World Cup

World Cup 2014: Review of Round of 16 matches

 June 28, 2014   John Welsh

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Entertainment and goals were an integral part of the group stages of the 2014 World Cup and it is to be hoped that the knockout phase will continue the trend. Eight games spread over four days constitute the next Round of 16 ties and those matches are summarised below. Brazil v Chile Brazil will start […]

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Another Messi Dazzle, Ecuadorian Heartbreak, Cheers for Switzerland & Fitting Win for Bosnia

 June 26, 2014   R K Gupta

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Lionel Messi inspired yet another Argentinian victory, this time against Nigeria in their last Group clash on Day 14. Both Messi’s goals were breathtaking but Nigerians fought valiantly until the finish. In a match played at the same time, Bosnia-Herzagovina defeated Iran before bidding an emotional adieu to their first-ever World Cup appearance. Ecuador stifled […]

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Costa Rica

World Cup 2014 becoming an unpredictable tournament much to the benefit of football

 June 23, 2014   John Welsh

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After a first round of group matches during which the majority of the well-fancied teams earned three precious points with varying degrees of comfort, the second group games in World Cup 2014 have been far from predictable. Some squads may have relaxed, become fatigued or in the case of Latin American and African teams, simply […]

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Roy’s boys were toys of their own making in leading Suarez to score against them

 June 20, 2014   R K Gupta

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In the 85th minute of play yesterday night, Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera sent a huge optimistic kick too far down the halfway mark. England’s captain Steven Gerrard had the Uruguayan forward Cavani close to him and the two of them rose together to head the highball. Lurking behind them was the goal-hungry Suarez, Gerrard’s Liverpool […]

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World Cup 2014: Just what has happened to Spain?

 June 19, 2014   John Welsh

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Prior to the 2014 World Cup tournament, it had been suggested that the Spanish squad contained several players who may be past their prime and that retaining the trophy may be a supremely difficult task. There is no doubting that the 2010 World Cup and 2008 / 2012 European Championship winners were a formidable team, […]

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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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World Cup draws not so kind to Brazil but England should progress

 December 7, 2013   John Welsh

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Those first few glances at the 2014 World Cup draw would seem to suggest that Brazil, Argentina, France and Germany have drawn fairly winnable groups while Italy and England face much greater challenges in their opening matches. A more analytical study indicates that for some teams, all may not be as straightforward as first appears, […]

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The Intriguing Process of Final Draw for FIFA World Cup 2014 in Brazil

 November 24, 2013   R K Gupta

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After over two years of qualifying rounds featuring 207 nations and 816 matches, the end came last Wednesday with Uruguay qualifying as the 32nd and final team to clinch a place for 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Except the debutant Bosnia-Herzegovina, most of the favorites cemented their places, including eight former world champions. Ukraine were […]

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