Netherlands beat Mexico To Book Quarter - Final

Holland's last minute pressure in the round of 16 World Cup encounter against Mexico resulted in a 2 - 1 victory under the unforgiving scorching heat at the Estadio Castelao in Fortaleza.

The Mexicans were ahead few minutes after the start of the second half in the 48 minute through the 25 yard strike of Giovanni dos Santos.

The humidity at the stadium was so high that for the first time in a Fifa world Cup, cooling breaks were introduced. There were two cooling breaks, of about 3 minutes each, which Fifa allowed so that the players can drink water to cool down.

The Mexican players were much better in the two third (2/3) of the play time. It could be said that the Dutch had an escape. In the 88th minute, the pressure that the Orange Boys mounted resulted in the equalizer when Wesley Snijder released a missle-like shot into the net for (1 - 1).

Dutch team celebrating Snijder's equalizer

In the injury time, Arjan Robben was brought down in the box, by the Mexican captain Rafeal Martinez, and the referee pointed to the spot.
Jan - Klaas Huntalaar stepped forword and scored as he strucked the ball in the left far corner of the goalkeeper.

After the match the Dutch team coach, Louis van Gaal, said that the team spirit and the belief of the players led them to win.

''We have a modest group of players but they have outstanding team spirit and this is ultimately what led to the victory.''

''They had faith and believed until the very end. The humidity was not in our favour. We were fresher and fitter than the Mexicans.

''Not only did my players have belief that they could perform today, they also were fit for this match,'' van Gaal added.

His opposite number, the Mexican coach, Miguel Herrera, said that Arjan Robben, dived three times and should have been penalised, because he cheated. Read also: africanfootie.blogspot.com

''Robben did three dives and he should have been cautioned. You should cation a guy who is trying to cheat, and then if Robben did it again, he would be sent off,'' he said.

He went on to question, why Fifa put the Portuguese referee in charge of the match, as he was from the same confederation as Holland.

''And why did Fifa choose a referee from the same confederation as Holland instead of one from South America, Asia or Africa?

''The doubtful decisions were always against us. We have to say it in capital letters, in three matches we had horrible refereeing. The man with whistle knocked us out.''

''I want the referee committee to take a look and that the referee goes home just like us,'' Herrera said.

He said that his team did very well in most of the match, but later relaxed and allowed their opponents, which did nothing in the match, chances to come back into it.

''We'd done really well. Then the team sits back and we start to give chances to a team that had not done anything,'' he added.

Luis Suarez Banned Four Months For Biting

Luis Suarez

Luis Suarez (27), the Liverpool and Uruguay international star striker, has been given a nine match ban by Fifa with immediate effect, for biting the Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini on the shoulder on Tuesday, during the two nations Group D World Cup encounter.
He was also banned for four months from all football activities. In addition, he was fined €82,000 for the incident.

Claudio Sulser, the chairman of the Fifa disciplinary committee, (himself a former international striker for Switzerland) said,

''Such behaviour cannot be tolerated  on any football pitch and in particular, not at a Fifa World Cup when the eyes of millions of people are on the stars on the field.'' Read also: africanfootie.blogspot.com


After the incident happened Suarez tried to minimize the incident by telling Uruguay television that Chiellini bumped into him.

''These are just things that happen out on the pitch. It was just the two of us inside the area and he bumped into me with his shoulder,'' he said.

Mr Wilmar Valdez, the Uruguay Football Association president said that he has seen a more aggressive incidents recently and that ''there was not enough evidence,'' in the Suarez case. He think that it was ''excessive decision.''

''I have seen more aggressive incidents recently. It is a severe punishment. I don't know exactly which arguments they used, but it is a tough punishment for Suarez,'' he said.

While some people think that the ban was not harsh enough, taking into consideration that he has done this thing a couple of times before.
This is a third time Suarez has done this and in three different countries.

First was when he was with Ajax in a match against PSV in 2010, he bit a player Bakkal and was banned for 8 matches by the Dutch Football Association (KNVB).

Then 2013 in England, he bit Chelsea defender Ivanovic and was banned by the English FA for 10 matches and now he did it again.

Mark Lawrenson, a BBC football analyst and former Liverpool player himself, said that, Suarez is now a persistent offender and should have been given a much harsher punishment.

''He is a now a persistent offender and I thought actually the ban would have been much harsher,'' he said.

''Say my boy was about 11 or 12, how do you explain to your lad who's a football fan exactly what Luis Suarez keeps doing,'' he told BBC Sport.

The chief executive of Liverpool, Mr Ian Ayre, said that his club will wait to see Fifa report before they can make any comment.

''Liverpool will wait until we have seen the Fifa report before making any further comment.''

Uruguay Football Association said that they will appeal the decision, because it was excessive and that there was not enough evidence in the case.

Well they can appeal but I hope Fifa will stick with their decision. Uruguay cannot say, because he is a talented and very gifted player then over-look a terrible and sickening behaviour, that he kept on exhibiting on the football field again and again.

They forgot that millions of children all over the world are watching him, while he kept on showing this terrible canibalistic behaviour. He is a role model for many kids.

Instead of Uruguay Football Association defending this behaviour, they should help him get treatment during the ban, that is what they should do. Read also: africanfootie.blogspot.com

Uruguay Dumped Italy Out Of World Cup

Uruguay captain Diego Godin, scored a late goal in the Group D last match, which effectively dumped Italy (the four time champion) out of the on going World Cup tournament in Brazil.

The match began with Italy just needing to get a draw, to go through to the second round of the tournament, while Uruguay needed to win the match in order to advance to the next round.

It was an ill tempered physical match. The Italian midfielder Claudio Marchisio was given a red card and sent off, for a dangerous stud - up challenge on Arevalo Egidio.

Luis Suarez Of Uruguay

The Azzuris defended well even though they played ten against eleven. The only goal of the match came through a corner kick, which hit the back of Godin and beat the goalkeeper - Buffon into the net for a 1 - 0 scoreline.

A moment before the goal was scored, Luis Suarez seemed to have biten Chiellini on his shoulder, when they clashed.

Chiellini tried to show the referee the spot where he was biten, but the referee did not pay attention to him.

With this result, Uruguay finished second on the table with 6 points, just a point behind table topper Costa Rica, which played a goaless draw against England in their last match.

Italy finished with 3 points while England managed to get only a point. Both teams are now on their way back home, after a very disappointing performances. Read also: africanfootie.blogspot.com

San Antonio Spurs Are Champions Again

The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Miami Heat 104 - 87, in the NBA game 5 final to clinch the trophy from the former champions.

It was a sweet revenge for losing the title last year to the Heat. This is the fifth title the Spurs had won in the history of the franchise.

Both teams had their big three superstars in the game. The Spurs had Tim Duncan who was present in all the five titles their team had won.

Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili who had each won the NBA championships four times were involved in the game.

The big three of the Heat were - Lebron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh also played in this final. Read also: africanfootie.blogspot.com

Tim Ducan, said that the victory made their losing the championships last year okay. ''It makes last year Ok.''

Lebron James who scored 31 points and 10 rebounds said,

''We had a great first quarter, but from that point on they were better team and that's why they're the champions in 2014.''

Spain Crushed By Rampant Dutch

The defending World Cup champion - Spain was handed a humiliating 5 - 1 defeat by the Netherlands in their first Group D match in Brazil 2014. It was the worst defeat that any defending champion has suffered in a world Cup opening game.

Spain took the lead when Xavi Alonzo scored through the penalty they got, when Diego Costa, was brought down in the box.

Robin van Persie equalized for the Dutch, before the half time, through an amazing header over Iker Casillas, who appeared surprised to see the ball in his net. Read also: africanfootie.blogspot.com

The winning Dutch duo - Robben and Van Persie

But in the second half, the Dutch changed gear and took control of the game and dominated the match in every department.

The captain Van Persie and Arjan Robben, both scored twice each, with Stefan de Vrij scoring one to complete the humiliation.

It was the shock of the tournament so far. Nobody could have rightly predicted such a crushing defeat, of the defending champion, not even a die-hard Dutch fan.

The Spanish team was a shadow of themselves. None of their players really played exceptionally.

The whole Dutch team (De Oranje) played an amazingly tantalizing game. It was a sweet revenge for losing the 2010 World Cup final 1 - 0 to Spain in South Africa, through an Andreas Iniesta lone goal.

After the Dutch finished dismantling the Spanish team, the captain and goalkeeper, Iker Casillas whose two mistakes resulted in goals said, that he wasn't at his best and claimed that it was his fault for their massive defeat.

''I wasn't at the level I needed to be. I have to accept all criticism,'' he said.

''I didn't do things like I should have, especially to start a World Cup. It wasn't one of my best games,'' he added.

His coach, Vincente del Bosque refused to blame any single player for their poor performance, rather he said that the defeat was a weakness of the whole squad.

''When a team loses a match, it's not just the performance of one single player, it's a weakness in the total squad,'' the successful coach said.
Read also: africanfootie.blogspot.com

Dutch Women Wins World Hockey Championship Again

The Dutch women's national hockey team beat the Australia women 2 - 0 in the final on Saturday at the Kyocera Stadium, in The Hague, to clinch their 7th world hockey title.

The Dutch women who were regarded as the favourites right from the inception of the tournament, took the lead in the 12th minute, when the captain of the team, Maartje Paumen, was brought down in the circle by a defender and the goalkeeper.

Dutch team celebrating a goal

Paumen then took the penalty that was awarded and scored her team's first goal. (1 - 0). Read also: africanfootie.blogspot.com

Later as the match progressed, the very gifted Dutch striker, Kim Lammers, increased the scoreline to 2 - 0 and that was how the match ended.

Maartje Paumen was the highest goal scorer of the tournament with seven (7) goals.

In the third place match, Argentina's women team beat USA 2 - 1. Argentina's two goals were scored by Luciana Aymar.

The Dutch women are world number one and the defending Olympic champions. Their men will be hoping to make it a double when they face also Australia in the final on Sunday. Read: africanfootie.blogspot.com

Ex Arsenal Midfielder - Fabregas Joins Chelsea

Cesc Fabregas (27), the former Arsenal captain and Barcelona midfielder has signed a five year contract with the London club Chelsea.

Fabregas decided to join Chelsea, after his former manager Arsene Wenger and Arsenal, notified Barcelona, that the club will not be excising their first option, to buy him back.

The creative midfielder said that, he had an ''unfinished business'' in the English Premier League.

Cesc Fabregas in action Barcelona

''I considered all the other offers very carefully and I firmly believe that Chelsea is the best choice,'' he said.

''They have an amazing squad of players and an incredible manager. I am fully committed to this team and I can't wait to start playing.''

Refering to his former team - Arsenal turning down their first option, to buy him back from Barcelona, he said, ''Yes, everyone knows that Arsenal had the first option to sign me.''

''They decided not to take this option and therefore, it wasn't meant to be. I wish them well in the future,'' Fabregas said.

He seemed a bit disappointed, that he was going back to Arsenal. It was reported in the media that he wanted to go back to Arsenal, but Arsene Wenger was not looking for another creative midfielder, since he got Mesut Ozil.

One hope that Wenger knows what he is doing, that passing up the opportunity will not come to hunt him and Arsenal.

It wasn't long ago, infact it was in February and March when injury hit the top players and sidelined them, that the club started lossing many matches after being on top of the league table for nearly three months.

Most people believed that, that cost them the chance to win the Premier League. Had it been that Arsenal had many quality players, they could have replaced the injured players and continue the race till the end.

Now they have opportunity to fortify their midfield, Wenger is saying that he don't need another midfielder. Everyone saw what happened, when Ozil could not perform in the second half of the season.

There is nothing wrong in having two creative midfielder.
Anyway, only time will tell, we all will see what kind of signing Arsenal will make. Read also: africanfootie.blogspot.com

The club needs about four quality players to strenghten their squad. They need a world class goalkeeper, a right back to replace Sagna who has left and two world class strikers.

Suarez's Focused: Working Triple Shifts For Fitness

The Superstar striker for Liverpool and Uruguay, Luis Suarez (27), is working immensely double and triple shifts to be fit, as he recovers from the left knee surgery he had on the 22nd May.

His national team-mate Christian Rodriguez, said that the star player is very focused, on making a quick recovery and being fit for their World Cup matches.

Luis Suarez

''He is very focused. He is working in double and triple shifts and we hope to have him with us soon,'' Rodriguez said.

Suarez had the knee keyhole surgery, in order to repair meniscus damage which he suffered some time ago.

It is not known, the exact time the star player, will be ready for a match. Uruguay's first match in the World Cup is against Costa Rica, on Saturday the 14th of June. Their second match is against England on the 19th and on the 24th against Italy.

His national team coach, Mr Oscar Tabarez, said that Suarez is '''responding very well" to his training and is in fine mood.

''As we have no set deadlines, I don't know if we'll have him for the first match, for the second, for the third,'' Tabarez said.

He then added, ''If it were up to me, Suarez would play tomorrow.''
Read also: africanfootie.blogspot.com

Sports News In Brief

The manager of the Italian giant club AC Milan, Clarence Seedorf (38), has been sacked by the club after being in charge of the team for just five months. As it was stated in the club website, the youth coach and club legend, Filipo Inzaghi (40), who was a former team-mate of Seedorf at the club will take over as a coach. Inzaghi has been offered a two year contract, which will end in 2016.

Clarence Seedorf

Rafeal Nadal (28), is still the French Open champion, after over coming his arch-rival Novak Djokorvic (27), in the final. The nine times French Open champion came back stronger from losing the opening set to win the next three sets 3 - 6, 7 - 5, 6 - 2, 6 - 4 at the famous Roland Garros in Paris on Sunday. After winning the record ninth time, he sets his sight at the Wimbledon where he hope to do much better than his first round exit in 2013. ''I want to try to play well again in Wimbledon. I'm healthy. That's the most important thing,'' he said.

Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo won the Canadian Grand Prix on Sunday and said that it felt 'Weird' winning the formula 1 race.
''I pictured myself as a kid standing on top of the podium and when you 're up there, it feels a bit weird.
"It sounds awesome. Really good, terrific. Still seems a bit surreal, just because it happened so quickly,'' the Australian driver said.

The Bayern Munich and Croatia international striker, Mario Mandzukic (28), said that he he will be leaving the German giant club, after he refused to extend his contract. He asid that he decision to leave was as a result of Pep Guardiola's playing style (possession) which he found difficult to adapt to. Mario also said that he had a meeting last month with the club boss, Karl Heinz Rummenigge and informed him that he will be leaving.
''At Bayern it was fantastic. It's a fantastic club. Indeed, until recently I didn't even think about leaving and especially that it would happen now,'' he told Sportske Novosti.
''Lets be honest, the style Guardiola wants at Bayern doesn't suit me. When it's like that, I don't feel good and it's best for everyone that we part,'' he said.

The Russian Mario Sharapova (27), has defeated the tennis rising star, Romania's Simona Halep (22), in the French Open final on Saturday to clinch her second French Open trophy in her career. Sharapova beat Halep
6 - 4, 6 - 7 (5 - 7), 6 - 4 at the Roland Garros. After the match which lasted over three hours, the euphoric Sharapova said, ''I didn't grow up on clay; didn't play on it. I just took it upon myself to make myself better on it.
''I had to do the work and I worked to get to this position,'' she said.

The Nigeria defender Elderson Echiejile has been ruled out of the World Cup squad in Brazil, after he sustained a muscle tear injury in the friendly match against Greece on Tuesday in Philadelphia. The injury will take about three weeks to heal, according to the team doctors.
''Doctors have said Echiejile will need up to three weeks to recover from the muscle tear, but we don't have that type of time to play with, so we've taken the decision to replace him,'' the coach Stephen Keshi said.

Romelu Lukaku (21), the Chelsea forward who was on loan to Everton last season was injured in Belgium's friendly match against Tunisia. His country Belgium scored a last minute goal before the stoppage time through Dries Mertens, (1 - 0). Lukaku did not start the match, he came in in the second half. Reffering to his injury, the Belgian coach, Marc Wilmots, said,
Romelu has difficulty walking. It's a big bruise. It'll be three or four days,'' before his recovery. It has also been reported in the media that Lukaku wants to leave his club Chelsea, probably as he has been on loan in the last two seasons. And also with the club signing a top striker in the person of Diego Costa, from Atletico Madrid.

Andy Murray (27), the ATP tour number 8 player and the defending Wimbledon champion has appointed the former ladies Wimbledon champion, Amelia Mauresmo as his new coach. Murray has been without a coach since March after he parted ways with his former coach Ivan Lendle.
The 34 years old French woman has coached a couple of top players before now, which included Marion Bartoli, Michael Llodra and Victoria Azarenka. So the his new coach has enough experience both as a former player and coach.

Javier Macsherano (29), the Barcelona and Atgentine international has signed a new four year contract with his club, which will keep him in the club till 2018. This new contract includes a €100m buyout clause and an option to extend the deal for a further season.

The 2014 English FA champion Arsenal have reportedly told the Spanish giant Barcelona thatn they will not buy-back their former captain Cesc Fabregas. They had an option of first refusal inserted into his contract when he was sold in 2011. A number of top Premier League clubs wants the creative midfielder in their books, including Man City, Chelsea and Man United. It has been reported that Fabregas himself wants to go back to Arsenal but Arsene Wernger the coach is looking for another creative midfielder after signing Mesut Ozil. It is expected though, that the coach must strenghten his squad now that they have end their nine trophy drought, in order to be able to compete seriously for more trophies in the EPL and in the Champions League. Read also. africanfootie.blogspot.com