..::Football III::..

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No other team has a player like Suarez, says Tabarez

Uruguay boss Oscar Tabarez believes he boasts a unique weapon in Luis Suarez in the race to reach the 2018 World Cup in Russia.The Barcelona striker, hit with an international ban after biting Giorgio Chiellini at the last World Cup, made his return for his country in the 2-2 draw with Brazil.

Suarez, made captain by Tabarez, was involved in Edinson Cavani's goal before scoring himself just after half-time as Uruguay came from two goals down to earn a point in Recife.

Uruguay are second in the table after five matches and have qualification firmly in their own hands, and Tabarez says the return of Suarez gives his side an edge over all of their rivals.

"He's had a wonderful career. He created three chances in the match and scored one," Tabarez said following the game. "He's a player who does not surrender, who fights for the ball.

"When we started the qualifying without Suarez because of the Fifa penalty, I said to the fans that we would have the best reinforcement when he returned. No other team in in qualifying will have a player like him, with so much experience, more mature and in a great spell.

"The team is not Suarez and 10 others, but he is important, very important for us."
Tabarez insists that securing a draw must be viewed as a good result given the way in which his side started the match.

He added: "We've overcome a difficult situation. In the first half, the Brazilians dominated, they were more creative. It was very important to get the goal in the first half and we were lucky to get a goal early in the second. Football is like that.
"Given the way the team started, it seems like this is a point won, not two lost."

 

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'It would be nice to play in the Champions League next season' - Lukaku fuels Everton exit talk

Romelu Lukaku has fuelled talk of a transfer away from Everton after admitting he would like to play in the Champions League next season.

The Everton striker's father spoke in an interview with Het Laatste Nieuws in which he urged the Belgium international to join either Manchester United or Bayern Munich at the end of the season.

Lukaku says it is not surprising to hear his father mention his own favoured sides as potential suitors but hinted that he could look to engineer a move away from Goodison Park in order to play in Europe's top competition in 2015-16."It's my dad's point of view, those are the teams that he likes. It's good to hear," he told Sky Sports News.

"Of course, it means people are keeping an eye on you, but I have an agent who is dealing with this for me at the moment. I just want to be good, help my team-mates win the games and score a lot of goals."I'm 23 next summer and it would be nice to play in the Champions League next season."

Chelsea have also been linked with a bid to bring Lukaku back to Stamford Bridge, with some reports suggesting that Antonio Conte will make him his number one priority in the transfer market should he take charge of the Premier League champions.

Lukaku denied the suggestion that he has a point to prove at Chelsea, who sold him to Everton for £28 million in 2014, and says all parties benefited from his departure.

"I wouldn't say that, I've nothing to prove," he said. "I've moved on, they moved on. It was the best deal for both teams - they won the league and I became a better player. We'll see what the future brings."

 

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Chelsea will land a 'winner' in Conte, says Pelle

Chelsea will acquire a "winner" should they hire Antonio Conte as their new manager this summer, according to Italy striker Graziano Pelle.

Conte announced in March that he will step down from his position as manager of Italy following Euro 2016, with Stamford Bridge expected to be his destination upon his return to club football.

Southampton striker Pelle, who was handed his national team debut under Conte in October 2014, feels the 46-year-old would be a success in the Premier League should he join the Blues.

"The coach has the qualities to do well in any tournament. If he does choose to come to the Premier League then he’ll be very welcome,” he told Rai Sport.

"It’s a tough league, but I am convinced Conte will do well.

"I advise him to be himself, as he is a winner and changing culture or league won’t modify his attitude. He just needs to change his language! So I advise him to study English.

"The English press is really hard when it comes to gossip, but on that score I don’t think the coach has anything to worry about.

"When it comes to talking about football, I think Italian media might be tougher, but it’s only to be expected in the sport."

While expressing no concerns over Conte's ability to manage in the Premier League, Pelle is relaxed about his replacement as head coach of Italy's national team.

He said: "Claudio Ranieri is currently top of the Premier League with Leicester City, confirming Italy has so many excellent coaches.

"I am therefore not worried and am confident Italy’s next coach will do very well, whoever he is."

 

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Koke eager for Spain's new generation to shine at Euros

Koke believes Spain have a great opportunity to put their World Cup embarassment to bed by embarking on a successful Euro 2016 campaign this summer.

The Atletico Madrid midfielder was part of his country's 2014 World Cup squad which bowed out at the group stage, ending a period of dominance which saw them win three major international tournaments on the spin.

Vicente del Bosque led Spain to back-to-back European Championships in 2008 and 2012 and also the 2010 World Cup in between, but has reshaped his squad in the aftermath of their disappointment at the last World Cup.

And Koke hopes Spain's next generation can wipe away the depressing memory of the last World Cup by leading them to a third straight European Championships title in France.

"We did not do a good World Cup and the Euros are chance for a revalidation," the 24-year-old told a news conference on Saturday. "There has been a great generational change."

Koke came on as a half-time substitute during Thursday's 1-1 draw in Italy and is relishing a fierce battle for places in Del Bosque's final 23-man squad over the coming weeks - starting against Romania on Sunday."Wearing the shirt of the national team is always beautiful and it will be a special match against Romania," he added.

"We have the Euros close and we are very excited. All players want to be on the list and we have to give everything for the team."I feel comfortable in the position put to me and what excites me is to play where the coach needs me."

 

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Del Bosque: The door is not closed to anyone, but time is running out

Vicente del Bosque insists the door is not closed to anyone looking to make a late break into Spain's Euro 2016 squad, but concedes there are unlikely to be wholesale changes to his current selection.

Injured trio Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and Santi Cazorla will all expect to walk back into the squad once fit, but places will be at a premium for any other players not currently involved."That list is progress, it is not definitive because there are two months to go," coach Del Bosque told Radio Marca.

"But it will not differ much from those who have come. But we have not closed the doors to anyone. "Everyone who shows us that we can not leave them out will come with us."

Sergio Rico and Sergi Roberto could be set for debut appearances when Spain take on Romania in a friendly on Sunday, after Del Bosque suggested all players on the trip would play a part.And the coach is keen stress the responsibility felt by his players as they prepare to defend their European crown in France.

"We have a great responsibility and past events give you a great responsibility," he added. "We're here to win the European Championship and that requires more. It's a major responsibility for all that are here."

 

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Wenger: Walcott's best is yet to come

Arsene Wenger believes the best is yet to come from Theo Walcott amid speculation around the Arsenal forward’s future at the Emirates Stadium.Walcott scored 14 goals in the Premier League during the 2012-13 season but has netted just five in each of the last two campaigns and has four in 2015-16.

With Arsenal once again falling behind in the title race, reports have suggested the England international could be sold as part of a summer reshuffle but Wenger predicts a brighter future.“I like that we live in a society where people always want new faces and new names,” he told the club’s official website.

“But we forget sometimes the loyalty, cohesion and the long-term phase that is needed in a player to be successful at the club. You need players through the generations and I’m very pleased with him.

“He’s been here for 10 years, that shows as well that he loves Arsenal and I’m convinced he will give us much more in the next five years than the last five.“Because he is a player who is always moving forward and trying to do better. He has a very positive attitude.”

Wenger insists that Walcott has continued to make a “very important” contribution to the team despite his failure to develop into a prolific goal scorer.“Theo’s movement off the ball is great, so he depends a lot on the service he gets,” the Frenchman added.

“He has improved his team attitude and tactical discipline a lot. After that it depends a lot on if we dominate the game and the quality of the balls we get. He is very important in the way he goes behind the defenders.“That is a quality you don’t find often anymore. It gives us something that is very important in our offensive game.

“This season I feel he has been very important to us and shown he has developed well. He is very intelligent and very motivated as well.”

 

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France want to win Euros for victims of Paris attacks - Cabaye

Yohan Cabaye says France are motivated by the prospect of paying tribute to the victims of November's terrorist attacks in Paris with victory at Euro 2016.

A total of 130 people were killed when a series of coordinated attacks were carried out across the French capital on November 13, including outside the Stade de France where Les Bleus were taking on Germany in a friendly.

Cabaye came off the bench during that match and says the victims will not be far from the players' minds as they look to raise the trophy aloft for them."It was a very sad moment, very difficult," he told the BBC's Football Focus. "It's in that bad time that the country came back and stuck together just to show everyone that we are determined to fight for our country.

"All the fans, even us; we're going to think about what happened in November and it will be nice to win for those victims as well."

France, who have won the last two major tournaments to be staged on home soil, are amongst the early favourites for the crown and and Cabaye is desperate to be part of Didier Deschamps' final squad.

"It will be a big competition at home. Of course I want to be in the squad," he added. "We are focused on that competition just to win it."We've got a good team. Some of the young players are fantastic.

"I think we have to get that winning mentality. Every game I hope the crowd will be like a 12th man on the pitch, just to help us and give us something more.
"In the last two home competitions, I think France won it. So maybe."

 

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Germany 2-3 England: Dier header caps stunning Three Lions comeback

Eric Dier scored a superb injury-time header to give England a brilliant 3-2 win over world champions Germany in Berlin on Saturday.

Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy are seemingly vying with Wayne Rooney for the out-and-out striker role in Roy Hodgson's starting XI in France and they combined to haul England back from two goals down in Berlin, before Tottenham midfielder Dier finished the job.

Having seen a Mario Gomez goal ruled out in controversial circumstances, Germany took the lead through Toni Kroos in the 43rd minute, although the opener owed a lot to an injury to England goalkeeper Jack Butland.

Gomez made it 2-0 with a headed effort just short of the hour mark, before Kane halved the deficit with an excellent finish.

But Vardy – on for Danny Welbeck as Hodgson altered the shape of his side – showed some of the magic that has seen him inspire Leicester City to the top of the Premier League when he applied a wonderful flick to a Nathaniel Clyne cross to beat helpless goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and open his international account.

With 90 minutes having already elapsed and the match heading for a draw, Dier climbed to head home his first England goal from a Jordan Henderson corner and send the travelling supporters into raptures.

Danny Rose made his debut as one of four Tottenham players included by Hodgson and, while Germany – without injured captain Bastian Schweinsteiger – boasted 311 more caps than their visitors, England were able to limit the threat of Joachim Low’s side early on.

For all the endeavour of both teams, goalscoring opportunities proved hard to come by, but Gomez had the ball in the back of the net after 27 minutes.

The on-loan Besiktas striker was played in behind the England defence and fired across Butland into the bottom left-hand corner, but he was flagged for offside.

Replays suggested Gomez had every right to feel aggrieved by the decision, although they did take the lead two minutes before half-time.

Butland – having looked uncomfortable moments earlier – sent a reckless clearance straight to a German shirt and the goalkeeper was eventually beaten at his near-post by a long-range drive from Kroos.

The Stoke City goalkeeper was left punching the turf in frustration before leaving the field on a stretcher to be replaced by Fraser Forster.

England had looked the brighter for long spells in the first half, albeit without testing Neuer, but Forster had to be alert to prevent Germany from opening up a two-goal advantage shortly after the interval.

The Borussia Dortmund attacker's bending free-kick evaded everyone in the box and forced Forster to tip over his crossbar.

England started to show signs of fighting their way back into the tie and Neuer got down well to keep out a Dele Alli daisy-cutter before Henderson saw an effort deflected over from a Danny Welbeck cutback.

But it was Germany who struck next through Gomez. Sami Khedira lifted the ball into the penalty area and Gomez climbed highest to head back across Forster to make up for his earlier disallowed effort.

Germany's cushion lasted just four minutes, though, as Kane turned brilliantly on the edge of the box following a corner and tucked the ball inside the left-hand post with Neuer beaten.

And Vardy drew his side level 16 minutes from time. Clyne darted down the right and played the ball into the box for the Leicester striker, whose stylish finish deservedly pulled England level.

The impressive Alli appeared to have squandered a golden opportunity to seal the victory when he fired over, but Dier popped up in stoppage time to settle it in the visitors' favour.

 

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Niyama England comeback 1kak

Kane & Vardy!

England meh sare hoda place 1kakata enawa Euro16 wala​

 

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'The worst kit ever' - Twitter reacts to England's new shirt

The old adage 'you can't please everyone' appears alive and well on the evidence of Saturday night's activity on social media, with England's new away shirt greeted with contempt by many fans.

The Three Lions lined up against rivals Germany in a brand new strip. With both sides appearing in their away attire, England wore red shirts - with darker sleeves - and shorts with navy blue socks.

The mismatch certainly didn't go unnoticed among England supporters on Twitter, with former international players also chipping in to denounce the style...

 

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'The worst kit ever' - Twitter reacts to England's new shirt

The worst kit ever?

Worst kit ever neweiKit 1ka lassanai​

 

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Kane proves he can be England's star striker at Euro 2016

England fought back from two goals down to pick up a famous 3-2 victory over rivals Germany - and it was Harry Kane who instigated a remarkable win in Berlin.

With England trailing, Kane picked up the ball in the Germany penalty area, performed a Cruyff turn to leave Thomas Muller and Mesut Ozil and slammed a shot past Manuel Neuer and into the far corner.

But even before that moment of magic, the Tottenham star was leading the line admirably for England, running the channels and causing problems for the likes of Mats Hummels.

Kane's goal - coupled with Jamie Vardy's sublime backheel - raise fresh questions regarding Wayne Rooney's role in the national side when he returns from injury.

But for now, the Spurs man looks every bit the devastating striker who could lead Hodgson's England from the front for years to come.

 

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Kane + Vardy combination 1ka patta

& Sterling,Lallana​

 

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Hodgson: England at the start of something special

Roy Hodgson says his England side are on the verge of something special, after the Three Lions came from 2-0 down to beat world champions Germany 3-2 in Berlin on Saturday.

Goals from Toni Kroos and Mario Gomez had given Joachim Low's men a commanding lead, but Harry Kane halved the deficit before Jamie Vardy equalised with a sensational flicked finish after coming on as a substitute.

Eric Dier then completed the comeback with a powerful near post header, and Hodgson admits that the performance ranks as his best as national team manager thus far.

And, with Euro 2016 looming this summer, Hodgson believes that his current crop of players can only get better.

"I always like to think the best night is still ahead of me. Best night so far? Ok, I'll give you that one," he told reporters.

When asked if he felt England were on the verge of great feats, he replied: "I've thought that for a while to be honest. When you think of the amount of debutants, or at least players playing their second or third or fourth game.

"Jamie Vardy, Eric Dier, Dele Alli, Harry Kane playing maybe his sixth game. For Danny Rose on his debut at this level to play so well up against Thomas Muller is tremendous."

 

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Low: England were deserved winners

Germany boss Joachim Low conceded his side deserved to lose 3-2 to England at Berlin's Olympiastadion on Saturday.

Low saw his side take a 2-0 lead thanks to strikes from Toni Kroos and Mario Gomez either side of the interval, before the Three Lions put together a remarkable second-half fightback.

Goals from Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy levelled the encounter before Eric Dier popped up to head home a last-gasp winner as England earned a massive boost ahead of Euro 2016 this summer.And afterwards Low admitted England deserved their win, citing Germany lacked “control” throughout.

"I think that England earned the win," Low told DW Sports. "We did not play very dynamically and never really had control.

"Jamie Vardy's goal ways very hard to defend."There were a lot more holes [in the second half] than there were in the first half, and England played faster."

Kroos. who beat Jack Butland with a long-range effort in the first half to break the deadlock, shared the frustrations of his coach, adding: "We made the game 2-0 and then we defended poorly."We made the field too big, and we did not win enough tackles."

 

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Hodgson: England never out of the game

Roy Hodgson believes England got what they deserved from their 3-2 comeback win over Germany because they “were never out of the game” in Berlin on Saturday.The Three Lions controlled large parts of the affair but were forced to chase the world champions after falling 2-0 behind at the Olympiastadion.

Toni Kroos benefitted from Jack Butland's ankle injury to beat the Stoke goalkeeper from long range to put Germany in front, before Mario Gomez doubled his side's lead just after the break.

However, England produced a magnificent fightback as goals from Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy and Eric Dier gave Hodgson's men the perfect boost ahead of this summer's European Championships.

And Hodgson praised the “enormous heart” shown by his charges after the full-time whistle sounded.

"It was a good follow-up from our performance against France [2-0 win], albeit it was five or six months ago," Hodgson told ITV. "I think we carried on from where we left off."I thought at half-time it was very unjust that we came in at 1-0 down, especially seeing as our goalkeeper was injured and was obviously hampered in trying to save the shot from Kroos.

"And then when we went 2-0 down I thought it was even more unfair because we were never out of the game and we were creating the better chances."But to come back and score three goals it was a tremendous performance from the players. They've got to take enormous credit and enormous heart from it."

 

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Hodgson fears long Butland injury lay-off

Roy Hodgson admits England are sweating over the ankle injury sustained by Jack Butland in the 3-2 victory over Germany.

Butland picked up the injury collecting the ball early in the first half, and aggravated the problem as he cleared the ball in the build-up to Toni Kroos's opener.

The Stoke City goalkeeper failed to keep out Kroos's long range drive and was stretchered off with tears in his eyes immediately after the goal.

And Hodgson and Stoke boss Mark Hughes are left facing an anxious wait for the results of a scan on an injury which could involve the goalkeeper's ankle ligaments.

"It's an ankle injury but we don't know the extent," Hodgson told reporters. "When you're talking about ligaments, there's always some kind of worry but we'll assess him."

Butland was replaced by Fraser Forster, who conceded to Mario Gomez before England fought back to an unlikely win through Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy and Eric Dier.

Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart was ruled out of the England squad for friendlies against Germany and the Netherlands with an injury.

 

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International Friendly Fixture 2016.03.27

International Friendly Fixture 2016.03.27

Romania Vs Spain​

 

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Good Luck Spain!​

 

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If Arsenal sack Wenger they could suffer like Man Utd, warns Seaman

Arsenal must retain boss Arsene Wenger or risk suffering the same problems that Manchester United experienced following Sir Alex Ferguson's exit, says David Seaman.

Wenger has come under scrutiny after his side crashed out of the Champions League and FA Cup, while also falling behind Leicester City and Tottenham in Premier League title race.

However, Seaman believes the 66-year-old coach is still the right man for the job at the Emirates and backed him to lead a review on what has gone wrong this season.

"I'm so fed up of all this negative stuff about Arsenal. A change at the top? Not for me. I’m a massive fan of Arsene," Seaman was quoted as saying by The Mirror."Let's see what happens at the end of this season. Let's see what’s gone wrong and then sort it out.

"But, for me, he's been brilliant. I worked with him for about seven or eight years and he was fantastic. I would stick by Arsene. I've always said that and I haven't reason to change my mind."Look at Manchester United. Look at what has happened to them. They lost a great manager in Alex Ferguson. He retired. It’s always greener on the other side.

"Arsene has a great record, but he's always under pressure. He'll be under pressure until we win the league. "It's frustrating for Arsenal fans. I can understand that. I get frustrated at times. But we shouldn't be negative about it. We should try to stay positive."