..::Football III::..

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Brazil did everything wrong, says Kahn

Former Germany goalkeeper Oliver Kahn believes Brazil got all their tactical decisions wrong in Tuesday's 7-1 World Cup semi-final defeat at the hands of Joachim Low's men.

Goals from Thomas Muller, Miroslav Klose, Toni Kroos (2) and Sami Khedira gave Germany a shock 5-0 lead at half-time, before Andre Schurrle added two more, leaving Oscar's late strike nothing more than a consolation.

Kahn feels Brazil collectively failed as the Europeans tore them apart and has criticised head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari for his naive tactics.

"Brazil collectively imploded. It was complete failure from the entire team right from the start until the very end," Kahn told ZDF.

"The Brazilians did everything wrong from a tactical point of view. It was incredible to see how they just walked into Germany's trap. They completely fell apart after the opening goal.

"I don't know whether it was the pressure that got to Brazil and whether the burden was too much for them. But they clearly didn't know how to cope with everything.

"Brazil were very vulnerable emotionally and lacked experience."

Brazil will meet either Argentina or Netherlands in Saturday's third-place play-off in Brasilia.

 

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Bayern: Mandzukic will join Atletico Madrid

Bayern Munich sporting director Matthias Sammer has revealed the club have verbally agreed a deal for Mario Mandzukic to join Atletico Madrid this summer for an undisclosed fee.

The Spanish champions were in the market for a new striker following the departure of Diego Costa to Chelsea and they have now found their man in the Croatia international.

The 28-year-old had joined Bayern from Wolfsburg in the summer of 2012 and was part of the team that won the treble in 2012-13, while also winning the domestic double last season.

Nevertheless, he was deemed surplus to requirements by head coach Pep Guardiola following the arrival of Robert Lewandowski from Borussia Dortmund and will now continue his career at Atletico once all formalities are completed.

"There's a verbal agreement between Atletico and Bayern and between Mario Mandzukic and Atletico," Sammer revealed at a press conference.

"There's nothing signed yet but I think we can trust those words. We thank Mario Mandzukic and we will always remember the successes we have achieved together.

"He has always acted correctly and as a role model. I can only say positive things about him."

Mandzukic netted 33 goals in 54 Bundesliga appearances during his two seasons at the Allianz Arena.

 

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Upcomming season 1ke Atletico Madrid wala Diago Costa ge replacement 1ka Mandzukic thamai​

 

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Van Persie: Holland over mental block

Netherlands striker Robin van Persie says his side are determined to prove they have erased any World Cup "mental block" as they prepare for their semi-final against Argentina on Wednesday.

Holland had to settle for the position of runners-up in 1974, 1978 and 2010, but Van Persie has made it clear they are ready to go all the way this time around after some impressive comeback wins in their previous games this tournament.

"It makes me incredibly proud to be here, at this stage of a World Cup, wearing the captain's armband," Van Persie told Times of India.

"We have come from behind three times to win and that says a lot about this squad. We played two very tough knockout matches and the important thing is we won both of them.

"Next is Argentina and we are ready for this one too.

"A lot of people think Netherlands still have to get over their mental block of not having won a World Cup, but I think we are determined to change that this time in Brazil."

The Manchester United man also took the time to reflect on Holland's win over Spain in the group stages and his superb header during the 5-1 victory.

"Van Gaal spent weeks with us working very hard on the tactics. Everything he said was realised in the game. Due credit to all of us and the staff because we were working on this system for just a couple of weeks and if you look back and see how it came off, we can be very glad.

"If you look at the game and you see how fit we were, how well we played, it is a massive compliment to everybody.

"It was the best goal of my career. It was a brilliant goal, even I have to say that. Considering the occasion, this was one of the biggest so far in my career. It was a bit of a gamble but before I received the ball, I saw Iker Casillas standing in front of his goal, so it was a header but a lobbed header - a great goal."

 

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Pressure grows on Messi without right-hand man Di Maria

As much as it makes a great story to say that Diego Maradona won the World Cup on his own in 1986, the reality is that he needed some help along the way from his Argentina team-mates.

Jorge Valdano scored four goals during that tournament, Jorge Burruchaga struck the winner in the final, Sergio Batista snarled in midfield and gave Maradona the platform to work his magic.

Twenty-eight years on, Argentina again boast the best player in the world and rely on him as the focal point of the team. But Lionel Messi cannot do it entirely on his own, either.

As he prepares for Wednesday’s semi-final clash with the Netherlands in Sao Paulo, Messi will reflect that the level of responsibility on his shoulders will be even greater without his right-hand man: Angel Di Maria.

Argentina have won all five of their World Cup matches so far by just one goal, with Messi scoring four in the tournament and providing the crucial assist for Di Maria’s extra-time winner against Switzerland in the last 16.

The thigh injury sustained by the Real Madrid star during the quarter-final against Belgium means the Albiceleste supporters will not see a repeat of that combination against Holland.

While Messi has been Argentina’s matchwinner, Di Maria is the man who allowed coach Alejandro Sabella to build a team that could get the best out of the Barcelona star. Shifting Di Maria from a winger into midfield coincided with a 14-match unbeaten run in qualifying that saw the team finish top of the South American table.

It worked so well that Carlo Ancelotti copied the trick for Real Madrid, lining Di Maria up in a central position behind Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale.

For club and country, Di Maria’s role is to provide the bullets for the two best players in the world with his bursts of speed and eye for a pass. Last season for Real Madrid, he produced the most assists in Europe and twice as many as his closest rival in La Liga.

In the system Argentina first used in qualifying – essentially a four-man attack – Di Maria became the perfect player to transition into attacks and his understanding with Messi has been evident in Brazil, not least for that last-gasp winner against the Swiss.

For all Messi’s ability and his brilliant scoring record, he did not score at the World Cup in 2010 or the Copa America in 2011 when playing in a team and system that was not set up to get the most out of his talents.

Without Di Maria, Sabella needs a Plan B to make sure Messi can shine – or Argentina will be going home.

The 59-year-old is weighing up a complete rethink in formation and tactics, with suggestions that he could line up against Holland in a 4-4-2 or try again with the 5-3-2 system that misfired in the group stage opener against Bosnia.

There is no like-for-like replacement for Di Maria, so either Enzo Perez or Maxi Rodriguez, two solid but uninspiring players, will come in to make up a more functional side.

The added complication for Messi and Argentina is that there are issues concerning the rest of the supporting cast. Sergio Aguero is fit to play against the Netherlands but will surely be lacking sharpness after a muscle injury, while Gonzalo Higuain has scored just one goal during the tournament.

Messi has been at the centre of almost every Argentina attack, but no-one can be sure whether the 27-year-old will be able to keep it up without some help.

He is always capable of producing a moment of magic, and he has already done it in this tournament: a beautiful strike against Bosnia, a last-minute winner against Iran, two goals against Nigeria and an extra-time assist against Switzerland.

Messi is capable of winning the World Cup for his country with a couple of moments of brilliance in the remainder of the tournament.

But even Maradona needed a second in command. And it will be far more difficult for Messi without Angel Di Maria.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Di Maria nathi unath karanna puluwan uparima de Messi ada karai​

 

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Argentina are more than just me - Messi

Lionel Messi has insisted that Argentina would remain a force to be reckoned with at the World Cup even in his absence.

The 27-year-old has been in sublime form so far this tournament, netting four goals in five appearances as well as creating a single assist, leading to criticism that Argentina are too reliant on their star man.

However, Messi has stressed that there's more to the Albiceleste than just his match-winning abilities.

"I absolutely do not agree that Argentina are nothing without me," Messi was quoted as saying by Times of India.

"Football is a team game, so whoever says that does not portray the actual scenario.

"Yes, I scored a few important goals which have helped our team, but there are 10 other members of the team who helped us reach where we are now.

"Gonzalo Higuain scored the all-important winner against Belgium and we all were happy to defend the lead for the remaining part of the game. Everybody had to fight for everything."

The Barcelona forward then went on to discuss the role of Angel Di Maria, who will miss Wednesday's semi-final against Netherlands due to injury after picking up a knock versus Belgium in the quarter-finals.

"Angel has been an integral part of the side on and off the field. He has played really well before he had to leave the ground. It was shocking.

"His decisive runs inside the opponent's defensive third helped us create space for the strikers as well. We'll miss him but Argentina will play at their best."

Messi was full of respect for Netherlands ahead of Wednesday's World Cup semi-final and made it clear that it will be vital for Argentina to keep a clean sheet.

"They have reached the semi-finals for the second consecutive time and they will be looking to add something to their performances which can take them to the final. They are just a step away from achieving such a wonderful target.

"As an opponent, they deserve what they've achieved and on Wednesday, they will be even more eager on the field. We have to concentrate more on not conceding goals."

 

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Fifa suspends Nigerian Football Federation

The Fifa Emergency Committee has suspended the Nigerian Football Association (NFF) with immediate effect due to alleged "government interference".

The move comes after the dissolution of the NFF executive committee by the country's government and the detention of NFF president Aminu Maigari by the Department of the Dstate Security Service.

"The FIFA Emergency Committee has decided today, July 9, 2014, to suspend the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) with immediate effect, on account of government interference," a statement read.

"The decision follows a letter sent by FIFA to the NFF on July 4, 2014, in which it expressed its great concern after the NFF was served with court proceedings and consequently an order preventing the president of the NFF, the NFF Executive Committee members and the NFF Congress from running the affairs of Nigerian football was granted by a High Court of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

"The said court order compelled the Nigerian Minister of Sports to appoint a senior member of the civil service to manage the NFF until the matter was heard in court, without giving any date for such a hearing.

"The authorities then appointed a person who decided to convene an extraordinary general assembly on 5 July 2014. This extraordinary general assembly was convened in violation of the NFF statutes.

"Originally, an elective congress had been planned by the NFF to take place on August 26, 2014.

"The suspension will be lifted once the court actions have been withdrawn and the properly elected NFF Executive Committee, the NFF general assembly and the NFF administration are able to work without any interference in their affairs."

The Fifa Emergency Committe added that neither the Nigeria national team nor any of the country's clubs will be able to participate in any "regional, continental or international competitions" until the situation is risolved to its satisfation.

Consequently, the nation will be prevented from competing in the upcoming Fifa U-20 Women's World Cup unless the suspension is lifted by July 15.

 

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Lewandowski defends Dortmund departure: Bayern Munich a step up

Robert Lewandowski has admitted that he views Bayern Munich as a step up from Borussia Dortmund.

The Poland international's controversial decision to leave Signal Iduna Park for the Allianz Arena on a free transfer was announced in January but the striker was only officially unveiled as an FCB player at a press conference on Wednesday.

Lewandowski made an emotional goodbye to Dortmund at the end of last season but he has now explained that he felt that joining Bayern was the right move for his career.

"It was time to take the next step," the 25-year-old striker told reporters.

"I knew that Bayern Munich are of the level where I can be an even better player and win even more titles."

Looking ahead of the 2014-15 campaign, Lewandowski added: "I feel really, really good. My batteries are fully recharged."

There has been some talk that Lewandowski might not be suited to Pep Guardiola's style of play, given the coach's fondness for occasionally playing with a 'false nine'.

However, Bayern sporting director Matthias Sammer is in no doubt that Lewandowski will fit right in.

"He is incredibly flexible and has all the attributes that a footballer needs," he argued.

 

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Congratulations & Good Luck Lewandowski!​

 

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Evra weighing up Juventus contract offer

Manchester United left-back Patrice Evra is currently weighing up an offer from Serie A champions Juventus, Goal can confirm.

Juventus began negotiations with Evra in May and offered the France international a two-year deal, with talks understood to have been positive despite the contract on offer less than his €113-a-week salary.

However, the 33-year-old appeared to have ended speculation over his future by subsequently signing a one-year extension to remain at Old Trafford.

The signing of England international Luke Shaw, whom United have made the most expensive teenager in world football with a €200,000-a-week salary, though, has placed Evra’s position as Louis van Gaal’s first-choice left-back under severe threat.

Juventus have since reignited their interest in the player who is now considering whether to end his eight-year association with the Premier League club.

Meanwhile, Juventus have seen an approach for Manchester City's centre-back Matija Nastasic rebuffed by the Premier League champions.

The 21-year-old Serbia international struggled with form and fitness during his second season at the club and lost his place to the more experienced Martin Demichelis.

Manuel Pellegrini is determined to increase his central defensive options this summer and has made the signing of Roma's Medhi Benatia his priority after the deal to sign Porto's Eliaquim Mangala ran into complications.

Despite his continued interest in Morocco international Benatia, Pellegrini is unwilling to sanction the departure of Nastasic who joined the club from Fiorentina two years ago.

 

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Manchester United hitapu main defendersla 3n denama yai wageFirst Vidic & Rio and now Evra​

 

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saw a nightmare last night

Let it go bro...good luck for the third place match
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LB ta Wolfsburg Ricardo Rodríguez wa ganna hadanawa neda
rating nam hodayi
http://www.whoscored.com/Players/61610/Show/Ricardo-Rodriguez

Ow machan R.Rodriguez hodaikiyalanam thibbe Luke Shaw ta competition 1kak denna thamai eyawa ganne kiyala.anemanda ithin mona karaida kiyalamain defendersla 3n denama 1kaparatama miss wena 1kanam loku paduwak kohomath

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FIFA World Cup 2014 Semi-Final 2

FIFA World Cup 2014 Semi-Final 2

Netherlands Vs Argentina

Starting Line-ups

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Netherlands Vs Argentina hoda fight 1kak yai kiyala hithanawa

Good Luck for Netherlands Vs Argentina!

 

[Michael]

Manchester United hitapu main defendersla 3n denama yai wageFirst Vidic & Rio and now Evra​

Evra ta 1 year contact extension ekak dunne wena hethuakata newe! miniha FREE transfer ekak widiyata yanne nethi wenna eka kare...

SHAW wa gaththa nisa kohomath Evra ta place eka adu wenawa godak durata..

 

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Evra ta 1 year contact extension ekak dunne wena hethuakata newe! miniha FREE transfer ekak widiyata yanne nethi wenna eka kare...

SHAW wa gaththa nisa kohomath Evra ta place eka adu wenawa godak durata..

Luke Shaw thamai ahenam 1st team LBRicardo Rodriguez ganath kiyanawa ithin& Hummels ganna puluwan unoth nam patta neda bro

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[රජ්ජුරුවෝ]

Let it go bro...good luck for the third place match
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hmm. Most favorite team is out. Wish for second favorite Argentina team. 5 minutes to start the game.

I still remember the match that brazil lost finals to france in 98. 16 years past remember like today how we talked about the match with friends. nobody ever thought france would win. Brazil team was the most upset even more than france when france was thrown away in 2002 as Brazil couldn't get the revenge for last time.

 

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Half Time

Netherlands 0 Vs 0 Argentina

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