الاثنين، 23 يونيو 2014

FIFA World Cup: 23 June 2014: Live Thread

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Live thread for the World Cup matches played on the twelfth day of the 2014 World Cup


After a high-scoring day yesterday in which 11 goals were scored in three matches, today marks the beginning of the end. The end of the Group Stage of the competition that is, as over the next four days the seeding for the remainder of the World Cup will be decided. The format of play also changes for this final round of group play as four games will be played each day, with games from the same group played at the same time. The second batch of games also won't be played at 9pm CET as was the case so far, but an hour later, at 10pm CET.


It also promises to an exciting day from a FC Barcelona standpoint as three of the four games will surely feature at least one Barça player.


Netherlands vs Chile, Kickoff: 6pm CET


In my opinion the match of the day as both teams showed impressive form so far, winning both of their matches and already earning a place in the next round. But what is left to be decided is which team will finish the group in first place and which in second. The Dutch hold the advantage over Chile as they have a better goal differential (by one) so if Chile want to top Group B they will have to beat the high powered offense of the Dutch side while a draw will be enough for Netherlands to secure first seed.


Australia vs Spain, Kickoff: 6pm CET


In all honesty Australia has impressed me more than Spain has so far, but both teams have already been eliminated from the competition and have nothing to play for. That being said, that probably holds true more for Spain who are surely going to be coming into the game heavily demoralized while Australia, who have not played badly in any of their losses, could once again look to surprise the big-name team.


Cameroon vs Brazil, Kickoff: 10pm CET


Apart from Cameroon being eliminated nothing has yet been determined in Group A as Brazil (4 points), Mexico (4 points) and Croatia (3 points) hold destiny in their own hands. Brazil currently lead the group and as long as they win against a disorganized Cameroon side that will probably be the case when everything is said and done. A draw is also enough for the Seleção to advance, but in this case Brazil would need some help to finish first. Unlikely as it may seem, Brazil can also still be eliminated, but they would have to lose and the Croatia vs Mexico game would have to end in a draw. There's also a scenario in which a Croatia win would result in Brazil being eliminated, but that one is very unlikely.


Croatia vs Mexico, Kickoff: 10pm CET


This one can come down to a simple "win and you're in", but when you look deeper into the numbers it gets very complicated. Mexico can secure at least a second place finish with a win or a draw, but can also advance in case of a loss, but would need plenty of help from Cameroon to do so, which is hard to imagine. Croatia can't afford to lose as that will see them crash out of the tournament. They could also squeak through to the next round with a draw, but would require a little help from Cameroon, but that is also hard to imagine. In all honesty, Croatia probably need to win this game if they want to see the Round of 16 of the competition.


This promises to be an exciting day of football. Enjoy!






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FC Barcelona News: 23 June 2014; Barça Juvenil A Lose in Spanish Youth Cup Semi-Final, Cordoba Earn Promotion

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FC Barcelona weekly summary in ten news items | FC Barcelona

The signing of Rakitic, the winning basket by Marcelinho Huertas, women's football winning the Queens Cup, and Pablo Alvarez’s contract renewal, are some of the most important news items surrounding FC Barcelona over the last seven days.


Dani Alves: Barcelona's Cuadrado interest motivates me - Goal.com

Dani Alves insists he would consider any move from Barcelona to sign Juan Cuadrado as a personal motivation. Cuadrado, who currently plays for Fiorentina in Serie A, has been one of the stars of the World Cup so far, contributing three assists in victories over Cote d'Ivoire and Greece to date.


Del Bosque: Iniesta plays, Xavi's out | Football Espana

Vicente Del Bosque has given an insight into the Spain line-up for today’s World Cup game against Australia. It will be La Roja’s final match of the tournament as the holders bow out at the group stage and Mundo Deportivo reports the Coach’s Press conference revelations.


FC Barcelona v Seville: Barça U18 fail to make the Final (2-1) | FC Barcelona

The 3-1 defeat in the first leg of the semi-final in Sevilla made it a tough call to be able to reach the Final of the Spanish Youth Cup, but Jordi Vinyals team gave everything they had to try and make it happen. El Seville scored first, but Maxi Rolón, with two penalties, turned the match around. However, the third goal, which would have forced extra time, never came.


All the Barça B goals from 2013-14 | FC Barcelona

One of the keys to the great season that Barça B have just had was their ability to score goals. Eusebio Sacristán’s team scored a total of 60 goals, and were the second top scorers in the League, behind Sporting Gijon, who scored 63.


Griezmann set for new Real deal | Eurosport

"I speak in Spanish to Carlos. He’s a top player," Griezmann said."We understand each other very well on the field and off it, because we’re friends."Is he at the level of Karim Benzema? Yes, I think he is."He’s calm, he’s re-signed with La Real and he looks comfortable. I don’t know what my future holds.


Cordoba promoted to La Liga Primera Division on last-gasp goal - ESPN FC

Cordoba earned promotion to Spain's first division for the first time since 1972 after scoring a last-gasp goal for a 1-1 draw at Las Palmas on Sunday following a premature pitch invasion by home fans. With Las Palmas winning 1-0, and less than two minutes of stoppage time left, several dozen home fans invaded the pitch which forced the game to be delayed for around 10 minutes.






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الأحد، 22 يونيو 2014

Report: Luis Suárez leaving Liverpool; FC Barcelona possible destination

By  6:04 م  No comments

Multiple reports from England and Spain claim that Luis Suárez doesn't want to stay at Liverpool and has requested a transfer. His destination? Liga BBVA, and Barça are the favorites


The best player of last season's Premier League doesn't want to stay there. And it appears his mind is set.


According to multiple reports from the likes of Sport, Mundo Deportivo, and Sunday Times, Luis Suárez has decided to leave Liverpool FC this summer. The 27-year-old striker has had problems with the English side before last season, and it appears that this is happening again. Suárez has reportedly said he isn't satisfied with the treatment from his coach, Brendan Rodgers, and has told his agent he is going to leave for Spain.


Both Barcelona and Real Madrid have showed interest in the Uruguay star, but the price tag is the biggest problem. His buyout fee is currently set at £80 million, although some reports say that it could go down to about £20 million, according to a special clause in his contract that allows it to happen if the teams involved are Barça or Madrid. It's not even close to clear whether or not this is true, and it looks like teams that want to sign Luisito will have to pay the full ammount.


The reports also suggests that Suárez is leaning towards moving to Barcelona, where he allegedly feels more comfortable with the organization and his place on the team, since it is obvious that Luisito is going to be a starter if he ends up as a Blaugrana. Barça is openly looking to add a pure striker to the squad, since new manager Luis Enrique wants alternatives to the tiki-taka, and Suárez would fit both systems, both as a 'true 9' or a mobile forward that could share 'false 9' duties with Lionel Messi.


What do you think, Barça fans? Is this potential Suárez signing a good move by Zubi?





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FIFA World Cup: 22 June 2014: Live Thread

By  7:48 ص  No comments

Live thread for the World Cup matches played on the eleventh day of the 2014 World Cup


Apparently, in terms of matches played, today signified the midway point of the 2014 FIFA World Cup; which means we're some way closer to the start of pre-season (thankfully). Of course, the majority of people are still enjoying the tournament though, so this is supposed to be a sad occasion.


Whatever, I'll just be glad when the season proper starts again -- there's just something about international football that just doesn't appeal to me. Anyway, to recap yesterday's action, Lionel Messi scored against a parked bus (shame he couldn't do that in any of the six matches we played against Atletico huh?). Germany aren't actually that good and neither are Bosnia. Onto today's games:


Belgium vs Russia, Kickoff: 6pm CET


A second tier European clash to start off a second tier day of action. Russia looked mediocre en route to a 1-1 draw with South Korea and Belgium nearly fell to a laughable defeat against the mighty Algeria, before pulling it back to win. Now, the two teams face each other and will hopefully create something resembling a decent match in the early kickoff.


Portugal vs USA, Kickoff: 9pm CET


Pepe is suspended, Fabio Coentrao is injured, as is Bruno Alves; Portugal are down to their bare bones and their already flimsy squad depth is going to be tested further against a buoyant USA side led by Jurgen Klinsmann. Just a note to all the Culés preparing to laugh at Ronaldo if Portugal go out -- he did win the Champions League this year...


Algeria vs South Korea, Kickoff: 0am CET


It's the game we've all been waiting for! Oh wait, no, it's Algeria vs South Korea, probably the exact opposite. There's a lot to play for in this group as the winner of this match could well position themselves for a run at second place. Still, yawn.


That's the schedule for today, enjoy!






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FC Barcelona News: 22 June 2014; Lionel Messi Leads Argentina to Victory, Barça Preseason Takes Shape

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Brilliant Messi strike sees Argentina into next round (1-0) | FC Barcelona

Leo Messi scored a stunning injury time winner to give Argentina a 1-0 win over a brave Iran in Belo Horizonte on Saturday, a result that ensures Alejandro Sabella’s team a place in the next round. Both Messi and Mascherano - who won his hundredth cap -played the full 90 minutes against an Iran team who will feel unlucky to lose after holding out and indeed looking the more threatening at times before Messi’s magical strike deep into injury time.


FC Barcelona's preseason shaping up | FC Barcelona

FC Barcelona’s preseason fixture list is filling up fast, but is still not definitive. Luis Enrique’s first test in the managerial role will be on July 19 at 10.00 PM CET at the Nuevo Colombino against Recreativo Huelva. Two of the oldest clubs in Spanish football will be competing for the Andalusian outfit’s annual preseason trophy, the Trofeo Colombino.


Brazil and Croatia looking to qualify; Spain looking to win | FC Barcelona

The third and final round of group matches gets under way at the Brazil 2014 World Cup on Monday, and there is plenty of Barça interest in the four games being played that evening. But the FCB players find themselves in contrasting situations. Spain and Cameroon are already out, while Chile are safely through to the last sixteen. Meanwhile, Brazil and Croatia are both strongly poised to make it out of Group A.


Del Bosque critical of Cesc training | Football Espana

Cesc Fabregas was told by Vicente Del Bosque to hand his bib over as the Coach felt the Chelsea man wasn’t working hard enough in training. AS reports that Del Bosque was critical of Cesc’s attitude during yesterday’s session, feeling Fabregas wasn’t working with the necessary intensity or the right body language, and Xabi Alonso took the bib instead.


RFEF to reject Del Bosque resignation | Football Espana

Vicente del Bosque will not be allowed to leave his position as Spain Coach, it has been claimed in the Spanish Press. The tactician has been asked constantly since La Roja’s exit from this summer’s World Cup whether he would step down, and has thus far refused to comment.






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السبت، 21 يونيو 2014

Report: Victor Valdés and Liverpool Get Close to Deal

By  2:35 م  No comments

Reports from Diario Metro suggest that former Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdés is close to joining Premier League's Liverpool


Victor Valdés is leaving Barcelona and it looks like he's finally found a landing spot.


It is Premier League's Liverpool FC, according to reports from Diario Metro. The English side wants to add quality competition to starting goalkeeper Mignolet, and they're willing to wait for Valdés to completely heal from his ACL tear back in April. Victor is expected to get back in training in mid-October.


Two weeks ago, we reported that AS Monaco decided to break their pre-contract and not move on with the transfer talks. Barça offered to help Valdés with his rehab, but there were no signs of a new agreement between the two, and his deal will indeed end by June 30. After that, any team that wants Victor's services can get him for free, and just negotiate a personal agreement.


Barcelona has moved on from VV and signed two GKs for next season. Marc-André Ter Stegen will be the starter, and former Real Sociedad and Chile international Claudio Bravo gets the backup slot, and is expected to sign his contract after the World Cup.


Vadés is the third Barça captain to leave the team. Legendary team leader Puyol retired, and Xavi Hernández is reportedly leaving to Qatar.






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World Cup: Lionel Messi Heroics Save Argentina vs. Iran

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Argentina scraped by in what many anticipated as an easy match. With the sides level at 0-0 at the end of 90 minutes, Messi made the difference.


Argentina did not look good. They were sloppy and languid.


Iran were organized and showing belief.


And it almost resulted in a shock - with 90 minutes gone, Iran and Argentina stood on a goalless draw.


You could even say Argentina were fortunate to be in this position. Iran came close to scoring more than once, with GK Sergio Romero having to make important saves.


A side fancied to win the World Cup should not be having these kinds of problems against a minnow like Iran (with all due respect).


But credit where it's due: Iran played a great match. They worked hard for each other. They were intelligent in their positioning, drilled by globetrotting coach Carlos Queiroz.


Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain were off-color. Angel Di Maria, though he showed more spark, was still a long way from his best. And Messi himself was quiet, too isolated and lacking a clear shot at goal.


And yet there it was. Messi found himself with a patch of grass to his own for once. It was injury time and he was outside the penalty box.


With a mighty whack of his magical left leg, he broke 77 million hearts back in Iran. It was another solo effort. His highly-vaunted forward partners had little to do with it.


Argentina are in the knockout stages now, with a 1-0 victory. For the second game in a row, the difference for Argentina was an act of divine inspiration. Against Bosnia, they won 2-1. The first goal from a Messi free kick that resulted in an own goal, the second from a magical Houdini-like escape of a dribble and a cannon of a shot.


Argentina in general made too many simple mistakes. They lacked real conviction. They perhaps lacked a good gameplan. The few times Argentina were able to counterattack, they looked menacing. But against opposition that sat deep, they looked out of ideas.


It's worrying, to be sure, when seeing much more complete opposition such as Germany and France play. But if Argentina's defense can hold up - and it will be crucial if Romero continues in a good vein of form - they will always have their #10 card in the backpocket. And this one's better than an ace.






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