himself left on the bench.

    “I think with my age and the performances I have had, I want to play,” said Courtois. “To be on the bench is not the nicest thing."But I will decide after the World Cup, I think. Everything will then be clear.”The 22-year-old added that he has not spoken to Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho since becoming a La Liga winner with Atletico.

    “I spoke to him in May, before the game against Barcelona. That week, he discussed with me what he thinks about me and about everything. That is it.”
    The title win in Spain and the World Cup mean these are exciting times for the Genk youth product, and he admitted that he has never experienced such highs.

    “Yes, [these are the best days of my career]. In this moment, I am still young. I have had four incredible seasons already, one with my team in Belgium and three with Atletico, so I can be very happy.

    “Last season, to be a champion in Spain and play in the final of the Champions League was great. To be here now for a World Cup is amazing. Hopefully we can achieve some nice things here.”

    Belgium begin their Group H campaign against Algeria in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday, with Courtois set to line up in goal for Marc Wilmots’ side.
     

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    Grosskreutz: I'll play anywhere for Germany

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    Kevin Grosskreutz insists he will play anywhere Joachim Low wants him to in a bid to be part of Germany's World Cup line-up.

    The Borussia Dortmund utility man can play anywhere in midfield but has recently been used as a full-back under Jurgen Klopp and was chosen by Low to be part of his defensive options for the trip to Brazil this summer.

    After the Germany boss announced that Philipp Lahm would play in midfield, Grosskreutz admitted that he was hopeful he could squeeze into the Bayern Munich veteran's vacant right-back spot but says he is happy to line up wherever he is needed.

    "I'd be lying if I said that I hope I'm not the one who's given the right-back spot," he told reporters. "Of course I want to play, that's what we all want here.

    "But I'm here to help the team, no matter what area of the pitch [that is in]. Even though I might not start, I'll be there for the team. I will accept my role 100 per cent - no matter how often [I will play] or little it will be.

    "I want to be successful with the team and win the World Cup. That can only happen when everyone is putting the team first.

    "I see myself as a football player, not as [one] in any particular fixed position. After this season, I have no set place on the pitch, I really have played almost everywhere."

    Grosskreutz hit the headlines in the build up to the tournament in Brazil after being caught urinating in a hotel lobby after Dortmund's DFB-Pokal final loss in May, and before that he apologised after allegedly assaulting a Cologne supporter with a kebab.

    "Honestly - I do not find that particularly funny," when asked if he was pleased there are no kebab takeaway shops near the training camp. "There is no hotel lobby, that would definitely be asked next. I do not want to talk about these topics.

    "I've said everything I can on this subject. I certainly do not want to trivialise it. I made ridiculous mistakes. I have disappointed many people including my family and myself. But more than say sorry, I can't do much."

    Germany face Portugal in their opening game on Monday, with kick-off at 18:00CET, then they play Ghana on June 21, followed by USA in their final group match on June 26.
     

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    Pekerman: Any team at the World Cup would want Falcao

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    Colombia coach Jose Pekerman says any team at the World Cup would like to have Radamel Falcao as their centre-forward, but insists he is only thinking about the players at his disposal ahead of his side's opener against Greece on Saturday.

    Falcao ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament while playing for Monaco in January and ultimately lost his battle to be fit for the summer showpiece in Brazil.

    Pekerman described the decision to leave the striker behind, along with defender Luis Perea and forward Luis Muriel, as the "saddest day" of his time as Colombia coach.

    "We suffered a lot that day," he said at a press conference in Belo Horizonte on Friday. "We showed that and it's a positive thing - it comes from inside.

    "Injuries are in the past now, though. We are focusing on the players that are here."

    But he added, with a wry smile: "I won't lie to you: any team that's here at the World Cup would want to have Falcao as their centre-forward."

    Pekerman believes Colombia can be competitive - even without Falcao.

    "We're looking ahead," he said. "We have a lot of quality in attack and we have a lot of confidence in [Carlos] Bacca and in Teo [Gutierrez], while Victor [Ibarbo] has given us variations and increased the competition for places."

    "We are a family," he added. "And like any family, we face our problems together. Falcao, Perea and Muriel will be here to support us, they have never left.

    "We have a competitive team, a united squad with a group of players who don't think individually but for the [benefit of the] collective and who play for the shirt. Our aim is to be protagonists in this World Cup and to go as far as we can in the competition.

    "We have overcome a lot of obstacles and I think we are in good shape."
     

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    Beckenbauer provisionally banned from football

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    Germany legend Franz Beckenbauer has been provisionally banned from all football-related activity for 90 days by the Fifa Ethics Committee.

    The suspension of the 68-year-old, a special advisor to Fifa's Football Committee, comes after he refused repeated requests for assistance from Michael Garcia, the former US attorney who has led a two-year probe into corruption allegations on Fifa's behalf.

    The particular offence is thought to relate to questions regarding the Qatar 2022 World Cup bid, with Beckenbauer having reportedly claimed that Garcia had "no power whatsoever" to demand his co-operation.

    The case has now been passed on for formal investigation proceedings, with Vanessa Allard, the Ethics Committee's investigatory chamber member heading the panel which will decide whether Beckenbauer is open to further punishment.

    A Fifa statement read: "Franz Beckenbauer was today provisionally banned from taking part in any football-related activity, at any level, for 90 days. The deputy chairman of the FIFA Ethics Committee’s adjudicatory chamber, Alan Sullivan, issued the ban at the request of the chairman of the investigatory chamber, Michael J. Garcia. The ban is effective immediately.
    "The decision was taken pursuant to the FIFA Code of Ethics art. 83 par. 1, on the grounds that a breach of the Code of Ethics appears to have been committed and a decision on the main issue may not be taken early enough.

    "The apparent breach relates to Mr Beckenbauer’s failure to cooperate with an Ethics Committee investigation despite repeated requests for his assistance, including requests that he provide information during an in-person interview or in response to written questions provided in both English and German."

    Beckenbauer, who played 103 times for West Germany, won the 1972 European Championship and 1974 World Cup as a player before going on to coach his national side to the 1990 World Cup title.In addition to his Fifa role, Beckenbauer is also honorary president of Bayern Munich and chairman of the German giants’ advisory board.

    He reacted with surprise to the news, telling Sky Sport Germany: “I had to check the date at first. I thought it was April the first and thus an April fool.”
     

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    PSG confirm David Luiz signing

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    Paris Saint-Germain have officially announced the signing of David Luiz on a five-year deal from Chelsea.

    The Brazillian has joined the Ligue 1 champions after they agreed a reported fee of £50 million with the Stamford Bridge side, smashing the world-record sum for a defender.

    The centre-back confirmed his departure from Chelsea towards the end of May when he took to Twitter and Facebook to thank fans and colleagues for their support during his three-and-a-half-year stint in London.

    Luiz fell out of favour under Mourinho, along with several other first-team players, at the beginning of last season, and Goal learned of a possible move to PSG in May.

    The move will now see Luiz link up with his central defensive partner for the national team, Thiago Silva, straight after their World Cup campaign, and he has already spoken of his excitement of his move to France.

    The former Benfica man made 143 appearances for the Blues and scored from the spot during their Champions League final shootout triumph over Bayern Munich in 2012.

    The 27-year-old revealed his departure on Facebook in May saying: "Thanks Chelsea for the three and half years of great partnership.

    "I've made good friends, won many titles and those memories will last with me for ever. I'd like to thank my team-mates, all staff and all supporters (my geezers).

    "I'm leaving with great sadness but at the same time excited for the new challenge that lies ahead in this great club in a city that has always enchanted me."
     

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    Everton keen to keep 'extraordinary' Lukaku - Kenwright

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    Everton chairman Bill Kenwright is keen to bring "extraordinary" Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku back to the club on a permanent basis.

    The Belgian forward spent last season on loan at Goodison Park and netted 15 times in 31 league appearances for the Merseysiders.

    Lukaku has indicated that he wants to leave the Blues summer, with opportunties to impose himself at Stamford Bridge looking scarce as Jose Mourinho closes in on securing Diego Costa from Atletico Madrid, though the Toffees face stiff competition as the likes of Wolfsburg have also declared interest in the Belgian.

    Kenwright told Everton's official website: "Lukaku, we would love to keep.

    "Romelu was a great addition to Everton, I have to tell you, off the pitch as well as on. He is an extraordinary boy. He speaks all those languages, he has got a terrific family and he walks the walk as well as talking the talk.

    "We would love to have him back and people at Chelsea are good friends of mine, so we are hopeful but he's at the World Cup now and we will have to wait and see what happens."

    Everton are also looking to secure another of last season's loanees, Gareth Barry, on a permanent deal, and Kenwright confirmed that manager Roberto Martinez had already spoken with the Manchester City player, who is out of contract this summer.

    "Gareth Barry [is another] we would love to keep and that's ongoing work," he added.

    "Barry had a great season for us. I know the manager has spoken to him and I will meet with his people and we are hopeful he will be here next season."
     

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    Fifa defends blunder ref

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    Fifa’s referees’ chief Massimo Busacca has defended Japanese official Yuichi Nishimura following his widely-criticised performance in Thursday’s World Cup opener between Brazil and Croatia.

    Nishimura made a number of questionable decisions in the tie, culminating in the awarding of a highly dubious penalty – given against Croatia defender Dejan Lovren for an alleged foul on Fred - from which Neymar put Brazil 2-1 up.

    Neymar was lucky to escape a red card for an elbow on Luka Modric shortly before the Barcelona star equalised in the first half, while Croatia also had a goal from Ivan Perisic chalked off for what the referee deemed to be a foul on home goalkeeper Julio Cesar by Ivica Olic.

    Lovren later hit out, labelling Nishimura’s display “a scandal” while the Southampton defender also claimed his side had been up against 12 men in a match Brazil went on to win 3-1.

    Busacca, however, felt the referee was entitled to give the penalty which changed the course of the game.Speaking at Friday’s Fifa daily briefing, he said: “The referee is concentrating on the situation and the gesture [of Lovren putting his hands on Fred].

    “How much was the gesture? How much was he really holding? Black and white is something we can discuss. Many say yes, many say no. It is important to keep your opinion.

    “The referee had a very good position and from there he saw. On the pitch he has one second to make the decision.“Unfortunately, the referee is not the defender or the attacker to understand or to know how much it was or was not [a penalty].

    “We made it clear we did not want to see holding.“There was contact. We are not here to discuss that. That’s why we are working on prevention.

    “[He made contact] with the left hand and the right hand. If you make contact you permit the referee to go in one direction.”Busacca refused to say whether Nishimura will miss any World Cup games on the back of his performance.

    “It is impossible to say, we have not fully analysed his performance yet,” he added.
    “The game is 90 minutes long, not just one situation.”
     
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