The Dream Is Over For The Orange Boys

Argentina managed to scale through to the World Cup final after beating the Netherlands 4 - 2 in the penalty shoot out in the semi - final on Wednesday.

After the full normal 90 minutes of play there was stalement. They played an extra 30 minutes and still the match ended 0 - 0.

There were just a few chances created in the encounter by the two teams. And the two leading stars in either camp - Messi for Aegentina and Robben for the Netherlands were not given space by the oppositions to operate.

The Dutch players

Infact Lionel Messi hardly touch ball in the box, while Arjan Robben in a few moments of brilliance in the box, where not allowed by the Argentine defenders to take shots.

In the penalty shoot out two Dutch players Wesley Snijder and Ron Vlaar missed. The Argentine goalkeeper, Sergio Romero blocked their shots, while the Dutch goalkeeper Jasper Cillisen could not save any penalty.

The Dutch coach, Louis van Gaal said that he asked two players to take the first penalty kick, but they refused to be the first to take the penalty. Then Ron Vlaar who was outstanding in the match accepted to do it.

''I asked two players to take the first ball, before ending up with Vlaar.
I taught he was the best player on the pitch so should have confidence,'' coach Louis van Gaal said.

In a twist of fate, Sergio Romero, who played under van Gaal for two seasons, and was taught by the coach how to stop penalties, became the man to deny van Gaal's team passage to the final.

''Penalties are always a matter of luck. And I taught Romero how to stop penalties so that hurts,'' Van Gaal said.

Though after the match, the goalkeeper Romero went and thanked Van Gaal for everything he did for him at AZ Alkmaar club.
Read also: africanfootie.blogspot.com

The Worst Day Of My Life Says Scolari

The Brazil national team was handed a massive crushing defeat of 7 - 1 by the Germans in the semi-final of the on going Fifa World Cup on Tuesday at the Belo Horizonte.

It was a match result that shocked the football community all over the world. The Germans were so good and the Brazilians were disorganised and ill prepard for the match that the scoreline in the first half was 5 - 0.

Thomas Mueller scored the first goal at the 11th minute of play, followed by a second goal by Miroslav Klose, a goal saw him become the highest goal scorer in the history of Word Cup. It was his 16th goal, which helped him surpass 15 goals of the Brazilian Ronaldo.



Luis Felipe Scolari 

The Brazilian coach, Luiz Felipe Scolari (65), who won the 2002 World Cup as the team coach described the match as the worst day of his life.

''I think it was the worst day of my life,'' the coach told the media.

Scolari took the responsibility for the humiliating and devastating result.
''I will be remembered as the coach to lose 7 - 1, but I knew that risk when I took the job and life goes on so so that is what I am going to do.''

Before the interval Mueller, Klose and Khedira scored one each and Toni Kroos scored two. When they came back in the second half Andre Schuerrle completed the German goals with additional two goals. Oscar got the one goal consolation for Brazil.

The team was dismantled in six crucial minutes, when the Germans scored four goals. It was really unbelievable. The Germans out played the Brazilians in every department of the game.

''My message for the Brazilian people and fans is that we did what we could do and we did what we think was our best,'' Scolari said.

''We lost to a great team with great skill, that took six minutes to change the game with four goals in an extra ordinary manner.''

He went on and apologise to the nation for the humiliation the team suffered.

''Please excuse us for this mistake. We are sorry we could not get to the final,'' he said. Read also: africanfootie.blogspot.com

''Who is the one responsible? I am. This catastrophic result can be shared with the whole group, because that is what my players say and want, but I am the one who chooses the tactics, the lineup, so the person responsible for the result is me,'' Luis Scolari said.

Brazil missed two key players - Neymar and the team captain Silva were not involved in the match. Neymar had injury, while Silva was serving a match ban, due to yellow cards.

He disagreed with the suggestion that Brazil performed badly, because their star player - Neymar did not play.

''Lets not try to find excuses. What happened was that Germany imposed a fantastic rhythm and was able in two or three moments to define the match.
It has nothing to do with Neymar,'' he said.

Miroslav Klose - The Goal Merchant

Miroslav Klose (36), of Germany has achieved the record, as the highest goal scorer in the history of the World Cup tournaments, after scoring his 16th goal in his country's 7 - 1 dismantling of Brazil in the semi-final encounter, at the Belo Horizonte on Tuesday.

Up until this tournament in Brazil, the legend Brazilian striker Ronaldo was the highest World Cup goal scorer at 15 goals.

Klose came to this World Cup having scored 14 goals in previous three tournaments, and needed to score one to equal that of Ronaldo. He did that in the group phase match against Ghana.

Miroslav Klose celebrating his record achievement

He scored one of their 2 - 2 draws goals in that match. And that goal put him at par with Ronaldo's 15 goals, but that was not enough for the goal scoring machine.

He had to surpass Ronaldo and be on top of World Cup goal scorers. The very gifted striker, with high sensitivity for goals, scored the German second goal in the semi-final, which took his goal-tally to 16.

The Polish born German Klose, is the highest goal scorer in Germany with 71 goals, in 136 appearances for the national team (Die Mannschaft).
He is only the third person to score in four different World Cups.

The other two players who scored in four World Cup were the Brazilian legend - Pele and the German Uwe Seeler, both in 1958, 1962, 1966 and 1970. Read also: africanfootie.blogspot.com

Gary Lineker, the former Tottenham and England striker, said about the amazing feat achieved by Klose,

''Klose is not a Ronaldo, or a Pele or that kind of footballer. He is a poacher but to break that record is a phenomenal achievement.''

The former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand said,
''He does not excite you outside the box but he is a pure goalscorer. When the ball comes into the box, he comes alive.''

His coach Joachim Loew, said that they were all happy and that he deserved the record, because at his age he is still playing at the highest level.

''Miro is incredible. To set the record and to do it in Brazil is a great performance. It really means a lot to all of us. This is a record.

''This is a record that could be beaten only by Thomas Mueller. We believe that he deserves it. Because at his age, he is still playing at the highest possible level,''  Mr Loew added.

Miroslav Klose was very very happy that he was able to achieve such a record. When asked why he did not do his usual flipping after scoring a goal he said that he was hit on his left foot as he was attempting a shot.

''I got hit in my left foot while attempting a shot and I was not able to do the flip.'' Read also: africanfootie.blogspot.com

Djorkovic Beat Federer To The Wimbledon Crown

Serbia's Novak Djorkovic (27), defeated the Swiss tennis legend, Roger Federer (32), 6 - 7 (7 - 9), 6 -  4, 7 - 6 (7 - 4), 5 - 7, 6 - 4 in a five sets thriller at the 2014 Wimbledon final on Sunday, to clinch his second title of the tournament.

After the match, Djorkovic told the media, that it wasn't easy to win the fifth set after he lost the fourth set, which leveled the match at 2 - 2 sets.

Novak Djorkovic kissing his trophy

He said that, he did not know how he managed to win the last set, of their hotly entertaining encounter. The match was so well fought, that either of the pair could have won it. Read also: africanfootie.blogspot.com

''After losing the fourth set, it wasn't easy to go on and win the fifth set, I don't know how I did it,'' the happy Djorkovic said.

The Serbian who will as a result of this win becaome the new world number one player again next week, when the ranking is released, said that the tournament is the best in the world, and that he always wanted to win. He also said that, he was grateful to have done it in such a high level.

''This is the best tournament in the world, and the one I always wanted to win, so to be able to compete at such a high level, I am so grateful,'' he said.

Germany Books Semi - Final Spot

Germany has book their semi - final spot in the on going Fifa World Cup, after beating France 1 - 0 in the quarter final match on Friday, in the Estadio de Maracana in Rio de Janeiro.

In the 12th minute of play, defender Mats Hummel scored a header over Varane Raphael, through a Toni Kroos free - kick. Hummel out jumped the French defender, to score the only goal of the match.

Even though, the game was not a high tempo and very combatant or thrilling as expected, before the match began the Germans managed to hold onto their earlier goal to the end.

Germans celebrating a goal

One had expected that after the break, the French would up their game and bring in a sense of urgency into their game, but they did not do that.

Although, they used counter attacks and long balls, the Germans were able to handle them very effectively.

The Germans dominated the midfield but their ever capable goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer, made a number of vital saves to deny the French an equalizer. Read also: africanfootie.blogspot.com

After the match the French coach, Didier Deschamps, said to the media
''Although our adventure in Brazil ends here and we're sad, disappointed and frustrated, we'll move on.

''I hope this group of players can play together for a long time. I have a lot work to do with them, but things are definitely promising.

''Today there wasn't much between the two sides. I thought we were a little bit timid at first and they scored early. After that we showed promise. We created chances and could have been more clinical, but Manuel Neuer had a good game,'' Deschamps added.

His opposite number Joachim Low, thought that his team did very well.
'' We played well, we played with a compact defence. They had some long balls against us, but we did a classy job taking care of those.''

''Our Our midfield did a very good job, disrupting their attack. We didn't have any organistion problems,'' Mr Low said.

''It was an incredible exciting match, but you can't expect anything else at the World Cup. Both teams were equals. Our team had fought hard to the end,'' Joachim Low said.

Lewis Hamilton Inspired By Mohammed Ali

The 2008 Formular one (F1) champion, Louis Hamilton (29), who will be trying this weekend to win his home town race, in order to reduce the 29 points gap, between him in the second position and his Mercedez team-mate, Nico Rosberg on top of the driver's championship.

Hamilton told BBC, that he is very much inspired, by the boxing legend Mohammed Ali's fight, against George Forman in 1974 in Congo, which was dobbed, ''The Rumble In The Jungle.''

Louis Hamilton

''I think about Mohammed Ali. He sat on the rope and let (Forman) have the upper hand, until he decided it was the right time to turn it around,'' he said.

''I am hoping I can do a similar thing. He inspires me in that fight. I am going to do everything to be out front.''

He believes that one winning his home town grand prix, is one of the greatest experiences a driver can have in his career.

''Winning your home grand prix, is one of the greatest experiences you can have as a driver,'' Hamilton said.

Louis Hamilton, has been battling with his Mercedez team-mate, for the top position on the driver's championship. Rosberg has won the last three races, hence the 29 points margin between them.

But Louis is hoping to win this weekend's Silverston race in the Uk, as he did in 2008. If he wins as he is planning to, then the difference in points will be cut down to the bearest minimum.

Hamilton has also had two bad lucks, of crashing out of two races already this year, and that was what affected his challenge to Rosberg.

''I'm hopeful I don't have any more bad luck with the non - finishes and it's time to turn things around,'' he added.

I wish him goodluck in the race. Read also: africanfootie.blogspot.com

Dimitrov Defeats Wimbledon Champion - Andy Murray

Andy Murray (27), the defending Wimbledon champion was defeated in three sets 6 - 1, 7 - 6 (7 - 4), 6 - 2 by the young Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, today the 2nd of July.

The 23 year old Bulgarian was in a very fine form especially with his terrific serves and defences.

Dimitrov who happened to be a friend of Murray, played so well that the defending champion was forced to make so many errors.

Andy Murray

After the match was over the euphoric Dimitrov said, ''Today was one of those days, when I was pretty steady for the whole match and came out the winner.''

''It's tough when you know the person well outside the court and you have to face them. I have hopefully two more matches left, and I am just focusing on that, and trying not to get carried away,'' he said.

His friend Andy Murray, said that he played badly right from the start of the match, and gave his opponent the confidence to do very well.

''My start to the match was poor. I started the match badly and I think that gave him confidence. Read also: africanfootie.blogspot.com

''I should have done a better job at the beginning of the match, making tougher for him, and I didn't manage to do that.

''Also, when I got back into the second set, that was my opportunity there,'' he added.

Anyway, he did not take the opportunity and he lost. Many of his fans were very disappointed especially the British fans, which included Prince William and Princess Catherine, who were in the stadium and watched the match.