2013-14 Football ("Soccer") Thread

[Smallville22]

South American Football - Dominant Cruzeiro celebrate Brazilian title

Cruzeiro were confirmed as Brazilian champions during half time of their 3-1 win over Vitoria when their closest rivals slipped up and helped ease their way to a third national title.
There was still 45 minutes to go in their own game but closest challengers Atletico Paranaense went down 2-1 at Criciuma in an earlier match and Cruzeiro knew they could not be caught at the top.
They still won the match with second half goals from Ricardo Goulart and Julio Baptista to end the game with a 16-point lead with four matches remaining.
Thousands of fans took to the streets in the club's home city of Belo Horizonte, while players danced round the field in celebration.
"It's hard winning the Brazilian league, there are a lot of good teams," said a jubilant manager Marcelo Oliveira. "We worked hard and we were all in this together, and there was a great spirit in the side day in, day out.
"Our numbers were expressive and I'm very happy."
Cruzeiro were particularly dominant during the second half of the season and became the only champion to beat every other team in the league at least once.
They were also the first club outside the traditional hotbeds of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo to win the Serie A since they themselves won it back in 2003.
They have so far scored 72 goals in 34 games, 19 more than any other team, and have a goal difference of +42, more than the next six teams combined.
"We've been united, we work hard, and we are serious about how we go about things," midfielder Willian said of the key to their success after beating Gremio 3-0 last week. "We're all playing well and enjoying a good phase."
One of the most surprising aspects of their campaign is the lack of a truly world class player, Tostao, a former Cruzeiro player and now a newspaper columnist with Folha de S.P., wrote last month.
Although goalkeeper Fabio has excelled and midfielder Everton Ribeiro is the odds-on favourite to win player of the year, it is teamwork rather than individual brilliance that has marked their season, Tostao said.
"The team's real star is their teamwork," he wrote.
"Without forgetting to mark, they score all kinds of goals, from the right, from the left, through the centre, in the air, on the ground, with one-twos, triangles and long balls, from shots inside and outside the box.
"And they don't depend on one goalscorer."
Tostao also paid tribute to coach Oliveira, who was a controversial choice with fans when he took over in January courtesy of his historical links with city rivals Atletico Mineiro, whom he both played for and managed.
But he soon got fans on his side and has now lost only five of his more than 60 games in charge.
"Marcelo used his squad very well," Tostao wrote.
"He substituted and rested players at the right time. Even when they were being taken off for tactical reasons, he led the players and the press to believe he was resting the player.
"I haven't heard of any discontent among the squad."

 

[Smallville22]

World Cup - Mexico coast past New Zealand

Mexico thumped New Zealand 5-1 in the first leg of their qualifying play-off to take a massive step towards a place in next year's World Cup finals.
After scoring just three goals in their last four CONCACAF qualifiers at home, Mexico rediscovered their scoring touch as they outclassed the Oceania champions at the Azteca Stadium.
"The team were sensational, I'm very happy because the lads did a phenomenal job, they gave their all," said Mexico coach Miguel Herrera.
"We needed an aggressive and dynamic team with lots of determination because we needed to win the match."
Defender Paul Aguilar opened the scoring for 'El Tri' in the 32nd minute and Raul Jimenez quickly added a second to give Mexico a 2-0 lead at half-time.
Striker Oribe Peralta scored twice in the second half and Rafael Marquez added the fifth.
Chris James grabbed a late consolation goal for New Zealand who will host the return leg in Wellington on Nov. 20 with the winners advancing to next year's tournament in Brazil.
"The worst we can do is think it's settled," Peralta said.
"We must win there and we still have a lot to improve. We're a small step from getting what were looking for."
Mexico have qualified for every World Cup since they hosted the finals in 1986, with the exception of 1990 when they were ****** by FIFA after fielding over-age players in a youth tournament, but almost failed this time.
The CONCACAF region's traditional heavyweights were minutes away from missing out on the play-offs altogether when they were beaten by Costa Rica last month but survived only after Panama blew a 2-1 lead against the US, who qualified automatically along with Costa Rica and Honduras.
"We're not at all overconfident, we're not thinking this is over, it's a 0-0 draw for us and we're going to start from zero," Herrera said.
"It was important not to get desperate until we got the first goal. The team didn't lose their concentration.
"I can see myself coming back on the 21st (of November) with the (World Cup) ticket."
Under the guidance of Herrera, their fourth coach of the qualifying campaign, Mexico had no problems overcoming New Zealand, who allowed the Mexicans to dictate the match after adopting a defensive approach.
The All Whites have only qualified for the World Cup twice before and the odds were heavily stacked against them with their captain Winston Reid ruled out of the play-offs because of an ankle injury.
"It was always going to be tough for us and we made it tough for ourselves in certain areas," New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert said.
"We pride ourselves in certainly defending better than we did tonight and that was always going to be costly against a very good side."
Mexico dominated possession from the outset on Wednesday but needed more than half an hour to get the ball past New Zealand keeper Glen Moss, who pulled off a string of spectacular saves during the match.
But a mix-up with defender Andrew Durante in the box left Aguilar with an open net for the first goal, before an unmarked Jimenez headed in for the second goal off a corner.
Oribe scored three minutes into the second half when he tapped in a low cross from Miguel Layun, then added his second when he again combined with Layun.
New Zealand were facing the prospect of a rout in the energy-sapping high-altitude Mexican capital when Marquez made it 5-0 with six minutes still to go.
But James caught the home team napping when he scored a minute later with a shot that hit the post and dribbled over the line.
"The defending off crosses, allowing players free in the box at crucial times, we've always been incredibly strong in that area," Herbert said.
"That's more disappointing for me ... the way we conceded the goals."

 

[Smallville22]

World Cup - Clinical Uruguay hand Jordan painful finishing lesson

Uruguay punished Jordan with clinical finishing to crush them 5-0 in the playoff first leg and all but end the West Asian team's hopes of a first World Cup finals appearance.
The South American champions were not at their brilliant best in Amman on Wednesday, but the multi-million dollar firepower they possess proved far too much for the plucky underdogs.
Maximiliano Pereira, Cristian Stuani, Nicolas Lodeiro and Cristian Rodriguez all took chances before Edinson Cavani scored a brilliant free kick to complete the rout..
"We knew we had to take advantage of every chance we got and I think that's what happened," Uruguay striker Luis Suarez told reporters.
Surprise packages Jordan, competing at the final stage of qualifying for the first time, had a couple of early half chances themselves before Pereira opened the scoring in the 22nd minute.
The home side were 2-0 down at halftime after Stuani's strike but ****** a glorious opportunity at the start of the second period when Ahmad Ibrahim blasted wide from close range when it looked impossible to miss.
"We played very good football in the first 20 minutes of the game and we matched the stars of Uruguay and the result would be different if we exploited two chances we created," Salah Sabra, vice president of the Jordan FA, told Reuters.
Twice world champions Uruguay made Jordan pay for the missed efforts with Lodeiro and Rodriguez taking advantage of tired defending before Cavani scored a stunning strike in the final seconds.
"(Jordan) are a team that pressure you a lot, they knew what they wanted and were hopeful," Uruguay captain Diego Lugano said.
"The result does not reflect the match but luckily we have a team with scoring capabilities and that's why we're closer (to Brazil)."
Paris St Germain forward Cavani, signed for a reported 64 million euros ($85.79 million) in July, praised the efforts of Jordan.
"As it finished 5-0 to us, it looks like it was easy but it wasn't at all easy," he said.
"They have a combative team who were surely up to the match and didn't want to miss their chance (to qualify), but Uruguay responded with a lot of will and skill."
The Uruguayans finished fourth in the last World Cup in South Africa and possessed more than enough quality to book an automatic berth for Brazil by finishing in one of the top four spots in South American qualifying.
A stuttering campaign, though, meant all they could manage was fifth and a playoff against Jordan, who finished fifth in Asia.
"The South American qualifiers are the most difficult in the world," Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez said.
"There's a difference between a team that gets into fifth place in South America and another in second in another continent."

 

[Mr_Stiffy]

^^^^ Most importantly, Suarez made a comical dive in the box in a cynical attempt to win a penalty and was lucky not to get booked.

Fuck knows how they missed that small detail, far more entertaining than any of the goals.

 

[tartanterrier]

Good wins for Greece & Ukraine in the WC play offs tonight,they should make it through on Tuesday,if they defend well.Croatia should win at home to Iceland,and I'm hoping Portugal will get through against the Swedes.With the WC in Brazil next year,the tournament could do with some Cristiano Ronaldo flair

 

[Smallville22]

World Cup - Ronaldo heads Portugal closer to Brazil

World Cup qualifying play-off first leg, Estadio da Luz, Lisbon - Portugal 1 (Ronaldo 82) Sweden 0.

Cristiano Ronaldo headed Portugal closer to the World Cup as they beat Sweden 1-0 in their play-off first leg in Lisbon.
Ronaldo met a Miguel Veloso cross with a diving header past Andreas Isaksson with eight minutes remaining, before hitting the crossbar with a second header shortly afterwards. The Real Madrid star edged his personal battle against Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimovic, though in truth neither player lived up to their stellar billing.
In fact Ronaldo looked more likely to be sent off than score, and he cut a frustrated figure for most of the 90 minutes. He was booked for an overzealous challenge on Isaksson and could have seen a second yellow for his furious protests.
The first half started very brightly, with Joao Moutinho rounding Andreas Isaksson before hitting the ball into the side netting. A minute later and Johan Elmander could have given Sweden the lead, poking the ball wide on the volley when a firmer connection would surely have ended in a goal.
However, after the initial spark, the first half became an exercise in effective frustration by the Swedes. Ronaldo and Nani were largely nullified as Portugal racked up numerous corners without ever effectively testing out Isaksson. In fact, it was the Swedes that went close before the break, a Kallstrom free kick inches wide and Rui Patricio ****** to palm away a Larsson drive.
Sweden finally suffered some panic at the start of the second half when a Bruno Alves cross caused panic in the box before Ronaldo fired over. However, from that moment on Ibrahimovic appeared to be left deliberately isolated as Erik Hamren looked to hold on for a draw to take back home.
Portugal did have the occasional half chance thereafter, Helder Postiga heading over and Nani having a shot saved at the near post but the Swedish defenders kept them out manfully until the late goal. All still to play for in Stockholm.

KEY MOMENTS

5' First big chance - Meireles finds Moutinho, who rounds Isaksson. The midfielder is taken wide however, and can only hit the side netting.

6' What a Chance for Sweden - Straight down the other end, Lustig crosses and Elmander can only poke wide. A firm connection would surely have given him a goal.

22' Close - Kallstrom takes the free kick, and his left foot curler goes inches wide of the left hand post.

50' Huge scramble - Sweden cannot clear after a Bruno Alves cross, and two or three shots are blocked with Isaksson in no man's land.

82' GOAL!!! AND RONALDO SCORES - A cross from the left finds the forward who bundles home a diving header. Wonderful ball in from Veloso.

85' Off the bar - It's an easier header than the one he scores, but Ronaldo heads it against the bar with Isaksson stranded.

KEY STATS

This was the first time that Portugal had beaten Sweden in their eighth home game against the opposition.

Anders Svensson came on as a substitute for Sweden to make his 147th appearance for his country.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Joao Pereira (Portugal) – The defender did blot his copybook with a booking, but despite operating at right-back the Valencia defender was his country's most obvious attacking threat, his crosses and pace from the right hand side far more evident than that shown by compatriot Nani.

PLAYER RATINGS

Portugal: Patricio 6, J Pereira 8, Alves 6, Pepe 6, Coentrao 7, Veloso 7, Moutinho 6, Meireles 8, Nani 6, Ronaldo 7, Postiga 6. Subs: Almeida 7, Josue 7

Sweden: Isaksson 7, Lustig 7, Nilsson 7, Antonsson 7, Martin Olsson 6, Larsson 6, Elm 6, Kallstrom 7, Kacaniklic 6, Elmander 7, Ibrahimovic 6. Subs: Svensson 6, Gerndt 6, Wernbloom 6

 

[Smallville22]

World Cup - Red-faced France on brink after defeat to Ukraine

World Cup play-off first leg, Olimpiysky Stadium - Ukraine 2 (Zozulya 61, Yarmolenko 82 pen) France 0

Ukraine took a giant stride to the World Cup in Brazil after goals from Roman Zozulya and Andriy Yarmolenko gave the home side a 2-0 victory over France in the opening leg.
A cagey first half saw few chances but Ukraine were the more hungry side after the break and a well-worked goal was followed by a late penalty as Laurent Koscielny pulled down Zozulya and Yarmolenko slotted home.
France then spectacularly unravelled late on as Koscielny received a straight red for slapping Oleksandr Kucher.
And although Kucher was then sent off in the final minute for a second bookable offence, Ukraine held out for a deserved victory.

KEY MOMENTS

6’ – HALF CHANCE: Yarmolenko cuts inside onto his left boot and tests Lloris with a decent effort but the Spurs keeper gets down well to save.
28’ – CHANCE UKRAINE: It’s the first really good chance of the match as Rotan surges forward and delivers a telling cross onto the head of Edmar but he glances it wide.
31’ – CHANCE UKRAINE: More good play from Yarmolenko and he cuts it back to Konoplyanka but his shot is blocked in the France box.
38’ – CHANCE UKRAINE: Edmar finds Konoplyanka in space in the box again but he’s slightly off balance and his shot lacks power and is cleared again.
55’ – CHANCE FRANCE: A great ball over the top from Pogba finds Remy onside with just the keeper to beat but he can’t get his boot to the ball as it falls over his shoulder.
60’ – GOAL UKRAINE: The deadlock is broken by Zozulya as he slots home from Edmar’s neat pass. Lloris gets a hand on it but can’t keep it out.
62’ – CHANCE UKRAINE: It’s Zozulya again who chests and shoots but it’s a great block from Abidal at the near post.
64’ – CHANCE FRANCE: Giroud plays in Nasri on goal but he shoots straight at Pyatov.
75’ – PENALTY CLAIM: Abidal looks to have wrestled Zozulya to the ground but the referee waves it away.
81’ – PENALTY UKRAINE: Koscielny pulls down Zozulya and the referee points to the spot.
82’ – GOAL UKRAINE: Yarmolenko makes no mistake from the spot
90+1’ – RED CARD: Koscielny is sent off for slapping Kucher
90+4’ – RED CARD: Kucher is sent off for a second bookable offence

KEY STAT

Ukraine are now unbeaten in 12 matches and have kept 8 consecutive clean sheets.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Andriy Yarmolenko (Ukraine): A constant menace going forward and capped a fine performance with a penalty.

PLAYER RATINGS

Ukraine: Pyatov 6; Fedetskyi 6, Khacheridi 7, Kucher 6, Shevchuk 6; Stepanenko 6, Rotan 7; Yarmolenko 8, Edmar 7, Konoplyanka 6; Zozulya 7. Subs: Bezus 6, Gusev 6, Seleznyov 6

France: Lloris 6, Debuchy 6, Koscielny 4, Abidal 5, Evra 5, Matuidi 6, Pogba 6, Remy 6, Nasri 6, Ribery 7, Giroud 6. Subs: Benzema 6, Sissoko 6, Valbuena 6

 

[Smallville22]

World Cup - Greece put three past woeful Romania

World Cup 2014 play-off first leg, Stadio Karaiskaki – Greece 3 (Mitroglou 13, 66, Salpigidis 20) Romania 1 (Stancu 18)

Greece took a huge step towards qualifying for next summer’s World Cup after beating Romania 3-1 in the first leg play-off.
Kostas Mitroglou (2) and Dimitris Salpigidis grabbed the goals for the Greeks while Bogdan Stancu was on the scoresheet for the visitors.
After a scrappy start, the game sprang to life on 13 minutes when a chipped ball into the box found Mitroglou who coolly placed his volley beyond the keeper’s reach.
Their lead lasted just five minutes though as Stancu rose highest at the back post to head in a free-kick.
But with their next ******, the Euro 2004 winners regained the lead when Salpigidis slid in from six yards out to poke the ball home.
The Greeks continued to have the better chances with Georgios Samaras and Vasilis Torosidis going close before the break.
The second half was a tamer affair although Stancu had a strong penalty appeal when he was pushed in the box on 51 minutes.
Greece increased their lead on 66 minutes when Mitroglou’s acrobatic effort deflected in after Samaras’ free-kick.
And Romania will be without Costin Lazar for Tuesday’s second leg after he was shown a red card in the dying minutes.

KEY MOMENTS

2’ - PENALTY APPEAL: Mitroglou appeals for a penalty after falling over in the box from an apparent push but the ref waves play on
7’ - CHANCE: Torje blasts a curling effort wide from 30 yards
13’ - GOAL: Mitroglou gives the Greeks the lead with a neat finish as Romania fail to play the off-side trap properly
18’ – GOAL: Stancu heads in the equaliser at the back post from a free-kick to make it 1-1
20’ – ANOTHER GOAL: The Greeks regain the lead when Salpigidis slides in from six yards out
36’ - CHANCE: Torossidis lashes in an effort from the edge of the box wide
38’ – CHANCE: Great chance for Gardos from six yards out but he lashes the ball over the bar, should have hit the target
51’ - PENALTY APPEAL: Stancu appears to get a shove in the box but the ref waves play on
58’ – CHANCE: Curling effort from 25 yards out from Torje flies harmlessly wide
66’ – GOAL: Mitroglou’s acrobatic volley gets a deflection and goes into the net to make it 3-1
71’ - MITROGLOU AGAIN: The striker comes close to a hat-trick by stabbing the ball towards goal but the keeper parries.
89’ – DISALLOWED GOAL: Gekas heads the ball in from a free-kick but the ref blew his whistle before that for a foul
91’ – RED CARD: Lazar is shown his second yellow card in a few minutes after a tug.

KEY STAT

It was the first time that Greece had conceded a goal in eight matches

MAN OF THE MATCH

Kostas Mitroglou (Greece): Two well taken goals from the striker and well-deserved as Romania didn’t know how to deal with his movement.

PLAYER RATINGS

Greece: Karnezis 6, Maniatis 6, Torossidis 6, Papastathopoulos 5, Holebas 5, Siovas 6, Tziolis 5, Katsouranis 6, Samaras 6, Mitroglou 9 , Salpingidis 7. Subs: Karagounis 6, Gekas 6, Samaris 4.

Romania: Lobont 5, Matel 5, Rat 5, Gardos 5, Goian 5, Bourceanu 5, Tanase 6, Torje 6, Cocis 5, Marica 5, Stancu 7. Subs: lazar 3, Grozav 4.

 

[Smallville22]

World Cup - Ten-man Iceland hang on for play-off draw with Croatia

Ten-man Iceland hung on for a heroic 0-0 draw in the first leg of their play-off with Croatia to keep alive their ***** of reaching the World Cup finals for the first time.
Croatia had the upper hand in the opening 20 minutes but the home team dealt with the pressure comfortably before establishing their own more direct passing game as the half went on.
Iceland were then hit by a double blow when forward Kolbeinn Sigthorsson went off injured just before half-time and Olafur Skulason received a straight red card five minutes into the second period.
Skulason was dismissed for tangling with Ivan Perisic when the Croatian was through on goal.
Iceland coach Lars Lagerback praised the bravery of his team but was less than complimentary about Spanish referee Alberto Undiano.
"The players did a fantastic job but the referee didn't have his best day," Lagerback told RUV television. "I'm not satisfied.
"Someone watched the replay on TV and they said it (the red card) was very, very questionable, but it wasn't just that. In many situations the referee didn't know if he should blow or not.
"To defend for almost 45 minutes with one less man on the pitch ... I can't describe in words what these players have done," added Lagerback.
Croatia went close early on through Luka Modric but Sigthorsson and strike partner Alfred Finnbogason also spurned excellent chances for Iceland in the first 10 minutes.
Eidur Gudjohnsen came on to replace the injured Sigthorsson up front but the former Barcelona and Chelsea striker then had to drop into midfield when Skulason was sent off.
Croatia's second-half passing was mesmerising at times and Iceland, roared on by a sell-out crowd, had to throw themselves into a series of challenges to thwart their more skilful opponents.
Perisic was always in the thick of the action for Croatia and came close to breaking the deadlock when his shot flashed just wide in the 83rd minute.
"I am not happy with the result because we should have been able to score after having an extra man for 40 minutes," said coach Niko Kovac. "We resorted to playing long balls for too long.
"I expected us to keep it on the ground more and we just didn't implement the game plan. We didn't use the width of the pitch enough, we failed to create space in midfield but I am convinced we will get it right in the return game."
The sides meet again in the second leg in Zagreb on Tuesday to determine who goes through to the World Cup finals in Brazil in June.

 

[Smallville22]

International friendlies - Italy and Germany play out tepid draw

Interntational Freindly, Stadio Giuseppe Meazza - Italy 1 (Abate 28) Germany 1 (Hummels 8)

Italy and Germany drew 1-1 in a lacklustre match at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza .
Germany scored on the eighth minute when Matt Hummels powered a Mario Goetze corner inside the post, past Gianluigi Buffon’s dive.
Germany began to dominate - Sami Khedira hit the post - until the half hour when Italy equalised. Ignazio Abate cut in after one-two with Leonardo Bonucci and fired a shot past Manuel Neuer.
Moments later, Germany were almost back in the lead when a dreadful Bonucci clearance was volleyed against the crossbar by Andre Schurrle.
In the second half, substitutions disrupted the rhythm of the teams and the game. The best chance came on the 51st minute, Claudio Marchisio brought a save from Neuer from a tight angle. In the last minute, Marco Reus and Lars Bender ran into each other and missed an open goal, but the victory would have been undeserved.

KEY STATS

Italy have not lost to Germany at home since 1986.

Germany scored from a header today, but none of the 36 goals they scored in the 2014 qualifying campaign.

Ignazio Abate scored his 1st goal for Italy.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Andrea Pirlo (Italy): At times Pirlo played as if it was a totally different game from everyone else, and one he found incredibly easy. He rarely gave away the ball, and gave the players on the wings plenty of opportunity, time and space with his passing.

PLAYER RATINGS:

Italy: Buffon 6, Barzgali 6, Bonucci 6, Abate 6, Criscito 6, Marchisio 6, Motta 6, Pirlo 7, Montolivo 6 , Osvaldo 5, Balotelli 6. Subs: Candreva 6, Ogbonna 6, Cerci 6.

Germany: Neuer 6, Howedes 6, J Boateng 6, Hummels 7, Jansen 6, Khedira 6, Lahm 6, T Muller 6, Kroos 6, Schurrle 6, Gotze 6. Subs: Ozil, Reus, Lars Bender, Sven Bender.

 

[Smallville22]

International friendlies - O'Neill's Ireland era begins with win over Latvia

International friendly, Aviva Stadium - Republic of Ireland 3 (Keane 22, McGeady 67, Long 79) Latvia 0

Martin O'Neill's tenure as Republic of Ireland manager got off to a winning start with a convincing 3-0 victory over Latvia at the Aviva Stadium.
Robbie Keane opened the scoring in the first half with his 62nd international goal, then Aiden McGeady and substitute Shane Long netted in the second half as Ireland impressed in front of a 35,000 crowd.
Against a team 57 places below them in the world rankings, Ireland started the game with the clear intent of getting the ball on the floor to outpass their opponents.
It was an astute gameplan from the new managerial team of O'Neill and Roy Keane, with Wes Hoolahan running play from the three-quarter position behind Robbie Keane .
Ireland took the lead midway through the first half, and unsurprisingly it was Keane who netted the first goal of the O'Neill era.
McGeady's corner was brilliantly flicked on at the near post by James McClean, and Keane got in front of Nauris Bulvitis to prod home from three yards.
Keane had another chance moments later when he was presented with the ball 30 yards from goal after a dreadful pass back by Ritvars Rugins, but Latvia goalkeeper Andris Vanins was down smartly to save to his left.
Ireland were particularly potent down the left, with McClean and Stephen Ward prominent, and the pair almost set up John O'Shea for a second goal in consecutive games.
The Sunderland defender made a fine attempt at a diving header from McClean's cross, but was unable to divert the ball goalwards, and Keane was unable to bundle home the loose ball.
McClean and Keane spurned clear chances in the second half, as Ireland continued to dominate possession.
Ireland doubled their lead on 67 minutes when Juris Laizans, under no pressure, ****** across midfield straight to McGeady, who took two touches before shooting past Latvia goalkeeper Andris Vanins at the near post.
Long then completed the scoring in the 80th minute with a tap-in at the far post from a Seamus Coleman cross from the right.
The night ended with smiles in the stands and handshakes between O'Neill and Roy Keane, and Greece's World Cup play-off win over Romania added to the good news story as Ireland will now be seeded second for the Euro 2016 qualifiers.

PLAYER RATINGS

Ireland: Westwood 7, Coleman 8, O'Shea 7, Wilson 7, Ward 7, McGeady 7, Whelan 7, McCarthy 7, McClean 8, Hoolahan 9, Keane 7. Subs: Long 6, Walters 6, Stokes 6, Green 6, Reid 7, Doyle 6,

Latvia: Vanins 6, Gabovs 6, Bulvitis 6, Gorkss 7, Maksimenko 6, Rode 6, J Laizans 5, Rugins 5, Lazdins 5, Sabala 5, Veroakovskis 5. Subs: Fertovs 7, Turkovs 6, Visnakovs 6.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Wes Hoolahan (Ireland): Hoolahan is out of favour at his club side Norwich City, and his only Premier League start this season was on the opening day of the season. If there was any rustiness, it didn't show, as the 31-year-old bossed the game from the hole behind lone striker Robbie Keane.

 

[Smallville22]

International friendlies - Sanchez at the double as Chile sink England

International friendly, Wembley - England 0 Chile 2 (Sanchez 7, 90)

England's preparations for next summer's World Cup got off to a disappointing start as Alexis Sanchez's brace gave Chile a deserved 2-0 victory at Wembley.
The Barcelona forward finished off a dangerous ****** on seven minutes to give the visitors the lead against a Three Lions team including three debutants.
And he clinched the triumph when he finished off a breakaway move in stoppage time with a delicious dink after a mistake by Gary Cahill.
Roy Hodgson handed opportunities to Celtic keeper Fraser Forster and Southampton duo Jay Rodriguez and Adam Lallana but it proved a tough baptism for the trio as the South Americans dominated.
Frank Lampard went close with a deflected free kick and Lallana dragged wide on the stroke of half-time, but chances were few and far between for the home team.
The visitors' high pressing game and fast counter ****** proved highly effective and Wigan's Jean Beausejour and Eduardo Vargas both ****** good opportunities to extend the advantage in the first period.
England improved after the break but a flurry of substitutions from both sides resulted in a disjointed end to the encounter before Sanchez wrapped up the success with his eighth goal in seven international appearances.
The result sees England lose their first match in 2013 and only their second in 17 outings ahead of Tuesday's mouthwatering showdown with Germany.

MATCH FACTS

England have not scored against Chile since Nat Lofthouse netted back in 1953.

The defeat is England's first in 2013 and only their second under Roy Hodgson.

Chile are now unbeaten in 10 matches.

That was only England's third loss in 32 matches at Wembley.

Alexis Sanchez has scored eight in his last seven internationals.

Chile join Brazil as the only teams from outside UEFA to beat England twice at Wembley (new and old).

MAN OF THE MATCH - Alexis Sanchez (Chile) - Took both of his goals with real aplomb and was a constant menace throughout. A class act.

PLAYER RATINGS - ENGLAND: Forster 6, Johnson 5, Baines 5, Milner 5, Cahill 5, Jones 7, Wilshere 6, Lampard 7, Lallana 6, Rooney 6, Rodriguez 5. Subs: Smalling 6, Townsend 6, Defoe 5, Henderson 6, Cleverley 5, Barkley 5.

CHILE: Bravo 7, Mena 6, Gonzalez 7, Isla 6, Vargas 6, Fernandez 6, Beausejour 6, Medel 6, Aranguiz 7, Diaz 6, Sanchez 8. Subs: Jara 6, Carmona 6, Guttierez 6, Munoz 5, Fuenzalida 5.

 

[Smallville22]

World Cup - Del Bosque agrees new Spain deal

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has agreed a two-year contract extension with the world and European champions which ties him until 2016, the 62-year-old said on Friday.
"I can confirm that I have signed with the national team until 2016," Del Bosque told a news conference in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, where Spain are due to play a friendly on Saturday.
The former Real Madrid player and boss has already earned his place in the pantheon of soccer's greatest managers.
After taking over from Luis Aragones following Spain's Euro 2008 victory, he led the Iberian nation to their first World Cup triumph in South Africa in 2010 and a second straight continental title at Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine.
Spain qualified for the 2014 World Cup as winners of qualification Group I ahead of France last month, leaving Del Bosque with an outstanding record.
He has garnered 67 wins from 82 matches, with eight draws and seven defeats, only three of which were in competitive games.
Del Bosque's task will be to oversee the transition to a new generation of players as the likes of Xavi, Iker Casillas, Fernando Torres and David Villa wind down their glittering international careers.
After playing Equatorial Guinea, Spain then take on South Africa on Tuesday in Johannesburg's Soccer City, where they lifted the World Cup after their final victory over the Netherlands.

 

[Mr_Stiffy]

The result sees England lose their first match in 2013 and only their second in 17 outings ahead of Tuesday's mouthwatering showdown with Germany.

Mouthwatering for them. We're going to be twatted.

 

[Smallville22]

World Cup - Khedira out for six months, could miss World Cup

Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira will be out for at least six months after suffering a serious knee injury in Germany's 1-1 draw with Italy.
Khedira, 26, was substituted during the second half of the international friendly in Milan after landing awkwardly on his right knee.
It has since been confirmed that his right anterior cruciate ligament was torn, and that he will undergo surgery before beginning a six-month rehabilitation programme.
“Sami will have to be treated surgically,” Germany team doctor Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfarth said.
“He will need to be operated on but we are hopeful he could be fit in time for the World Cup.”
Khedira now faces a race against time to be fit for Germany’s World Cup campaign in Brazil. Such injuries usually take at least eight months from which to recover, and often a player will not be fully fit for around a year.
"This is a bitter setback for Sami. But he always thinks positively and that is why I am optimistic he will be ready and fit when the World Cup starts," coach Joachim Loew said.
Germany face England in a friendly at Wembley on Tuesday night, with big-name trio Mesut Ozil, Manuel Neuer and Philipp Lahm all omitted from the squad as Loew seeks to test out his squad.

 

[Smallville22]

World Cup - Ivory Coast beat Senegal to secure Brazil berth

Ivory Coast qualified for a third straight World Cup tournament by beating Senegal 4-2 on aggregate in a play-off for next year's finals in Brazil after a 1-1 draw in the second leg on Saturday.
The Ivorians joined Nigeria as the first African teams to reach next year's finals after Salomon Kalou snatched a last-gasp equaliser against their west African rivals.
Cool-headed substitute Kalou scored with the last kick of the game after his captain Didier Drogba gave away a late penalty to set up a storming finish in Casablanca.
Moussa Sow's 77th minute penalty gave Senegal a late lifeline as they attempted to claw back a two-goal deficit from last month's 3-1 first-leg defeat in Abidjan.
But as they pressed for a second that could have taken them to Brazil on away goals - missing a gilt-edged chance through Mame Biram Diouf deep into stoppage time - Senegal got caught on the counter and Kalou fired home superbly to end the drama.
The 35-year-old Drogba played a central role in a furiously paced match and gave away the penalty with a tug on the shoulder of Sadio Mane.
He had displayed his versatility early on with a dramatic off-the-line bicycle-kick clearance to deny Dame Ndoye, whose 13th minute header was the first decent effort of the match.
But Drogba's theatrical side was also on display as he fell to ground far too frequently, infuriating the opposition.
The amount of time Drogba had to spend helping out in defence reflected Senegal's dominance, despite being given little chance of success against the top-ranked Ivorians on neutral territory in Morocco.
Ivory Coast goalkeeper Boubacar Barry bravely denied Papiss Cisse after halftime and Senegal's appeals for a 57th minute penalty, when Kolo Toure looked to have tugged down Ndoye, were waved away.
Saturday's match was played at a neutral venue because Senegal were ****** from their home stadium in Dakar after crowd ******** last year.
Ivorian qualification followed that of Nigeria, who earlier on Saturday became the first African country to reach the 2014 finals after beating Ethiopia, also 4-2 on aggregate.
Ivory Coast competed in the last two World Cups in Germany and South Africa but failed to get past the first round.
Three more qualifiers from Africa will be settled by Tuesday.

 

[Smallville22]

International friendlies - Stunning comeback sees Japan draw with Dutch

Japan came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with the Netherlands in Belgium, continuing their frustrating run of form since securing their place at the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Alberto Zaccheroni’s men were one of the first to book their ticket from the Asian qualifying zone, but since have struggled to prepare for the tournament in convincing fashion.
The Italian was under pressure from the Japanese supporters – including some of the 9000 who travelled to Genk, displaying a banner pre-match criticising the Japan coach.
But despite trailing by two goals through Rafael van der Vaart and Arjen Robben, Japan took charge in the second half with some excellent football and Keisuke Honda levelled, adding to Yuya Osako’s strike before the interval.
Japan have not won in their last three games with previous defeats to Belarus and Ghana.
It was, however, the Samurai Blue who kicked off the strongest foot with the Asians playing some fluid football within the first five minutes of action.
Inter Milan’s flying left-back Yuto Nagatomo was influential in ******, laying back sweetly for the late-run of Hotaru Yamaguchi, but the midfielder blazed over after four minutes.
Soon after, Nagatomo unleashed a sprightly dash into the box, cutting across the face of Jasper Cillessen’s goal with Osako unlucky not to sneak home the opener.
But a mistake from Schalke right-back Astuto Uchida handed the Netherlands the early breakthrough after 11 minutes with Van der Vaart tucking home with a deft chip over Nikishawa.
Robben would come close two minutes later through a header from Jermain Lens’ inswinging cross – yet the Bayern Munich man would deliver a blow to Zaccheroni’s side.
After being denied moments earlier by Shusaku Nikishawa from a similar curling left-footed effort, Robben added a second goal, driving at the hesitant defenders before unleashing a spectacular drive into the top corner.
Japan hit back on 43 minutes with the best combination of the match as Makoto Hasebe broke clear from midfield with a charging run, playing in Osako who struck impressively first-time for his third in five internationals.
The Japanese boss made a double switch with Yasuhito Endo and Shinji Kagawa entering the fray, with the Manchester United attacker coming close after 50 minutes, with Cillessen blocking at his feet.
But the real star was AC Milan-bound Honda who lit up the show in Genk.
A minute after Kagawa’s effort, Honda showed outstanding technique to volley from an awkward standing position, using no backlift, as the ball crashed against the woodwork.
It was a matter of time before Japan levelled after constant pressure from a high-pressing strategy that was more complementary to Uchida’s marauding runs forward.
As the clock struck the hour mark, Honda finished off a wonderful team-move from Japan, involving seven one-two combinations with Uchida, then crucially, Osako who laid in the CSKA ace and he swept home to level the scores.
Kagawa ****** another fine save from Cillessen on 66 minutes, deceiving the Dutch defence by jinking on to his left-foot and striking dangerously towards the far corner.
The substitutions didn’t upset the momentum of the match with Japan miles on top after the break and Yoichiro Kakitani from Cerezo Osaka added an extra level of guile and craft in ******.
The J-League star has been linked with Arsenal and Werder Bremen, among others, but missed a glorious chance to score on 78 minutes, again, following some great football from the Japanese.
The Oranje were on the back-foot for most of the second half, but held on stubbornly to extend their unbeaten run to 16 games with both of these sides heading to Brazil next summer.

 

[Smallville22]

International friendlies - Cazorla on target as Spain limp past world's 119th best team

A second-string Spain celebrated coach Vicente del Bosque's two-year contract extension with a 2-1 away win over Equatorial Guinea in a friendly on Saturday but the victory was marred by an injury to Xabi Alonso.
Del Bosque, who said on Friday he had agreed to stay on until 2016, fielded a host of reserve players for the match in Malabo but Spain were still comfortably better than their former African colony, ranked 119th in the world.
A howler from home goalkeeper Danilo gifted the world and European champions their opening goal in the 13th minute when he dropped a Juan Mata centre and Santi Cazorla tapped into an empty net.
Defender Jimmy Bermudez levelled with a fine header from a corner in the 36th minute before Juanfran lashed in a loose ball from close range two minutes before halftime.
Spain's victory, their 68th in 83 matches under Del Bosque, was soured by an injury to midfielder Alonso, who was making his first appearance for his country after five months out following surgery on a groin problem and a broken toe.
Alonso, one of several Spain players on the receiving end of some wild tackles from their opponents, many of whom play in Spain's lower leagues, hobbled off and was replaced by Sergio Busquets shortly before the break.

 

[Smallville22]

International friendlies - A second half onslaught gave Brazil a fine 5-0 friendly victory over Honduras

International Friendly, Sun Life Stadium, Miami – Honduras 0 Brazil 5 (Bernard 22', Dante 55', Maicon 65', Willian 70', Hulk 74')

A rampant Brazil scored four second half goals to give them a convincing 5-0 win over Honduras in Miami.
Neymar was at the heart of everything Brazil did in the attacking third until his substitution, but it was Bernard, Dante, Maicon, Willian and Hulk that scored Brazil's goals.
Without the injured quartet of Marcelo, Thiago Silva, Dani Alves and Fred, Luiz Felipe Scolari still chose to name a strong team for his side's first match against Honduras in a decade. David Luiz captained the side, with Neymar starting in a front three alongside Jo and Bernard.
After a slow and steady start to the match, Honduras actually came close to opening the scoring early on, a Jerry Bengston header leaving Victor stranded in the Brazil goal, but the ball drifted just over, with Jorge Claros also shooting wide from range.
However, that seemed to spur the Selecao into action, and ten minutes later, Brazil had their lead. Paulinho was the provider, his low cross from the right finding Bernard in far too much space. The Shakhtar Donetsk winger crashed the ball home with his right foot, possibly via a deflection from his left boot.
From that moment on, Brazil were completely dominant. Valladares rushed out well to thwart Bernard, whilst Neymar ****** a fine save from the goalkeeper, the Barcelona star clattered after shooting on goal. If Neymar was unlucky not to get a penalty in that incident, his poor fortune continued three minutes before the break. After drifting past his man, Neymar was clearly held back by Bernardez, but the referee failed to answer his pleas.
Brazil picked up where they left off after half-time, and it was only ten minutes until they doubled their lead. Neymar was fouled out wide, and Willian's cross was headed home by Dante, via two deflections.
A whole raft of subs could easily have slowed down Brazil's progress, but that could not be further from the truth, as Brazil added three goals in 15 minutes from the hour mark onwards. Firstly, Maicon was able to tap home after a Paulinho shot was saved well by Valladares, before Willian scored his first international goal, a Hulk pull back allowing him to slot home from six yards.
Finally, Hulk then turned from provider to finisher, turning nicely in the area before passing past a desperate goalkeeper with his left foot. They even had time to squeeze in a Robinho effort off the post in between as Honduras were put to the *****.
The game rather meandered to a close, but with Honduras evidently desperate for the final whistle, Ramires and Hulk both came close to adding a sixth. The former had his dinked shot saved by Valladares, whilst the latter also ****** the goalkeeper into a smart stop as Brazil effectively declared at five.

 

[Chopper3000]

I think a team of under 10's down the park could probably put five past Honduras.