..::Football IV::..

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Uruguay 0-1 Venezuela: Rondon seals upset win in Copa America

Venezuela edged closer to the Copa America Centenario quarterfinals courtesy of a hard-fought 1-0 win over Uruguay on Thursday. A first-half goal from Salomon Rondon was enough for the Venezuelans, all but confirming Uruguay's elimination in the group stages.

The result moves Venezuela to first in Group C on six points, while Uruguay sits last without a point from their first two games. A Mexico draw with Jamaica will confirm Uruguay's exit from the special-edition centenary tournament, and also seal Venezuela's progression to the last eight.

The second half of the contest was marred with confusion as Luis Suarez warmed up but had not been named in the squad.However, the Barcelona star did not feature, and was not shy in expressing his frustrations with the Uruguay coaching staff.

Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez made four changes to the starting lineup from their 3-1 loss to Mexico, bringing in Cristhian Stuani, Gaston Ramirez, Alvaro Gonzalez and Gaston Silva for Diego Rolan, Nicolas Lodeiro, Matias Vecino and Alvaro Pereira.

Venezuela's Rafael Dudamel made just the one change to his side that beat Jamaica 1-0, replacing Luis Seijas with Adalberto Penaranda, and it was they who started the brighter of the two sides.

While Venezuela pressed forward early and put the Uruguay defense under pressure, they found it difficult to create any clear-cut opportunities on goal. Uruguay had a good chance to open the scoring in the 15th minute through Edinson Cavani after Gonzalez set him up with a cutback, but the Paris Saint-Germain forward fluffed his shot.

Cavani came close again just past the half-hour mark when he looked set to get on the end of a Ramirez free kick, but he was unable to get any connection on the ball as it went off the post and out for a goal-kick. However, it was Venezuela that took the lead in the 36th minute, with a goal that came out of absolutely nothing.

Alejandro Guerra broke down the right and spotted Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera off his line, and while the Galatasaray man made a good save to tip the ball onto the bar, Rondon reacted quickest to convert the rebound.

Tabarez made no changes at halftime as Uruguay looked to turn things around, and an early free kick was blasted into the wall by Cavani. The Salto-born forward then played a ball in for Stuani who laid it off for Ramirez, but the former Southampton man's first-time shot went well wide of the goal.

Stuani came close to equalising in the 52nd minute with a shot on the turn, but his effort went just over the crossbar, to the relief of Venezuela goalkeeper Daniel Hernandez.

Cavani had shouts for a penalty waved away and Venezuela almost made it 2-0 seconds later on a counterattack, but Muslera made a great save from Penaranda one-on-one.Tabarez made all three substitutes in the closing stages as they looked to find an equaliser, and came closest through Cavani.

The 29-year-old was straight through on goal but somehow completely missed the target, while second-half substitute Romulo Otero missed an open goal for Venezuela in the dying stages, but it mattered little as they held on for the slender victory.

 

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Koke: Georgia loss won't affect Spain at Euro 2016


Koke believes Spain's shock loss to Georgia in their final warm-up friendly for Euro 2016 will not affect the two-time defending champions heading into the tournament. A first-half goal from Tornike Okriashvili saw Georgia claim a 1-0 win over Spain at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez in Getafe on Tuesday.

The loss came less than a week after they defeated South Korea 6-1 courtesy of doubles from Alvaro Morata and Nolito.



However, Koke insists the Georgia defeat will have no effect on double-defending champions Spain as they contest Group D alongside the Czech Republic, Turkey and Croatia."We are the same. We continue with the same atmosphere and we are raring to train and play our first game," the Atletico Madrid midfielder said.

"The other day we had an accident, but nothing happens. We had a lot of chances but we just couldn't score one. We hope things improve."We have a lot of players who can score and a lot of quality up top. Against Korea we scored six, and none against Georgia."The most important thing is not to lose at the Euros."

With Xavi, David Villa, Xabi Alonso and Fernando Torres no longer involved with the international setup, Koke believes Spain's younger brigade are capable of continuing the nation's success at the Euros."Some of us come from the under-21 side [that won the European Championship in 2011 and 2013] and we come with ambition," the 24-year-old said.

"But we still have some veterans, and they still have the same desire to make a good tournament. It's positive to see them looking after us."We bring a lot of youth, and we are excited to play and to win."

 

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Mexico 2-0 Jamaica: Chicharito and Co. reach Copa America quarterfinals

Mexico booked its spot in the quarterfinals of the Copa America Centenario after overcoming Jamaica 2-0 in Pasadena, California, on Thursday.

Javier Hernandez scored his 45th international goal and Oribe Peralta came off the bench to secure back-to-back wins for in-form Mexico, which withstood a spirited Jamaica display to eliminate Group C rival Uruguay in the process after the 15-time champions lost 1-0 to Venezuela earlier in the day.

In a rematch of the CONCACAF Gold Cup final, Hernandez opened the scoring approaching the 20-minute mark to move within one goal of the nation's all-time leading record and Peralta sealed the result nine minutes from time in front of 83,263 fans at Rose Bowl.

The win extended Mexico's winning streak to 11 matches, while Juan Carlos Osorio's men are unbeaten in 21 games, dating back to last year's Copa America.

Mexico made four changes - one of those forced due to Andres Guardado's suspension - to the team that stunned Uruguay 3-1, with Guillermo Ochoa, Yasser Corona, Jesus Duenas and Raul Jimenez coming in for Alfredo Talavera, Diego Reyes and Javier Aquino.

Leicester City's Premier League-winning captain Wes Morgan returned to the starting lineup after being a substitute in Jamaica's 1-0 loss to Venezuela, replacing Kemar Lawrence, while Lee Williamson was named in place of suspended midfielder Rodolph Austin.

The Reggae Boyz made a promising start in Pasadena and continued to threaten Mexico throughout the opening 45 minutes but they somehow went into the break trailing 1-0.

Clayton Donaldson had Jamaica's first chance of the game in the seventh minute, running onto Williamson's throughball, however, the striker lashed his shot just wide of the post after timing his run to perfection.Mexico then went up the other end and broke the deadlock thanks to Hernandez after 18 minutes.

A whipping delivery from Jesus Corona picked out Hernandez in the center of the box and the in-form Bayer Leverkusen striker glanced a header into the far corner of the net for his 45th international goal in his 83rd appearance.

As the half wore on, the Jamaicans huffed and puffed but they could not find an equalizer despite two golden opportunities in quick succession approaching the break, with Garath McCleary's goal-bound shot blocked by Yasser Corona in the 35th minute and Michael Hector's effort turned away by Ochoa four minutes later.

El Tri made an electrifying start to the second half and they almost doubled their lead within minutes of the restart following an inch-perfect cross from Jesus Corona that found Jimenez, but the ball proved elusive for the striker and Hernandez as it bounced across the six-yard box.

The end-to-end tempo was thrilling as Mexico continued to peg Jamaica back in its own half, though the Caribbean nation did loom large at the other end via Giles Barnes and Donaldson, who was unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty just past the hour-mark after being taken to ground by Yasser Corona.

Mexico came within a whisker of putting the match to bed in the 75th minute but Andre Blake got a hand to the ball to deny Hirving Lozano, though second-half substitute Peralta made sure of the points six minutes later after placing a shot across the keeper.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Copa America 2016.06.10 Fixtures

Copa America 2016.06.10 Fixtures

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Chile Vs Bolivia

Argentina Vs Panama

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[sri D]

 

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Euro 2016 Group Stage Fixture 2016.06.10

Euro 2016 Group Stage Fixture 2016.06.10
(Opening Match)

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France Vs Romania

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Spain
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Man Utd missed a manager like Mourinho - De Gea

David de Gea says Manchester United were right to appoint Jose Mourinho, insisting that the club have missed a manager like the former Chelsea boss.

Mourinho was unveiled as United manager last month, replacing Louis van Gaal just days after the Dutchman won the FA Cup.Van Gaal could only guide United to a fifth-place finish in the Premier League last season as the club missed out on the title for the third straight campaign.

But De Gea, who was reportedly ready to leave had Van Gaal stayed on as boss, believes Mourinho can lead United back to the top of the English game.

"I came to United to win trophies. It is true these last two years we have not been at the level the club deserves," De Gea told Cadena Ser."We hope that Mourinho, with his will to win, will make sure United to return to the top."I have not spoken with Mourinho and not asked team-mates about him. I think we already know him.

"At United we've missed a manager like Mourinho. With the personality and mindset of a winner. Getting him was right."

 

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Pique: Manchester United’s senior players were a**holes!

Gerard Pique claims Manchester United’s senior players were “a**holes” during his time at Old Trafford.

The Barcelona centre-back joined United at the age of 17 in 2004 and spent four years with Sir Alex Ferguson before returning to Barcelona.

Pique was asked about the young players integrating into Spain’s Euro 2016 squad and the centre-back admits they are given an easier time than when he was trying to break through.

“They adapt very well, it’s not like before,” the defender told Spanish radio station Onda Cero.

“When I was seventeen, eighteen years old and tried to make the jump to the first team at Manchester, it was much more difficult, senior players were a**holes.

“Now you make a little joke and it seems to be a crime. I remember when Gerard Deulofeu went to the first team, and he was going to sit at a dinner, I removed the chair, he fell and I got a scolding. They did it to us everyday!”

 

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Senna: Spain are favourites at Euro 2016


Former Spain international Marcos Senna believes Vicente Del Bosque’s men are good enough to win Euro 2016 in France this summer.

La Roja are bidding to win a third successive European Championship, having lifted the trophy in 2008 and 2012, with Senna playing a key role in the first triumph.

The former Villarreal midfielder was named in the Team of the Tournament after his displays in Austria and Switzerland and has now claimed that the current Spanish crop is good enough to retain their crown.

Spain suffered outright humiliation during the 2014 World Cup, as they were eliminated from the competition at the group stages, but Senna is remaining confident as his countrymen prepare to kick off their campaign against the Czech Republic on Monday.

Speaking exclusively to Goal, Senna replied to a question regarding the similarities between Luis Aragones’s team and Vicente Del Bosque’s, saying: "In quality level? I believe they are much alike, but this one can also win and be worshipped like 2008.
“The style is the same, even because the players' characteristics are the same. The philosophy must remain the same.“I don't think there's a lot of differences. This team has lots of quality, big players.That's why I still believe we can win again. It's difficult, but is a squad very similar to that of 2008. That one worked well, let's see if this one will too.”Senna also claims he would have loved to have had a player such as Sergio Ramos in his Spanish team.

"From the goalkeeper to the striker, we still have big players,” he added.“It's a mixture of youth and experience, but everyone in shape. I wanted a veteran like Sergio Ramos (in my team)!”

“The European competition is very tough. There's only strong teams, but the Spanish national team have a great squad.”And when asked for his favourites to win the tournament, Senna replied: "Spain, Germany and France.”

 

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Euro16 favourites la wenna nam meetath wada improve wela play karanna one.nathuwa baha​

 

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Ronaldo: I've been the best player in the last 20 years

Cristiano Ronaldo has insisted he has been the best footballer in the world over the last 20 years.

The 31-year-old has been the standout star of his generation alongside Lionel Messi, winning league titles in England and Spain as well as the Champions League twice with Real Madrid and once with Manchester United.

The Portugal international has won three Ballon d'Or titles - two less than Messi - and he believes his performances over the years separate him from anyone else over the last two decades, maintaining he can compete at the top level for much longer.

"Where would I rate myself amongst the top players of the last twenty years? Thinking positively, then I believe with what I’ve achieved, I’m the best of the lot," Ronaldo told Italian magazine Undici.

"The best athletes always influence their sport, so I think I’ve had an important impact. I can’t say how much, but if you can run faster, jump higher than the rest, be consistently strong and agile, then you can make your talent as effective as it can be.

"I’ve worked hard to get to the highest level and I’ll continue doing it to stay where I am. I maintain the same attitude and dedication in every single training session and in every match.

"I look after myself so I can keep making history in football well into the future."

 

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Pjanic on brink of €38m Juventus move, claims representative

Miralem Pjanic is on the brink of completing a €38 million transfer from Roma to Juventus, according to his representative Adis Junuzovic.The Bosnia-Herzegovina international has been heavily linked with a move to the Serie A champions in recent months.

And Pjanic's PR manager, Junuzovic, has claimed Juve have taken a step towards securing his signature by meeting the release fee in his contract.

"Juventus have activated the €38m clause and we expect to finalise the transfer very soon," he told N1.

Junuzovic suggested the Turin giants have beaten off competition from Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Barcelona in order to sign the midfielder."There were a lot of clubs interested in him; PSG, Chelsea, Barcelona. Juventus were the fastest and most concrete," he continued.

"[The signing of the contract] should happen within the next week, and then there's the official presentation."

 

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Defiant De Gea denies sex case allegations


David de Gea has strongly denied any involvement in an alleged sex case, while insisting that he will stay with the Spain team at Euro 2016. The accusations were published by El Diario on Friday, just three days before the Roja kick off their campaign against Czech Republic.

A copy of the purported police report shows the testimony of a protected witness, who alleges she was forced to perform sexual acts against her will in a Madrid hotel suite rented by jailed pornography baron 'Torbe'. According to the testimony, Iker Muniain and another, unidentified player from Spain's Under-21 team were involved in the alleged events, which took place in 2012.

While De Gea is not accused of being present at the scene, the witness stated that the current Manchester United keeper organised the evening with Torbe - whose real name is Ignacio Allende Fernandez. "I am the first to be surprised by this story, it is complete lies and falsehoods," he responded in a press conference.

"This gives me more strength to be with this team, it is now in my lawyers' hands."
De Gea rejected any notion that he would be dropping out of Spain's Euro 2016 challenge. "I am going to stay with the national team, I have the strength and my team-mates' support and I want to fight for the Euros," he affirmed.

De Gea later trained as normal with the Spain team at their La Rochelle base with their Group D opener coming on Monday afternoon when they tackle Czech Republic in Toulouse.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mung boru case dala playerls wa mentally wattanna hadannekalakanni

We're with you De Gea​

 

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Rooney: My game has changed for the better


Wayne Rooney believes his game has changed for the better amid questions over his inclusion in England's starting XI.

England open their Euro 2016 campaign against Russia in Marseille on Saturday having claimed three wins from three in pre-tournament warm-ups.Captain Rooney started in England's final friendly against Portugal in an attacking trio with Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy.

However, England struggled to break down 10-man Portugal before Chris Smalling's 86th-minute header clinched victory.With Rooney scoring just eight Premier League goals this season, his place in the side has come under scrutiny but the 30-year-old - who has adapted to a role in midfield for Manchester United in recent times - still has great confidence in his abilities.

"I think everyone who watches the game is entitled to their opinions, I know the qualities I have and I don't think I have to sit here and defend myself," Rooney told reporters.

 

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Muniain & Isco deny sex case allegations


Iker Muniain and Isco have released statements denying allegations the pair were involved in a sex scandal in 2012. The Athletic attacker was named in a police report linking him with a witness statement accusing him and an unnamed player of sexual assault.

David De Gea was also connected to the case, as it was alleged that he organised the reported rendezvous, but the Manchester United goalkeeper assured the allegations were false in a press conference on Friday.

Muniain also moved to clear his name with a statement he released on Twitter."In the light of the information that appeared today concerning my person I want to emphasise that 1. The version of events is absolutely false," he wrote.

"2. In the coming days I will appoint a lawyer to defend my honour. 3. I hope all my followers who have supported me on the pitch trust me at this time."Real Madrid's Isco was not named in the police report, but his name emerged in certain media outlets linked to the case.

And the Spain international likewise moved to clear his name, and assured he would start legal actions against those responsible. "I want to make clear that any relation of mine with the supposed events is completely untrue," he explained in a statement.

"I have absolutely no knowledge of these events and have never known of them.
"With that in mind I have instructed my lawyers to take the necessary legal measures to make it certain that the appearance of my name in this case is a serious error and grave injustice."

 

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England fans clash with police again in Marseille


England fans have been involved with clashes with French police in Marseille for the second day running ahead of the Three Lions’ opening game against Russia on Saturday.Police in full riot gear used tear gas to disperse fans who had congregated in the French port on Friday following similar clashes on Thursday night.

There were reports of bottles being thrown at police by fans who had been drinking with police using tear gas and detaining some fans in a bid to restore order.

Goal's Chris Wheatley was on the scene and said: "We’ve just seen someone knocked out. Absolutely shocking scenes here in Marseille. I can still feel the tear gas in my eyes. There’s not much else to say apart from absolutely disgraceful scenes by England fans.
"We were told to put our cameras down by some England fans. Have they destroyed anything yet? It looks like they are about to. Looking at all the shopkeepers packing way now. Absolutely disgraceful scenes now."Shocking scenes in Marseille. Riot police are here but obviously there's not much they can do about it as there are thousands of England fans on the streets about 70,000 predicted to be at Stade Velodrome for Saturday's game now about 12 hours away. "

After Thursday’s disturbances the Football Association released a statement asking for supporters to behave as Roy Hodgson’s men prepare for their first game of the tournament.

“We are really disappointed by the scenes of disorder in Marseille yesterday evening and condemn such behaviour,” read the statement.“It is in the hands of the authorities to identify those involved and deal with them appropriately.

“The FA urges supporters who are travelling to Marseille to act in a respectful manner and enjoy the match against Russia.”

 

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France 2-1 Romania: Giroud and Payet fire Les Bleus to opening day win

Dimitri Payet was France's hero on Friday as his stunning late strike earned the hosts a 2-1 victory over Romania in their Euro 2016 opener.

Les Bleus were staring down the barrel of a frustrating draw in the Group A contest at the Stade de France with Bogdan Stancu's penalty cancelling out Olivier Giroud's 57th-minute opener.But with the clock winding down, West Ham star Payet - France's outstanding player on the night - curled in a brilliant left-footed effort from 25 yards to seal all three points.

It was a deserved win for Didier Deschamps' team and Payet was at the heart of all their best attacking play, the 29-year-old having also provided the assist for Olivier Giroud to head home an eighth goal in his past six international starts.France's margin of victory could have been greater with Giroud at times wasteful and Antoine Griezmann hitting the post in the first half.

But Didier Deschamps will be thrilled with the victory, as well as Payet's dazzling performance.For all the attacking talent at France's disposal, concerns over their defence have been highlighted in the build-up to the tournament.

And those worries were evident in the fourth minute when Nicolae Stanciu's corner was flicked to the back post where Stancu was denied inside the six-yard box by a stunning save from Hugo Lloris.

France survived the shaky start and Giroud should have done better with a header from eight yards that he put past the left-hand post following good work from Payet.Griezmann then went even closer, the Atletico Madrid forward nodding against the right post after Bacary Sagna's teasing delivery bounced off Vlad Chiriches.

Les Bleus were frustrated again 10 minutes before the break when Payet's fizzed cross was met by Griezmann only for a crucial touch from Cristian Sapunaru to take the ball wide.

The missed chances almost proved costly early in the second half as Stanciu clipped a delicious ball into Stancu, who could only volley wide when unmarked in the area.

France again found their rhythm, though, and the superb Payet bamboozled the Romania defence with a clever dummy before teeing up the unusually subdued Paul Pogba to volley at Ciprian Tatarusanu from the edge of the box.From the resulting corner France finally went ahead. Payet received a short one to cross from the right and Giroud bravely headed into the left-hand corner under pressure from Tatarusanu.

The lead lasted just eight minutes, though, as Patrice Evra was penalised for a clumsy barge on Stanciu in the area and Stancu coolly converted the penalty low to his right.Giroud saw tentative penalty claims of his own for a tug from Chiriches waved away by referee Viktor Kassai, but France were not to be denied.

With just one minute of normal time remaining, Payet picked up the ball on the right and bent an unstoppable effort past Tatarusanu into the top left-hand corner, before weeping tears of joy as he was replaced late on.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Payet ge goal 1ka patta!