Uruguay

Uruguay, Costa Rica, Colombia and Greece Are Through to Round of 16, Luckless Italy Exits

 June 25, 2014   R K Gupta

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Day 13 at FIFA World Cup saw lady luck smiling on Uruguay and Greece while Colombia and Costa Rica consolidated their status as early entrants to the knock-out phase. The worst fate beckoned on Italy, who just needed a draw from their match against Uruguay but ended up losing narrowly. Greece was another lucky team […]

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Neymar

Neymar Shines in Brazil’s Win on Monday as Holland, Mexico & Spain Also Record Victories

 June 24, 2014   R K Gupta

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Brazilian striker Neymar was the toast of the home crowd at Estadio Nacional in Brasilia on Monday. When the brilliant forward scored his first goal in 17th minute against Cameroon, he created two century marks. His goal was the 100th of the 2014 FIFA World Cup and it came with Brazil playing their 100th World […]

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Portugal

As Injury Time Header Saves Faltering Portugal, Algeria and Belgium Enter Last 16 on Sunday

 June 23, 2014   R K Gupta

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Sunday’s last game at Manaus belonged to the amazing Americans, who were several notches superior to Portugal in quality football. They led 2-1 in the injury time until a sudden last-second header by Silvestre Varela blocked their passage into the round of 16. From Portugal’s viewpoint, the 2-2 draw allowed them a lifeline in the […]

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FIFA World Cup

Fantastic Friday For Football at FIFA World Cup As Formidable France Crush Switzerland

 June 21, 2014   R K Gupta

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Eleven goals were scored in three matches of the Brazil World Cup on Friday, seven of them in the second match between Group E contenders France and Switzerland as the French beat their neighbors 5-2. In the first match, Italy suffered a 0-1 loss against Costa Rica in a match, followed more keenly by the […]

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End of the Road for Defending Champions Spain in World Cup 2014

 June 19, 2014   R K Gupta

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Adios Spana – read one placard held by a Chilean fan in the crowd just as the match between the defending champions and Chile was coming to an end. But it was a sad goodbye to an otherwise brilliant football side. As Spain’s journey in the 2014 FIFA World Cup came to an unpredictable halt, […]

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Mexican Goalkeeper

Mexican Goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa Frustrates Brazil In an Entertaining Goalless Draw

 June 18, 2014   R K Gupta

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If you are told that a football match ended in a goalless draw, you will naturally think about a drab affair devoid of action, in which the sides involved did not give their best performances. But last night’s Group A match between hosts Brazil and Mexico was one of the most thrilling goalless football games […]

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World Cup 2014

World Cup 2014: Germany appear ominously strong as African challenge withers

 June 18, 2014   John Welsh

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Now that every team has played in the 2014 World Cup tournament, arguably the most impressive team has been Germany after they defeated Portugal 4-0 without having to exert maximum power. However, the Ivory Coast apart, the African challenge seems to be weaker than anticipated which suggests that the much vaunted idea of a team […]

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FIFA

In Group of Death Only Germany Looks Safe But USA Take Their Revenge On The Black Stars

 June 17, 2014   R K Gupta

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It has been a little over six months since the World Cup draws. US fans were furious and even blamed a hidden hand in the emergence of Group G. In subsequent days, print and electronic media, especially in the US, carried conspiracy stories about FIFA’s game plan against the US football team. Analysts on TV […]

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Brazil

Karim Benzema Inspires France’s Win over Honduras as Goal Line Technology Debuts in Brazil

 June 17, 2014   R K Gupta

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The World Cup Group E match at Estadio Beira-Rio stadium in Porto Alegre on Sunday evening had a strange beginning. Just as players from both France and Honduras stood lined-up, ready for the national anthems of their respective countries, the ritual had to be given up. There was no music and no anthem for a […]

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Didier Drogba

The Didier Drogba Effect In Ivory Coast’s Win over Japan

 June 15, 2014   R K Gupta

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Already a legend in African football, Didier Drogba continues to inspire his country’s young footballers. A veteran of three world cups, the 36-year old Drogba brought magic to the game from the time he took to the field. For the better part of Ivory Coast’s match with Japan, however, Drogba sat on the bench watching […]

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