..::Football III::..

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Nani: Ronaldo still better than Benzema

Karim Benzema may have outshone Cristiano Ronaldo in Paris on Saturday but Nani believes that his Portugal team-mate remains the superior player.

France defeated the Seleccao 2-1 in an entertaining friendly in Paris, with Benzema opening the scoring just three minutes in before Paul Pogba doubled les Bleus' advantage midway through the second half.Ricardo Quaresma dragged Portugal back into the game shortly after the substitution of an ineffective Ronaldo but the visitors were unable to force an equaliser in the final 13 minutes.

Benzema was the toast of the French capital for having put Real Madrid colleague Ronaldo in the shade for once but Nani felt it pointless to dwell on the outcome of one head-to-head."Today was not about who is better between Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo," the winger argued. "We know who is better...

"Today was a good game and that was what was most important for both teams."
Portugal defender Ricardo Carvalho was more diplomatic, preferring to pay tribute to both Benzema and Ronaldo."Karim is a top player as well," the centre-half said of his former Madrid team-mate.

"Of course, Ronaldo is our talisman and he's the best but Karim is also doing very well for his national team and both of them are great players."Portugal now return to competitive action when they face Denmark in a crucial Euro 2016 qualifier in Copenhagen on Tuesday.

The Seleccao lost their first and only Group I game so far, at home to Albania, while the Danes have amassed four points from their opening two fixtures.

 

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Neuer takes blame for Poland defeat

Manuel Neuer has taken full responsibility for the crucial first goal in Germany's shock 2-0 loss to Poland on Saturday.

Joachim Low's men dominated both possession and territory in the Euro 2016 qualifier in Warsaw but fell behind six minutes after the break when Arkadiusz Milik beat Neuer to a right-wing cross from Lukasz Piszczek to head home.

The goal allowed Poland to sit even deeper and they sealed a first ever victory over their neighbours when Sebastian Mila fired home with just two minutes remaining.Neuer was thus bitterly disappointed by his role in the end of Germany's run of 18 competitive fixtures without defeat.

"I came out bravely for the first goal, but I was too late - it was a mistake by me," the Bayern Munich shot-stopper told reporters after the game.

The loss leaves Germany third in Group D, three points behind Poland Republic of Ireland, both of whom have won their opening two games.However, Neuer is supremely confident that Joachim Low's men, who had 29 shots on goal in Warsaw, will avenge their defeat when they host Poland in Frankfurt in September of next year.

"It was an avoidable defeat," the goalkeeper argued. "We didn't play badly. If we had scored the first goal, then we would have won."It was clear beforehand that the task of winning here in Warsaw against Poland would be very difficult.

"But when we play in our own stadium in Germany, then we will win."

 

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Manchester United are a 'few years' away from winning titles, insists Keane

Roy Keane believes Manchester United are still "a few years" away from winning another major trophy.

After a disastrous campaign under David Moyes, Louis van Gaal has been tasked with getting the club back into the Champions League and was supported by six new first-team signings this summer.

United sit fourth in the Premier League with 11 points but Keane, who won 13 trophies during his 12-and-a-half years at Old Trafford, predicts a title challenge will be difficult.

"It's been a bit better these last few weeks," Keane said in an interview with BBC's Football Focus.

"Clearly they are going to win lots of football matches because they've got lots of goals in their team now. Going forward, the players they have available - amazing.

"But, in terms of winning the bigger prizes again - the Premier League and Champions League - I think that might be a few years down the road yet. Only in a sense that defensively they look to rebuild.

"You can win football matches going forward, with lots of goals, but I think at the back with the lack of experience, and injuries problems at the moment, it will be very hard to win titles."

 

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I built Manchester City's empire, says Mancini

Former Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini believes the club's current fortunes began with him.

Mancini steered City to their first Premier League title in 2011-12 after a late Sergio Aguero goal on the final day of the season, before the club again reigned in England in Manuel Pellegrini's debut campaign.

The Italian coach, who has since spent one season at Galatasaray before agreeing to having his contract cancelled, admits he feels he had a hand in City's ongoing fortunes after his four-season stint at Eastlands.

"I think that we started to build this team five years ago. In two years we won the Premier League, the FA Cup, we won everything in England," Mancini told reporters.

"And this current team are playing nine of my players all of the time. I am very happy with that because I know these players. I think it's not easy to build a strong team with only four or five years.

"They are a team like Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Barcelona - big teams that have been like that for 50 years. You need the time to improve. But we have a big chance also to be one of the best teams in Europe."

The 49-year-old also confirmed he would be keen to coach in Germany but acknowledged the language barrier could be a significant problem.

He continued: "Yes I like the Bundesliga. I think that the championship in the fast five years has improved a lot. And there are really good players, good teams, and good managers.

"The problem there is the language. If it wasn't for this, it could be an option."

 

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Mourinho: I have rejected PSG twice

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has revealed he has twice turned down the chance to coach Paris Saint-Germain.The Blues boss is in his second spell at Stamford Bridge after returning to the club following three years with Real Madrid.

The former Inter head coach has now admitted he has twice rejected offers to take the reins at Parc des Princes, claiming PSG sporting director Leonardo was desperate to appoint him."I was the first choice of Leonardo. I said no to PSG twice," he told Telefoot.Mourinho faced PSG in the quarter-finals of the Champions League last season, losing the first leg 3-1 before knocking the French side out on away goals after winning 2-0 at Stamford Bridge.

Despite that, the Chelsea boss feels the French champions are capable of claiming European glory and that Laurent Blanc, who has come under criticism after a slow start to the season, is the right man for the job."Paris can win the Champions League, it would be fantastic to have Chelsea-PSG in the final," he said.

"Paris is in good hands, Laurent Blanc is a good manager."Mourinho has been long tipped to take over as coach of Portugal but he insists he is in no rush to take charge of his country as he feels he has many more years to offer in the game.

"To become Portugal's coach ? The country awaits it," he added."I'm at the half-time of my career, I still have 15 years."

 

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Wenger apologises for Mourinho scuffle but claims he was provoked

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has apologised for his clash with Jose Mourinho - but claims he was provoked.

The two managers faced each other on Sunday as Chelsea beat the Gunners 2-0 at Stamford Bridge, but stole the headlines when they were involved in a spat after Gary Cahill was booked for a strong challenge on Alexis Sanchez.

Wenger had previously admitted to pushing his Chelsea counterpart, whilst claiming he had no regrets, but has now offered an apology for the incident despite insisting he was provoked into the reaction.

"We gave a little bit too much importance to this matter. I did not enter the Chelsea zone," he told Telefoot.

"I shouldn't have reacted like that. I regret every sign of violence and I apologize.

"Did Mourinho taunt me? It felt like that."

The 64-year-old has enjoyed a long-standing rivalry with Mourinho since his arrival in the Premier League in 2004 and faced further tension on his return last season when he branded him a "specialist in failure".

Mourinho refused to apologise for his comments made last season and, when asked about the fresh incident with the Arsenal manager, insisted the television pictures revealed all.

He told Telefoot: "Wenger? I don't have words to explain what everybody saw on the [television] pictures."

 

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European Championship Qualifying Group Stage Fixtures 2014.10.12

European Championship Qualifying Group Stage Fixtures 2014.10.12

Group C

Ukraine Vs Macedonia

Group E

Estonia Vs England

Group G

Austria Vs Montenegro

Russia Vs Moldova

Group C

Belarus Vs Slovakia

Luxemburg Vs Spain

Group E

Lithuania Vs Slovenia

Group G

Sweden Vs Liechtenstein​

 

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Adawath Diego Costa score kaloth hodai

Good Luck Spain!

VAMOS ESPANA​

 

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International Friendly Fixture 2014.10.12

International Friendly Fixture 2014.10.12

Mexico Vs Panama​

 

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Half Time

Luxembourg 0 Vs 2 Spain

 

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Diego Costa ta score karanna thibba hoda chance 1kak miss karagattha
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Half Time

Luxembourg 0 Vs 4 Spain

Spain Goal(s)

David Silva 27'
Paco Alcacer 42'
Diego Costa 69'
Juan Bernat 88'

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Congratulations Spain!

VAMOS ESPANA

Finally..........Diego Costa Scores for Spain
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[unicornx]

Congratulations Spain!

VAMOS ESPANA

Finally..........Diego Costa Scores for Spain
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Luxembourg 0-4 Spain: Costa opens international account

Diego Costa opened his goalscoring account for Spain as they ran out comfortable 4-0 winners over Luxembourg on Sunday night.The striker, who had not scored for his adopted homeland since defecting from Brazil in February, netted Spain's third goal in a routine victory.

Having lost 2-1 to Slovakia on Thursday, coach Vicente Del Bosque named the youngest side of his six-year tenure, including goalkeeper David de Gea in place of out-of-form captain Iker Casillas.But it was one of the older heads that opened the scoring as David Silva put them ahead after 27 minutes at the Stade Josy Barthel.

Paco Alcacer then doubled the lead shortly before half-time with his third goal in as many competitive Spain games, before Costa ended his international drought with a scrappy effort.Juan Bernat capped his debut with a late strike to add gloss to the scoreline for the much-changed European Championship holders.The win puts Spain in second in Group C behind leaders Slovakia, who have won three from three so far.

Spain unsurprisingly dominated the ball from the off, though Costa was worryingly unable to convert a host of chances that fell his way.The Chelsea man fired wide in the 18th minute as the visitors toiled in breaking down the five-man Luxembourg defence, though they finally managed it with a moment of individual brilliance.

Silva showed typical composure and poise to bring Chris Philipps's poor clearance under control before lashing a superb half-volley into the top corner from 25 yards.
Costa's search for a first Spain goal continued to be a frustrating one though as he wasted a gilt-edged opportunity on the half-hour mark by skewing woefully wide from eight yards with only goalkeeper Jeremy Joubert to beat.Alcacer displayed similar profligacy, somehow shooting off-target at the near-post, while De Gea had to remain alert to tip Daniel Da Mota's cross-cum-shot over at the other end.

However, Spain tightened their grip on the game two minutes later as Alcacer atoned for his earlier miss by converting Silva's reverse pass with a fierce shot into Joubert's right-hand corner.Spain took their foot off the gas in a second half of few opportunities but Costa's moment arrived in the 69th minute.

The former Atletico Madrid man lashed home from point-blank range following a goal-mouth scramble, ending his dry spell at 516 minutes of football with a strike he will hope can kick-start his career for the Iberian nation.

And substitute Bernat took advantage of a weary Luxembourg side to add a fourth in the 88th minute, toe-poking into the bottom corner to add positivity to Del Bosque's apparent new era

 

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Estonia 0-1 England: Rooney secures narrow win for Three Lions

Wayne Rooney's precise free-kick maintained England's 100 per cent start to Euro 2016 qualifying with a laboured win over 10-man Estonia in Tallinn.

The England captain curled home a free-kick 17 minutes from time on his 99th international appearance at the A Le Coq Arena in Tallinn on Sunday to ensure Roy Hodgson's side made it three wins from three in Group E.

Rooney's 43rd international goal extended England's perfect start after they had endured a frustrating second half following Estonia captain Ragnar Klavan's red card three minutes after half-time.

England were dominant in the first half but failed to make it count and, although they were not at their best after the break, Rooney's strike was enough to secure another three points and they are yet to concede a goal in qualification.

For Estonia, it was a second successive defeat, while group leaders England will be looking to make it four wins out of four against Slovenia at Wembley next month.Adam Lallana, Leighton Baines and Fabian Delph came into the England side as Raheem Sterling was rested, while Kieran Gibbs and James Milner also dropped to the bench.

Artur Pikk made his first senior competitive start for Estonia as one of three changes to the side that was beaten 1-0 by Lithuania on Thursday, with Ken Kallaste suspended following his sending off.Hodgson said ahead of the game that Estonia might surprise a few people and they almost gave the England boss a nasty shock when they went close in the first minute.

Delph appeared to be fouled in the Estonia half, but referee Marijo Strahonja waved play on and Sergei Zenjov's shot was deflected just wide off Gary Cahill at the near post after a swift break.Henri Anier volleyed over from the resulting corner, but England soon stamped their authority on the game and Rooney fired just over the crossbar after Jack Wilshere picked him out with a clever ball over the top of the Estonia defence.

An unmarked Rooney then failed to make any contact with an inviting Baines cross 17 minutes in when he really ought to have scored as England knocked the ball around with confidence.

The impressive Wilshere burst forward from midfield and surged into the penalty area before firing a right-footed strike narrowly wide of the near post nine minutes before the break.Estonia had been up against it in the first half and their chances of getting anything out of the game suffered a major blow three minutes into the second period, when defender Klavan was shown a second yellow card for obstructing the onrushing Delph as the midfielder broke forward at pace.

Hodgson replaced Delph with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the hour mark and Sterling came on for Liverpool team-mate Jordan Henderson soon after as England strived to make a breakthrough.Cahill headed a corner over the crossbar and Oxlade-Chamberlain then should have done better when Calum Chambers' cross from the right picked him out, but he failed to make a proper contact with an attempted header.

England were unable to pose the same attacking threat that they showed against 11 men in the first half, but they were finally in front when Rooney curled a free-kick just inside the near post that goalkeeper Sergei Pareiko failed to keep out after Sterling had been upended just outside the penalty area.

Rooney missed out on the chance to add a second in stoppage time when he failed to beat Pareiko after Wilshere had picked him out with a lovely pass, but his free-kick was enough to secure the victory and edge him a step closer to Bobby Charlton's England goal record of 49.

 

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Mexico 1-0 Panama: Torres settles scrappy match late on

Chivas USA striker Erick 'Cubo' Torres scored his first senior international goal in the dying minutes as Mexico defeated Panama 1-0 in a friendly.

In a game that featured five yellow cards and seven shots on target, Mexico grabbed a second friendly win in four days, though El Tri failed to convince on Sunday evening.

After a convincing 2-0 win over Honduras on Thursday night, the hosts failed to produce another dominating performance at the Estadio Corregidora in Queretaro, but got the result just as it appeared the game would end scoreless.The game got off to a high-flying start, with both sides engineering good chances in the first 10 minutes.

After a spell of sustained pressure by the visitors, El Tri started to take command of the game as the first half went on. Javier Hernandez was heavily involved, but he spurned a good chance after a mistake by Panama goalkeeper Oscar McFarlane. The on-loan Real Madrid man took a shot from 25 yards out, but it was cleared away by a defender.

Though Marco Fabian and Hector Herrera both caused problems on the flank at various points in the first half for El Tri, the game entered the half scoreless.Mexico continued to threaten after the break, and it was the centre-back Luis Venegas who had a decent chance on the half-volley that McFarlane had to save early in the half.

The game's rough play continued with 30 minutes to go when Blas Perez got an elbow up on a Mexico player, earning a yellow card.Substitutes Arturo Gonzalez and Oribe Peralta combined in the 68th minute, but the latter was unable to nod the former’s cross from the left on goal.

With the clock about to hit 90 minutes, McFarlane helped gift Mexico the win. The goalkeeper failed to deal with a long shot and after Peralta challenged the goalkeeper in the air for the rebound, the ball fell kindly to Torres, who slammed home the winner from six yards out.

 

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Giroud to make Arsenal return ahead of schedule, says Wenger

Arsene Wenger expected Olivier Giroud to return from a broken foot sooner than expected for Arsenal.

The striker damaged his foot during the 2-2 draw with Everton in August and was initially ruled out until January.

But Wenger is hopeful of calling upon Giroud sooner after the France international underwent surgery.

"Olivier Giroud is recovering very well," he told beIN Sports. "I believe he is ahead of schedule in terms of rehabilitation. The operation went perfectly.”

Following Giroud's injury, Wenger sealed a €20 million deadline-day deal for Danny Welbeck.

Welbeck has scored four goals since his arrival from Manchester United, replacing Giroud in a one-man forward line, but Wenger has no doubts the pair could play together - be it centrally or pushing one out wide.

He added: "Welbeck and [Giroud] can play together in the centre or separately.

"Welbeck also played on one side for Manchester United. Welbeck played in the same team with [Wayne] Rooney and [Robin] van Persie. He can play down the sides."

 

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Pique: I had pain-killing injections to play through injury

Barcelona and Spain defender Gerard Pique admits he had pain-killing injections in order to play through injury.

The 27-year-old caused some confusion last month after he appeared for Barca in a Liga match against Villarreal just two days after pulling out of the Spain squad for the games against France and Macedonia.

He returned to the national team this week to play the full 90 minutes of Spain’s defeat to Slovakia on Thursday and Sunday’s 4-0 victory over Luxemburg but says that while his injury is improving, he is still suffering some minor discomfort.
“It’s true that I had hip problems, and that is what I let Del Bosque know," he told AS.

"In fact, although I play with discomfort I am already much better. What happened was that Luis Enrique, who also knew about my situation, felt I was needed by the team to play against Villarreal."But I was being treated by the doctors, who prescribed me [the pain-killer] Voltaren, and during the international break I had to receive injections."

Pique added that his surprise inclusion against Villarreal was simply down to differing opinions between his club and country coaches.“They both knew how I was and what happened to my hip”, he said.

“[Spain coach Vicente] Del Bosque thought it was best to give me a rest and [Barcelona coach] Luis Enrique took the decision to make me play.“My team needed me and I understood. On other occasions when Spain needed me I have played with pain or physical problems.”

Pique returns to club duty this weekend when Liga-leaders Barcelona host Eibar.

 

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Costa: Goal drought worried me

Diego Costa has revealed he was worried about his international drought before scoring his first goal for Spain in their 4-0 victory over Luxembourg on Sunday.

The Brazil-born Chelsea striker has been in superb form for his club, netting nine goals in his first seven Premier League appearances, but went six appearances and over 500 minutes without finding the net for his adopted country.

Costa expressed his relief after his 26th shot at goal in a Spain shirt at last found the back of the net against Luxembourg, ending his six-game drought for la Roja.
“I have to thank the coach for his support,” Costa told TVE. “Every game he gave me another chance.“It was starting really bother me. It bothered me that I wasn’t scoring but what really bothered me that the team were losing. But this goal will give me a new start.”

Spain had lost five out of their last seven matches, including Thursday’s 2-1 defeat to Slovakia – their first in qualification for a major tournament in eight years.Del Bosque also expressed his relief at Costa opening his account, insisting the 26-year-old will be a big part of his side’s future.

“We all wanted [Diego Costa to score]… at half-time I told him that he needed to stay calm. He was a little nervous, unhappy and unable to find a solution.
“We were always happy with his movement and he has worked hard. He’ll be very important in the future.”

Spain sit three points behind group leaders Slovakia and continue their Euro 2016 qualification campaign next month when they host Belarus.