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

Nigeria Drew With Scotland In Friendly

Nigeria played a 2 - 2 draw with Scotland at the Craven Cottage on Wednesday, in London, in the first of the three friendlies, the country is scheduled to play, in preparation for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, that will be starting next month, (June 12).

In the 10th minute of the match, James Morrison shot was skillfully diverted into the Nigerian net by Charlie Mulgrew. But about five minutes to half time, Michael Uchebo equalized for Nigeria, (1 - 1.

The scoreline did not stay like that for long, seven minutes into the second half, the Nigeria defender, Azubuike Egwuekwe scored an own goal. A gift which the Scotish team was happy to accept.

Peter Odemwingie

The match remained like that until almost stoppage time, when Uche Nwofor who substituted Michael Uchebo, struck from the right hand side of the box, to equalise for Nigeria.

Stephen Keshi, the Nigeria coach may have gotten an idea of which players, he will drop from the 30-man provisional squad, to reduce the number that will be going to the World Cup to 23 players.

But only one match is not enough to asses the players. As I mentioned earlier on in this article, Nigeria still has two matches to play in USA before moving to Brazil.

On the 3rd of June, they will play another friendly match, against Greece in the Philadelphia Union Stadium in USA. And on the 7th of June, they will play their last friendly preparation match, against USA in Jacksonvill.

Keshi is not likely to wait until the next two matches, to drop the seven players that will not make it to Brazil. This is because all the 32 World Cup teams, must submit the names of their 23 players to FIFA by June 2.
Read also: africanfootie.blogspot.com

Williams Sisters Crashed Out Of French Open

The French Open defending champion, Serena Williams (32), suffered a shocking defeat in round two against Spanish Garbine Muguruza, 6 - 2, 6 - 2.
Before the tournament began, Serena was the favourite to win the title again and retain the title she won last year, 2013. But as the match progressed, it became obvious that with so many faults, she was not her usual feisty and determined self.

Serena had previously won the tournament twice, in 2002 and 2013. All credit to her opponent, Garbine Muguruza, who saw that the defending champion was struggling in the match, so she took the opportunity that she had and won the match, which was the biggest victory in her career.

Serena Williams

The senior sister, Venus was also defeated in the second round by the Slovakian, Anna Schmiedlova, 2 - 6, 6 - 3, 6 - 4. Both sisters could have meet in the third round, had it been that they won their second round matches. Instead, they were both shown an early exit doors.

After the match, the very elated Venezuelan born Spanish resident, said,
''I was thinking I have a chance. I have to play really good to win,'' Muguruza said.

''There was a momment in the past games of the match, I was like, 'Oh. my God, I'm winning the set and then 4 - 1 or something like this.

''I was nervous, but I said, Ok, be calm. She's also nervous. I have the opportunity, so I have to continue like this to win,'' Muguruza added.

Serena said that she couldn't serve or play well in the tournament even though she didn't last long in it. That it was one of those days that one could not do things right or have ones own way.

''It was one of those days. You can't be on every day and gosh, I hate to be off during a Grand Slam. It happens, you know. It's not the end of the world. It is what it is,'' Serena said.

She said that Garbine played really well and smart. ''I think she played really well and she played really smart.''

''I just can't serve. I mean, my serve hasn't been good yet. I can't say this whole tournament, because my tournament didn't last long, but just in general,'' she said. Read also: africanfootie.blogspot.com

''You know, it's great, because I'm going to go home and work five times as hard, to make sure I never lose again,'' Serena added.

The big sister Venus who has won 7 Grand Slams to Serena's 17 said after the match, that she felt during the match that she was going to win.
''I felt like this was a match that I was most likely going to win,'' Venus said.

''I don't know how Serena felt, but I'm sure she feels like that every time she goes on the court. So I think our expectation was to play in the next round,'' Venus added.