..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Brazil 0-0 Mexico: Seleccao held in stalemate

Brazil failed to impress in Fortaleza on Tuesday as the hosts and favourites to lift the World Cup were held to a 0-0 draw by Mexico.

Having won their opening fixtures last week, both sides came into the clash knowing a win would all but assure them of a place in the second round.

Unlike much of the action previously seen at the finals, what followed was a disjointed affair devoid of any real pattern, although the hosts created the clearer goalscoring opportunities.

Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa put in an excellent display and made a superb save in each half, scooping Neymar's header away following a pinpoint Dani Alves cross in the first period before keeping out Thiago Silva's free header five yards out with just three minutes remaining.

Brazil dominated the latter stages, but ultimately Luiz Felipe Scolari's side failed to deliver the goal the home crowd so desperately craved, and the stalemate leaves the two teams locked on four points at the top of the group.Cameroon and Croatia meet in Group A's next game on Wednesday, with each knowing defeat would see them exit the tournament.

Brazil made one alteration to the side that defeated Croatia in the opening match, Ramires coming in for the injured Hulk, while Mexico were unchanged from their win over Cameroon.

After a slow start to proceedings, Mexico's Hector Herrera had the first meaningful effort in the 24th minute. Julio Cesar tipped a rasping 25-yard drive over the crossbar, although the officials failed to see the touch and awarded a goal-kick to the hosts.Brazil's response was immediate, Neymar rising highest to head Alves' cross towards goal, but Ochoa flew to his right to brilliantly claw the effort away.

Ochoa was called into action again 10 minutes before the break, this time making a much more routine save from Fred's header after the forward met Neymar's right-wing corner.

The North Americans hit back as Jose Vazquez momentarily worried Cesar with a swerving effort from the edge of the box which ultimately flew wide in the 41st minute.Paulinho was then denied by Ochoa shortly before the break, the goalkeeper rushing from his line to block the midfielder's poked effort following a driven Neymar set-piece.

The opening of the second period matched that of the first with neither side able to assert themselves, Vazquez and Herrera both fizzing shots just over the bar from distance in the only efforts of note prior to the hour mark.Neymar sent a 30-yard free-kick narrowly wide in the 63rd minute and went close again six minutes later, jinking into space inside the penalty area only to see his strike repelled once more by Ochoa.

Suddenly the hosts looked more lively, substitute Jo dragging an effort wide from a tight angle after being slipped in by fellow replacement Bernard, and Silva planting a header straight at Ochoa when it seemed easier to score.

Raul Jimenez brought a smart stop out of Cesar in stoppage time as the game became stretched, but both sides had to settle for a draw that means they each remain in control of their own fate.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Robben becomes world's fastest player

As he was helping to mastermind Netherlands' 5-1 demolition of Spain on Friday, Arjen Robben recorded the fasted speed ever clocked up by a footballer: 37km/h.FIFA's official records have confirmed that Robben eclipsed a record held by England's Theo Walcott, who had been clocked at 35.7km/h. Walcott won't be able to try and better Robben's achievement at this World Cup as he misses the finals through injury.

The quickest speed ever recorded by a human was Usain Bolt's 44.72km/h that came between metres 60 and 80 in the final of the 100m World Championship in Berlin 2009. There he set a new world record of 9.58s.

Cristiano Ronaldo is sixth in the list of the world's quickest players, having registered 33.6km/h, behind his teammate Gareth Bale, who has reached 34.7 km/h.

Robben also smashed his previous record, attained in Bayern Munich colours, of 30.7km/h. Given the speeds recorded by Robben in his scoring of the fifth goal, he would have run the 100m in 10.28 seconds. He did this with the ball under control and after 80 minutes of play.After Robben, the list of the world's fastest is as follows:

Theo Walcott, 35.7 km/h: The Arsenal and England winger misses Brazil 2014 with a knee ligament injury, and will be sorely missed by the Three Lions.

Antonio Valencia, 35.1 km/h: The Ecuador international has previously held the title of the fastest player, clocking up 35.1km/h last September.

Gareth Bale, 34.7 km/h: The Real Madrid player showed everyone how quick he was when he scored against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final. He will turn 25 in July, and must watch the World Cup from home.

Aaron Lennon, 33.8 km/h: The diminutive Tottenham winger is the second English player on the list; however this was not enough for Roy Hodgson to call him up for Brazil.

Cristiano Ronaldo, 33.6 km/h: The Real Madrid player is noted for his ability to impeccably control the ball at high speeds on the counter attack.

Lionel Messi, 32.5 km/h: The Argentina international is as explosive as they come, capable of carrying the ball on his famous left foot at full pelt.

Wayne Rooney, 31.2 km/h: The England forward is deceivingly quick and showed his pace as he set up his side's equaliser against Italy.

Franck Ribery, 30.7 km/h: The Bayern Munich winger misses out on Brazil due to a back injury.

Sergio Ramos, 30.6 km/h: The Real Madrid centre-back was clocked at 30.6km/h as he chased Robben.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Congratulations Robben!​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Russia Vs Korea Republic

Starting Line-ups

​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Russia 1-1 South Korea: Kerzhakov rescues point for Capello's men

Russia fought back to draw 1-1 with South Korea at the World Cup, after a howler from goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev.

Akinfeev and opposite number Jung Sung-Ryong had endured difficult nights in terms of catching the ball, and it would prove to be to the detriment of Fabio Capello's side in Cuiaba.The CSKA Moscow keeper tried to catch a goal-bound effort from substitute Lee Keun-Ho but it bounced off his hands and into the net on 68 minutes to hand Hong Myung-Bo's men the lead at the Arena Pantanal.

Another sub Aleksandr Kerzhakov then came to Akinfeev's and Russia's rescue six minutes later. Tucking away an equaliser just three minutes after coming on, taking advantage of a scramble in the box created by a dangerous ball in from another substitute Alan Dzagoev. It was his 26th goal, which ties him for the nation's all-time goal-scoring record with Vladimir Beschastnykh.

Russia were more commanding in possession in the early stages, however, too many turnovers saw them susceptible on the counter-attack.South Korea had the best chance of the opening 25 minutes, when Bayer Leverkusen forward Son Heung-Min went on a run from midfield to the edge of the area, only to spray his shot high and wide under little pressure.

The Russians set out to implement their banal style synonymous to Capello-coached sides, as they tried to pass their way around the Korean defence.
However, Russia began to create chances as they game opened up just after the half-hour mark.

Ki Sung-Yong's crude challenge on Aleksandr Samedov earned him a yellow card, and Sergei Ignashevich's powerful effort from the dead ball in the 32nd minute was on target - forcing Korean custodian Jung Sung-Ryong to parry.
South Korea's response was strong, as Koo's 34th-minute effort deflected agonisingly wide of the post for the Asian nation.

Russia were the first to attack after the restart, earning a corner in the first minute in the second period, only for captain Vasili Berezutski to head into the side-netting.
The Koreans quickly found their footing, and Berezutski's opposite skipper Koo almost picked out the top corner in the 50th minute - with Akinfeev swiping the effort clear.

Ki was the next to test the CSKA Moscow man, drilling an on-target strike that bounced in front of him, but Akinfeev was equal to the task - as he was for Yoon Suk-Young's deflected free-kick moments later, that he dived on before the cavalry arrived.

Russia needed to show something up forward, and it was Dmitri Kombarov who almost provided the opener - his long-range effort on 62 minutes giving Jung some worries, with the Suwon Bluewings man bundling the ball away to safety.Kombarov almost found Aleksandr Kokorin in the area minutes later but his well-weighted cross was heavily fisted clear by a diving Jung.

And the goalkeepers' difficult night got worse when Akinfeev calamitously fumbled into his own net, before record-leveller Kerzhakov popped up to earn Russia a point from close range.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Herrera: Brazil draw proves we can match anyone

Mexico coach Miguel Herrera felt his side's 0-0 draw with Brazil showed they can be a match for any side at the World Cup.

Herrera watched on as his side kept the hosts at bay in front of an expectant crowd in Fortaleza on Tuesday.In a somewhat scrappy affair, Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa made three crucial saves - two to deny Neymar and one from Brazil captain Thiago Silva in the dying moments - as the game ended a stalemate.

Mexico's best efforts came from Hector Herrera and Juan Vazquez from distance and their coach felt a draw, which leaves their qualification fate in their own hands, was deserved.

"It was a very even match," he said. "The team proved that we are ready for anything."It tastes like a tie. We had a great game against a great opponent, its people and their stadium."

Ochoa produced a superb save in the first half, flying to his right to claw away Neymar's nodded effort, before being in the right place to repel Silva's powerful close-range header three minutes from time.Herrera insisted he had become accustomed to his keeper putting in such a performance.

"As expected, he made three extraordinary saves," he said.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Scolari upbeat over 'improved' Brazil

Luiz Felipe Scolari insisted that there were positive signs in Brazil's goalless draw with Mexico in Fortaleza on Tuesday and feels his side are improving.

The Seleccao were unable to find a way past their Group A opponents, with Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa making a series of crucial saves to keep his team on level terms.

However, despite the disappointment of failing to secure a second win after their controversial 3-1 victory over Croatia last Thursday, Scolari believes his side are developing well in the early stages of the competition."In my opinion, the team played better than against Croatia," the 65-year-old told reporters after the game.

"We can still get better, but I felt we improved here. We evolved at least 10 per cent in comparison to that match. We have the possibility of making it to the next round with quality.

"I'm satisfied. I was happy with what I saw. It's just that in Brazil, people insist on thinking that the rivals never play well. But Mexico was incredible today."Neymar, who scored twice in the opening game against Croatia, struggled to make an impact against la Verde, but was defended by his head coach who stressed the entire side must take responsibility for their performances.

"Neymar doesn't win alone and doesn't lose alone," the former Chelsea trainer added."He's part of a group. In this group, he sometimes makes the difference. We all know that. But he's still part of a group. He wins with the group. He loses with the group.

"We'll work to make sure we all get the opportunities of winning the next matches."
Brazil play their final Group A game against Cameroon on June 23.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Eto'o 'won't succumb to blackmail' over allegations

Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o insists he will not succumb to "blackmail" and has promised to reveal all about the heavy criticism he has been receiving once the World Cup is over.

The striker is battling to be fit for Wednesday's Group A match with Croatia but has also had to contend with negative headlines in his homeland, including claims of "treason" and revelations from an ex-girlfriend.

The Indomitable Lions refused to board a plane to Brazil over a bonus payment dispute and also shunned a ceremonial flag handover with the country's prime minister, and Eto'o promises to distribute the names of those "who do not love the country".

"I would like to tell you what I really think but it’s more important to talk about the match and the rest of the World Cup," he told reporters.

"We will not stop at the first group phase, even though a lot of people are hoping for our demise. Believe me, after the World Cup, all the attacks I have been the victim of, I will answer to every single person.

"I will give the names of the people behind the stories and I will let the people of Cameroon know who loves and who does not love the country.

"We do not want to succumb to the pressure of other people who have other interests at heart.

"I want to defend the group. I am the captain. As I told you I am protecting all the players form these rumours and gossip from outside.

"I am not somebody who succumbs to blackmail. After the World Cup I will come up hard on them. I will talk a lot, I will give names. People can attack me, they can say what they want, I don’t care.

Eto'o has been struggling with a knee injury for the past few months, and has played through the pain barrier for Chelsea.

The Cameroon doctor had earlier this week stated that Eto'o needs 10 days to rest following a recurrence in the first-round match against Mexico, but he insists he will fight until the last minute to feature on Wednesday.

"In football everybody is hungry," he added. "Whether or not I can play, I wasn’t going to tell people, we don’t want to give information to our opponent. All teams do that, I cannot give you an answer even though I might already know if I can play. Even if I knew I would not tell you.

"I will do everything in my power to be on the field with my partners. I don’t know how many minutes but it is important that the group remains together.

"I am important but the team is more important than me. I believe in this group, I believe in this team, if I start tomorrow I will do my best as usual, if I’m not I will do my best from the bench so we can win the match."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Brazil 0 Vs 0 Mexico in Pictures

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Croatia midfielder Modric '100 per cent fit' for Cameroon clash

Croatia coach Niko Kovac says Luka Modric is "100 per cent fit" to face Cameroon on Wednesday, and insists his side will go for all three points in the crucial Group A clash.

The loser of the match will be the first team eliminated from the World Cup as both were defeated in their first outings and are now four points adrift of Brazil and Mexico following their draw in Fortaleza on Tuesday.

Modric was in some doubt for the game in Manaus after picking up a foot injury in the opening-day defeat to Brazil, but Kovac says he will be ready to help his team try to take all three points.

"Luka is going to be 100% fit," he said. "He did well Tuesday and Monday in training, no problems there. He will be 100% match fit."

"We know what this match means to us and Cameroon. We’ve come here to play football and win three points because it means so much to us. Let’s not dwell on the maths, let’s focus on the game and the three points.

"Cameroon have to win to have any chance, and so do we. We could even play for a draw but we want three points, we will play our game.

"They are a strong team with high quality, but we want to impose our style of play. It is the same as I said after Brazil: if we play the same way I don’t see why we wouldn’t progress. We will fight and I am convinced that we are going to win the game."

Mario Mandzukic will return to the Croatia team after suspension kept him out of his country's first match, and Kovac is delighted to welcome him back into the fold.

"I am very glad that Mario is with us, his skills are well known," he added. "Any coach would be satisfied to have such a player in their ranks, and I am. I know he will inject some energy into this match and lead us to victory, I hope."

And Mandzukic himself is raring to get his tournament up and running: "I’m very glad to be back, I could hardly wait for the day to arrive. I worked hard in training, this is a very important match for me and for all of us. We are ready and I cannot wait for it to start.

"There's not much pressure because we came here to win games. We always knew that we would have to beat Cameroon and Mexico and this has not changed. We want to win both and we are ready. We are positive, I am certain that we can take the first step by winning the game."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Capello: We can accept Akinfeev's mistake

Fabio Capello refused to blame Igor Akinfeev for his blunder against South Korea, insisting that a top-quality keeper is entitled to make mistakes.

The Russians fell behind after 68 minutes when Lee Keun-ho's long-distance drive was fumbled by the CSKA Moscow shot-stopper before Aleksandr Kerzhakov rescued a point for the Eastern Europeans.

Capello, speaking after the game, which was played the day before his birthday, said that there was no need to dwell on the incident and threw his full support behind his player."A keeper always has the chance to make a mistake," the 68-year-old Italian told Sport Ekspress.

"We can accept a mistake from a great goalkeeper, which is what Akinfeev is.
"We were more restricted than we usually are. And only after a conceded goal did the team play as well as they could. But even in the first half we had four chances in front of goal.

"However we did manage to avert the threat of our opponent. And at 1-1, we did everything to score a second goal."I thanked the players after the match for the reaction to the goal going in. This is the best birthday gift I could have had.

"The team has the will and is capable of high quality. During the break, I pointed out the errors, goals and objectives and the players have used my instructions during the match."

Russia have won the right to host the 2018 World Cup and, though Capello confessed he is already looking forward to the tournament, he was guarded about his side's prospects unless changes are made in Russian domestic football."I do not have a magic wand," the Italian continued when asked if they could win in 2018.

"Coffee grounds cannot help me guess. I will say what I have now. There are young interesting players that will come soon. But I need help from the federation.
"This applies to the limit on foreign players. At the moment a team can play seven foreigners at a time, so I only have a choice of 64 players for the Russia national team."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mourinho: I wouldn't drop Casillas for Spain’s game with Chile

Jose Mourinho has surprisingly given his backing to under-fire Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas ahead of their crunch World Cup clash with Chile on Wednesday.

The Roja captain was heavily criticised following his display in the world champions' 5-1 drubbing at the hands of Netherlands in their tournament opener – a performance Casillas himself described as the worst of his career.

And despite Mourinho controversially dropping Casillas from his side in the 2012-13 season when coach of Real Madrid, the current Chelsea boss says he would stick by the 33-year-old if it were up to him.

"I wouldn't put Iker on the bench," Mourinho told Yahoo.

"The position of goalkeeper is a very specific one, and I'm not one for changing it just because of a bad game.

"I only change things because of form, which shows the keeper isn't in the right condition, doesn't have confidence, stability, giving off the feeling it is better to change."

He added: "Casillas has done great things with Spain, he's a keeper who needs the confidence of his coach, and one bad game, for me, isn't sufficient enough a reason to change a goalkeeper."

Casillas is Spain’s all-time most-capped player with 155 appearances.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

De Gea th injured neh!

Ithin wena karanna deyak naha Casillas wa thamai danna wenneRiena ta wada Casillas kohomath hodai

Common Casillas......Common Spain!​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

FIFA World Cup 2014 Fixtures 2014.06.18

FIFA World Cup 2014 Fixtures 2014.06.18

-------------------------------------------------------
Group B

Australia Vs Netherlands

Spain Vs Chile

-------------------------------------------------------
Group A

Cameroon Vs Croatia

​

 

[dilidili2]

Toni Kroos to Chelsea is gathering pace. Hari giyoth godama tamai me paara Premier league season eka elatama tiyei.

 

[dilidili2]

De Gea th injured neh!

Ithin wena karanna deyak naha Casillas wa thamai danna wenneRiena ta wada Casillas kohomath hodai

Common Casillas......Common Spain!​

Busquets, Alonso & Xavi hari yanne na meda paara. Expecting Fabregas & Koke to start tonight.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Shaw pursuit has forced Buttner out of Manchester United - agent

Manchester United full-back Alexander Buttner is being forced to leave the club due to their pursuit of Luke Shaw and a continued lack of an international call-up from Lous van Gaal, according to the player's agent.

The out-of-favour left-back, who joined the club on an initial five-year contract from Vitesse two years ago, has revealed he is set to undergo a medical at Dinamo Moscow prior to a proposed transfer.

However the players' agent, Alexander Bursac, believes that while the move will be positive for his client, the 25-year-old has been forced out of the club due to recent circumstances.

"Dinamo Moscow has great plans for the future and they want to challenge for the title," he told Voetbal International. "To stay at Manchester United was not an option for Buttner.

"In the past two years, Louis van Gaal has ignored Buttner time after time. So what kind of perspective does he have when Van Gaal becomes his new club coach?

"Patrice Evra signed a new contract and with Luke Shaw they want to buy another player for Buttner's position."

Buttner's playing position at the club had been put under scrutiny by United's pursuit of another full-back, with Southampton defender Shaw having already agreed personal terms in principle with the club, as revealed by Goal earlier this month.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Muntari signs new AC Milan contract

AC Milan have confirmed that midfielder Sulley Muntari has signed a new contract, keeping him at the club until June 2016.

Following the sacking of Clarence Seedorf and appointment of Filippo Inzaghi as coach, the club have opted to retain the services of the Ghanaian as they prepare for next season.

The midfielder initially joined the Rossoneri on loan from city rivals Inter in January 2012 before making a permanent move in the summer of that year.

The 29-year-old, who has also played for Udinese and Portsmouth, didn't have a great first season after joining on a permanent basis, having been ruled out for a large part of it with injury. However, he became a regular starter in 2013-14 as the side narrowly missed out on a European spot.

His performances have been enough to convince the club to keep him on and he has signed for another two years.

A statement on the club's official website read: "AC Milan announces that Sulley Muntari has renewed his contract to June 30, 2016."

Muntari is currently playing in the 2014 World Cup with Ghana, who face Germany in their next match on Saturday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Dani Alves: Xavi leave Barcelona? It can't be true

Dani Alves says he cannot believe rumours that that Xavi could be leaving Barcelona this summer and admits he is shocked by the thought of the midfielder's exit.

Al-Arabi coach Dan Petrescu claimed on Tuesday that the midfielder had signed a pre-contract agreement with the Qatar outfit, though the 34-year-old has in fact yet to make a final decision on his future.Although he could yet play an important part for new coach Luis Enrique, Xavi has been told by Barcelona that he is free to leave if he decides he wants to bring an end to his Camp Nou career - something Alves feels would be an incredible shock.

"Are you kidding me?" he asked AS when they made him aware of the rumours. "I cannot believe it. You must be kidding. It cannot be.

"Not Xavi. If Xavi, who is the emblem of the club, can leave, then anyone can leave now. I don't understand it. You have me in shock. It can't be. Xavi cannot leave Barca."

The full-back was then asked if he will stay with the club, to which he replied: "I hope so, I think so, but now you have left me unsettled. You were kidding with Xavi, right?"

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ochoa: Brazil clean sheet was the game of my life


Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa says his clean sheet against World Cup hosts Brazil was best the game of his career to date.

The shot-stopper made several excellent saves to keep his side level with the Selecao, with particular highlights being the dive to keep out a fabulous Neymar header and then denying Thiago Silva's point-blank effort.

And the 28-year-old, who was vying for the Mexico No.1 shirt in the build-up to the finals, was delighted to shutout the tournament hosts and favourites and earn his side a vital draw.

"Yes, there's no doubt about that," he replied when asked if it was the best game of his career. "To play like that during a World Cup against the hosts and keep a clean sheet... that's not easy.

"I thank God that it all turned out like it did. I'm very happy, I never gave up and I kept plugging away. Now I just want to enjoy the moment with my team-mates and my family, who are suffering like I am."
Ochoa revealed it was his stretch to keep out Neymar's header which was is favourite - a save which invoked comparisons on social media of England keeper Gordon Banks' famous save from Pele in 1970.

"The first one, from Neymar's header – that was the most difficult one, he struck the ball very cleanly," said Ochoa.

"We knew that it would be a difficult game as it always is when you are playing Brazil, at home. That's what we expected in the first half – we knew that they would be doubly fired-up by their home support.

"We were solid defensively, and that's a real plus point for us and encouraging for what's to come."

Ochoa was named Fifa's Man of the Match and had praise heaped upon him after the match from rivals Brazil, including Fred, who told reporters: "He performed four miracles – at the very least."