WC 2014 Qualifiers: England Held 1-1 by Poland

Roy Hodgson's men played out a very unimpressive game to be held 1-1 by Poland at National Stadium, Warsaw in their World Cup Group H qualifying match on October 17.

Three Lions started the match with a 4-4-2 formation but after Wayne Rooney's scrappy goal in the 31 minute from Gerrard’s corner, Roy Hodgson switched to a 4-1-4-1 formation to protect their slender 1-0 lead. England were punished for their defensive tactics in the 70 minute when central defender Kamil Glik scored the equalizer for the home side much to the delight of 43,000‎ fans.

This draw leaves England on top of Group H with 8 points from 4 matches while Poland are third with 5 points from 3 games.

Continue Reading

WC 2014 Qualifiers: Germany Play-Out a 4-4 Draw Against Sweden

In what was one of the most entertaining World Cup qualifying match played this year, Sweden came from 4-0 behind to hold Germany 4-4 at the Olympiastadion, Berlin in their Group C qualifier on October 16, 2012.

Low's men were cruising 4-0 by the 56 minute before the home crowd with goals from Per Mertesacker, Mesut Ozil and a brace from veteran striker Miroslav Klose. The Swedes staged a magnificent comeback in the second half with strikes from ‘the hitman’ Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Mikael Lustig and Johan Elmander. CSKA Moscow midfielder Rasmus Elm completed Sweden fight-back with a volley in the 90+3 minute to stunned 72,369‎ fans at the Olympiastadion Berlin.

Germany still remains three points clear of second-placed Sweden in Group C.

Continue Reading

WC 2014 Qualifiers: Bolivia Beat Uruguay 4–1

Bolivia defeated Uruguay 4–1 at the Hernando Siles Stadium in La Paz, Bolivia in the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil qualifier.

Xabier Azkargorta's team had a better performance than the previous 1–1 draw with Peru four days ago, which lowered its possibilities to qualify for the World Cup.

Playing with a very solid defense and better order in the middle sector, Bolivia scored through forward Carlos Saucedo in the 5th, 50th and 55th, and by Gualberto Mojica in the 27th minute.

Uruguayan star Luis Suarez scored in the 80th minute.

This is Uruguay's third consecutive defeat in away matches, who now have 12 points and are ready to try their chance of directly qualifying for Brazil 2014.

Bolivia achieved eight points after the win and will visit Colombia next in March 2013, when Uruguay host Paraguay.

Continue Reading

WC 2014 Qualifiers: 10-Man Italy Beat Denmark 3-1; Portugal Held 1-1 by N. Ireland

Riccardo Montolivo, Daniele De Rossi and controversy favorite child Mario Balotelli all found the net for Azzurri as they comprehensively beat Denmark 3-1 despite striker Daniel Osvaldo being shown a Red card in their WC qualifying match played at San Siro, Milan on October 16, 2012.

Cesare Prandelli’s men now have 10 points from a possible 12 so far in Group B.

Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo’s bad form for his country continues as Portugal were held 1-1 by Northern Ireland at Estadio Do Dragao, Porto in the WC Group F qualifying match. Russia tops Group F with 12 points while Portugal are third with 7 points.

Continue Reading

WC 2014 Qualifiers: Argentina Beat Chile 2-1; Spain Held 1-1 by France

A goal each from Madrid’s Gonzalo Higuain and Barca’s Messi helped Argentina beat Chile 2-1 at Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos, Santiago de Chile on October 17, 2012.

With this win, Albicelestes has a three point lead at the top of the South American WC Qualifying group, over Ecuador with 20 points.

In another WC Qualifying match played at Estadio Vicente Calderon Madrid, reigning world champs Spain were held 1-1 by France thus ending Vicente del Bosque's men 24 consecutive match wining streak all-thanks to Arsenal new striker Olivier Giroud, who scored a late equalizer for Les Bleus in the 90+4′ minute of the match. Sergio Ramos found the net for La Rojas.

Continue Reading

WC 2014 Qualifiers: Argentina vs Chile on Oct. 17

Albicelestes’ quest for third World Cup glory will resume on October 17, 2012 when Messi’s men take on Chile at Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos, Santiago de Chile.

All Indian viewers can catch the match action live on Sony Six channel.

Continue Reading

WC 2014 Qualifiers: England Beat San Marino 5-0; Ronaldo’s Portugal Beaten 1-0 by Russia

Three Lions had a very good outing at Wembley Stadium against minnow San Marino on October 13, 2012 with Roy Hodgson’s men thrashing San Marino 5-0 in their WC qualifying match.

Man Utd’s Rooney, named England captain for this match, had a good game scoring the first and the third goal and in the process taking his England goal tally to 31 goals. Rooney’s striking partner Danny Welbeck also netted a brace while 19-year-old Oxlade-Chamberlain scored his first England goal to complete the annihilation much to the delight of over 84,564 fans at Wembley Stadium. England now tops Group H with seven points from three games.

Meanwhile in another WC qualifying match played, Portugal were defeated 1-0 by Fabio Capello's Russia at Olimpiyskiy stadion Luzhniki, Moscow. St Petersburg striker Aleksandr Kerzhakov scored the only goal of the match in the sixth minute. Russia tops Group F with nine points from three matches.

Continue Reading

WC 2014 Qualifiers: Messi Scores Brace in Argentina 3-0 Win Over Uruguay

Argentine ‘Wonder boy’ Lionel Messi scored a brace while Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero slotted one as the Albiceleste thrashed their neighbor Uruguay 3-0 in their World Cup qualifying match played at Estadio Malvinas, Argentina on October 13, 2012.

This win puts Argentina back to the top of South-America WC qualifying group with 17 points from eight matches. Uruguay, meanwhile, lie in fourth.

Continue Reading

Messi, Higuain are Little Girls: Peru Defender

Peru defender Carlos Zambrano has labeled Argentina stars Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain "little girls" following the teams' 1–1 draw in Tuesday's World Cup qualifier in Lima.

Zambrano also accused Messi of being "scared" by the occasion.

"He didn't do much. Maybe he was scared, I don't know," Zambrano said.

"We deserved to win. We were the better team and I'm angry that we only managed to get one point from the match."

"They complained about everything. They are little girls. Higuain tried to provoke me the entire match but I didn't get sucked in."

Zambrano gave Peru the lead with an early strike before Real Madrid forward Higuain equalized at the Estadio Nacional.

Continue Reading

WC 2014 Qualifiers: Argentina Held 1-1 by Peru

Gonzalo Higuain’s 37th minute strike helped Argentina to a 1-1 draw against Peru in their WC qualifying match at Lima on Sept 11, 2012. Carlos Zamorano gave Peru the lead, chipping in from 8 meters in the 22nd minute after a superb cross from Luis Advincula. Messi, who had scored nine goals in his previous 5 games, was a no-show in this match.

With this draw, Albiceleste stays atop of South American WC qualifying table with 14 points after seven matches, followed by Ecuador and Colombia with 13 points.

Continue Reading

WC 2014 Qualifiers: Spain Beat Georgia 1-0; France Beat Belarus 3-1

World Champions Spain defeated Georgia 1-0 in their opening WC qualifying match at the Boris Paichadze National Stadium, Tbilisi on Sept 11, 2012 thanks to Valencia’s Roberto Soldado late strike in the 86th minute. After the match, Spain’s defender Sergio Ramos blamed Georgia’s defensive tactics and bad pitch for La Roja’s narrow victory.

In another WC qualifying match, France had a comprehensive 3-1 victory over Belarus at Stade de France, Paris. Etienne Capoue, Christophe Jallet and Ribéry found the net for Les Bleus.

Continue Reading

Armadillo to be Mascot for 2014 FIFA World Cup

A rare species of armadillo is set to be the official mascot for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

World football's governing body FIFA registered a patent for the mascot on the European Union's trademark website OHIM on Sept. 11, just days after the design was shown on Brazilian TV show Fantastico.

The Tolypeutes tricinctus, or tatu-bola as it is known in Portuguese, is an endangered mammal native to Brazil. It is characterized by its ability to roll into the shape of a ball under a leathery shell as a mode of self defense.

The nickname for the mascot will be decided by an internet poll, in the same way the 2014 World Cup match ball was given its name "Brazuca" earlier this month.

The tatu-bola was chosen as the tournament mascot by Brazil's World Cup organising committee (COL) following a campaign by local animal protection association Caatinga.

Continue Reading

WC 2014 Qualifiers: England Held 1-1 by Ukraine

A late Frank Lampard’s penalty saved Roy Hodgson’s England from a World Cup qualifying defeat, as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Ukraine at Wembley Stadium, London on Sept. 11, 2012.

The Three Lions started the match slow with Ukraine teaching the English players a lesson or two in technique and passing. Jermain Defoe goal was ruled out for a foul with the game at 0-0 before Konoplyanka put Ukraine ahead in the 39th minute. Lampard scored from the spot in the 87th minute after substitute Danny Welbeck won them a penalty. To rubbed salt to the wound, England Captain Steven Gerrard was given the marching order for his second yellow card late in the match.

Gerrard will miss next the qualifier against San Marino on October 12, 202.

Continue Reading