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- Colombia post their third group win to put Japan through the exit door
- Giorgos Samaras penalty earns Greece last-gasp win over Ivory Coast
- Prince Harrys basketball misses complete poor day for sporting England
- Japan v Colombia: World Cup 2014 as it happened
- Greece v Ivory Coast: World Cup 2014 as it happened!
- Italy manager Cesare Prandelli tenders resignation as nation rages over exit
- Pepe Reina heads back to Liverpool after year on loan at Napoli
- Third bite is deepest for Luis Suárez and his World Cup may be over
- Vincent Enyeama: Lionel Messi is a football genius, but Nigeria are prepared too - video
- World Cup diary: Government takes action in face of Argentina invasion
- World Cup 2014: England go back to future with exit against Costa Rica
- Luis Suárez bite incident leaves Uruguay striker facing long ban
- Frank Lampard dims the lights on a stellar England career
- Jürgen Klinsmann: USA won't settle for a draw against Germany video
- Italy coach Cesare Prandelli offers to resign after Uruguay defeat
- World Cup 2014: Which of Englands young hopefuls showed potential?
- Uruguay knock Italy out of World Cup amid Luis Suárez controversy
- Who should take the blame for England's early World Cup exit?
- Costa Rica 0-0 England: World Cup 2014 as it happened
- Italy v Uruguay: World Cup 2014 as it happened
- England end disappointing World Cup with barren draw against Costa Rica
- Did Luis Suárez bite Giorgio Chiellini? in pictures
- Mexicos Javier Hernández happy to meet Louis van Gaal and Holland
- Fifa admits TV graphic was wrong to suggest Brazils Fred was offside
- Helena Costa: it was my decision to quit as coach of Clermont Foot
| Colombia post their third group win to put Japan through the exit door Posted: 24 Jun 2014 03:04 PM PDT |
| Giorgos Samaras penalty earns Greece last-gasp win over Ivory Coast Posted: 24 Jun 2014 03:04 PM PDT |
| Prince Harrys basketball misses complete poor day for sporting England Posted: 24 Jun 2014 03:03 PM PDT Prince is a hit with Brazilian children and female fans at England game while playing the Olympic card in Belo Horizonte Continue reading...  |
| Japan v Colombia: World Cup 2014 as it happened Posted: 24 Jun 2014 03:00 PM PDT Colombia set up a last-16 tie with Uruguay thanks to a Rodriguez-inspired hammering of Japan to qualify with a 100% record
What a performance from Colombia.They made eight changes tonight. Eight! Some people wrote them off after Falcao was ruled out but they have so much going forwards. A 100% record in group games and they look like have so many goals in them. Only Holland and France have been anywhere near as impressive. Thanks for your emails. Goodnight.
Wow! Greece score a late, late goal to beat Ivory Coast 2-1 and make it into the last 16. And this time it is Samaras, not Samaris, who scores it. A penalty. He has stones, for sure.
Look out Uruguay. This lot mean business.
90+1 min: Colombia have been far too good for Japan. Their fans ole every pass as Japan try their best to salvage another goal from this tournament but it's not to be.
What a goal! What a goal! Rodriguez is sent into the area by Martinez and controls the ball just in front of Yoshida. He jinks once inside and then shifts the ball back outside Yoshida with delightful footwork, sending him spinning, the poor sap, before waiting till the time is just right to dink Kawashima. Wonderful. He's a player all right.
87 min: The players have changed but Colombia's style of play hasn't. They are so lethal on the break. Like a counter-punching boxer. Japan have replaced Kagawa with Kiyotake. Kagawa's played well tonight, but his quality hasn't been matches by enough of his team-mates, bar Honda.
85 min: And now for a lovely World Cup moment. Colombia take off Ospina and replace him with their legendary goalkeeper, Faryd Mondragon, who at 43 years old, becomes the oldest-ever World Cup player, beating Roger Milla's record. Ospina gives him a lovely hug on the touchline and the Colombian fans sing his name with gusto. Very nice.
84 min: And this mostly their reserves. Look out World Cup.
A brilliant, brilliant goal. Rodriguez, on the break, picks a ball up that is played slightly behind him. He waits for a defender to close him down, shapes to take the ball past him and then cushions a pass down the inside-right channel for Martinez to curl home around Ospina and send Japan packing.
78 min: Rodriguez picks the ball up in the centre circle and flicks a delicious little ball off with his left boot to Ramos. He runs forwards and turns inside, spying Martinez on the far right with no one around him,he plays the ball across, but it's a dreadful pass, scuffed off his boot and easily cut out by a returning Japanese defender. The jig looks to be up for Japan.
75 min: Yamaguchi drifts a ball to the far edge of the penalty area. Kagawa dampens it and lays it off to Yamaguchi. He switches the ball to his right foot and fizzes a shot at Ospina, but the goalkeeper gets his body behind it and Colombia rest easy.
73 min: Over in the other game it's Greece 1-1 Ivory Coast. Bony scored that one. So Ivory Coast are going through now. That won't have added any extra pep to these tired Japanese legs.
71 min: Colombia expose Japan with a razor-sharp break, Guarin rampaging down the left and sliding a cross over to Rodriguez. His shot is blocked and then Martinez has a stab but it's deflected wide for a corner. It was a poor stab, Didn't connect with it at all.
69 min: Japan are in control here. They're quick to win back possession and get the ball forwards at the first opportunity. Honda and Kagawa are growing in influence too.
67 min: Aoyama was replaced by Yamaguchi a few moments ago. And Okazaki, the goalscorer, is off with Kakitani on in his stead.
65 min: Japan play a lovely one-two on the right in the sharpest bit of play from them all night. Okazaki whips the ball in to Okubo at the near post, eight yards out, but he fizzes his shot over with his instep. It looks like a bad miss, but the ball came into him so fast it seemed inevitable it would rise up.
63 min: Honda hammers a dipping shot at goal, but it's palmed away by Ospina, who didn't look comfortable with that. Made a meal of it really.
62 min: Guarin is booked for a clumsy tackle on Kagawa who is trying trying to heave his team back into it. Honda stands over it 35 yards out
59 min: Balanta should be sent off for a clear elbow to Okazaki's hooter. He was trying to hold the winger off in the corner and swung his arm back sharply. He's lucky the referee, who has seen most things tonight, missed that.
57 min: Japan's No10, Kagawa, tries to drag his team back into it with some nifty footwork of his own on the edge of the box, but after shifting the ball to his left foot his shot is driven a couple of feet over.
It was coming. Martinez drives home from 15 yards on the left-hand side of the penalty area but this goal was all down to Rodriguez's brilliant assist, collecting the ball in the tightest of spaces between two Japan defenders, shaping to shoot, and then nicking the ball off to his left with a flash of his toes for his team-mate to score.
53 min: Ooh! And this is a lovely delivery from Rodriguez, swung in with pace to the back post, but it hops up as Carbonero connects with it and the ball comes off his ankle and goes over.
52 min: Japan have barely touched the ball this half. Okazaki, perhaps frustrated, gives away a needless free-kick over by the left touchline. Guarin and Rodriguez stand over it.
50 min: Rodriguez shows a flash of lightning footwork with a run at the Japan defence, twisting left and right and then thumping a shot into a defender and out for a corner. Guarin has a decent chance to shoot off the resulting corner but chooses not to. Carbonero lofts a ball to Martinez at the backpost, but he's offside.
48 min: Japan have played an awful lot of long balls in this match. Yoshida, particularly, has been hitting some aimless passes forwards. Another one, just, gives possession straight back to Colombia and invites pressure.
45 min: Rodriguez shows lovely footwork to win a free-kick and gives Japan a taste of what they may have to deal with this half.
Colombia substitutions. Cuadrado off and Carbonero on. And Quintero off and Rodriguez on. That's bad news for Japan. Rodriguez has been very impressive in the other two games.
I may have mentioned that Samaras scored that Greece goal. It was, in fact, Samaris. Apologies. My colleague, Ian McCourt, yelped what sounded like Samaras at me when it went in. He says 'isssss' like 'assssss'.
An email from Seb Peel in Japan! I got up at 5am to watch the match here in Yokohama, Japan, so I'm hoping for a Japan win! The goal just before half time made the Japanese people around me very happy. The consensus seems to be that Aoyama has played better than Yamaguchi in central midfield, but that Yamaguchi will probably come on in the second half, maybe to replace Okubo, who I haven't been that impressed by so far. Now that Greece are winning Japan have a real chance, though I'm trying not to get my hopes up too much."
At last, a replay! And it was Honda who made his way up the right wing, cut inside sharply, and whipped a lovely ball into Okazaki, who stooped behind him and did brilliantly to steer it home with his head.
Never give up! This man believes Japan can still qualify. Just look at him. Look at him!
Peep! That came from nowhere. But as it stands Greece still go through .
Well, that was a surprise. Right on the whistle Okazaki steals in at the near post and heads into the corner. Ospina gets a hand to it but can't keep it out. No replay of this one (thanks BBC3), so I didn't see who supplied the cross.
45 min: Aoyama has a pop from range but it's blocked but hang on
43 min: Greece lead 1-0. Samaris, on as sub, scored that one. Not Samaras, of course.
40 min: Martinez should put Colombia 2-0 up but he drags his shot wide from 15 yards after some lovely buildup play in which he was picked out by Ramos on the edge of the box. Kawashima would have got nowhere near it.
39 min: Konno gives away possession sloppily at the back (it's not his night) but Quintero doesn't make the most of the free hit and drags his shot wide. That could have been costly.
38 min: Japan, as expected before the match, are dominating possession but, as expected before the match, don't look particularly threatening with it. Okubo tries an overhead kick from 10 yards, after a lofted cross from Okazaki, but he's no Captain Tsubasa. But then, who is? It goes high up into the stand.
34 min: "When there is a clear cut penalty why do players surround and harass the referee?" asks JR in Illinois. "In this particular case I suppose I could understand his team-mates questioning the referee but seriously, what on earth could Konno have been complaining about?" I think it's muscle memory. It's the same with throw-ins, corners, goal-kicks, you name it. There's always something to be gained from putting pressure on referees, as far as pros are concerned, too.
32 min: He whips it, viciously, left to right, taking the wall out of the equation, but just a couple of inches wide of Ospina's left post. Ospina was worried there though. He was right over towards it.
30 min: Honda's knee injuries haven't half stolen some of his pace. It's a shame. He used to be such a dynamic player. He's been involved in much of Japan's buildup play tonight and he's about to take a free-kick here too. From 30 yards, left of centre
28 min: A dive! By a Colombian in the penalty area. It wasn't clear who, all I saw were arms flung back and a flash of yellow with barely a Japan player near him. Lawro didn't like it. He doesn't like much though does he. The big grump.
26 min: Japan are trying to make the short corner fashionable again. It's not worked yet, but it might do. It's annoying the hell out of the Colombian defenders who, in this searing heat, would probably prefer to just stay in the box and head things clear rather than have to leg it out to close down space.
25 min: Great save! Kagawa, who is Japan's most dangerous player by far, jinks inside Mejia on the edge of the box and shoots low and hard towards the bottom-left corner but Ospina, at full stretch, gets a strong palm to it and forces it out for a corner.
24 min: Okazaki shows some neat footwork on the right to evade the challenge of Armero and get a clear run to the edge of the box. But he's muscled out of possession far too easily as he tries to be clever and twist inside and outside the covering Balanta.
23 min: but he belts it into the wall and fells Mejia in the process, who is left rubbing his deflated lungs.
22 min: Japan win a free-kick 30 yards out and slightly to the right of centre. Honda stands over it
21 min: What would Captain Tsubasa do?
19 min: That's a huge blow for Japan, who were starting to dominate midfield and looked the more likely to score. That was a dire decision by Konno. Japan look urgent now, mind.
The Fiorentina winger absolutely hammers it think Lineker against Cameroon down the middle, with Kawashima diving to his right and out of the way. Smart move. It was a rocket.
Konno attempts to play the ball but gets a chunk of Ramos's ankle and it's a clear penalty. Naive in the extreme.
14 min: Japan have come to life. In fact the game has come to life in the last couple of minutes. Ospina is forced into two saves from long-range strikes. Kagawa is starting to find space between Japan's defence and midfield too.
12 min: Yoshida is complaining that he was kicked in the shin but replays show he was just handed off. Strange. Yoshida sounds a bit like Yoshimi which means I can embed this.
11 min: This is scrappy. Japan win a corner after going route one and forcing Valdes to head behind.
9 min: Kagawa (remember him?) controls wonderfully with his chest in the centre circle and volleys a sharp pass into Okubo's feet. He holds off his marker and plays a ball inside to Okazaki, who returns the pass, but Okubo is off balance as he shoots and it trickles across the six-yard box and is easily cleared.
6 min: It's not whipped in to the far post. It's crashed into the wall by Honda and then lands safely into the hands of Ospina. I stayed with Honda's godfather in Japan. He lives in Kyoto and is French. He sweats a lot too. Maybe that's because Kyoto summers are hot though.
5 min: Japan finally get a foot in the game, showing some neat interplay to work themselves to within 10 yards of the penalty area, where Hasebe is tripped by Guarin for a free-kick in a dangerous area. I expect it will be whipped in to the far post.
4 min: Quintero looks very sharp here on the left and the central midfield pairing of Guarin and Mejia are looking to get him involved whenever they can. As for Japan, they need to look lively sooner rather than later.
2 min: The Colombian reserves look quite handy, going on the early showings. Martinez and Quintero try to link up, with a deft backheel but Japan snuff out the danger.
There's a huge roar. And we are off. Japan, in blue, work the ball up the left. But very quickly give away possession.
This match has been shoved on to BBC3. Is it going to be a poor attempt at teenage comedy?
You may or may not know this dept, courtesy of Gary Carney: Has there been any word from Brazil as to how much of Japan's support in the stands has been coming from that country's Nikkei community? (The Japanese-Brazilian population is over one and a half million strong, making it the largest of Japanese descent anywhere outside of Japan itself. More than a few second- or third-generation Nikkeis have been going to Japan in return.) I'm sure that many of their fans have flown in from Japan for the occasion. But I'd be curious to see how much, if any, support they have picked up from those of Japanese descent living in the host country.
And now for Colombia's jaunty number. Imagine it sung very, very loud by thousands of Colombians in the stadium, who are outnumbering the Japanese by a huge amount. Here it is, sung by a bloke who looks like he belongs in 1987.
The teams trot out on to the pitch. It's time for Japan's anthem. Some call it sombre. Some call it beautiful. I'd edge towards the latter.
Our man in Cuiaba
So no Rodriguez tonight for Colombia, which I'm a bit disappointed about. I was looking forward to seeing him again. But I'm interested in seeing how Jackson Martinez performs. He's scored shedloads for Porto in the last couple of seasons. Also, Cuadrado was very impressive against Ivory Coast. Rapid.
Attacking goalkeeper alert!
Has anyone ever got into one of the electric baths in Japan? I tried it once. I got half a foot in before I thought I was having a seizure. What are the benefits of mild electrocution?
And here's how they will lineup, well so says Fifa #Brasil2014 | Así formarán #JPN y #COL en Cuiabá: http://t.co/PjE2VPJtdS #JPNCOL pic.twitter.com/CC51hS3qvY
Japan: 1-Eiji Kawashima; 2-Atsuto Uchida, 15-Yasuyuki Konno, 22-Maya Yoshida, 5-Yuto Nagatomo; 17-Makoto Hasebe, 14-Toshihiro Aoyama; 10-Shinji Kagawa, 4-Keisuke Honda, 9-Shinji Okazaki; 13-Yoshito Okubo Substitutes: 3-Gotoku Sakai, 6-Masato Morishige, 7-Yasuhito Endo, 8-Hiroshi Kiyotake, 11-Yoichiro Kakitani, 12-Shusaku Nishikawa, 16-Hotaru Yamaguchi, 18-Yuya Osako, 19-Masahiko Inoha, 20-Manabu Saito, 21-Hiroki Sakai, 23-Shuichi Gonda
In case you've had your head in a nuclear bunker over the last hour you may be aware of an alleged biting incident by a Liverpool and Uruguay striker. Anyway, Fifa are to investigate it. Fifa has announced it will investigate the Luis Suarez alleged biting incident with Liverpool's Uruguay striker likely to face a lengthy ban if found guilty. Suarez appeared to have bit Italy's Giorgio Chiellini towards the end of Uruguay's 1-0 win, leaving teeth-marks on his shoulder. A Fifa spokesperson told Press Association Sport: "We are awaiting the official match reports and will gather all the necessary elements in order to evaluate the matter." Fifa's disciplinary code sets a maximum ban of 24 matches or two years, but the longest ban in World Cup history was eight games for Italy's Mauro Tassotti for breaking Spain's Luis Enrique's nose in 1994 with an elbow.
If only Japan had Captain Tsubasa available for selection.
Hello, hola, konnichiwa. Colombia have been great fun at this tournament. Japan? Well, not so much. As it stands in group C, Colombia are through on six points, Ivory Coast are second on three points and Japan and Greece are third and fourth respectively on one point. So, there's still hope for Alberto Zaccheroni's side. If they beat Colombia, who are expected to make a number of changes, and Greece beat Ivory Coast, they are through providing Greece don't hand the Africans the mother of all beatings. If Greece draw with Ivory Coast, then Japan will need to win by two or more goals to reach the last 16. Clear? Didn't think so. Japan have never beaten a South American team in the World Cup. The two most recent meetings don't tell us much either. Colombia beat Japan 1-0 in the Confederations Cup in 2003. And in 2007 a match in the Kirin Cup, which is actually a thing, drip, drip, dripped to a 0-0 draw. Japan are fond of hogging the ball. Unfortunately they haven't done much with it so far this tournament. Their better players, Shinji Kagawa and Keisuke Honda, have had disappointing seasons domestically and have come to Brazil somewhat undercooked. Kagawa, particularly, has been poor and was dropped against Greece. This stat, against a team with 10 men for much of the game, is quite damning. Continue reading... |
| Greece v Ivory Coast: World Cup 2014 as it happened! Posted: 24 Jun 2014 02:57 PM PDT A late Georgios Samaras penalty put Greece through to the knockout stage and left ivory Coast heartbroken
What an ending! Greece are through. I'll type it again. What an ending! Greece are through You have to feel for Ivory Coast and Sio who looked like someone had shot his beloved pet puppy you really do. But Greece were the better team for large parts of that game and probably just about shade it in the end. That's all from me. Have to run and record the pod. Thanks for all your tweets, emails and opinions. Bye!
He does not miss, sending the ball to the left of Barry. Heartbreak for Ivory Coast!
90+ 1 mins And it's to Greece! Lazaros breaks down the left and cuts the ball back into the box. Samaras shapes to shoot and Sio takes him down in the box. No question about that (though I have yet to see a replay). Samaras steps up ...
90 mins Ivory Coast are just three minutes away from a spot in the next round.
89 mins And another one.
86 mins Salpingidis gets behind the Ivorian defence on the right and cuts a dangerous ball across the box. There are no Greek players in the area who can turn it in but a host of Ivorian defenders sliding in almost do the job for him. That was close.
84 mins A corner to Ivory Coast. Yaya takes. He aims for the back post where it meet the head of Kalou. He knocks it back across the goal and Bamba tries to bundle it home. Glykos stop him from doing so.
82 mins Off with Gervinho, on with Sio. Elsewhere, here is how Barry celebrated that goal. MAD: Ivory Coast goalkeeper Boubacar Barry celebrates the goal by eating the pitch! pic.twitter.com/hQJRpdaee8
81 mins Goooooooooooooooooooal!
80 mins Prateek Chadha has been in touch. "That goal now means that for the last fifteen minutes we will see a game of attack versus defence where the roles are reversed and the side with better attackers plays defensively and the defensively solid but attackingly inept side will attack. Should be fun." Oh indeed.
78 mins It's Drogba's time to trudge off and he is replaced by Diomande.
77 mins Karagounis trudges off and is replaced by Gekas.
Kalou (I think, have yet to see a replay) picked the ball up in the middle of the park. Despite some pressure from the Greek defence he managed to keep hold of the ball and thread a beautiful pass to Gervinho. Inside the box on the left, he squared the ball to meet the on-rushing Bony and he swept the ball past Glykos.
Super sub. Wilfried Bony: Has now scored 18 goals in 2014 for club and country #civ
72 mins Cholevas, by the way, has been outstanding tonight both in his attacking and defensive duties.
70 mins Serey gets too handy with Cholevas and gets a yellow card for his troubles. Greece have a free-kick from about 30 yards out right in the middle of the pitch. Lazaros steps up to take it and his shot is over the bar by inches.
68 mins Kalou is wide on the left and with the ball at his feet. He slips his way past a few Greek defenders and shapes to shoot. He curls his effort just wide of the far post. Meanwhile, down the other end, Karagounis has rattled the bar from all of 30 yards out. Barry had no chance.
66 mins For the last few minutes, the game has settled into a simple patten. Ivory Coast attack in numbers, get as far as the Greek box, get frustrated and allow Greece win the ball back before going on the counter and almost score.
63 mins Before all that jazz, Bony came on for Tiote.
62 mins Greece go on the counter. Torosidis is played into space on the edge of the Ivory Coast box. He shapes to cut inside and is taken down by Kalou. He gets a yellow card and Greece get a free-kick. Karagounis can get it no further than the wall.
61 mins Just as I was pasting in that tweet, Salpingidis powered a belter of an effort at goal. Barry was equal to it though and he pushed it over the bar.
59 mins Is anyone in the least surprised by this? 24 - Georgios Samaras has now failed to score in his last 24 hours on the pitch with #GRE. Bauer.
57 mins On the edge of the area, Drogba and Kalou do a neat one-two. Kalou has his finger on the trigger when Manolas (I think) pulls off a goal-saving tackle. The ball goes out for a corner. They do nothing with that.
55 mins Colombia have taken the lead once more.
53 mins Yaya seems to be playing a lot more deeper now in an effort to stamp his name on the game. Meanwhile, Lazaros has nearly stamped his name in the game. He swerved his way past a few Ivorian defenders and once inside the box he aimed for goal with the outside of this boot. He missed by this much.
51 mins Down the left Ivory Coast go again. Boka tries to put one in the box but Manolas deflects it out of play for a corner. Yaya takes it but Greece pump it right out.
48 mins Ivory Coast go on the attack down the left. The ball is pulled back to Tiote on the edge of the area. He has time and space and he decides to hit it first time. He rams it right down the throat of Barry.
46 mins "Greece with a 1-0 lead to protect?" says Brad Wilson. "Game, set, match. Good night, Yoyo and Didier and Barry ... with all that promise unfulfilled. Sad." Meanwhile, an early and decent effort from Lazaros is deflected out for a corner. That is played short and then to the back post where it is knocked off the back for Tiote for another corner. They do nowt with that.
45 mins And we are back. No subs to tell you about.
That's your lot for now. Back in a few minutes.
45 mins Another goal in another game.
Oh Tiote. Tiote,Tiote, Tiote. What a mistake that was. The Newcastle man was played a simple pass midway inside his own half. Maybe it was the heat, maybe he was not awarre of the Greek players around him but either way his pass to Kolo was short and easily intercepted. Samaris pounced on it and played it to Samaras. He returned the pass and once inside the box, Samaris kept his cool and put the ball over a falling Barry.
You always remember your first.
41 mins Kalou has the ball at his feet and he is in the Greece box. He teases and teases Torosidis but the defender eventually forces the danger away from goal.
39 mins The game has slowed to a walking pace. Like a BBQed banana with chocolate in the middle it looks hot and sticky but still.
37 mins Drogba puts in a meaty challenge on Samaris and gets a deserved yellow card.
36 mins "I'm with Ashdown" chirps Matt Dony. "The jerk in me (and, in fairness, there's a lot of him!) likes the idea of Greece going far, as they're possibly the only team I haven't heard a single person be positive about. For similar reasons, I'm sticking by Suarez. If there's a more entertaining player in world football, I'm yet to see him. Nearly, Mario. Not quite, Zlatan. Having said all that, Ivory Coast's keeper is called Barry, and that's almost worth supporting them for."
34 mins Finally. Something. From that last corner, Greek steamed forward. Samaras slipped Cholevas into some space in the inside channel on the right. Cholevas, at the corner of the box, then absolutely belts one at the goal that beats Barry but smashes off the post. Samaras tries to follow it in but slips on his arse.
32 mins Boka picks the ball up wide on the left. Kalou points top where he wants it in the box. The full-back tries to bend it around the Greek defence but Torosidis reads it well and puts the ball out for a corner. That comes to nothing.
30 mins Greece get a throw on the right. They work the ball back and then lash it long towards Torosidis. Boka intercepts it and Ivory Coast soon win back possession. Barcelona this ain't.
28 mins Have Greece ever taken a game to anyone? 27' #GRE 0-0 #CIV http://t.co/aLl22ypVui GRE not taking game to CIV yet: 49/60 passes in defensive or middle third pic.twitter.com/8hVYLjOUNN
26 mins This game has been so good that the producer/director/who ever is in charge of these TV things in Brazil is cutting to fans doing a Mexican wave and couples looking all lovey dovey.
24 mins Karnezis is cooked. He is replaced by Glykos. Greece have used two of their three subs within the first 24 minutes.
22 mins Ivory Coast go on the attack and for the first time this evening, we see Yaya do his thing. His strength and bravery see him win a 50/50 challenge just outside the box and he bounds forward. He could shoot from the edge of the area but he decides to slip in Drogba. His pass is overhit thought and Greece have a goalkick.
21 mins And here is what AS have made of that incident. The fantastically named Orestis Karnezis of #GRE is down injured, but OK to continue. Sounds like a character from a Sophocles tragedy!
19 mins Karnezis has jumped up from his impromptu chiropractic session and is now OK. How odd that was. He went down on the ground with no one around him and it's not like he has injured himself performing any goalkeeping duties.
18 mins The game has come to a halt while Karnezis gets some work done to his back. At least there is some action over in the other game. Pitch invader gives back-rub or bug in shirt? #GREvCIV pic.twitter.com/iqcfvxEV1U
17 mins "I'd half imagine that Costa Rica would quite like Greece to win," reckons Robin Hazlehurst. "I'm assuming they would meet next, which could be completely wrong and would make my comment look bizarrely random if it is."
14 mins Down the right-hand side, a teasing ball has been poked into the Ivory Coast box by Torosidis. Barry bravely dives at the feet of Salpingidis and his sheet remains clean.
13 mins Is John the only one who wants Greece to win? Kind of want Greece to win this, just to piss everyone off. Including me. Have decided not to analyse these feelings too closely ...
11 mins Kone is sitting down in the the middle of the pitch. It looks like he can no longer go on due to an acute case of hamstring-gah! He is replaced by Samrais.
10 mins Cholevas is back on his feet and A OK. He charges down the wing but his run is soon snuffed out and Ivory Coast go on the counter. Drogba and Gervinho combine on the right and the Roma man is set free on the inside channel. Once inside the box, he shapes to shoot but Manolas clears the ball for a corner. That comes to nothing.
7 mins Drogba has just got a bash on the head going up for a header with Cholevas. He'll be all right but Cholevas looks to be in some pain.
6 mins Greece get a free-kick midway inside the Ivory Coast half thanks to a hefty challenge from Bamba. It is launched to the back post where it meets the head of Drogba. While he was clearing the ball he got a shove in the back from Torosidis and so Ivory Coast are awarded a free-kick. Greece will have to do better with their set-pieces.
4 mins It is now Ivory Coast's turn to mimic Barcelona. Wide on the left, Tiote spins and heads for goal. He plays the ball to Kalou who quickly returns the favour. Tiote tries to cross and indeed he does but his effort beats everyone and goes out for a goalkick.
2 mins Ivory Coast start as they mean to continue, lumping the ball long to Drogba. Greece deal with the early danger easily enough and proceed to tiki-taka their way around the pitch. A strong challenge from Boka puts a stop to that.
1 min And we are off. Greece are decked in snow white and Ivory Coast are in Grinch green. Ivory Coast get us going and they start the game playing from the right to the left.
Here we go then. The players stroll out onto the pitch, the stadium stands for the national anthems, the camera gets up close and personal with the players who are singing off key, hands are shook and it almost time to get and down and funky with the football.
An email! Thank the Lord. "Evening Ian," cheers Simon McMahon. "Greece have been a bit toothless so far. With the knockout stage looming, I expect Ivory Coast to bare their teeth, show some bite up front and go through."
Never mind the stats. Samaras is going to get his hair in his eyes, swing at the ball, completely miss it and knock it in with his arse in the last minute as Greece win 1-0, isn't he? 1 - #GRE have only won one of their 8 games at World Cup (L6). Opportunity.
In case you missed today's other big news.
Anyone out there? Anyone got any predictions?
Some pre-match literature for y'all. Sabri Lamouchi, the Ivory Coast coach, has spoken of the sense of responsibility his players feel after recent tragedies both personal and on a national level. Sabri Lamouchi has said Ivory Coast feel greater responsibility to reach the World Cup knockout stage for the first time in their history after the death of Oyala Ibrahim Touré and recent devastating landslides in the country. Touré, brother of the internationals Kolo and Yaya, died in Manchester last week aged 28 having suffered from cancer. His brothers chose to remain at the World Cup and both could start against Greece in Fortaleza on Tuesday, when victory for the Elephants would secure their first-ever place in the last 16.
Colombia are home, dry and with their feet up watching reruns of Don't Tell the Bride. They will come top of the group should they end their game with Japan with a win or draw. Ivory Coast will be able to join them if they do one on Greece, but a draw would let Japan to take spot should they beat Colombia. Greece must take all three points and hope Japan only earn a point or less. Now in the unlikely event of
... Cesare Prandelli has resigned from his position as Italy manager. More on that when we have it.
Ivory Coast: Barry; Boka, Kolo Touré, Kalou, Tiote, Gervinho, Drogba, Aurier, Yaya Touré, Serey, Bamba. Subs: Gbohouo, Sayouba, Viera, Bolly, Akpajd, Wilfried, Konan, Diomande, Gradel, Djakpa, Sio, Zokora. Greece: Karnezis; Maniatis, Manolas, Samaras, Kone, Karagounis (c), Salpingidis, Torosidis, Lazaros, Sokratis, Cholevas. Subs: Glykos, Kapino, Tzavellas, Moras, Tziolis, Mitroglou, Vyntra, Gekas, Fetfatzidis, Samaris, Tachtsidis, Katsouranis. Greece vs Ivory Coast: Team lineups #GREvsCIV pic.twitter.com/DqTA9GU38U
For some time now, Ivory Coast have been blessed with a brotherhood of exceptional ballers. Ballers who do big things for big clubs in big leagues at big times. Yaya Touré and Didier Drogba are two perfect examples of that. They are the type of players who have bent down, hoisted teams on their shoulders and carried them all the way to Trophiesville. They, of course, are the elder statesmen of the squad but the younger ones have of late proven themselves at club level too. To name but two, Wilfried Bony was the one bright spark in Swansea's season last year and Serge Aurier was arguably Toulouse's best player last season. That lack of success is certainly not down to their abilities on the pitch the last number of years, after all, have seen the rise of a gilded generation for Ivory Coast and as the likes of Bony and Aurier have shown the factory line shows little sign of letting up but it is almost certainly down to mental fragility. Gervinho admitted as much before this game when he said the the side "need to be stronger mentally. In short, when the international side get together they are bigger bottlers than a Coca Cola factory. But it has to happen for them at some stage, right? And why not now? Continue reading... |
| Italy manager Cesare Prandelli tenders resignation as nation rages over exit Posted: 24 Jun 2014 02:34 PM PDT If I make a professional mistake I assume all responsibility Some Italians blame team while others target referee Anger, indignation and a grudging acknowledgement that Cesare Prandellis team had fallen woefully short of expectations mingled in the sour cocktail Italians were forced to ingest after their sides elimination from Brazil 2014. The teams failure led to the immediate and irrevocable resignations of both the manager and the president of the Italian federation, Giancarlo Abete. Prandelli said: When a professional project fails, it is right to take the responsibility. Neither offer has so far been taken up. Continue reading... |
| Pepe Reina heads back to Liverpool after year on loan at Napoli Posted: 24 Jun 2014 02:31 PM PDT Napoli fail to take up 5m release-clause option Reina remains under contract at Anfield until 2016 Pepe Reina departed Brazil bound for Spain but he expects to return to Liverpool at the end of his holiday. The Spanish goalkeeper has not spoken to Brendan Rodgers and admits that he does not know where his future lies, but he said that he is tied to his contract at Anfield, and that still has two years left to run. Reina has been on loan at Napoli for the past year after he was told that he has no future at Liverpool. He was hopeful that the Napoli manager Rafael Benítez would take advantage of a release clause, thought to be valued at 5m, to sign him but there has been no movement yet and Reina admitted that he does not know if there will be. Continue reading... |
| Third bite is deepest for Luis Suárez and his World Cup may be over Posted: 24 Jun 2014 02:27 PM PDT Another World Cup and another row with the Uruguay striker at its heart but this is not his first bite or even the second Luis Suárez failed to puncture Italys defence in Natal, leaving that duty to his team-mate Diego Godín. But he did his best to puncture an Italian defender, the deep red marks on Giorgio Chiellinis shoulder appearing to confirm the suspicion that the striker had leaned in for more than just a friendly nuzzle as the pair tussled off the ball in the 79th minute. And so here we are again: another World Cup and another controversy with the Uruguay striker at its heart. His goalline handball against Ghana in South Africa four years ago divided opinion. There will always be those who stand in support of a player who commits an instinctive foul to keep his country in a World Cup. Continue reading... |
| Vincent Enyeama: Lionel Messi is a football genius, but Nigeria are prepared too - video Posted: 24 Jun 2014 02:22 PM PDT Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama and coach Stephen Keshi talk about Nigeria's final World Cup group F game against Argentina. Vincent Enyeama says his side will play to stop Argentina, not just the FC Barcelona forward Lionel Messi in their upcoming clash. He adds that other players such as Gonzalo Higuaín shouldn't be overlooked. Coach Stephen Keshi says that Nigeria are not going to shy away from any team and that the team are at the World Cup to play the game they know. Nigeria play Argentina on 25 June Continue reading...  |
| World Cup diary: Government takes action in face of Argentina invasion Posted: 24 Jun 2014 02:12 PM PDT Brazilian protesters start to get their timing right, Big Phil gets his figures in order and records are being broken in the US Southern Brazil has been invaded by close to 100,000 Argentinians who have been crossing the border in droves to watch their countrys match against Nigeria. This has prompted concern among the authorities because only 16,000 have bought tickets in advance for the game in Porto Alegre, the closest host city to Argentina. Even more than in previous games, the Beira-Rio stadium looks certain to feel like a home venue for Lionel Messi and his team-mates. The surrounding areas are already filled with fans dressed in blue and white. To accommodate ticketless supporters, the city government will erect an extra giant screen in addition to the Fifa Fan Fest. Continue reading... |
| World Cup 2014: England go back to future with exit against Costa Rica Posted: 24 Jun 2014 02:00 PM PDT On the evidence of the collective performance by Englands new generation we are not in for much footballing change Continue reading...  |
| Luis Suárez bite incident leaves Uruguay striker facing long ban Posted: 24 Jun 2014 12:45 PM PDT Suárez appears to bite Italys Giorgio Chiellini Suárez could be banned for up to 24 matches under Fifa code World Cup match report: Italy 0-1 Uruguay Luis Suárez wrote his name into World Cup infamy by biting the Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini towards the end of what turned out to be a dramatic Uruguay win that secured their progress into the last 16. Uruguay looked to be heading for the exit in the 79th minute with the game locked at 0-0 the South Americans needed victory when Suárez tussled with Chiellini as they chased a ball inside the Italy penalty area. Continue reading... |
| Frank Lampard dims the lights on a stellar England career Posted: 24 Jun 2014 12:39 PM PDT Frank Lampard, captain for the day, provided a reassuring presence for Roy Hodgsons young midfield against Costa Rica Continue reading...  |
| Jürgen Klinsmann: USA won't settle for a draw against Germany video Posted: 24 Jun 2014 12:22 PM PDT USA train before their World Cup match against Germany with players DeAndre Yedlin and John Brooks both at the session. USA head coach Jürgen Klinsmann says, despite disappointment against Portugal, the team will approach Germany with even more confidence and aim for a clear win, not a draw. He adds that support from American fans in the USA has bolstered the team's energy. USA play Germany on 26 June Continue reading...  |
| Italy coach Cesare Prandelli offers to resign after Uruguay defeat Posted: 24 Jun 2014 12:17 PM PDT Italy out of World Cup at group stage Prandelli has contract as Italy coach to 2016 Gallery: did Suárez bite Chiellini? Continue reading...  |
| World Cup 2014: Which of Englands young hopefuls showed potential? Posted: 24 Jun 2014 12:17 PM PDT There were good signs from Ross Barkley, Jack Wilshere and Luke Shaw but questions over Adam Lallana and Chris Smalling Continue reading...  |
| Uruguay knock Italy out of World Cup amid Luis Suárez controversy Posted: 24 Jun 2014 11:24 AM PDT Luis Suárez facing long ban for bite Paolo Bandini on Luis Suárezs shame Pictures: did Luis Suárez bite Italys Giorgio Chiellini? Where to start? When Uruguay slumped in the second-half of their opening tie to lose 3-1 to Costa Rica, the World Cup dream looked to be over. Confidence was low and contests against England and Italy, two former champions, looked onerous. But after beating England they completed the climb back off the canvas here on what was a suffocatingly tense and controversy-laden afternoon. Italy had been reduced to 10 men after an hour when Claudio Marchisio left the imprint of his studs on Egidio Arévalo Ríos. Italy would complain bitterly about that decision. Continue reading... |
| Who should take the blame for England's early World Cup exit? Posted: 24 Jun 2014 11:21 AM PDT |
| Costa Rica 0-0 England: World Cup 2014 as it happened Posted: 24 Jun 2014 11:12 AM PDT England made nine changes to their starting line-up but couldn't beat Costa Rica and finished bottom of the Group D table  |
| Italy v Uruguay: World Cup 2014 as it happened Posted: 24 Jun 2014 11:06 AM PDT Diego Godín goal puts Uruguay through  |
| England end disappointing World Cup with barren draw against Costa Rica Posted: 24 Jun 2014 11:04 AM PDT Ignore, for one moment, Englands bland ignominy and just reflect on those moments at the final whistle. Costa Rica little, patronised Costa Rica have won Group D and their manager, Jorge Luis Pinto, could be seen punching the air and bellowing to the skies. As one team traipsed away apologetically, the other reflected on the prize of a knockout tie in Recife on Sunday. They have done it from a country of 4.8m people. Or the equivalent of 10 Bradfords. Its a conundrum, as Roy Hodgson said. For England, it was the strange feeling of being at someone elses party, outside with their noses pressed against the window. It was a stodgy performance and when Hodgson said he was pleased to give the fans something to cheer about it felt suspiciously like a man employing an old trick to try to manipulate the headlines. Hodgson kept to the deception and couldnt have asked for a better performance. It was dispiriting to hear. Continue reading... |
| Did Luis Suárez bite Giorgio Chiellini? in pictures Posted: 24 Jun 2014 11:04 AM PDT Late in Uruguay's World Cup match with Italy, the Uruguay striker Luis Suárez was accused of biting the shoulder of Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini. Suárez has form, of course, having bitten Branislav Ivanovic and Otman Bakkal in the past. Pictures: The best internet memes of Suarez Pictures: Our World Cup galleries Video: A history of Brazilian football Continue reading...  |
| Mexicos Javier Hernández happy to meet Louis van Gaal and Holland Posted: 24 Jun 2014 10:32 AM PDT Manchester United striker will come face to face with manager Last-16 match will also pit him against Robin van Persie Continue reading...  |
| Fifa admits TV graphic was wrong to suggest Brazils Fred was offside Posted: 24 Jun 2014 10:12 AM PDT Freds goal in 4-1 World Cup win was correctly judged onside We are discussing why that line was drawn wrongly Continue reading...  |
| Helena Costa: it was my decision to quit as coach of Clermont Foot Posted: 24 Jun 2014 10:05 AM PDT Costa was set to be female coach of professional mens side I hope in the future other opportunities will come Helena Costa has remained tight-lipped over why she decided to step down as coach of Clermont Foot but stressed that it was her decision. Costa agreed to become the first female coach of a professional mens club in the top two tiers of any European league when she was appointed last month. She was due to take over next season but has quit before taking a training session. Continue reading... |
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