..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Shaqiri: 'Little' Switzerland can upset Argentina

Xherdan Shaqiri insists that "little" Switzerland are capable of upsetting Argentina in the last 16 of World Cup 2014, arguing that "anything is possible".

Lionel Messi has been in majestic form for the Albiceleste, scoring four times in three games, including a double in Wednesday's 3-2 win over Nigeria.

However, after bagging a hat-trick in Switzerland's qualification-sealing 3-0 win over Honduras just hours later, Shaqiri says he and his team-mates will savour their last-16 showdown with Argentina.

"It's going to be a great match and while we also know that we are not the favourites, we will do whatever we can," the Bayern Munich starlet stated. "Anything is possible for us; you never know.

"This has been a dream; little Switzerland in the World Cup. And now we are at the round of 16, we can really be proud."

Shaqiri was understandably delighted by his crucial treble against Honduras - the 50th in World Cup finals history - which saw Switzerland progress to the last 16 at the expense of Ecuador, who were held to a 0-0 draw by Group E table-toppers France.

However, the attacking midfielder refused to accept all of the praise for what was a fine team performance.

"I am obviously very happy, as a hat-trick doesn't happen every day," he enthused. "I will never forget this.

"There has been a lot of speculation about the weather and towards the end things were getting tougher but we managed to deal with this well.

"I am very happy with what the team has done. We wanted to show our football and that's what we did.

"Without my team I wouldn’t have scored three. I am very proud, as I played very well today.

"I am very proud of the hat-trick but I am proud of the whole team because everybody played excellent football."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Meet Louis van Gaal's prospective first Manchester United signing: Ander Herrera

There are a lot of things that Manchester United would like to have done differently in the transition out of the Sir Alex Ferguson era.

Though there were plenty of increasingly hideous moments on the pitch throughout David Moyes's disastrous reign, the revelation that there were imposters of some kind in Spain looking to tie up a deal for Athletic Bilbao’s Ander Herrera without the club's knowledge might have been the true nadir.

United’s identification of the Spaniard as a central midfield target ended in a rejected €32 million [£25.5m] bid and a comically unprofessional chase from whichever representatives ended up talking to Athletic. But it is telling that they have moved quickly after the appointment of Louis van Gaal to go back and do the deal properly this time.

The 24-year-old arrived at the club’s Carrington training ground on Wednesday afternoon with a team doctor on the scene, and a €35m [£28m] deal is expected to be completed shortly.

Though not called up by Vicente del Bosque to the Spain squad for World Cup 2014, Ander – as he is referred to in his home country – might have added some much-needed zest to a midfield which turned surprisingly stale in Brazil. As is the case for so many of his compatriots, he would probably have earned dozens of caps for any other nation by this point.

The Red Devils have arguably been searching for presence and class in the centre of their midfield since Roy Keane’s retirement. Though Ander is probably one or two steps below some of their other reported targets – Toni Kroos or Arturo Vidal, to name but two of an almost embarrassingly long list – he looks like exactly the sort of player required.

The 24-year-old is most notable for his creative side but despite being rather slight of build, does not shy away from the defensive side of midfield duty and enjoys getting stuck in. Four red cards in his career to date suggest that he has not yet mastered the art but he is certainly ready to hold his own in a Premier League midfield.

Ander’s skills with the ball at his feet are, naturally, what will likely excite fans the most. A member of the Athletic team who exposed United so classily in the Europa League under Marcelo Bielsa in 2011-12, Red Devils fans know only too well his fine technique and teamwork.

As keen to shoot as he is to dribble – which is to say, quite keen indeed as only six midfielders made more attempts on goal than him in La Liga last season – the Spaniard made a key contribution as Athletic finished fourth despite being shorn of star striker Fernando Llorente.

The midfielder is quite capable of making an impact in big games, as evidenced by his opening goal in Spain’s 2-0 triumph over Switzerland in the Under-21s European Championships final in 2011, and he offers a more dynamic all-round midfield package than the likes of Michael Carrick and Marouane Fellaini.

Ander is not about to solve all of United’s problems on his own but it is a promising sign that the first signing of the Van Gaal era will be a central midfielder of his quality. If they continue to buy well, the young Basque should prosper at Old Trafford.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Herrera PattaNiyama talent 1kak

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[Wolverine GTR]

Benzema: France frustrated but proud of progression to last 16

Karim Benzema freely admitted that France had been left frustrated by their failure to find the back of the net in Wednesday's 0-0 draw with Ecuador - but insisted that he and his team-mates were proud to have progressed to the last 16 of World Cup 2014 as winners of Group E.

Didier Deschamps' men had racked up eight goals in their first two games in Brazil, beating Honduras 3-0 in Porto Alegre before hammering Switzerland 5-2 in Salvador.

However, despite the dismissal of Ecuador captain Antonio Valencia just after the break in Rio, Les Bleus were unable to find a way past an inspired Alexander Dominguez, though the point was still sufficient to see France finish one point clear of the second-placed Swiss.

"We would have liked to have won," Benzema told TF1. "But there are matches where is it more complicated.

"But we have not lost and we are qualified for the next round. We are proud of our qualification for the last 16.

"We came across a good goalkeeper [Dominguez], who had to make several saves.

"I hope that in the next game those shots go in, but this game proves that there no easy opponents in the World Cup."

Ecuador had needed to win at the Maracana in order to progress. As it is, they are heading home after finishing third on four points, two shy of Switzerland.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

FIFA World Cup 2014 Final Group Stage Fixtures 2014.06.26

FIFA World Cup 2014 Final Group Stage Fixtures 2014.06.26

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Group G

Portugal Vs Ghana

USA Vs Germany

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Group H

Korea Republic Vs Belgium

Algeria Vs Russia

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[Wolverine GTR]

Ada Portugal Vs Ghana & USA Vs Germany pattama gemak yai

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[Wolverine GTR]

Ander Herrera bid from United rejected

Athletic Bilbao have rejected an offer of 36 million euros from Manchester United for Ander Herrera.

United believed they were closing on a deal for the Spanish midfielder, following their failure to sign him last summer, only for the Basque club to insist they have turned down the former Premier League champions' bid.

Herrera, 24, was believed to have a 36 million euro release clause in his contract with Athletic, which was due to go up by a further six million euros at the start of July.However, Athletic posted a brief statement on their website saying that they had declined to accept United's approach.

It read: "Athletic Club wish to communicate that this week it has rejected an offer from Manchester United FC, of 36 million euros, to transfer the federative and economic rights of the player Ander Herrera."Herrera, who was originally a target for former manager David Moyes, was due to become Louis van Gaal's first signing.

The Netherlands manager had opted not to pursue Cesc Fabregas and Toni Kroos, two midfielders Moyes wanted to sign, as United opted to go for Herrera. Now the move has been cast into doubt as Athletic are reluctant to let the former Real Zaragoza player leave.

At 36 million euros (28.8 million pounds), Herrera would have become the fourth most expensive signing in United history, after Juan Mata, Dimitar Berbatov and Rio Ferdinand.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Epa wenne oya welawata thamaiHerrera wa miss unoth nam aparade
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[Wolverine GTR]

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Germany & Portugal last 16 walata progress unoth hodai
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Suarez banned for four months

The Uruguay striker has been handed a heavy sanction after being found guilty of biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini in Tuesday's World Cup

Luis Suarez was on Thursday handed a four-month ban from all football-related activity after being found guilty of biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini in Tuesday's World Cup clash in Natal.

Suarez was also given a nine-match international suspension and a fine of 82,000 euros.

It means Suarez will miss the rest of the World Cup and the start of the new Premier League season with Liverpool.

The Uruguayan FA and Suarez himself can appeal the sanction but the ban will stand until that process has been completed.

 

[rcccc]

hodayimuta case dagenne nathuwa ennama baene

 

[rcccc]

Ander Herrera bid from United rejected

done deal ekak kiyala neda kiwwe

 

[Michael]

BREAKING NEWS: LUIS SUAREZ BANNED FOR 9 GAMES AND FOUR MONTHS

 

[Michael]

Suarez banned for four months

The Uruguay striker has been handed a heavy sanction after being found guilty of biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini in Tuesday's World Cup

Luis Suarez was on Thursday handed a four-month ban from all football-related activity after being found guilty of biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini in Tuesday's World Cup clash in Natal.

Suarez was also given a nine-match international suspension and a fine of 82,000 euros.

It means Suarez will miss the rest of the World Cup and the start of the new Premier League season with Liverpool.

The Uruguayan FA and Suarez himself can appeal the sanction but the ban will stand until that process has been completed.

Bloody vampire!! The punishment should be more severe!! This is the 3rd time he did it.. He obviously needs some human flesh! lol

 

[Michael]

MAN UTD SIGN ANDER HERRERA !!

http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-F...=facebook&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=ManUtd

Ander Herrera: "Signing for Manchester United is a dream come true. I have played at Old Trafford for Athletic Club in the UEFA Europa League and it was one of the highlights of my career so far. I have joined United to do all I can to help the team reach the club's objectives. Having arrived on Tuesday, I’m excited to now be living in Manchester and I can’t wait for my first game in United’s famous red shirt. I will never forget my time with Athletic Club and I’d like to thank the fans and staff for all their support and, above all, wish all my fantastic former team-mates all the best for the future."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Portugal 2-1 Ghana: Seleccao crash out despite win

Cristiano Ronaldo's goal saw Portugal beat Ghana 2-1 in Brasilia, but it proved futile as both sides crashed out of the World Cup.

Coming into the final Group G clash, both sides knew only victory would give them a chance of progressing to the second round, and even then they were dependent on the game between Germany and the United States, with a draw in Recife good enough to see those two teams through regardless of events in the capital.

Portugal, needing a five-goal swing to overtake the USA in second place, went in front after 30 minutes when Ghana defender John Boye's wild clearance from Miguel Veloso's cross diverted the ball over goalkeeper Fatawu Dauda and into the net.

Ghana responded in the second half, Asamoah Gyan's header making him the highest ever scorer for an African nation at World Cup finals, surpassing the mark of five set by Cameroon's Roger Milla.

With Germany beating the Americans 1-0 on Thursday, a 2-1 victory for Kwesi Appiah's men would have seen them through and Abdul Majeed Waris was guilty of a glaring miss shortly after Gyan's equaliser, nodding wide from close-range with no defenders around him.

They were left to rue that miss 10 minutes from time, Ronaldo firing home from 12 yards after a defensive mix-up between Jonathan Mensah and Dauda, the keeper flapping hopelessly at a high ball.

Portugal made four changes from the side that drew 2-2 with the United States, while Ghana started with two alterations, Waris and Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu coming in for Kevin-Prince Boateng and Sulley Muntari, suspended and sent home by the Ghanaian Football Association for alleged disciplinary breaches.

Ronaldo had the first effort of note in the fifth minute as his audacious lob from wide on the right caught out Dauda but struck the crossbar and rebounded to safety.

The Portugal captain threatened again seven minutes later, testing Dauda with a trademark dipping free-kick from 30 yards.

Ronaldo was at the forefront of all of Portugal's attacking play and ought to have put his side ahead in the 19th minute.

Joao Pereira delivered a pinpoint ball from the right and the Real Madrid man, unmarked six yards from goal, directed his header straight at Dauda, who parried away.

A minute later Ghana almost hit the front as Gyan was denied by the legs of Beto after the Portugal defence failed to deal with an aerial ball.

Portugal continued to make most of the running and got their noses in front on the half-hour mark, Boye slicing Veloso's cross from the left into the net via the bar and right-hand post.

Ronaldo brought another save out of Dauda two minutes later, while Gyan continued to pose a danger, heading wide after meeting Christian Atsu's cross.

After a quiet start to the second half Ghana equalised with 57 minutes gone, Gyan nodding home at the far post following a superb cross from Kwadwo Asamoah with the outside of his left foot.

Waris wasted a glorious chance to put Ghana in front four minutes later, somehow heading wide from six yards after being picked out by Gyan.

Ronaldo - relatively quiet throughout the tournament - ultimately had the final say as he lashed in a left-footed strike after Dauda feebly palmed Mensah's wayward header into his path, but it mattered little as both sides' hopes were dashed.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Portugal nam aparade.​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

USA 0-1 Germany: Muller makes the difference for die Mannschaft

USA progressed to the knockout stages of the World Cup despite going down 1-0 to Germany on Thursday.

Thomas Muller continued his phenomenal World Cup form to seal top spot for Germany in Group G, while Portugal's 2-1 win over Ghana in Brasilia meant the USA progressed on goal difference at the expense of Paulo Bento's men.

Bayern Munich forward Muller claimed the Golden Boot in South Africa four years ago and scored a hat-trick in Germany's emphatic 4-0 opening win over Portugal this time around.

And 10 minutes after half-time in a rain-lashed Recife, Muller netted superbly from 18 yards, chalking up his ninth finals goal.

A draw at the Arena Pernambuco would have ensured progression for Germany and USA regardless of events in the capital, but any fears of collusion were brushed aside by a keenly contested affair - which briefly appeared under threat earlier in the day as torrential rain flooded roads in the surrounding area.

Joachim Low handed Lukas Podolski a first start of the tournament on the left side of his attack and the Arsenal forward blazed over in the second minute, as Germany pinned back their opponents during the opening stages.

Omar Gonzalez, preferred at centre-back to Geoff Cameron by USA coach Jurgan Klinsmann, made a vital 14th-minute interception when Muller looked set to convert Jerome Boateng's low cross.

But the USA grew into the game as a counter-attacking force and Graham Zusi arched a shot narrowly over from the left corner of the box midway through the first half.

By the time Tim Howard shovelled a Mesut Ozil effort to safety in the 34th minute, following a shimmying run from the Arsenal man, a more even contest had developed, although that was at the expense of the earlier intensity.

At half-time Low introduced veteran striker Miroslav Klose, hunting for an outright claim to the all-time World Cup finals goal record following his equaliser against Ghana last Saturday.

Gonzalez produced another vital intervention in the 48th minute to stop Ozil heading Germany in front, while Klose was unable to adjust in time to convert Philipp Lahm's cross.

Pressure told in the 55th minute when Muller smashed home emphatically from the edge of the box after Howard had parried Per Mertesacker's header.

The USA visibly rallied as news of Asamoah Gyan's equaliser for Ghana filtered through - a victory for the African nation would have seen them progress on goals scored, pipping the States for a third tournament in succession.

But a late Cristiano Ronaldo goal ensured Klinsmann's side, who went close in stoppage time as Alejandro Bedoya saw a goal-bound shot blocked by Lahm and Clint Dempsey headed over, will face the winners of Group H in Salvador on Tuesday.

That appears likely to be Belgium, while Algeria, South Korea and Russia all remain in the hunt to face Germany 24 hours earlier in Porto Alegre.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Germany & USA through to the last 16!​