Goetze is Germany's wonder boy, says coach Loew

Germany forward Mario Goetze, who plundered the extra-time winner in the World Cup final against Argentina, is a wonder boy with immense qualities, coach Joachim Loew said on Sunday (Monday, PHL time).

Substitute Goetze, who until the final had had a disappointing tournament, struck the only goal seven minutes before the end of extra time to clinch Germany's fourth World Cup.

"I told him 'you go out there and show the world that you are better than (Argentina captain) Lionel Messi and that you can decide the game tonight'," Loew told reporters.

Four-times world player of the year Messi was looking for a first World Cup victory that would place him among the world's greatest players.

But Goetze stole the show.

"That's what I told him and I had a good feeling," said Loew, who brought on the attacking midfielder two minutes before the end of normal time for striker Miroslav Klose.

The 22-year-old paid back his coach's trust, volleying in his second goal of the tournament after spending the past few games on the bench.

"Goetze is a wonder boy who has these immense abilities, this outstanding skill," Loew said. "He can always decide a game and he scored a great goal today."

For man-of-the-match Goetze, it had not been an easy tournament after initially failing to live up to expectations.

One of Germany's most talented and promising players, he scored in the group game against Ghana but then was not used much.

"It was not an easy year, not an easy tournament for me," said the softly-spoken Goetze.

"But I am just happy that the team won this title with me. I kept training with the team and every player here deserves it," said Goetze. - Reuters

source: gmanetwork.com

World Cup: Germany not expecting any more Argentine gifts

Germany have been given a helping hand by opponents Argentina in beating them at the last two World Cups but they do not expect any more South American gifts in Sunday's (Monday, PHL time) final at the Maracana.

Their 2006 quarter-final win came after Argentina took a second-half lead but then replaced playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme with the more defensive Esteban Cambiasso while Lionel Messi was kept on the bench.

Germany seized the initiative, drew level and then won on penalties amid huge criticism of Argentina coach Jose Pekerman.

Four years ago, Germany took advantage of Diego Maradona's coaching naivety and cavalier approach as they tore the Argentines apart 4-0 again in the last eight.

Germany coach Joachim Loew and his opposite number Alejandro Sabella agree that Argentina have progressed since then.

"Our team is more conservative than four years ago, we are looking to triumph via a different path," Sabella told reporters on Saturday. "The teams are different although most of the players are the same.

"We'll give our all as always, with sacrifice, humility, hard work, being down to earth, giving before receiving, protecting one another, so that Argentina can be a champion again. We will do our best. More than that we cannot do."

ATTACKING POWERS

Loew said that Argentina were much more than Messi.

"They have other attacking powers like Sergio Aguero, Angel Di Maria. This team does not live solely on Messi. They have a good compact organisation, better than in 2010," he said.

"They can pressure opponents with their first line of attack early on, but they also sometimes fall back, and what is also one of their strengths - through defending and ball possession they bring Messi, Di Maria and Aguero quickly into the game."

"They can be behind the ball with eight or nine and then launch quick attacks."

Germany will be trying to win the World Cup for the fourth time, and also become the first European team to win the title in South America, while Argentina are aiming for a third crown.

The teams have already met in two finals with Argentina winning in 1986 and Germany getting revenge four years later.

Despite being among the most successful sides in their respective continents, neither team has won a trophy recently.

Germany's last success was at Euro 96 in England while Argentina won the 1993 Copa America in Ecuador.

Germany are favorites, having hammered Portugal 4-0 in the group stage and Brazil 7-1 in the last four, while Argentina managed five successive single-goal wins before edging past the Netherlands on penalties in Wednesday's semi-final. - Reuters

source: gmanetwork.com

No action against Zuniga for Neymar tackle-FIFA

Colombia defender Juan Camilo Zuniga will not be punished for the tackle on Neymar that left the Brazil striker with a broken bone in his back and forced him out of the rest of the World Cup.

After investigating the incident from Friday's quarter-final, won 2-1 by Brazil, FIFA's Disciplinary Committee ruled on Monday that no retrospective action could be taken.

In a statement, soccer's world governing body said their own rules prevented them reopening the case because the incident had already been dealt with by the referee on the pitch.

"After an analysis of the matter and the extensive submission and documentation received from the CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation), the chairman came to the conclusion that the FIFA Disciplinary Committee cannot consider this matter in light of the conditions outlined in the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC) for the Disciplinary Committee to be able to intervene in such a situation," the statement read.

"In particular, in this specific case, no retrospective action can be taken by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, since the incident involving the Colombian player Juan Camilo Zuniga Mosquera did not escape the match officials..."

FIFA also said it could not consider Brazil's appeal against captain Thiago Silva's yellow card that will keep him out of Tuesday's World Cup semi-final against Germany. The governing body said there was "no legal basis" to grant such a request.

The defender was booked against Colombia for blocking keeper David Ospina as he was taking a kick, and as it was his second of the tournament he was automatically suspended.

NEYMAR DISAPPOINTMENT

FIFA, in a break from its standard formal statements, expressed its disappointment that Neymar - one of the host nation's most popular and charismatic players - had been ruled out of the World Cup because of the injury.

But FIFA said the extent of the injury and the profile of the player involved could not have any bearing on their disciplinary rules.

"It is important to note that the conditions by which the FIFA Disciplinary Committee can intervene in any incident have to be considered independently of the consequences of that incident, such as an unfortunate injury suffered by a player," FIFA said.

"Finally, as a general remark, FIFA and the FIFA Disciplinary Committee regret any incidents occurring on the pitch that in particular have a negative impact on the health of players.

"We wish Neymar a prompt and complete recovery as we wish the same for all players who have sadly been ruled out of the World Cup through injury."

Neymar's premature exit from the World Cup has provoked a mixture of shock and anger in the samba nation.

Brazilian television stations interrupted their normal programming on the weekend to broadcast live shots of Neymar leaving the team's training base on a helicopter while Brazil President Dilma Rousseff sent the injured player a letter.

The initial shock over Neymar's injury quickly turned to fury as the collision with Zuniga was further scrutinized.

Neymar was carried off the field in tears, and later diagnosed with a fractured vertebra, when Zuniga came rushing in from behind and kneed the Brazilian striker in the back.

Zuniga was not booked over the incident and sent a personal note to Neymar explaining that it was an accident but not everyone agreed with his version of events with former Brazil striker Ronaldo calling it an "evil" tackle. - Reuters

source: gmanetwork.com

Facebook scores record 1 billion interactions for World Cup

SAO PAULO - With 1 billion posts, likes and comments in just the first half of the World Cup, the soccer tournament is already the most talked-about event in Facebook Inc's decade-long history, data obtained by Reuters showed.

The soccer conversation measured between June 12 and June 29 involved 220 million people and 1 billion interactions, the Facebook data showed. And since the ball will be rolling for another two weeks, the tournament is set to break new records as the biggest social media event to date.

"People are having conversations on Facebook about what they watch in a really unprecedented scale," Nick Grudin, the company’s director of partnerships, told Reuters.

"In addition to sharing and connecting with friends, people are engaging in real time with the media and the public voices they care about most."

Facebook is the latest social media company to capitalize on TV-related traffic around big events like the World Cup, a trend started years ago by the microblog website Twitter Inc.

People use Facebook to comment about things they watch live, an interaction that could turn into a source of ad revenue for the company.

Facebook’s record numbers were possible because of widespread mobile penetration. Seven out of 10 users globally connect to the network from mobile devices, which represent roughly 60 percent of the company’s ad revenue.

There is also soccer’s global appeal. The first week of the World Cup alone saw 459 million interactions on Facebook, more than this year’s Super Bowl, the Sochi Winter Olympic Games and the Academy Awards combined.

The 1 billion mark was reached after traffic accelerated as the World Cup moved into the knockout round. On Saturday, more than 31 million people put up 75 million posts, likes and comments about Brazil’s nail-biting victory over Chile, which propelled the home team to the quarter-finals.

"This Cup has been a catalyzing cultural moment for people around the world," Grudin said, "and we see it reflected on Facebook."  — Reuters

source: gmanetwork.com

Where Messi leads, Argentina must follow

PORTO ALEGRE - After underwhelming early performances, traditional Latin American top dogs Argentina and reigning African champions Nigeria have something to prove when they meet in their final World Cup Group F match on Wednesday (Thursday, PHL time).

Argentina was among the favorites going in to the tournament but despite a much-vaunted front four, they have yet to come alive, with the exception of some moments of match-winning magic from Lionel Messi.

Nigeria, representing Africa's richest and most populous nation, have also labored to convince as a team.

Nonetheless, Argentina sits atop Group F with six points thanks to their less-than-emphatic wins over Bosnia and Iran.

The Sky Blues have already qualified for the Round of 16 but will still want finish first to ensure an easier opponent - in principle at least - in the next stage.

Nigeria has four points following a dull draw with Iran and a win over first-timers Bosnia. A draw would be enough to ensure qualification but a loss to Argentina could put them in trouble.

Iran, which surprised many with their tenacious, bold play against Argentina, could still seize second place if they beat Bosnia and rack up a better goal difference.

So a game that could see as much anxiety as adventure is on the cards.

Messi's sublime strike against Iran in stoppage time in Belo Horizonte only highlighted the danger of Argentina relying on the Barcelona man too much. It wasn't supposed to be like that.

He and his fellow strikers Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Di Maria form what should have been one of the most formidable attack forces in the tournament, but so far it has been rather blunt.

The defense has also looked shaky, with central defender Ezekiel Garay repeatedly caught off guard against Iran.

"We have a few causes for concern," head coach Alejandro Sabella admitted after the close-shave against Iran.

With other Latin American teams such as Chile and previously unheralded Costa Rica powering ahead and delighting fans along the way, Argentina will need to step up the pace if they are to quickly regain what they see as their rightful place at the front.

"We know we are not playing as well as we are expected," Messi said. "But as we go along in the tournament, we will be improving and we will reach our full potential."

Argentina will be able to count on fervent support - tens of thousands of fans are expected to flood over the border into the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, a region which shares its gaucho culture but harbors an intense soccer rivalry.

Nigeria may take heart from the fact that they made a slow start in the African Nations Cup before going on to take the title last year.

The Super Eagles cannot afford to give anything away at the back but will need to hunt for goals if they are to be sure of qualifying for the Round of 16 for the first time since 1998.

Playing in their fifth World Cup, Nigeria's performance against Bosnia was an improvement on the Iran game, when they look bereft of ideas. But their defensive frailties were exposed on several occasions and that could prove fatal with a hungry wolf like Messi on the prowl. - Reuters



FACTBOX: Nigeria v. Argentina

Where: The Beira Rio stadium, Porto Alegre
Capacity: 48,849
When: Wednesday June 25, 1300 local (Thursday, 12am, PHL time)
Referee: Nicola Rizzoli

Key stats:
- Argentina has won the World Cup twice, in 1978 and 1986.
- In previous Group F matches, Argentina beat Bosnia 2-1 and Iran 1-0 have already qualified for the Group of 16.
- Nigeria is playing in its fifth World Cup. Its best performances were in 1994 and 1998, when they reached the Round of 16.
- Nigeria drew with Iran in their opening Group F match then beat Bosnia 1-0. They need a point against Argentina to ensure going through in the event that Iran beat Bosnia.
- Nigeria is the reigning African champion.

Previous meetings: The two sides have met six times previously, with Argentina winning four times, Nigeria once, and one match ending in a draw.

source: gmanetwork.com

Belgium snatch late win over Russia to reach last 16

RIO DE JANEIRO - Teenager Divock Origi became the youngest player to score in this World Cup when he cracked in an 88th-minute winner to give Belgium a 1-0 victory over Russia on Sunday (Monday, PHL time) and a place in the last 16.

Origi's well-placed shot came after a dangerous jinking run and cutback from the left by,  and it settled an otherwise turgid game during which the 73,000 fans regularly booed both teams.

The 19-year-old's goal came just four minutes after Kevin Mirallas crashed a free kick against the base of goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev's right-hand post to give Belgium six points from two games. Russia on the other hand has a solitary point.

"It was an important goal but I thought we created it as a team," Origi said in a television interview. "I thought we showed today that we are mentally strong."

Belgium manager Marc Wilmots said he gambled on Origi who plays for French club Lille.

"He's in a good space right now, he's 19-years-old. It was a bit of a surprise since he was an unknown before I selected him. Now everyone knows who he is.

"It was a hard game because the Russians were expecting us - the players were tired, it was hot, the Russians were already cramping up after 60 minutes.

"It was not an easy match but I think we deserved to win it."

Russia coach Fabio Capello thought it was a decent game.

"The match was a really good one, fast, strong," he said. "I'm disappointed for the players because they played a really good game."

Rousing finale
But apart from Belgium's rousing finale, the game was one of the poorest in the tournament although Origi will not worry about that as he became the first teenager to score in the World Cup since Lionel Messi in 2006.

Despite a few flashes of inspiration from Belgium's right-winger Dries Martens in the first half and their attacking finish at the end, the match never rose above the largely forgettable.

Both managers made changes to the teams that played in their opening matches, but if their ideas were to spark up their teams after relatively poor opening displays, those plans did not appear to work.

Apart from Mertens doing his best to bring Belgium to life before the break by giving left back Dmitry Kombarov a torrid time down the right, none of his inspired runs or passes produced the breakthrough.

Russia looked lively on the break in the first half with Victor Fayzulin popping up in dangerous positions, but one of the strengths of this Belgium side is their defense.

Captain Vincent Kompany, who missed two days of training with a groin injury, gave a masterful display in the center of the back four and although Thomas Vermaelen went off after 31 minutes with a knee injury, his replacement Jan Vertonghen did a good job in controlling Alexander Samedov and Oleg Shatov.

Russia had what appeared to be a decent penalty claim turned down when Toby Alderweireld seemed to catch Maksim Kanunnikov just inside the area and missed a great chance just before halftime when Alexander Kokorin miscued his header wide.

Alan Dzagoev also went close late in the game for Russia soon after coming on. - Reuters

source: gmanetwork.com

Rooney role the question for England

SAO PAULO - Start him. Drop him. Move him. The whole of England seems to have an opinion on what Roy Hodgson should do with Wayne Rooney for their Group D clash against Uruguay on Thursday (Friday, PHL time).

It was the under-fire forward's inviting cross swatted home by Daniel Sturridge that got England level against Italy in their opener on Saturday (Sunday, PHL time) but, posted on the left, Rooney looked short of fitness and struggled with defensive duties at times.

Despite the clamor in some quarters for Rooney to be dropped to the bench, Hodgson is likely to switch him to a central role behind Sturridge, pushing the jet-heeled Raheem Sterling out wide to romp up and down Uruguay's right.

The pace of Sterling, Sturridge and Danny Welbeck could cause real problems for the South Americans' defense, which crumbled in the face of Costa Rica's direct running in a shock 3-1 defeat in the first game in the group.

While England's 2-1 defeat on Saturday (Sunday, PHL time) was their first in a World Cup opener since 1986, they go into their second game at the Corinthians arena in a confident frame of mind after a fearless display full of pace and promise against Italy.

Striker Sturridge acknowledged the level of performance promised much for the future but said England could not be satisfied with being unlucky losers.

"At the end of the day it's about results, not performances, and we realize that as a team as well," he said on Monday (Tuesday, PHL time).

"I don't think we need to change much, we just need a bit of luck, a break, but we will take the positives out of that and the end thing is that we want results," he told reporters.

Hodgson savored what he called England's "best performance" since he took over two years ago, suggesting he feels little reason to ring the changes for Copa America champions Uruguay.

Suarez to return?

Like England, Uruguay must recover from an opening loss but there were few positives from a dire performance against Costa Rica in which right back Maxi Perreira was sent off in stoppage time.

Coach Oscar Tabarez told reporters after training on Monday (Tuesday, PHL time) that his team had to be wary of England's front men, who showed "great technical potential" against Italy.

"They're fast in decision-making and running. We have to limit them, because they are going to repeat that offensive style against us," he added.

Key to Uruguay's hopes of getting their campaign back on track will be the fitness of striker Luis Suarez, who missed the opener and is still a doubt for Thursday.

Suarez lit up the English Premier League last season with 31 goals in 33 games but underwent keyhole surgery on his left knee last month and was not deemed fit enough to face Costa Rica.

While Tabarez was cagey about his key striker's chances of facing England, Suarez himself has no doubts about his fitness.

"I'm 100 percent, otherwise I wouldn't be here," he told Uruguayan reporters at the team's training camp on Monday (Tuesday, PHL time).

"I knew it would be difficult [to be ready for] the first game, but if the proper time was left then I was going to be 100 percent afterwards. I've done everything I had to do.

"I'm training today with the team and I feel in good condition. I never lost the joy and the desire. I never thought I would miss the World Cup."

While others were reluctant to describe Thursday's (Friday, PHL time) game as 'must win', Uruguay captain Diego Lugano is full aware of the importance of the match.

"It's life or death on Thursday. We're up against two of the best in the world now [England and Italy]. It's an enormous challenge."  - Reuters


FACTBOX: Uruguay v. England

Where: The Corinthians arena, Sao Paulo
Capacity: 61,606
When: Thursday, June 19, 1600 local (Friday, 3am, PHL time)
Referee: Carlos Velasco Carballo

Key stats:
- England's 2-1 loss to Italy on Saturday (Sunday, PHL time) was their first defeat in a World Cup opener since losing to Portugal in 1986.
- Uruguay has won the World Cup twice, including the inaugural tournament on home soil in 1930.
- England's sole triumph came in 1966, also on home soil.
- Uruguay finished fourth at the last World Cup in South Africa after losing to the Netherlands in the semifinals.

Previous meetings: England has played Uruguay 10 times previously, with the South Americans winning four to England's three.

Last meeting: England won the last match between the two in 2006, a 2-1 victory played in Liverpool.

source: gmanetwork.com

Eto'o could play in Croatia game despite knee injury - coach

MANAUS - Cameroon captain and record goal scorer Samuel Eto'o could be used as a substitute during the second Group A game against Croatia on Wednesday (Thursday, PHL time) despite a knee injury, coach Volker Finke said.

Eto'o, 33, said on Monday (Tuesday, PHL time) he had virtually no hope of appearing in the game, with Cameroon needing at least a point to avoid a group stage exit.

The Indomitable Lions lost their opener 1-0 against Mexico, when Eto'o came on as a substitute but felt a recurrence of a niggling knee injury he has been battling for the last few months.

"I think the most important thing for us tomorrow is that Samuel is with us, perhaps as a substitute," Finke told a news conference on Tuesday (Wednesday, PHL time).

"I think it would be very very hard for him to start because we're dealing with health matters here and we can't work miracles," he said.

Eto'o, who has scored 54 goals for Cameroon, said he had not had the time needed over the last few months to fully recover.

"Even if I knew I'd be playing or not I wouldn't say anything ... we can't reveal our strengths and weaknesses to our opponents," he said.

Cameroon did not perform particularly well against Mexico and were disheartened by the loss, Finke said.

"Our spirits were low, that's normal, because a defeat like that hurts. We didn't play well in the first half, we were a little bit better in the second half but we missed some chances ... but I think the players can hope for improvement," he said.

Even though Mexico and Brazil already have four points, Finke said qualification was still a possibility for Cameroon and Croatia if they drew on Wednesday.

"No one can sleep because everything remains open ... if the match tomorrow is a draw, the last games will be really crazy," he said.  - Reuters

source: gmanetwork.com

Scolari defends penalty, praises Neymar after win

SAO PAULO - Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari rejected claims they were favored by the referee and heaped praise on Neymar after the forward scored twice in a 3-1 win over Croatia in the World Cup opening game on Thursday (Friday, PHL time).

Scolari said his team showed great character after bouncing back from an early own goal and singled out 22-year-old Neymar for his man of the match performance.

"The only thing we want is that Neymar is happy playing ball. He's a special player," Scolari told reporters after the win gave Brazil a great start in their bid for a record-extending sixth World Cup title.

Brazil fell behind after 11 minutes through Marcelo's own goal but Neymar led the comeback, scoring with a left-footed shot from outside the area and then with a controversial penalty awarded by Japanese referee Yuichi Nishimura.

Croatia's coach Niko Kovac was furious about the award of the soft 71st-minute spot kick and said the World Cup could become a "circus" if Brazil continued to get favorable calls.

Scolari, who said he agreed with the call, responded by reminding Kovac that Brazil has won the World Cup more times than any country and did it without any help from referees.

No comment

"I'm not going to comment on what my colleague [Kovac] said. The only comment I can make is that Brazil has five World Cup titles," he said. "Those weren't five circuses in favor of Brazil."

"The referee saw a penalty. It's the referee that has to decide."

Scolari, Neymar and the rest of the Brazil team are under intense pressure as local fans expect their team to deliver the country's first World Cup title on home soil.

Neymar delivered in style on Thursday (Friday, PHL time), leading the comeback alongside excellent midfielder Oscar.

"He [Neymar] doesn't need all of you [the media] to demand that he become the best player in the world. His responsibility is to play for Brazil, and that's what he did today," Scolari said.

Neymar said the victory was "more than I ever dreamed or imagined. The merit belongs to the team as a whole, which remained cool and calm to come from behind and win."

Scolari also heaped praise on the Brazil supporters in the 62,103 crowd in Sao Paulo, a city with notoriously fickle fans who booed the team in their final warmup match for the World Cup.

"Our players were excellent, they showed determination to be able to come from behind. They were fantastic," Scolari said.

"But who really deserves praise are the fans. It was wonderful, the support we received here in Sao Paulo. If there's still any notion out there Sao Paulo doesn't root for the national team effusively enough, that was put to rest today."  - Reuters

source: gmanetwork.com 

Google welcomes start of World Cup festivities with doodle

Google is taking part in the festivities marking the start of the 2014 FIFA World Cup as it posted an animated doodle on its home page.

Visitors to Google.com were greeted with an animated doodle with a dancing "l" and the "e" playing the drums.


"Yes, we’ll take a little samba with our #WorldCup opening ceremony," Google said in a tweet.

As in the past, clicking on the doodle will take the visitor to a Search Results page for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

The FIFA World Cup is an international men's football tournament that started early Friday (PHL time) and will end on July 13.

Spain is the defending champion. — Joel Locsin /LBG, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com