..::Football III::..

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Neuer warns Germany against complacency

Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has warned his side that they must not get complacent after their 4-0 thrashing of Portugal – insisting that they must analyse the win honestly.

Joachim Low’s side outclassed the Seleccao in their Group G encounter in Salvador last week with Portugal reduced to 10-men after Pepe was sent off for his first half headbutt on hat-trick hero Thomas Muller.

The big win was reminiscent of the World Cup four years ago when Germany demolished Australia in their first game before being stunned after losing 1-0 to Serbia in their second match in the competition.

And Neuer has warned his team-mates that they need to remain fully focused if they want to avoid a shock result against Ghana when the two sides meet in Fortaleza on Saturday.

"I think that we can only be partially satisfied with how we played," Neuer told the German Football Association's website."In assessing this game, we have to be honest: we got a penalty, they got a red card – basically everything went our way in this game.

"In the second half we controlled things with a man advantage but we have to realise that the opponent had opportunities. It wasn't all perfect."Germany defender Per Mertesacker is set to feature in the match against Ghana – his 100th game for his country.

The Arsenal centre-back knows all too well how tough the African side can be after playing in Germany’s narrow victory against Ghana in 2010."It (the game) was on a knife edge the entire time," he said."But then we were saved thanks to Mesut Ozil's goal."

 

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Kaka set to join Orlando City

AC Milan midfielder Kaka is in advanced talks to join Orlando City in January 2015, the MLS club have confirmed.

The 32-year-old only re-joined the Italian side last summer after a four-year spell at Real Madrid but has endured an unsuccessful campaign back in Serie A.

“Orlando City Soccer Club is in advanced discussions with Kaka. Pending completion of the potential player agreement, Kaka would join Orlando City SC in January 2015 prior to the club’s first season in Major League Soccer.

"The club will have no additional comment until further notice.”Kaka recently admitted he would like to play in America if things did not work out in Italy, stating the need to discuss his options with the Milan hierarchy.

"One day, I would like to play in America," he told Corriere della Sera.

"At the end of the season, I will talk to [general manager Adriano Galliani]. Not just to speak about bonuses and money - money is not the main thing for me now, and I think that is understood.

"I want to see what his ideas are and what the club’s ideas are. If it turns out I need to move, I will choose the MLS."It has also been reported that Kaka could be loaned to his boyhood club, Sao Paulo, before making the switch to the MLS next year.

Should he finalise his transfer to Orlando City, Kaka would become the second big name to go to America this summer following David Villa's move to New York City from La Liga champions Atletico Madrid.

 

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Will I stay at Juve? I don't know - Vidal

Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal has cast doubt over his future in Serie A after admitting he is unsure whether he will remain at the club next season.

The 27-year-old has been linked with a move to Premier League side Manchester United in recent weeks despite the fact that he has three years left on his existing contract with Juventus.

Vidal – who is currently at the World Cup with his national side Chile – has now insisted he only wants to focus on the tournament in Brazil before making a decision about his future with the Bianconeri.

"Will I stay at Juventus? I do not know," Vidal is quoted as telling Sky Italia.
"I just think about the World Cup and the national team now."After the World Cup we will see what will be my future."

Vidal joined Juve in 2011 from Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen and has gone on to become one of the most courted players in world football after winning three Serie A titles in as many seasons.

 

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Simeone: Spain were special, they’ll be back

Diego Simeone, who steered Atletico Madrid to their thrilling La Liga triumph, has joined us as Sony Coaching Ambassador for the World Cup. In his first exclusive column, he looks at the reasons behind Spain’s early exit in Brazil


Spain made us fall in love with the football we saw at Barcelona. It was an incredible moment which brought together a wonderful group of individuals – and the results were there for all to see.

Today, that moment is not the same as before and all the rest are always looking to try to beat them, to beat Barcelona and to beat Spain – so it’s logical some have found the formula for competing against them.

I consider that football is a game in which the rival is sometimes superior and in that respect, both Netherlands and Chile played better, with more intensity and identified the best way to play against Spain.

Football is very changeable. Spain’s players will have gone to the World Cup aiming to give their best, but when another team prepares as well as you and competes as you do, playing with more intensity and more aggressively, you can end up losing.

There was no Xavi against Chile, but Spain didn’t depend totally upon Xavi . . . they depended on a collective which dominated possession and was also very solid. In the last World Cup, Spain never won by more than two goals. But in this one, they have been unable to repeat that possession, with Xavi or without Xavi, and they haven’t been solid either.

With the result as it is, it would also be very easy to say that Diego Costa didn’t work out. Spain were used to playing at one rhythm and one pace, while Costa offers other characteristics. If you don’t take advantage of Costa’s runs, you isolate him.

He likes to exploit the spaces, to attack from deep positions and to get on the end of final passes, but Spain’s football focuses more on the collective. Playing that collective game, Spain haven’t performed at their best, nor were they able to take advantage of Costa and the characteristics he brings.

A coach knows why he picked the players he picked. I have never wanted to interfere or talk about that. And it wouldn’t be fair to talk about changes, either. Spain have always played this way and done really well playing this way. Those calling for a ‘Plan B’ should have done so when everyone was speaking wonders of Spain and the way they played.

The reality is that if others prepare to win and compete to win, sometimes they do better than you. And that’s what happened to Spain. That’s football. This time they lost, but I’m sure Spain will be back competing again – just like they have done for the last 10 years.

 

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Ronaldo is 'training, jumping and shooting' - Veloso


Portugal's Miguel Veloso is confident over the fitness of captain Cristiano Ronaldo, claiming the Real Madrid star is able to "jump and shoot" in training without any problems.

Worries surrounding Ronaldo's continued struggle with a knee problem have overshadowed his side's World Cup campaign - which began with a miserable 4-0 Group G loss to Germany on Monday - with the star confirmed as suffering from tendonitis in the build-up to the tournament.

The 29-year-old did play a full part versus Germany, but was forced to leave training early during the week and reports suggested team doctors had told him that his career could be at risk should he attempt to play through the injury.

Veloso, however, holds few concerns over his team-mate.

"I'm not a doctor but from what I see, Cristiano Ronaldo is fine," he told reporters.

"He is training, he is jumping and he is shooting. There is not much else to say."

Meanwhile, full-back Fabio Coentrao has been ruled out of the World Cup after injuring his groin in the defeat to Germany, and midfielder Veloso says he would be happy to slot in at left-back to compensate for the Madrid man's absence.

"I'm in a group of 23 players and I'm ready to play in any position that the coach chooses. That could be at left-back or in central midfield," he said.

"I'll do so with pleasure, because what we all want is to play and to do the best we possibly can."

A back four of Joao Pereira, Ricardo Costa, Bruno Alves and Andre Almeida were seen playing together in training during an open session for the media, but Veloso says coach Paulo Bento has experimented with a number of set-ups during the week as he looks to solve the problem of Coentrao's injury and Pepe's suspension.

"You only saw the first 15 minutes. The whole group trained as the coach wanted to prepare [the players to be in] the best possible shape for the next game, because we all know how important it is," he added.

Portugal face USA on Saturday in a must-win Group G clash.

 

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Cavani hints at possible PSG exit

Paris Saint-Germain forward Edinson Cavani has hinted that a summer move from Parc des Princes is not out of the question.

The 27-year-old signed from Napoli in a €64 million deal last year but has been linked with a possible exit in recent months after growing frustrated at playing second-fiddle to star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Manchester United have long been linked with a potential swoop for the Uruguay international this summer, although PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has always insisted he would not sanction the sale of the former Palermo man.

And though Cavani insists both he and compatriot Luis Suarez - who has been heavily linked with Real Madrid - are proud to represent PSG and Liverpool respectively, he suggests his long-term future remains in the balance.

"Luis Suarez and I are already at great clubs," he is quoted as saying by Le 10 Sport when asked whether the World Cup experience with Uruguay gave him the desire to join a big side.

"We belong to teams that are among the best in the world. I think we defend the colours of our club with pride and prestige.

"But in football, you never know, anything can happen. One day you're in one team and the next you can be in another."

Cavani was involved in both Suarez's goals as Uruguay recorded a vital 2-1 win over England on Thursday to keep their hopes of reaching the last 16 of the World Cup alive.

 

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One win isn’t enough, says Joachim Low

Germany coach Joachim Low has warned his side against failure to win their second World Cup group stage encounter, against Ghana in Fortaleza.

Although Portugal were swept emphatically aside in the opening encounter, the Germans have historically struggled in their second match of major competitions and Low is eager that this group avoids that pitfall.

“It’s great to win the first game, but we have to continue. One win isn’t enough. So our objective is to maintain our focus,” he told the media.

“For example, Italy lost against Costa Rica and Netherlands almost didn’t beat Australia.

“In a psychological aspect we have to be very careful and pay a lot of attention. We saw this in 2008 and 2010.”

He is aware, however, that the African side will pose a dangerous threat, particularly after losing their opening match against USA 2-1.

“It will be a game that they think is a final. If they don’t win, they probably won’t go through to the next phase, so they will fight and will fight to the end.

“They are strong and are very fit. They like playing forwards. They have many players who play at well-known clubs. Even in high temperatures, they run for 90 minutes.

“We must be stable and have a good defence. All players have to take on this role. We need to be one team on the pitch. To defend jointly and to attack jointly as we did against Portugal and have ball possession, that would be very good.

“If we face a one-off game, it’ll be difficult in these high temperatures.”

Low also praised Thomas Muller, who scored a hat-trick against the Portuguese, not only for his contribution on the field but because of his comportment off it.

“He’s always there, he’s always there to score a goal,” he coach said. “He motivates his colleagues, he’s very positive – he talks to everyone. He is a team player who brings everyone together. He is able to transmit this happiness and that is important for our squad.”

After refusing to speak about the duel between the Boateng brothers, Jerome of Germany and Kevin-Prince of Ghana, Low turned his attention to Bastian Schweinsteiger, who was overlooked in the opening match after a slight injury issue.

“Schweinsteiger is very important for us as a team and me as a coach. He analyses everything and he is very good to talk to. Even not having played, he will recover his fitness. We can see he is much better in the training sessions. We always need to have him,” the 54-year-old commented.

Germany faced Ghana at World Cup 2010, beating the African side 1-0 in the group stages thanks to a Mesut Ozil goal.

 

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Costa Rica 1-0 Italy In Pictures

 

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Van Persie urges Netherlands to top group and avoid Brazil clash

Netherlands captain Robin van Persie has urged his team-mates to make sure they finish top of their World Cup group and avoid a last-16 clash with hosts Brazil.

The Dutch and Chile have both qualified for the knockout stages and face each other in Sao Paulo on Monday, with the Netherlands needing a draw to finish top of Group B.

The second-placed side is likely to come up against Brazil in the second round, assuming Luis Felipe Scolari’s men finish top of Group A.

Van Persie will miss Monday’s clash through suspension but has urged his team-mates not to let up after two wins so far.

“I feel it’s better for us to finish top of the group and face the better teams later in the tournament, with all due respect to the rest of the teams in the competition,” said Van Persie at the Netherlands’ training base in Rio de Janeiro on Friday.

“We just have to come first and see what happens because Brazil play after our game. We will just see what happens and take it from there.”

The Netherlands have started the tournament in impressive form, thumping holders Spain 5-1 in their opening match before qualifying for the next stage with a 3-2 victory over Australia.

Defender Ron Vlaar says that confidence is growing in the squad that the 2010 finalists can reach the latter stages of the tournament.

“The belief in our country wasn’t that big until after the Spain game but we always believed in ourselves and that’s where it starts,” said Vlaar.

“The belief in our team is growing. We have worked really hard and winning games makes it better and better. We know what we are capable of because we have forwards who change matches.”

 

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Crystal Palace would take Zaha back from Man Utd

Crystal Palace co-chairman Steve Parish would welcome Wilfried Zaha back to Selhurst Park if he was no longer wanted at Manchester United.

The winger, who joined United from Palace in January 2013, spent the second half of last season on loan at Cardiff City but failed to make an impact as they were relegated from the Premier League.

Under former United manager David Moyes, Zaha was rarely used at Old Trafford, but the arrival of Louis van Gaal may give him a lifeline.

However, if the Dutchman does not want the 21-year-old next season, Parish says he would be keen to take him back, providing manager Tony Pulis wanted him.

"It depends on what the new Man United manager wants but also what my manager wants," he is quoted as saying by the Croydon Advertiser.

"My manager has got to be convinced that it would be the right move for the player and the club.

"Tony has certainly shown enthusiasm during the season for that and knows what a fabulous player he is.

"But the circumstances for the player and the money and for everything would have to be right."

Parish was also quick to point out there will not be a big influx of players at the club as there was before the start of last season.

"I think we'll be looking for quite conservative options that we know can take us to the next level," he added. "We'll be trying to get value for money for the football club."

 

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France 5-2 Switzerland in Pictures

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Van Persie: Rooney not to blame for England exit

Robin van Persie has insisted Manchester United team-mate Wayne Rooney is not to blame for England’s early exit from the World Cup.

Costa Rica’s victory over Italy on Friday confirmed England’s elimination from Group D after Roy Hodgson’s men lost their opening two matches in Brazil.

Rooney scored his first ever World Cup goal in the 2-1 defeat to Uruguay on Wednesday but the forward has been heavily criticised for his performances.

"Wayne is not to blame, he gave his all for his country. It’s not fair to criticise him so much," said Van Persie.

"He was under a lot of pressure and that is his life since he made his debut. I think he played well. You can’t blame him for scoring one goal, working his socks off and missing three chances by inches.

"As I’ve said many times, Wayne was partly the reason I came to Manchester United. I never regretted saying that because by training and playing with him he’s shown me that he’s a world class player. He’s a great player and a great goalscorer."

Van Persie has played in the Premier League for 10 years after joining Arsenal from Feyenoord in 2004 – and he believes the Football Association must invest in youth coaching and facilities to produce a better national team.

"It’s very important to invest in youth, in good trainers and the facilities for youngsters to play outside," he added.

"The more hours you spend playing football, combined with good trainers, that is what makes you a better player.

"What is important is to invest in the youth and try to develop them."

 

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Benzema: France play without emotion

Karim Benzema believes that France's fine form at the current World Cup is down to an absence of emotion in the way they play.

Didier Deschamps' side have won both of their games in Brazil thus far, including a 5-2 demolition of Switzerland on Friday in which the 26-year-old scored one and had one disallowed.

The Real Madrid star feels that all of his team-mates are clicking well and their togetherness has been key to their positive results.

"I think we all had a good game," he told beIN Sport.

"We are all doing well. We continued what we did against Honduras. We played as a team, we play together and there are no emotions.

"It's good to have a team like that. Personally, I'm doing well. I'm profiting a lot. That two goals I've had disallowed now, but it doesn't matter."

 

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'This is a black day for Switzerland' - Hitzfeld

Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld believes his side's 5-2 loss to France will be remembered as a "black day" in their history.

Didier Deschamps' men claimed an easy victory, with Oliver Giroud and Blaise Matuidi scoring within a minute of each other after the first quarter of an hour, before Mathieu Valbuena, Karim Benzema and Moussa Sissoko put les Bleus 5-0 up.

Granit Xhaka and Blerim Dzemaili restored some pride late on but the former Bayern Munich boss is still distraught with the result.

"This is a black day for the Switzerland team. These two goals after the first quarter of an hour killed us," he is quoted as saying by 24 Heures.

"We did not play at our level today. At 2-0, it became very hard for us. They exploited our mistakes to put us in trouble.

"They have shown a lot of composure. France are very strong, we should not be blinded by the Fifa Ranking."

However, the veteran German is still optimistic that Switzerland can make it to the knockout stage when they face Honduras in their final game on Wednesday.

"The team still had a lot of credit when they finished the game. The goals from Xhaka and Dzemaili show that we are still alive.

"I want to emphasise that qualification for the knockout stage is still within reach. We have our destiny in our hands.

"Now we have to heal our wounds, analyse the match and bounce back. We lose together, but we win together."

 

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Sissoko: Free-scoring France can go far in Brazil

Moussa Sissokho says free-scoring France are more than capable of making a major impact on the World Cup this summer.

Les Bleus only sealed their berth in Brazil courtesy of a dramatic play-off win over Ukraine, with Didier Deschamps' men overturning a two-goal first-leg deficit with a stirring 3-0 triumph in Paris last November.

Since then, France have caught fire. After hammering Jamaica 8-0 in their final warm-up fixture, Les Bleus kicked off their campaign with a 3-0 win over Honduras before announcing themselves as serious contenders with a sensational 5-2 demolition of Switzerland in Salvador on Friday.

France's front three of Karim Benzema, Olivier Giroud and Mathieu Valbuena contributed three goals and four assists between them and Sissoko feels that the 1998 World Cup winners have the firepower to shoot down any opponent.

"At the moment we are playing very well," Sissoko told reporters after the Group E clash at Arena Fonte Nova. "We are strong defensively but also creating many chances in attack.

"Our strikers have great confidence at the moment. We're scoring a lot of goals.

"A lot of different players are scoring, too. It's great for the team. The coach can change someone but the new player comes in and plays well.

"We're a good team, we're playing very well and we can have a good tournament.

"We have still one more group game, though, against Ecuador, so we'll try to win that game to go through as group winners."

Sissoko also netted in Salvador, putting the seal on a fantastic French win with a fine finish 17 minutes from time.

"I am very happy to have scored my first goal for France - and at the World Cup too," the Newcastle midfielder enthused. "That's why I ran to celebrate with all my team-mates on the touchline.

"But the most important thing was the victory. I think the team played very well. We never stopped trying to score, so today was a great day for everyone in the squad - not just me."

France now need only a point from their final group game to progress as winners of Group E.

 

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FIFA World Cup 2014 Fixtures 2014.06.21

FIFA World Cup 2014 Fixtures 2014.06.21

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Group F

Argentina Vs Iran

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Group D

Germany Vs Ghana

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Group F

Nigeria Vs Bosnia

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Xavi aparade Barcelona walin yanne​

 

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Full Time

Argentina 1 Vs 0 Iran

Argentina Goal(s)

Messi 90+1'​

 

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Messi ge goal 1ka patta

 

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Germany Vs Ghana

Starting Line-ups

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