Showing posts with label Brasil2014. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brasil2014. Show all posts
Sunday, 22 June 2014
Tuesday, 5 November 2013
SVG Writes Off England 2014
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| Getty Images |
Sven-Goran Eriksson has written off England's chances of winning the World Cup next summer.
The 65-year-old Swede, now coach of Chinese Super League team Guangzhou R&F, led England to the quarter-finals in 2002 and 2006.
He told BBC Radio 5 live: "I don't believe they can win the World Cup in Brazil. Maybe in Russia in 2018. There are a lot of young players coming in.
"I think it's easier to win it there than in Brazil."
Roy Hodgson's side secured qualification for Brazil by winning their group but only find themselves in the second pot of seeds for the 6 December draw for next summer's tournament.
They will have to make history if they are to repeat their solitary World Cup win of 1966, as no European side have won the competition in South America.
FA chairman Greg Dyke has also played down England's hopes next year and targeted success in the 2022 World Cup.
Eriksson believes another run to the last eight, matching his own best with England, would not represent failure for Hodgson, whose predecessor Fabio Capello saw his team beaten by Germany in the second round in 2010.
He added: "Expectation does not seem to be what it was in the past and I think that's very good for the team.
"The quarter-finals would be very good. It is time for a semi-final or final."
However, Eriksson believes a winter break in English football is needed for success.
"It's not that difficult. Take one week in January and give the players a week off, then take them in and prepare for the game after," he said.
"I think everyone agrees if you take a break it will be very good for England.
"Is that the main thing holding England back? For sure, it's one thing, maybe the easiest thing. I know players would love it and they would feel better for the rest of the season."
Meanwhile, Eriksson has defended his former England captain David Beckham's professionalism following recent criticism from ex-Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson over the player's celebrity lifestyle.
Writing in his latest autobiography, the Scot remarked that Beckham was the "only player I managed who chose to be famous".
Eriksson added: "David Beckham, for me, every time he came to England camps he was an extremely professional football player. You asked yourself 'how could he handle it?' Wherever we went it was chaos.
"I think players were very much all right with that; it took the pressure off them. He was very professional then and he has been all his life.
"He was very good all the time he was captain."
Wednesday, 23 October 2013
Sepp Blatter at Large
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| Getty Images |
Fifa president Sepp Blatter has given his strongest hint yet that he plans to stay on in the role past 2015 and finish "his mission".
The 77-year-old Swiss, head of the world governing body since 1998, also wants to increase the term for a president from four years to eight.
Blatter had remarked in 2011 that this would be his last term in office.
But he said: "I'm now 38 years in Fifa and I have this mission and I want to fulfil my mission."
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 live sports news correspondent Richard Conway, Blatter added: "I feel young enough to be in this office and to make this office a success.
"It keeps you young also if you've got a mission. And I've got a mission."
Asked if he would stand again in 2015 he said: "My intention is to finish this mandate. We are just starting the second half of the mandate. So ask me this question next year."
Fifa vice president Jeffrey Webb could be the man to succeed Blatter. He has said he would not run for election in 2015 but would like to hold the position in the future.
Blatter, the only candidate in the 2011 elections after receiving 186 of the 203 votes cast, has also suggested that presidential terms could be increased to an initial term of eight years with potential for a four-year extension.
"This is a good approach and I would support it," he said.
Blatter has suggested that Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) president Webb could eventually replace him as president.
And Webb told the BBC: "Who knows what lies in the future?"
Webb, who is head of Fifa's anti-discrimination taskforce, also called on English football to "take a look in the mirror" over issues of race and diversity.
There are only four black managers at England's 92 Premier League and Football League clubs, despite about 30% of players being non-white.
"I believe when you look at the stadiums, when you look at the fields you see a lot of diversity," added Webb.
"When you look at the English Premier League, you see players from all over - from Africa, from the Caribbean, from Eastern Europe. But it's not a reflection of the benches, it's not a reflection in the boardroom so obviously there needs to be some self-examination, and there needs to be made a conscious effort to provide opportunity."
He said the Football Association should consider introducing a rule similar to American football's "Rooney Rule" where qualified black or ethnic minority candidates are guaranteed interviews for managerial positions.
Webb also suggested that the FA commission set up to investigate how to improve the England national team needed added diversity.
But the 49-year-old from the Cayman Islands confirmed that he would "definitely not" be a presidential candidate for the 2015 elections, although he would consider the top position in the future.
Monday, 21 October 2013
European Play-off's Drawn
France have been drawn against Ukraine in the European play-offs for the 2014 World Cup.
Portugal face Sweden, which means either Cristiano Ronaldo or Zlatan Ibrahimovic will not take part in next summer's tournament in Brazil.
Iceland, the lowest-ranked team in the play-offs, must beat Croatia to reach their first ever major tournament, while Greece meet Romania.
The two-legged ties will be played on 15 November and 19 November.
The eight nations all finished second in the qualifying groups, with 1998 World Cup winners France runners-up to current holders Spain in Group I.
"We were not seeded and could have played Portugal or Croatia who have a long history, but Ukraine is not a simple draw either," said France coach Didier Deschamps, who captained them to their 1998 triumph, told Eurosport.
"They are on a run of seven matches without defeat and they concede very few goals as well as a long trip over there, but it's good to have the return leg at home."
Ukraine were beaten to automatic qualification by Group H rivals England.
Defender Artem Fedetskiy said: "After a poor start in the qualifying campaign every single match for us was like the final, like a do-or-die mission.
"Now we have serious experience of playing the most important matches. We are a cohesive team now and, I believe, we have fair chances to go through."
Portugal, Greece, Croatia and Ukraine were the four seeded teams in the draw which took place on Monday.
"We have been drawn against a Sweden team against whom we will be playing two complicated and relatively balanced matches," said Portugal coach Paulo Bento.
"Besides having one of the best strikers in the world (Ibrahimovic), the quality of their team is their collective spirit."
Greece coach Fernando Santos admitted he was disappointed to be playing their first match at home.
He said: "The Romanians are of great quality and dangerous and difficult opponents. I would have preferred the first match to be away."
The four teams that qualify will complete a total of 13 European nations at the tournament in Brazil.
Friday, 18 October 2013
New Low for Germany
Joachim Low has signed a new two-year contract.
The 53-year-old, who replaced Jurgen Klinsmann in 2006, had been contracted until the 2014 World Cup but after guiding his side to Brazil will now stay on to the summer of 2016.
He said: "We're not yet at the end of our path and we still have big goals that we want to achieve together.
"I enjoy working with the team and the coaches and I feel a great deal of motivation to develop this team."
General manager Oliver Bierhoff and goalkeeper coach Andreas Kopke have also signed new two-year deals.
Under Low, Germany lost the Euro 2008 final to Spain, were knocked out by the same opponents in the 2010 World Cup semi-finals and were also beaten by Italy in the Euro 2012 semi-finals.
If he sees out his new contract, Low will be the longest-serving manager of Germany since Helmut Schon was replaced in 1978 following 14 years in charge.
Low, who has the highest win percentage (68%) of any Germany manager, will bring his side to Wembley In November for one of two friendlies announced by England this week.
Wednesday, 11 September 2013
USA Klinsch Brazil Place
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| Getty Images |
The United States clinched its seventh straight World Cup appearance, getting second-half goals from Eddie Johnson and Landon Donovan on Tuesday night for the now traditional 2-0 home qualifying win over Mexico.
"It's become its own monster. People want to come to Columbus and see U.S.-Mexico. It's almost like the mecca really for us," goalkeeper Tim Howard said. "You almost feel like it's our destiny to win here."
Noisy American fans stood and sang in Columbus Crew Stadium starting 1½ hours before kickoff, and about 1,000 stayed for an hour after the final whistle. The U.S. needed a win or a tie from Honduras against Panama to clinch with two games to spare, and the American supporters watched on the videoboard as the Catrachos held on for a 2-2 draw.
U.S. players crowded around a television in their locker room, and then sprayed bubbly and came back on the field to celebrate with the fans.
"It's great to do it sooner than later, but to get it against your rival is even sweeter," American captain Clint Dempsey said.
Following wins over Mexico in qualifiers by identical 2-0 scores at Columbus in 2001, 2005 and 2009, the U.S. Soccer Federation picked the same venue for this year's match. The capacity crowd of 24,584 taunted the Mexicans with chants of "You're not going to Brazil!"
"Amazing, amazing crowd," Klinsmann said. "Kind of pushed these guys."
Fans were so loud during "The Star-Spangled Banner" that anthem singer Kayleigh Schofield was forced to alter her tempo to match that of the crowd.
"I think it really got into Mexico's head, especially when we scored that first goal. You could see it on Mexico's face. They were really defeated," American defenderOmar Gonzalez said. "From that point on we really took control of the game."
After withstanding Mexican pressure for the first 20 minutes, the U.S. settled in the match and got the breakthrough in the 49th minute when Johnson outjumped defender Diego Reyes to meet Donovan's corner kick 8 yards out and head the ball past frozen goalkeeper Jesus Corona.
With Mexican shifting to an offense-minded 3-4-3 formation, the U.S. scored in the 78th following a throw in when Mix Diskerud threaded the ball across the middle. Dempsey got the slightest of touches as he slid into the goalmouth, and Donovan poked the ball in from 2 yards.
"Obviously this is a huge, huge evening for all of us," U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann said. "It's a huge milestone whenever you make it to a World Cup."
The top three teams qualify, and the U.S. had to wait an hour after the final whistle to learn it was assured of a spot in the 32-nation field for Brazil next June. But when Honduras (3-3-2) held on for a 2-2 tie against Panama (1-2-5) in Tegucigalpa, the Americans had grabbed a berth with two games to spare.
"We're continuing the growth of the game here in the sport, we're improving, getting better and we've got to make sure we do well in Brazil to keep it going," Dempsey said.
Mexico (1-2-5) dropped into fifth on goal difference and seems likely to be, at best, headed to a playoff against Oceania champion New Zealand.
U.S. players, many carrying large American flags on sticks, celebrated their win with a lap around the field, saluting the crowd the whole way. Then they went to the locker room to wait out the Honduras game. About 1,000 fans stuck around to watch on the videoboard, chanting for Honduras.
The plaudits and congratulations poured in Tuesday night on Twitter for the U.S.'s seventh straight World Cup berth. Kobe Bryant and Billie Jean King were among those honouring the U.S. squad's achievement.
Eddie Johnson, starting because of Jozy Altidore's suspension for yellow-card accumulation, nearly scored off Donovan's cross in the third minute of the second half, but the pass was just ahead of him.
A minute later, the U.S. took just its second corner kick of the match. Jermaine Jones and Johnson both broke in from behind the penalty spot, and Mexico was slow to react as Johnson scored his 12th goal in 21 qualifying appearances. He was mobbed by teammates near the U.S. bench as fans set off a smoke bomb.
"We've got some good height in the box, and this time I wanted to make sure I kept it down enough," Johnson said. "I was very fortunate it went in."
Donovan, his right eye squinting because of conjunctivitis, increased his U.S.-record goals total to 57, set off a nonstop singalong for the closing minutes of the match.
"You see it when we came in the stadium. It was rockin' already," Donovan said. "That's a real atmosphere. That's what we face when we go away, and it's nice that other teams have to face it when they come here."
And Mexico now has a tough challenge, hosting Panama on Oct. 11 before closing four days later at Costa Rica.
"They looked relatively timid and shy throughout. I've never seen a Mexico team look that way," Donovan said.
Dealing with an injury to midfielder Michael Bradley and yellow-card suspensions that also included defender Matt Besler and midfielder Geoff Cameron, Klinsmann had to make several changes from Friday's 3-1 loss at Costa Rica -- which ended the Americans' team-record 12-game winning streak.
Fabian Johnson shifted from midfield to the back line, and Clarence Goodson was among four new starters, joined by midfielders Kyle Beckerman and Alejandro Bedoya, and Eddie Johnson. Fabian Johnson strained his left hamstring and was replaced by Michael Parkhurst for the start of the second half.
Mexico dominated the first 20 minutes of the opening half and the last five, forcing Howard to make several sprawling saves.
"Once we weathered that storm, Mexico didn't have much in the second half," Gonzalez said.
Now the Americans can take it easy in the final two qualifiers, against Jamaica on Oct. 11 at Kansas City, Kan., and at Panama four days later. Exhibitions are likely at Scotland and Austria in November.
Klinsmann won the World Cup as a player with Germany in 1990 and coached his native country to the 2006 semifinals. He's lived in California for 15 years and understands the accomplishment.
As he spoke during his postgame news conference, he had a Starbucks cup in front of him, presumably filled with champagne.
"It's not Aquafina," he said, laughing.
Saturday, 7 September 2013
Wales Bale Out for Safety
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| Getty Images |
Wales manager Chris Coleman says he was not prepared to risk Gareth Bale in their 2-1 defeat away by Macedonia.
World-record signing Bale was named on the bench for the World Cup qualifying loss in Skopje, which finally ended Wales' slim hopes of making the finals.
But despite that, Coleman said Bale's lack of match fitness after injury meant he was never going to play.
"We cannot risk Gareth Bale or any of our players, we've got to send them back to their clubs," Coleman said.
"He's only probably trained three or four times in the last two months.
"He's such an athlete and he wanted to come. He came the evening of his unveiling in Madrid, he's trained the next day, he's trained three days - he's not ready.
"We can't take that risk. If he comes on and, God forbid, anything happens, then how is that building a relationship with Real Madrid?
"We know we need to win the game but we're also looking at the bigger picture.
"We can't be sending back players injured because we're taking chances - it's not fair on them."
Wales now need to beat Serbia in Cardiff on Tuesday to maintain any hope of claiming third place in Group A, which would boost their seeding when the draw for Euro 2016 qualification is made.
Coleman said there was an outside chance Bale could come off the bench against Serbia.
"He's never going to be ready to start, it's as simple as that," Coleman said. "The fact he's turned up and is trying to be fit for us is such a huge positive and if he's ready then he may play a part.
"We'll see how he reacts between now and Tuesday."
Coleman, who suffered the embarrassment of arriving late in Skopje on Thursday after missing the team flight from Cardiff because of a lost passport, said he regretted a missed opportunity to beat Macedonia.
Ivan Trickovski had given Macedonia the lead after a deflected free-kick fell kindly, but Wales fought back through an Aaron Ramsey penalty he won himself.
However, sloppy play on the edge of Wales' own area let Aleksandar Trajkovski snatch a late winner for the home side.
"I'm gobsmacked really. You know anything can happen and you get nervous but I was very confident," said the Wales boss.
"Even when we went 1-0 down there was a feeling about us and an atmosphere about us that was positive and I felt that we were going to win the game.
"[Craig] Bellamy hits a post, Ramsey sticks a penalty in and we were always the one in the ascendency. Half-time came too quickly for us.
"What's missing at the minute is really sticking the knife into teams when we're on top and finishing them off."
Wednesday, 7 March 2012
Blatter Apologises for Valcke Remarks
FIFA president Sepp Blatter apologised for remarks by one of his top executives about Brazil's preparations for the 2014 World Cup.
Blatter's comments came in a letter to the government Monday, a day after secretary general Jerome Valcke sent his own apology.
The government informed FIFA it would no longer deal with Valcke after he said: "You have to push yourself, kick your arse" to speed preparations. It remained unclear whether the government would accept the apologies and change its position regarding Valcke.
The government says Sports Minister Aldo Rebelo would first answer the letters from FIFA before making his decision public.
In a letter released by the sports ministry, in Portuguese, Blatter expressed his "deepest regret" about the situation.
"I'm extremely worried about the deterioration of the relationship between FIFA and the Brazilian government," he said. "My only comment regarding this subject is to apologize to everyone who may have had their honor and their pride hurt, especially the Brazilian government and President Dilma Rousseff."
Blatter said Brazil and FIFA have a "goal in common" and must work together to organize an "extraordinary World Cup in the country of football, in the country of champions."
But he warned that "time is passing by" since the country was picked to host soccer's showcase event in 2007.
"We shouldn't let conflicts make us lose time," he said.
Blatter, who is in Bangladesh to discuss soccer with national federation officials, said he hopes to meet with Rousseff next week in Brazil.
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