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World Cup. Group A. Brazil and Mexico are through to the last 16

Leon Smolski — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 09:19:35 +0000

Brazil and Mexico will face Chile and Netherlands respectively after securing victories in their last group matches.

Brazil 4-1 Cameroon
The hosts showed their best performance against a struggling African team. Star man Neymar netted two goals on 17 and 34 minutes, Fred headed home four minutes after the restart and Fernandinho completed a rout six minutes from time. Joel Matip scored Cameroon’s only goal at the tournament. Neymar now leads the topscorers’ list with four successful strikes.

Mexico 3-1 Croatia

The Aztecs proved too hard a nut to crack for Croatia as they disarmed a powerful midfield in Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic and went on to score three times in the last twenty minutes through Rafael Márquez, Andres Guardado and Javier Hernandez. Ivan Perisic managed to pull one back to deny Guillermo Ochoa’s third clean sheet on group stage. Mexico are set for a clash with mighty Holland in the last 16.

World Cup. Day 2. Spain vs Netherlands and other matches

Leon Smolski — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 11:35:39 +0000

There is no time to rest at the World Cup as Spain and Netherlands enter the stage with pundits and fans still hot on last night’s penalty decision.

Day 2.

Spain vs Netherlands

World Cup holders Spain take on the 2010 final opponents, Netherlands, in Salvador, Bahia.

Teams:

Spain

Goalkeepers
1 Casillas 12 de Gea 23 Reina
Defenders
2 Albiol 3 Piqué 4 Javi Martínez 5 Juanfran 15 Ramos 18 Alba 22 Azpilicueta
Midfielders
6 Iniesta 8 Xavi 10 Fábregas 13 Mata 14 Alonso 16 Busquets 17 Koke 20 Cazorla 21 Silva
Forwards
7 Villa 9 Torres 11 Pedro 19 Diego Costa

Netherlands

Goalkeepers
1 Cillessen 22 Vorm 23 Krul
Defenders
2 Vlaar 3 de Vrij 4 Martins Indi 5 Blind 7 Janmaat 12 Verhaegh 13 Veltman 14 Kongolo
Midfielders
6 N. de Jong 8 de Guzmán 10 Sneijder 11 Robben 16 Clasie 18 Fer 20 Wijnaldum
Forwards
9 van Persie 15 Kuyt 17 Lens 19 Huntelaar 21 Depay

Miguel Herrera’s Mexico play against Cameroon, Chile examine Australia.

Top 10 best kits for 2014 World Cup

Leon Smolski — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 12:54:21 +0000

Most of the teams, lined up for the World Cup in Brazil, have lately presented their brand new kits.

Russia

Adidas presented both home and away kits of the Russia national team. The first one is quite a regular maroon one, but the second kit is emblazed with light blue semicircle, symbolizing the view on our planet that Yuri Gagarin, the first ever cosmonaut, saw in 1961. Make no mistake of the message: if the Russians could conquer the space, can’t their just win in Brazil? Easier said than done, though!

Brazil

Luiz Felipe Scolari tries hard to take the pressure off his players ahead of home tournament and keeps it quiet. Luiz Gustavo was the only Brazil international, photographed in the new kit, and to be honest, we struggled to tell the difference from the old one. Why change something that brought you luck at Confederations Cup last summer?

Germany

The Germans, however, need to tune up the fortunes. From 1996 Bundesmannschaft has travelled to major competitions as favorites, but failed in final stages. The German designers brought in the v-shaped embedding to common white shirt.

Netherlands

Oranje will be wearing traditional orange shirts, but will use unique print for surnames on the back. That is what Wesley Sneijder’s surname will look like.

Croatia

Vatreni have arguably the most recognizable kit in world football, so they don’t need to use additional attractions. Classic stuff, presented by Bayern star man Mario Mandzukic.

Belgium

The Red Devils are one of the dark horses, who could easily make it to the final stages of the tournament, if not to the final. The likes of Vincent Kompany, Romelu Lukaku, Jan Vertonghen, Eden Hazard, Tibaut Courtois, Cristian Benteke and others from this talented group of players will be wearing these fine kits in Brazil.

Italy

Squadra azzurra will be wearing their classic blue and white Puma kits in the ‘group of death’ in Brazil.

Ghana

African teams were the most creative at developing their new World Cup kits. Ghana, who were seeded against Germany, Portugal and United States, will probably be trying to distract opponents’ attention with beautiful red Puma shirts, embedded with stars, team’s nickname and traditional patterns.

Cameroon

Cameroon’s green shirts also hold traditional patterns and images of a lion, the team’s mascot.

Nigeria

Current champions of Africa replaced their regular dark-green kits with light-green ones, which are quite pleasant to look at. They will introduce them iun a friendly against Mexico.

photo: footyheadlines.com, soccerbible.com, rg.ru, eurosport.ru

Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria and Cameroon qualify to 2014 World Cup

Leon Smolski — Mon, 18 Nov 2013 10:13:27 +0000

Three national teams from Africa have qualified for 2014 World Cup and two more teams are to join them on Tuesday.

Didier Drogba scored for Côte d’Ivoire from the spot against Senegal as the Elephants secured their third straight World Cup. An own goal and a strike from Salomon Kalou was just enough to kill off the match. Papiss Cisse injury time goal was not more than consolation and Senegal lose 2-4 on aggregate and fail to qualify for the final tournament since their epic performance in 2002 when they managed to reach quarter-finals after beating France and Sweden.

Nigeria were too strong for Ethiopia and beat them twice to secure a 4-1 aggregate victory. Victor Moses and Victor Obinna scored in the return leg to send Stephen Keshi’s side to Brazil.

Cameroon left no chance for Tunisia as Pierre Webo, Benjamin Moukandjo and Jean Makoun twice downed the opponents and make it to the World Cup.

Two other African teams will pass qualification to Brazil come Tuesday night as Algeria take on Burkina Faso and Egypt host Ghana.

Samuel Eto’o refuses to play for Cameroon

Lyuba Koblinets — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 07:23:36 +0000

Eto’o has refused to join the Cameroon team and protested against ‘amateurish and poorly organized’ setup.

After eight-month international ban the 31-year striker was expected to play in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, when Cameroon face Cape Verde on 8 September.

Eight month earlier he was suspended for taking part in a player strike over unpaid bonuses and the Cameroon national team refused to go to Algeria for a friendly match.

Eto’o wrote a letter to the Cameroon Football Federation, which he published on his website.

‘I regret to inform you I’ve decided not to participate in any game with the national team since the flaws I kept denouncing as a captain have not been solved.

‘Our national team continues to dwell in an environment characterized by amateurism and poor organization not compatible with professional sports.

‘I doubt if Indomitable Lions fans will understand my move which is aimed at drawing attention on the necessity to have a more professional management of this team.’

Eto’o earned 109 caps and scored 54 goals for Cameroon and he was named the African Footballer of the Year for four times. Samuel Eto’o is a former player of Inter Milan and Barcelona and currently he plays for a Russian side Anzhi Mahachkala.

Alex Song signed 5-year deal with Barca

Lyuba Koblinets — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 07:03:21 +0000

The Cameroon international has left Arsenal for Barcelona for a fee of £15.

Song had left the French side SC Bastia and joined the Gunners in 2005. In Arsenal he earned 206 caps during seven years.

The 24-year-old had a medical on Monday and Barcelona’s doctor Ricard Pruna said: ‘He has a very low fat percentage and very good quality muscle. All tests have gone well and he is available for the coach.’

‘I’m very happy to be here because everyone knows that this is the best team in the world and playing at a club like Barca is something I wanted when I was young. I hope the team will continue to win; this is a winning team, they win everything. I will give my best in training and when I get the chance to play,’ said Song.

The Catalan’s boss, Vilanova, said that Song can provide the team with a lot of things, he’s very good. He recovers the ball well and then can do good things with it.

Song is Barca’s second signing this summer after Jordi Alba from Valencia.