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- Australia v Chile: World Cup 2014 live!
- World Cup 2014: Greeces show of unity becomes lost in translation
- Steven Gerrard will tell England it is time to walk the walk against Italy
- Steven Gerrard hopes England can give Hodgsons bravery its reward
- Martin Rowson on the triumphs of the modern world cartoon
- Spains Diego Costa shrugs off boos but Holland ensure dismal return
- Luis Suárez left out of Uruguay team but set to return against England
- Spain humiliated as rampant Holland blast five in World Cup shock
- Spain v Holland: World Cup 2014 as it happened
- Germany may be forced to play four central defenders against Portugal
- World Cup armchair pundits: 'It feels calmer now we have no chance'
- Uruguays World Cup training camp infiltrated by hordes of ants
- World Cup 2014: Colombia to show spirit against Greece despite injury list
- Adam Lallana best placed to join Englands roll call of shooting stars
- World Cup fan with 300 England flags on house: 'I hate racism and the BNP'
- World Cup 2014: Spain v Holland in pictures
- World Cup 2014: despite the grass, the heat and the hurt, England still expects
- Mexicos disallowed goals add to World Cups incompetent officiating
- Tokyo aquarium predicts World Cup winners - video
- World Cup 2014: Switzerlands Ottmar Hitzfeld aims high before opener
- Mexicos Peralta finally sees off Cameroon after referee fluffs his lines
- Frances Loïc Rémy thinks Brazil striker Fred should be punished for diving
- Mexico v Cameroon: World Cup 2014 as it happened
- Brazil World Cup: Fifa and business miss an open goal for human rights
- World Cup 2014: France buoyed by renewed backing, says Olivier Giroud
| Australia v Chile: World Cup 2014 live! Posted: 13 Jun 2014 02:46 PM PDT World Cup 2014 match updates live in Cuiabá
Some early emails. Andrew James is feeling positive, though he's stolen a line I was going to use. "As long as we don't lose by 4 goals, Spain will be bottom of the group. If that's not a rousing cry for our boys, I don't know what is." Meantime, Daniel Fitzgerald in New York notes the selection of Vidal. "Thank God we have Ivan Franjic," he says.
The teams are in: AUSTRALIA: Ryan, Franjic, Davidson, Jedinak, Wilkinson, Spiranovic, Oar, Milligan, Cahill, Bresciano, Leckie. SUBS: Wright, Taggart, Halloran, Langerak, Bozanic, Troisi, Holland, McKay, Galekovic, McGowan, Vidosic, Luongo
Now, some bits and bobs. The Socceroos record against Chile is not all that encouraging. In four matches, Australia have drawn one and lost three (although in the 1987 Presidents Cup in South Korea they beat a Chile B side 2-0. Remember that? Me neither). That draw, of course, came at the 1974 World Cup, Australias first time at the grown ups table. Heres my brief take on that game complete with gratuitous David Hasselhoff reference from a recent Joy of Six: Socceroos v South Americans. If you dont feel up to reading it (your loss), however, heres the gist: Chile were favoured but it poured buckets making the pitch ill-suited to passing and what with Australia being a good water polo nation we were able to hold them off and even came close to a famous win. But it was 0-0 in the end and though Australia went home straight afterwards theyd just earned their first World Cup point. Huzzah! Any lessons to be learned from that? Only that a deluge today could play into Australian hands.
BREAKING NEWS... Are you sitting down? Australia will wear gold shorts today/tonight due to a FIFA directive. Gold shorts, like Kylie Minogue?! More to the point, will the gold shirts and gold shorts pairing be like wearing double denim? Few can pull that off. Seems FIFA thought the blue shorts of Chile and the greeen shorts of Australia would cause confusion. Not a good start, is it? We'll look like Oscars.
Along these lines, here are some encouraging nay, inspiring words from Cahill, as seen on SBSs World Cup show the other night. Imaging soaring strings when you read them. If they dont give you at least a frisson of hope you could well be an android. Pop the hood and look for the telltale wiring. I want to be the best I can be with this group of players. I dont want to be a passenger. I want to be there, I want to contribute, I want to train just as hard, and I want to show the professionalism Ive showed over the years. The first time I ever played with these boys, Ecuador, Costa Rica, [I wanted] to be the leading guy, to help be the driving force. Im just proud, its a massive compliment to be part of this squad and I want to help put the message across to this group of players that its about attitude, discipline, the intent and the togetherness to build from young. If they buy into the vision then the next best stage of [the] Socceroos could be tomorrow for us. Thats the message Ange has put across to us. Thats what I believe in. Ive never been as refreshed as a footballer, and as an athlete, [than I am] for this competition and for the future, because these kids they want to learn, they want to be part of something, and thats all you can ask. You put the good attitude, you put the discipline together, and teach them young, then the next 10 years can be very bright. Thats all I share mainly with these kids. This is the biggest tournament in the world, you have to treat every training session like its your last. Because thats what Ive done my whole career. My whole thing is about mentality, attitude, the intent to do well and to rub off on the person next to you. This is one moment, these two weeks, when [Australia] and everyone gets involved and is happy, [just like] all around the world. So its something youre proud of. And you want to be one of the guys as part of this group to help make that special moment. That one moment when they are all watching and the crowds is cheering that makes people happy.
Chile, meantime, have all the expectation on their shoulders. Theres a sense back in Santiago and elsewhere that Chile are not here to make up the numbers, but are more than capable of going deep into the competition. So deep theyll need head lamps. Thats nice for them, but its also extra baggage to carry. And while Chile have an attractive, swashbuckling style of play brought to a pointy end by Barcelona star Alexis Sanchez its one built on risk. Certainly it will test Australias holding midfielders (Mile Jedinak and Mark Milligan) and our likely back four (Jason Davidson, Matthew Spiranovic, Alex Wilkinson and Ivan Franjic), but in their philosophical bent to damn the torpedos, Chile play a high-line in defence. To wit, Postecoglou has in his quiver a bunch of speedsters like Tommy Oar, Mathew Leckie and Ben Halloran to facilitate Australias ability to strike on the counter. Of course Australia also have Tim The Man with the Golden Nut Cahill. Indeed, when he retires, a cast of Cahills forehead should be taken, bronzed, then put next to Phar Laps heart, Lionel Roses gloves and Shane Warnes hair in the National Museum of Australia. So, in short, why not Australia? Those two words, "Why not?" have been uttered by a number of Socceroos this week, so much so you wonder if they should have been used on the Socceroos team bus instead of the lame Hopping into history. Bear in mind, however, Why not? is a rhetorical question. Dont bring everyone down by answering it.
Yes, thats right, theres always room for optimism and romance. This is the World Cup, dagnabbit! Upsets happen in football all the time, so why not today? Yes, the Socceroos are young and largely inexperienced at this level, but they are hungry and fit and inspired. Presumably, as we speak, coach Ange Postecoglou is giving them the Gallipoli rev up. You knowWhat are your legs? Springs, steel springs! What are they gunna do? Hurl me down the track? How fast can you run? As fast as a leopard! How fast are ya gunna run? AS FAST AS A LEOPARD! Then lets see ya do it!
So, as kick-off approaches, where are we at? Lets start with the facts. And, yes, theyre as cold and hard as a frozen Sunny Boy dropped down the front of your trousers. Australia is in group B (with the B standing for Bloody hell!") which contains defending champions Spain, 2010 runners-up the Netherlands, and the razor sharp Chile, ranked 14 in the world. By contrast, the Socceroos of whom perhaps only Tim Cahill would be recognised by the average football fan if he approached them on the street and whacked them across the head with a frying pan have a world ranking of 62 making them the lowest ranked team in the finals. Consequently, Spain, the Netherlands and Chile will be looking at Australia much the same way you look at an all-you-can eat luncheon buffet on a day you missed breakfast. Considering the other games they have to play, none of them can afford to drop points against Australia. Indeed, it behoves them to use their game against Australia as a means to boost their goal difference in the event it comes into the equation later on. This doesnt bode well for Ange Postecoglou and the Socceroos: The Next Generation. Or does it?
Socceroos midfielder Matt McKay confided this week that he and his teammates have been going a little stir-crazy in the long lead-up to Australias first game against Chile this morning. Theyre not the only ones! For days, weeks, months, even years, weve been building up to this moment, and so many words have gushed from gadgets and cascaded from mouths that were all but swimming in the onrushing rivers of speculation, postulation, guesstimation and, lately, predicted ruination. And look at us without a paddle!
Paul will be here shortly. Continue reading... |
| World Cup 2014: Greeces show of unity becomes lost in translation Posted: 13 Jun 2014 02:34 PM PDT Coach Santos jumps to teams defence after Samaras mix-up Karagounis insists team spirit is good before Colombia match Continue reading...  |
| Steven Gerrard will tell England it is time to walk the walk against Italy Posted: 13 Jun 2014 02:29 PM PDT Captain to deliver rallying cry before Saturdays match The players are ready to give everything no excuses now Steven Gerrard has urged his England team-mates to seize the opportunity to make the nation proud as they begin their World Cup campaign against Italy, with the captain stressing it is time to walk the walk after a month of exhaustive preparations. The Liverpool veteran, who will earn his 112th cap at the Arena Amazônia against the Azzurri, considers the honour of leading his country in the tournament in Brazil to be the pinnacle of his international career. This is likely to prove the 34-year-olds last finals and, as one of a handful of senior figures among a relatively inexperienced squad, Gerrard will issue his own rallying cry to the England players just before kick-off. Continue reading... |
| Steven Gerrard hopes England can give Hodgsons bravery its reward Posted: 13 Jun 2014 02:29 PM PDT Captain praises Roy Hodgsons youthful selection and says England will be positive but patient against Italy Continue reading...  |
| Martin Rowson on the triumphs of the modern world cartoon Posted: 13 Jun 2014 02:28 PM PDT |
| Spains Diego Costa shrugs off boos but Holland ensure dismal return Posted: 13 Jun 2014 02:19 PM PDT Spains Brazil-born forward rose above the jeers to put himself at the centre of the action, and controversy, but was ultimately eclipsed by rampant Holland Continue reading...  |
| Luis Suárez left out of Uruguay team but set to return against England Posted: 13 Jun 2014 02:12 PM PDT Óscar Tabárez picks Diego Forlán and Edinson Cavani Suárez could feature as substitute against Costa Rica As Luis Suárez went through the training session at the Estádio Castelão, on the eve of Uruguays opening World Cup tie against Costa Rica, it was tempting to wonder what all the fuss has been about. The striker completed the stretches and the runs, the quick passing and the keep-ball routines, and he smiled and he mucked about with his team-mates. In short, he looked fine. Is it really just three weeks or so since he underwent keyhole knee surgery to plunge his nation into a state of anxiety; into one of those modern football situations where the daily injury update can feel like the only story in town. Continue reading... |
| Spain humiliated as rampant Holland blast five in World Cup shock Posted: 13 Jun 2014 02:06 PM PDT Redemption for Arjen Robben and Holland arrived in the form of an emphatic reversal of fortunes from the 2010 final and a much better game of football. This match deserves to be remembered as a World Cup classic, Robin van Persies goal in particular just might be, and it certainly provided more entertainment than the kickfest in Johannesburg. There were times when Spain looked superior, and times when Holland looked desperate enough to revert to old habits, but in coming back from a goal down to win the match quite handsomely Louis van Gaals side showed character and application. As the new Manchester United manager had said they would. Continue reading... |
| Spain v Holland: World Cup 2014 as it happened Posted: 13 Jun 2014 01:56 PM PDT The world champions were destroyed by Holland, for whom Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben both scored twice See the best picture of the match here Continue reading... |
| Germany may be forced to play four central defenders against Portugal Posted: 13 Jun 2014 01:24 PM PDT Joachim Löw unconcerned at having his hand forced Captain Philipp Lahm could move to midfield from defence Injuries have depleted Germanys defence in such a way that their opening match against Portugal may see four central defenders in the starting lineup, with two of them out of position and two who have rarely played together. The coach Joachim Löw did not seem unduly worried on Friday about the prospect, confirming that his back four may feature four central defenders. Continue reading... |
| World Cup armchair pundits: 'It feels calmer now we have no chance' Posted: 13 Jun 2014 01:11 PM PDT Famous fans offer their views on spectating the beautiful game I am a massive World Cup fan. There hasn't been a World Cup where I haven't watched every game. I've often been working when the games have been on so I record them all and then watch them at double or triple speed, first to make sure that I can get through them all but also because it makes them even more exciting to watch. Continue reading... |
| Uruguays World Cup training camp infiltrated by hordes of ants Posted: 13 Jun 2014 01:05 PM PDT Goalkeeper Fernando Muslera posts photo of insects in room We found ants in the beds But it was fine Continue reading...  |
| World Cup 2014: Colombia to show spirit against Greece despite injury list Posted: 13 Jun 2014 01:05 PM PDT Falcaos cruciate ligament injury was sad day for Pékerman Luis Perea and Edwin Valencia will also miss Group C opener Continue reading...  |
| Adam Lallana best placed to join Englands roll call of shooting stars Posted: 13 Jun 2014 12:29 PM PDT Candidates for Englands star performer in Brazil are either youthful contenders hoping to do a Gazza or unsung heroes who might emerge as central actors, with one exception Somewhere on the shelves of the Wembley library, slipped between the World Cup 2018 bid book and the Beginners Guide to Crisis Management, there doubtless sits a list of the rules for Englands World Cup campaigns since 1966. Alongside penalty heartaches and last-ditch injury scares, it must state that one previously underrated or unheralded player must emerge from the pack on the world stage and elevate their star to a higher plane. Continue reading... |
| World Cup fan with 300 England flags on house: 'I hate racism and the BNP' Posted: 13 Jun 2014 12:28 PM PDT Fans going to great lengths to show support for the English national team defend the St George's flag symbolism Continue reading...  |
| World Cup 2014: Spain v Holland in pictures Posted: 13 Jun 2014 12:22 PM PDT The best pictures from Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador in a re-run of the 2010 World Cup final. It was a humdinger of a match, with six goals five of them scored by Holland Continue reading...  |
| World Cup 2014: despite the grass, the heat and the hurt, England still expects Posted: 13 Jun 2014 12:19 PM PDT We may have overplayed the pessimism ahead of England's opener against Italy in Manaus: this squad is young, fast and fit Here we go, then. Time once again to dust down that cobwebbed St George Cross jester's hat, to unfurl the bunting, to put out more small plastic flags. With the World Cup's opener at the magisterially half-finished Arena de São Paulo now safely out of the way it is time for England's footballers to kick off their campaign with an opening match against Italy in Manaus on Saturday night. After two years of occasionally fraught preparation, not to mention some testy last knockings during which a familiar wariness about the nuts and bolts of "abroad" the heat, the grass, the jungle, the written press - the moment has finally arrived. And England, vaguely, expects. Continue reading... |
| Mexicos disallowed goals add to World Cups incompetent officiating Posted: 13 Jun 2014 12:08 PM PDT A day after Brazils controversial win, further dubious decisions raise the question of what the World Cup would look like in a parallel universe where Sepp Blatters video challenges exist Such was the emotion of Niko Kovac after a defeat to Brazil spiked by refereeing controversy that Croatias coach pondered whether they might as well go home. That sentiment reverberated as Group A lurched from one set of botched decisions to another, with Mexico visibly aggrieved as two legitimate goals were annulled before half-time in their opening match against Cameroon. Judging from the refereeing stories so far, there is a danger of the World Cup descending into a contest of officiating incompetence rather than footballing flamboyance. Wilmar Roldán, and his Colombian cohorts, did not cover themselves in glory as the flag was raised erroneously to deny the effervescent Giovani dos Santos. Once was misfortune an offside decision that was marginal enough to sometimes be called wrongly. The second was particularly careless, though, as a cross was flicked towards Dos Santos via a Cameroonian head, thus making offside an impossibility. Continue reading... |
| Tokyo aquarium predicts World Cup winners - video Posted: 13 Jun 2014 12:06 PM PDT Tokyo's Shinagawa Aqua Stadium is looking to use their octopus, their group of archerfish and the aquarium's main penguin to try and predict World Cup winners. Octopus Hacchan, following the example set by Germany's Paul the Octopus in 2010, predicted Japan would prevail in its group clash with the Ivory Coast. But the aquarium's main penguin Aochan, who has had a custom made Japan national team uniform made for him, pulled down on a lever that spun a wheel, predicted a draw would be the outcome of the match Continue reading...  |
| World Cup 2014: Switzerlands Ottmar Hitzfeld aims high before opener Posted: 13 Jun 2014 11:33 AM PDT Switzerland look to assert consistency against Ecuador High hopes invested in Liverpool target Xherdan Shaqiri Continue reading...  |
| Mexicos Peralta finally sees off Cameroon after referee fluffs his lines Posted: 13 Jun 2014 11:28 AM PDT This was the second game of the World Cup and for the second game all the talk after the final whistle was about the referees. The main difference between this game and the opener between Croatia and Brazil less than 24 hours before, however, was that the decisions, in the end, did not influence the result. The victory carried Mexico into second place in Group A, level on points with Brazil, and also, probably, spared Fifas blushes. Peraltas goal came just after the hour mark, capping an impressive performance from a Mexican side that dominated from the start. Continue reading... |
| Frances Loïc Rémy thinks Brazil striker Fred should be punished for diving Posted: 13 Jun 2014 11:19 AM PDT Striker criticises former Lyon team-mate after Croatia game Head of referees Massimo Busacca backs Yuichi Nishimura Frances Loïc Rémy has no empathy with his former club-mate Fred and thinks he should be punished for the way he won a controversial penalty in Brazils 3-1 win against Croatia. Fred went down in the penalty area under light contact from defender Dejan Lovren in the 71st minute, allowing Neymar to convert a spot kick that gave Brazil a 2-1 lead in Thursdays World Cup opener. Continue reading... |
| Mexico v Cameroon: World Cup 2014 as it happened Posted: 13 Jun 2014 10:58 AM PDT Mexico won their first game of the World Cup, beating Cameroon 1-0 thanks to a goal from Oribe Peralta, and despite having two goals disallowed.  |
| Brazil World Cup: Fifa and business miss an open goal for human rights Posted: 13 Jun 2014 10:47 AM PDT The World Cup should have a positive impact, but evictions, exclusion zones, homelessness and a lack of engagement from Fifa and corporate sponsors have left a nasty taste The World Cup in Brazil could be the global sporting event of this century, combining Fifa, the wealthiest of sporting associations, with Brazil, the world's top footballing nation, and a host of giant global sponsors including Coca-Cola, Adidas, Sony, McDonald's and Budweiser. It is a moment when these international business leaders could set a new standard and send a signal to the world that global sporting events should leave an indelible imprint of positive improvement for the communities in which they are played out - and for the workers who deliver the infrastructure. There is a wide-open goal for companies to demonstrate their commitment to human rights, and yet, they have kicked the ball wide. Continue reading... |
| World Cup 2014: France buoyed by renewed backing, says Olivier Giroud Posted: 13 Jun 2014 10:40 AM PDT France eager to put 2010 flop behind them against Honduras Laurent Koscielny says team united and in good shape Continue reading...  |
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