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Germany break French hearts France can go home with heads held high |
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Argentina’s Messiah?
Costa Rica can give Netherlands a run for their money
Vintage Federer crushes Raonic to reach ninth final
Vintage Federer crushes Raonic to reach ninth final3
IOA submits proposal to ministry, hopeful of getting OCA extension
Oz CWG swimwear criticised for ‘drawing attention’
Yet to find the centre of the bat, jokes Sachin
Wrestlers to train in Belarus
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Germany break
French hearts In a game of few clear chances, Germany keeper Manuel Neuer denied France a chance of an extra 30 minutes when he blocked Karim Benzema's effort deep into stoppage time. Germany did just enough to reach the last eight and Joachim Loew's side will have to play much better to reach their first final since 2002. The three-time winners went ahead when they won a free kick on the left after Paul Pogba fouled Kroos who took the free kick himself and swung a perfectly flighted ball towards Hummels. The center back launched himself at the ball and held off defender Raphael Varane in the same movement and powerfully flicked the ball in with it grazing the underside of Hugo Lloris's bar for his second goal of the tournament. France took time to respond but came close to an equalizer in the 34th minute when Mathieu Valbuena shot from close range but was denied by a superb save from Neuer who turned the ball away with his left hand. Substitute Andre Schuerrle should have doubled Germany's lead but his low strike was blocked by Lloris. Klose will have to wait another day for a tilt at becoming the outright highest scorer in World Cup history with 16 goals. He shares the current record of 15 with Brazilian Ronaldo but he never had a serious attempt on target. — Reuters Tonight Live on Sony Six |
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France can go home with heads held high
The French failed once again to beat Germany at a major tournament and just as in 1982 and 1986 their neighbours advanced at their expense, this time following a 1-0 quarter-final defeat in Rio de Janeiro. Yet it was far from an unsuccessful trip to Brazil for coach Didier Deschamps' team, especially given the setbacks before arriving in South America. Their biggest blow came before the tournament when 2013 European player of the year Franck Ribery was ruled out due to injury. But their campaign in Brazil got off to the best possible start with a 3-0 win over Honduras to put them in control of their group. That was followed by a scintillating 5-2 demolition of Switzerland which instantly put the French among a select group of title contenders. More importantly, however, it made fans at home like their team again, restoring confidence in their ability and teamwork. "We had our chances but they had more experience," said Deschamps. —Reuters
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Argentina’s Messiah?
Argentina are attempting to pass the quarter-finals stage for the first time since 1990 and their supporters are wondering whether Messi can take his side all the way to the title, just as Diego Maradona did for Argentina in 1986. The Belgian connection has led to more comparisons between Maradona and Messi and the extent to which they carry their respective teams.
Messi's brilliance has been enough to get Argentina past Bosnia, Iran, Nigeria and Switzerland, but the Belgians, who are improving with every game, are a different proposition altogether. Argentina will need some greater variety in attack, and maybe get more players forward, if they are to end their 24-year wait for a semi-final place. Their second round with over Switzerland was basically a win for persistence when Angel Di Maria finally broke through at the end of extra-time, putting the finishing touch to a brilliant Messi run. Alejandro Sabella's team had spent two hours trying to break down the resolute Swiss defence with basically the same method which involved Messi, Di Maria and Ezequiel Lavezzi running at defenders, then sending a cross into the area for the head of Gonzalo Higuain. There were precious few quick-passing exchanges to open up the Swiss and the midfield pair of Javier Mascherano and Fernando Gago were an almost entirely destructive presence.
Belgium, making their first quarter-final appearance since 1986, are cranking into gear. Coach Marc Wilmots said his side had already learned a lot from watching the Swiss. “We are not working on Messi, we’ll be challenging Argentina as a block.” —Reuters
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Costa Rica can give Netherlands a run for their money
SALVADOR, july4 After finishing above England, Italy and Uruguay in Group D, Costa Rica are seeking to become the first team from the CONCACAF region, the confederation of North and Central American and Caribbean nations, to reach the World Cup semi-finals since the United States at the first edition in 1930.
“They've been really impressive and we'll have to prepare very well if we're going to beat them.” Despite Costa Rica's impressive performances, many observers believe the Netherlands have too much firepower for them after scoring 12 goals in their four wins in Brazil so far. Robben, Wesley Sneijder and captain Robin van Persie present a fearsome attacking trio and showed how invaluable experience is when they did not panic despite being on the cusp of elimination against Mexico. However, they must replace hard man Nigel de Jong in midfield after he suffered a groin injury that will likely keep him out for the rest of the World Cup.
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Federer reaches ninth final London, July 4 Chasing a record eighth title at the All England Club, Federer set up a mouthwatering final against top seed and 2011 champion Novak Djokovic with an almost casual demolition of the 23-year-old Canadian. The 32-year-old Swiss played most of the match at walking pace and finished off his opponent in one hour 41 minutes, clenching his fist in a restrained celebration when Raonic hit a backhand return wide on match point. Bouchard ready to become Wimbledon royalty In only her sixth major tournament, Eugenie Bouchard will play for the championship Saturday against Petra Kvitova. In 2011, Kvitova was the first female left-handed player to win at the All England Club since Martina Navratilova did it in 1990, the year Kvitova was born. — Reuters
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Djokovic downs Dimitrov
The performance of their defensive unit has been a major part of their success in Brazil. Costa Rica have conceded only twice at the tournament – one of the goals from a penalty. But any chance of success probably rests on the attacking prowess of Joel Campbell and Bryan Ruiz. — Reuters
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Vintage Federer crushes Raonic to reach ninth final
London, July 4
World Number 2 Djokovic has now won six of his last seven Grand Slam semifinals and the Serb will reclaim top spot in the rankings from Rafael Nadal for the first time since September 2013 if he lifts the trophy on Sunday. He will face the winner of the other semifinal between seven-time champion Roger Federer and big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic. The 11th-seeded Dimitrov came in with a 10-match winning streak. “I thought I started well, but once again I allowed my opponent to get back into it,” Djokovic said. “The fourth set could have gone either way but overall I’m happy to be in another final here.” — Agencies Paes-Stepanek out
Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek suffered a straight sets defeat to unseeded pair of Vasek Pospisil-Jack Sock in the semi-finals of Wimbledon in London on Friday. The fifth seeds Indo-Czech team lost to the Canadian-American duo 6-7, 3-6, 4-6. Pospisil and Sock will take on the Bryan brothers Mike and Bob, who beat Michael Llodra and Nicolas Mahut 7-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the other semi-final clash. With this win, Bob and Mike moved one step closer to their 99th team title. The experienced Paes and Stepanek failed to convert their break points as much as their opponents did. Plus, Pospisil and Sock served big and banged in seven aces to just one served by Paes and Stepanek. It was a closer battle than the scoreline would suggest but the Indo-Czech pair was not favoured by luck.
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Germany beat France, reach semis
An early Mats Hummels header proved enough for Germany to beat France 1-0 in a tense, error-strewn and largely uninspiring World Cup quarter-final at the Maracana on Friday. The defender scored the only goal of a match when he headed in a free kick from Toni Kroos after 13 minutes. France took time to respond but came close to an equaliser in the 34th minute when Mathieu Valbuena shot from close range but was denied by a superb save from Neuer who turned the ball away with his left hand. Either because of the sun beating down from a cloudless sky or because of the tension of the occasion, neither team played well, although France were particularly poor. Both made error after error and the game rarely set the pulses racing until the last 15 minutes as France desperately searched for the equaliser that never came. Substitute Andre Schuerrle should have doubled Germany's lead but his low strike was blocked by
Lloris. Robben a defender's
nightmare
Pinto Dutch forward Arjen Robben is at the height of his game and would be a nightmare for any team at the World Cup, Costa Rica coach Jorge Luis Pinto said on Thursday ahead of his side's quarter-final against the Netherlands. "He's a model winger for anyone who wants to learn how to play soccer," said Pinto. "He's at the peak of his career, he's a nightmare for any team." The 30-year-old has been one of the players of the tournament in Brazil, scoring three goals and terrorizing defenses with his quick, weaving runs and close control. He was instrumental in the Netherlands' last-gasp win against Mexico in the last round, helping them back from the brink of elimination by winning a controversial stoppage-time penalty, converted by
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. "Of course the Dutch team helps him, but if you see the way he attacks and the goals he's scored you can say without any doubt that he's one of the three or four players in the World Cup," Pinto said. ‘Forget pretty game, we're winning ugly’
Netherlands midfielder Wesley Sneijder has told fastidious Dutch football connoisseurs to forget about the side playing pretty at the World Cup because he does not want to go home just yet. The continuing debate over the team abandoning its total football philosophy and employing an uglier pressing and counter attacking style still has Dutch opinion dividend even after the team scored 12 goals in four wins at the tournament in Brazil to book a quarter-final berth. “Why must we go into overdrive just so that we are praised by the world for playing good football and trying so hard? Would you rather we sat in the airplane going home? I prefer to go for the best option,” he said. Shakira shakes her way to WC closing show
Colombian pop singer Shakira will make her third consecutive World Cup appearance at the closing ceremony in Rio de Janeiro's Maracana stadium before the final match on July 13, tournament organizers FIFA said on Wednesday. Shakira will perform her song "La La La (Brazil 2014)" alongside Brazilian percussionist and singer Carlinhos Brown. "I have an intricate relationship with football... I truly understand what the World Cup means to so many people, myself included," Shakira said. Neymar's father in black marketing racket?
Brazil football star Neymar's father is reportedly involved in a FIFA World Cup ticket blackmarketing network. Newspaper reports said that Neymar Sr. is involved with a network led by Algerian businessman Mamadou Lamine Fofana, which pumped 300,000 euros to buy tickets and sell these at a higher price in the black market, reports EFE. Police investigations involved names like Carlos Alberto, who won the 1970 World Cup with Brazil, and Roberto de Assis, Ronaldinho's brother. Neymar Sr.'s company said that he does not have anything to do with the network. –Agencies |
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Vintage Federer crushes Raonic to reach ninth final3
london, July 4 Chasing a record eighth title at the All England Club, Federer set up a mouthwatering final against top seed and 2011 champion Novak Djokovic with an almost casual demolition of the 23-year-old Canadian. The 17-times grand slam champion broke in the opening game and then comfortably saw out the first set before breaking decisively in the ninth games of both the second and third sets, with his opponent unable to gain a foothold in the match. The 32-year-old Swiss played most of the match at walking pace and finished off his opponent in one hour 41 minutes, clenching his fist in a restrained celebration when Raonic hit a backhand return wide on match point. Bouchard ready to become Wimbledon royalty In only her sixth major tournament, Eugenie Bouchard will play for the championship Saturday against Petra Kvitova. — Reuters
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IOA submits proposal to ministry, hopeful of getting OCA extension
New Delhi, July 4 In a latest development, the IOA submitted a comprehensive proposal on Games-related estimation to the Sports Ministry late in the evening on Friday. The IOA is also hopeful of an audience with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who returned to Delhi after a day-long visit to Jammu and Kashmir. “The IOA has submitted the proposal to the Sports Ministry. We will meet the sports ministry officials soon and request them to consider it on an urgent basis. We would also urge the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) to fix up an appointment with (Narendra) Modiji so as to get clearances from various ministries and the cabinet as early as possible,” IOA secretary general Rajeev Mehta told The Tribune. Asked about the Olympic Council of Asia's (OCA) deadline which expires today, Mehta said he is hopeful of getting another extension from the continental body. “We are hopeful of getting the second extension if Modiji can be convinced,” he added. OCA had refused to extend the July 1 deadline by 15 days and had instead asked the IOA to submit various guarantees from the government in "a couple of days". The IOA will have to get clearances from Sports, Home and External Affairs ministries along with the Delhi government and the Union Cabinet.
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Oz CWG swimwear criticised for ‘drawing attention’
London, July 4 With Glasgow 2014 set to get underway next month, the swimsuits are gaining a lot of attention for their newest design, which have also been labelled “confusing” due to the new green and yellow patterns used to represent the country’s official colours. Both the men’s and women’s outfits have been slammed for being particularly unbecoming and guiding the eye “to the wrong place”, according to Scottish newspaper The Scotsman. Swimwear giants Speedo unveiled the new outfits on Wednesday ahead of the Games, with one featuring a print of kangaroos, emus and maps of Australia laid out in green and gold. Brisbane stylist Di Cant claimed that her main issues lies with the shaping of the outfits. — The Independent
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Yet to find the centre of the bat, jokes Sachin
LONDON, July 4 Asked if he has missed being in action, Tendulkar replied, “I have been watching but I haven't been feeling like getting in the net.” Tomorrow's exhibition one dayer celebrates the 200th anniversary of the ‘Home of Cricket’. Tendulkar, who first came to Lord's as a teenager, fondly recollected, “It is always a special feeling, whenever I come here it is special — the crowd and the atmosphere is fantastic, no matter how many times you come here.” — Agencies
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Wrestlers to train in Belarus
New Delhi, July 4 The Indian team consists of Amit Dahiya (57kg), Bajrang (61kg), Yogeshwar Dutt (65kg), Sushil Kumar (74kg), Pavan Rana (86kg), Satyavrat (97kg) and Rajeev Tomar (125kg), Vinesh (48kg), Lalita (53kg), Babita (55kg), Sakshi (58kg), Geetika (63kg), Navjot (69kg), Jyoti (75kg).
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SALVADOR, july4
RIO DE JANEIRO, july 4
"It wasn’t easy today. It was brutally hot, especially in the sun. We did it as a team," said Germany captain Philipp Lahm. "We were well organized. These were two good teams against each other. We got the first goal and they had to come to us. It’s clear that you’re not going to have an easy opponent in the quarterfinal." France coach Didier Deschamps rued a game that got away from his side. "We had our chances. But they had more experience than we did. They had us under control and they controlled that one goal lead well," he said.
"It’s unfortunate. But our team isn’t used to big meetings like this. The difference wasn’t that big today between us and Germany. But they advanced."
Either because of the sun beating down from a cloudless sky or because of the tension of the occasion, neither team played well, although France were particularly poor. Both made error after error and the game rarely set the pulses racing until the last 15 minutes as France desperately searched for the equalizer that never came.
RIO DE JANEIRO, july 4
BRASILIA, july 4
Although Belgium went on to win the match in which the photograph was taken, Maradona came back to haunt them four years later in 1986 when he scored both goals in a 2-0 semi-final win for Argentina, the second with an amazing run right through the center of their defence. Saturday's meeting at the Brasilia national stadium, in the dusty, arid center of Brazil, will be the first since that game in Mexico City.
This meant that the over-worked Messi had to start most moves himself, often coming into his own half to pick up the ball. With fullbacks Pablo Zabaleta and Marcos Rojo often staying put, Argentina found themselves outnumbered by Swiss defenders although they avoided getting caught out on the break. Messi’s form has been a stark contrast to his ineffective fellow forwards. Higuain and Rodrigo Palacio have yet to score, Sergio Aguero has already gone home because of injury and Di Maria was guilty of giving the ball away routinely against the Swiss before his goal.
The Netherlands had a last-gasp escape in the previous round, scoring twice in the final moments to beat Mexico, and forward Arjen Robben says his side will not be taking their opponents lightly at the Fonte Nova arena in Salvador.
“Costa Rica have a very good team, they have already proved that in their group, which was very tough,” he told Fifa.com.
The 17-times grand slam champion broke in the opening game and then comfortably saw out the first set before breaking decisively in the ninth games of both the second and third sets, with his opponent unable to gain a foothold in the match.
While coach Louis van Gaal has played his cards close to his chest, speculation continues on whether Daley Blind will be moved from left back to central midfield or Jonathan de Guzman or Jordy Clasie come in for De Jong. Costa Rica must contend with the absence of utility back Roy Miller and the suspended Oscar Duarte but hope goalkeeper Keylor Navas, hero of their shootout triumph over Greece in the previous round, will recover from the shoulder injury that curtailed his ability to train this week.
The top-seeded Djokovic overcame the loss of five straight games in the second set, seized control with a more aggressive game and took advantage of a slew of double faults by Dimitrov — including three in a row in the third game of the final set and one in the final tiebreaker. Djokovic, the 2011 champion and runner-up last year, advanced to his 14th Grand Slam final — and 10th in his last 13 majors.