Paraguay 0 Japan 0 (Paraguay won 5-3)

  Paraguay's defender Paulo da Silva jumps over Japan's midfielder Makoto Hasebe during the 2010 World Cup round of 16 match Paraguay versus Japan on June 29, 2010 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Tshwane/Pretoria.  AFP PHOTO / JEWEL SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)(Photo Credit should Read /AFP/Getty Images)


Paraguay dedicating World Cup to Cabanas

AP - 4 hours ago
PRETORIA, South Africa (AP) -- Paraguay's players are dedicating their success at the World Cup to Salvador Cabanas, the team's striker who is back home recovering from a gunshot wound to the head.
"What we are achieving is for him," said forward Cristian Riveros after a penalty kicks shootout victory over Japan pushed Paraguay into its first World Cup quarterfinal. "We called him from our room last week, and we'll continue to do so."
Cabanas was attacked on Jan. 25 in Mexico, and a member of a suspected drug cartel has been arrested as an accomplice.
The shooting took place at a Mexico City bar over an argument about soccer. The trouble started when the alleged shooter questioned Cabanas' scoring ability and the player responded angrily.
"He's always with us in spirit," Riveros said. "We have good news in that he's in his second recuperation stage and he's doing well."
Cabanas was Paraguay's top scorer in the World Cup qualifiers.

From Yahoo Malaysia Sports

FIFA World Cup 2010 Brazil 3 Chile 0

Chile throw everything they can against Brazil in the second-round tie at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. The star-studded Brazilian side aim to overcome the Chileans and proceed to the semi final on Saturday in Cape Town. ( Agence France-Presse )

TOPSHOTS Brazil's striker Luis Fabiano (L,up) manoeuvres the ball past Chile's goalkeeper Claudio Bravo to score during the 2010 World Cup round of 16 football match Brazil versus Chile on June 28, 2010 at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg. AFP PHOTO / YURI CORTEZ (Photo credit should read YURI CORTEZ/AFP/Getty Images)(Photo Credit should Read /AFP/Getty Images)

Germany beats England 4-1 in World Cup

NESHA STARCEVIC, AP - 10 hours ago

BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa (AP) -- Germany's latest World Cup victory over England will be remembered not for any of the brilliant goals, but for the one that didn't count.
Ask anyone -- players, coaches, thousands of fans in the stadium and millions more watching on television -- and there's little question that Frank Lampard put a shot in the net late in the first half that would have tied the score.
But referee Jorge Larrionda waved play on, and Germany used two second-half goals by Thomas Mueller for a 4-1 victory Sunday. The Germans are headed to the quarterfinals. The English are shaking their heads in disbelief.
"It's incredible," England coach Fabio Capello said. "We played with five referees and they can't decide if it's a goal or no goal. The game was different after this goal. It was the mistake of the linesman and I think the referee because from the bench I saw the ball go (in)."
Germany coach Joachim Loew couldn't argue that point.
"What I saw on the television, this ball was behind the line," Loew said. "It must have been given as goal."
It wasn't.
"The goal was very important," Capello said. "We could have played a different style.
"We made some mistakes when they played the counterattack. The referee made bigger mistakes."
Larrionda and assistant referee Mauricio Espinosa were not made available to comment. FIFA said in a statement that it "will not make any comments on decisions of the referee on the field of play."
Soccer's rules-making panel agreed last March not to pursue experiments with technology that could help referees judge goal-line decisions.
Germany went up on goals by Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski before England's Matthew Upson made it 2-1 in the 37th minute.
Lampard's non-goal came a minute later. After the ball landed across the line, it spun back into the arms of Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. Capello initially celebrated what he thought was an equalizer by clenching his fists and shaking his arms. But his face changed when he realized the goal had not been given.
As the players headed off the field at halftime, Wayne Rooney walked over to a linesman and gestured with his hands how far he thought the ball crossed the goal line.
In 1966, England and Germany were 2-2 in extra time in the World Cup final when Geoff Hurst's shot struck the underside of the crossbar, bounced down and spun back into play. That time, the referee consulted his linesman, who awarded the goal.
Hurst went on to score a third goal in England's 4-2 victory at Wembley.
This time, it was Mueller getting two goals.
"We heard that the ball was behind the line, that we were fortunate," Mueller said of Lampard's shot. "Before the last two goals, the game hung in the balance, England was putting on the pressure."
The 20-year-old forward finished two quick German counterattacks within 3 minutes to sink England's hopes of beating Germany at the World Cup for the first time since that '66 final.
Germany plays Argentina, which beat Mexico 3-1, in the quarterfinals on Saturday in Cape Town.
"In the knockout stages, Germany is always there," Podolski said. "We fought and ran a lot, just fantastic today."
Added Klose: "We were aggressive from the first minute and it was a deserved victory. Our target was to reach the semifinals and that's what we want to achieve."
It was the most lopsided England loss in a World Cup.
Mueller scored on the counterattack in the 67th minute, having started the move after a long clearance by Jerome Boateng. Mueller passed to Bastian Schweinsteiger, who patiently dribbled upfield and ran across the 18-yard line to feed the unguarded Mueller. His shot hit the hand of England goalkeeper David James and went in.
Three minutes later, Mueller struck again after a break on the left wing by Mesut Oezil.
"We played I think well at 2-1, but after the third goal it was a little bit disappointing," Capello said. "Germany is a big team. They played a good game."
Klose scored his 50th goal in 99 games for Germany -- his 12th World Cup goal -- by outmuscling defender Upson to a bouncing ball off a goal kick. Podolski gave the three-time champions a 2-0 lead, putting the ball through James' legs.
Upson headed in a cross from Steven Gerrard to make it 2-1, then Lampard's shot was not rewarded -- a decision sure to be debated for as long as international soccer has no video replay.
"I think if you look back at the game as a whole, we've been beaten by the better team," England captain Steven Gerrard said. "At 2-1, if Frank's ball had stayed I think it would have been a nice turning point in the game."

Tevez double puts Argentina into last eight

By Agence France-Presse, Updated: Sunday, June 27, 2010 9:48 PM

Argentina will meet Germany in the World Cup quarter-finals after striker Carlos Tevez struck twice - once controversially - to seal a 3-1 win over Mexico on Sunday.
Goals by Manchester City's Tevez and Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain, his fourth to become the tournament's top-scorer, means Diego Maradona's Argentina will now meet the Germans in Cape Town on Saturday in the last eight.
Argentina coach Diego Maradona was pleased with the win, but admitted Germany would be a step up from the hard-working Mexicans.
"I feel like pulling on the jersey and playing myself," said the former midfielder.
"We know Germany are a different team to the side we faced in Mexico. They are stronger, but we will field the right players to beat them."
Mexico coach Javier Aguirre said two mistakes cost his side the game.
"In the first few minutes we were superior. But then we conceded a goal which was offside and then there was an error in the defence. Two mistakes made a dramatic difference," said Aguirre.
Mexico forward Javier Hernandez gave his side brief hope when he turned his marker in the 71st minute and smashed his shot past Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero, although it was too little, too late.
Argentina were not to be denied, but Tevez's first-half strike was awarded in controversial circumstances as replays showed he was offside when world footballer of the year Lionel Messi gave him the final pass.
The Manchester City star's shot was saved by Mexican goalkeeper Oscar Perez, but Messi followed up and chipped Perez for Tevez to head home.
The Mexican defence complained bitterly, but Italian referee Roberto Rosetti allowed the 26th-minute goal to stand despite the furore caused by a replay of the incident on the stadium's giant TV screens.
Mexico captain Rafael Marquez picked up a yellow card almost from the restart for fouling Messi.
Things went from bad to worse for the Mexicans on 33 minutes when defender Ricardo Osorio's pass went straight to Higuain, who slotted past Perez to make it 2-0 at the break.
Rosetti had to step in to break up a pitch-side melee between the two sides as they walked off for half-time with tempers boiling over in the wake of the first goal.
Tevez settled the matter with a breath-taking strike on 52 minutes which he rifled into the net's top right-hand corner from just outside the penalty area, giving Perez no chance.
Tevez came off in the 69th minute to make way for Juan Sebastian Veron just as Argentina's Martin Demichelis cleared off the line before Hernandez scored Mexico's consolation.
This was the fifth straight finals where Mexico have exited the competition at the round of 16 phase and the last time they reached the quarter-finals was when the hosted the event in 1986.
Argentina remain on course for their third World Cup title after 1978 and 1986.

FIFA World Cup 2010 Brazil 0 Portugal 0

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 25: Luis Fabiano of Brazil goes up for a header as Ricardo Carvalho and Eduardo of Portugal defend during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group G match between Portugal and Brazil at Durban Stadium on June 25, 2010 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 25: Luis Fabiano of Brazil is challenged by Raul Meireles (L) and Fabio Coentrao (R) of Portugal during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group G match between Portugal and Brazil at Durban Stadium on June 25, 2010 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

FIFA World Cup 2010 Netherland 2 Cameroon 1

Arjen Robben came on as a second-half substitute for the Netherlands in their 2-1 win over Cameroon that wrapped up top spot in Group E and a last-16 clash against Slovakia.

Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o powers forward under pressure from Dutch defender Joris Mathijsen during their Group E match. The Netherlands won 2-1 to win the group while Cameroon were already eliminated.

FIFA World Cup 2010 Japan 3 Denmark 1

Agence France-Presse, Updated: Thu, 24 Jun 2010

Japan's Yasuhito Endo (C) and his teammates celebrate his goal during the 3-1 win over Denmark which booked their second round spot in Group E.

FIFA World Cup 2010 New Zealand 0 Paraguay 0

New Zealand's striker Shane Smeltz (R) kicks the ball during the Group F first round 2010 World Cup football match Paraguay vs. New Zealand on June 24, 2010 at Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane. AFP PHOTO / JUAN MABROMATA (Photo credit should read JUAN MABROMATA/AFP/Getty Images)(Photo Credit should Read /AFP/Getty Images)


 

 
Paraguay's striker Nelson Valdez (R) is challenged for the ball by New Zealand's midfielder Leo Bertos during the Group F first round 2010 World Cup football match Paraguay vs. New Zealand on June 24, 2010 at Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane.  AFP PHOTO / HOANG DINH NAM (Photo credit should read HOANG DINH NAM/AFP/Getty Images)(Photo Credit should Read /AFP/Getty Images)

World Cup 2010 Ghana 0-1 Germany: Mesut Oezil Strike Sends Europeans To Second Round

Ghana's defender Jonathan Mensah (L) fights for the ball with Germany's midfielder Mesut Oezil during the Group D, first round, 2010 World Cup football match Germany vs Ghana on June 23, 2010 at Soccer City stadium in Soweto, suburban Johannesburg. Germany won by 1-0. ARTICLE AFP PHOTO/Monirul Bhuiyan (Photo credit should read Monirul Bhuiyan/AFP/Getty Images)(Photo Credit should Read /AFP/Getty Images)

Ghana's midfielder Andre Ayew fights for the ball with Germany's defender Per Mertesacker (17) during the Group D, first round, 2010 World Cup football match Germany vs Ghana on June 23, 2010 at Soccer City stadium in Soweto, suburban Johannesburg. Germany won by 1-0. ARTICLE AFP PHOTO/Monirul Bhuiyan (Photo credit should read Monirul Bhuiyan/AFP/Getty Images)(Photo Credit should Read /AFP/Getty Images)



Germany squeaked out a 1-0 victory over Ghana on a gorgeous night in Johannesburg's magnificent Soccer City Stadium. While the weather was a chilly 11 degrees Celsius upon kick-off, the game soon heated up.

The European side were aggressive upfront, allowing the Ghanaians to respond with swift counterattacks. Neither side managed to score before the half, but playmaker Mesut Oezil struck on the hour mark to lift the Germans to victory and a first place finish in Group D. Following Australia's 2-1 win over Serbia, Ghana took second.
Having lost to Serbia in their second group match, the Germans faced a must-win scenario against Ghana. Nonetheless, coach Joachim Loew opted not to take a more aggressive stance than in previous matches, preferring his 4-2-3-1 shape over a multi-striker system. For the Germans, Cacau replaced suspended striker Miroslav Klose while Loew replaced unimpressive left-back Holger Badstuber with Jerome Boateng.
Ghana, by contrast, needed just a single point to advance to the round of 16, and coach Milovan Rajevac chose his starting line-up accordingly. The Serbia native retained his conservative 4-2-3-1 formation, and made just one change to his starting XI as John Mensah replaced Lee Addy, joining his namesake, Jonathan Mensah, in central defence.
Ghana kicked off the match and took a direct path for goal, but Asamoah Ayew mis-hit his strike, which looped off target. That would prove to be a rare venture forward for the Black Stars, who played like group leaders: tentative in attack, and content to defend their point.
Early in the game, Germany controlled the lion's share of possession, with holding midfielder Sami Khedira and playmaker Mesut Oezil freely moving forward to join Cacau. Ghana were superbly organised in their defence, however, and the Germans found it extremely difficult to earn clear chances.
The Ghanaians used their pace to counterattack their overcommitting opponents, and instead it was the Africans who earned the better chances on goal. The Ghanaian midfield was superbly industrious, and Gyan, Kevin-Prince Boateng, and Kwadwo Asamoah all did very well pressure the Germans deep and force counterattacks.
Only a heavy touch by Asamoah Gyan, misplaced ball from Kevin-Prince Boateng, solid defending from Arne Friedrich and aggressive goalkeeping from Manuel Neuer prevented the Black Stars from taking an early lead.

Germany were nearly gifted an own goal inside ten minutes, but goalkeeper Richard Kingson reacted quickly to parry Lukas Podolski's deflected cross out for a corner. In the 25th minute, the increasingly influential Oezil was played through on goal, but the 21-year-old was unable to finish as Kingson made a comfortable save.
Moments later, Ghana should have had a goal following a corner. Andre Ayew headed the set piece past goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, but Germany skipper Philipp Lahm cleared the shot off the goal line.
Midway through the first half, Ghana found their feet in midfield, and began to attack Germany more willingly, but like their opponents, were unable to make the final ball to produce a goal.
At the break, Loew was left to ponder his options to produce a goal, whereas Rajevac could be content with the result, though perhaps slightly disappointed his team could not have netted the opener.
As the second half began, the two sides took to the pitch unchanged, and Germany resumed their uncompromising attacking style, while Ghana defended and looked stellar on the break. The first five minutes of the second half were played almost entirely in Ghana's defending half, but the Africans were first to create a clear scoring opportunity. Asamoah was first to a through ball, but Neuer was quick off his line and blocked the midfielder's effort.
In the second half, Lahm moved into a permanent midfield position, and Friedrich, Per Mertesacker, and Jerome Boateng formed a three-man defence. The Germans looked strong on the right channel, but as was the case earlier, never had a reliable target in the penalty box.
As events would unfold, such a player was unnecessary. On the hour mark, Oezil finally broke his scoring duck with a gorgeous volley from the edge of the area. His shot sliced just enough to beat Kingson at the left post, sending the Germans temporarily atop their group.
Ghana responded immediately with a strong spell in attack. Ayew first delivered an exquisite cross to Tagoe, but the attacker's close-ranged header was cleared off the line by Jerome Boateng. Next, Gyan played a perfect back-heel to set up Ayew, but Lahm intervened at the last moment to deflect the resulting shot over the bar.

Lahm moved back into his normal role on the right side of defence and finally able to drop back to a less aggressive stance, the Europeans looked much more stable at the back, and like Ghana before, looked to score on the counterattack.
Ghana earned a good spell of possession, but were unable to get behind their opponents' back line. Despite being dangerously close to crashing out of the tournament, the Ghanaians seemed to lose their desire to score. It was a thin line that Ghana toed between facing the United States in the round of 16 and finishing third in their group.
In the end, that gamble paid off. Both sides played to a rather lacklustre conclusion, with Germany finishing first, and Ghana second in Group D. The two teams now advance to the second round to face England and the United States, respectively.

From Goal.com

England 1 Slovenia 0

PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 23: The England team celebrate victory after the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group C match between Slovenia and England at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on June 23, 2010 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 23: Wayne Rooney of England leaves the pitch after being substituted by Fabio Capello manager of England during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group C match between Slovenia and England at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on June 23, 2010 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Perfect for Portugal with 7-0 North Korea win

Perfect for Portugal with 7-0 North Korea win


Reuters - 34 minutes ago
By Mitch Phillips

CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - Portugal produced a sumptuous second-half performance to earn their biggest ever World Cup victory when a 7-0 thrashing of North Korea in Group G on Monday put them firmly on course for a place in the second round.
Cristiano Ronaldo ended his 16-month international goal drought but the damage had been done long before his late strike as the 2006 semi-finalists put themselves in prime position to accompany Brazil into the knockout phase.
Portugal's scintillating display of fast-paced attacking football also ended North Korea's hopes of progress.
Raul Meireles had put them 1-0 up by halftime and three goals by Simao Sabrosa, Hugo Almeida and Tiago in a seven-minute blitz early in the second half, broke the Korean resistance.
Another clutch of three goals by substitute Liedson, Ronaldo and Tiago in the last 10 minutes had the substantial Portuguese following in seventh heaven.
It also emphatically ended the "Cape Town Curse" that had seen the city's three previous games produce dull draws and just two goals.
"It was a great display, good goals, great attitude," said Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz.
"It was a great day for Portugal and Portuguese football and now we will concentrate on the next game. Although we got seven goals we only got three points."
Despite his caution, Portugal's plus-seven goal difference makes the win effectively worth a bonus point.
They have four points to the six of Brazil and on the evidence of Monday's display will go into Friday's Durban clash full of belief that they can beat the five-times champions.
Ivory Coast, beaten 3-1 by Brazil on Sunday, have one point and need a Portuguese defeat combined with a massive win for themselves over Korea to have any hope. A draw for Portugal in their final game would guarantee Queiroz's side progress.
EMPHATIC RESULT
Monday's emphatic result looked unlikely as North Korea started with unexpected ambition and had one or two near misses.
Ricardo Carvalho thumped an early header against a post but in conditions made difficult by relentless rain it took until the 29th minute for Portugal to find a way through.
Tiago, drafted in for the injured Deco, rolled a beautifully weighted ball to Meireles who fired home low and hard.
Portugal gradually took command after that and changed the dynamics of the match, and group, with three well-made goals.
Meireles and Almeida combined well to set up Simao to tuck in the first of them after 53 minutes, Fabio Coentrao crossed for Almeida to head home the next after 56 and Ronaldo put another goal on a plate for Tiago on the hour.
As space began to open up, Portugal took full advantage with some devastating moves. Ronaldo hit the bar in the 70th before Liedson came off the bench to smash in the fifth after 81.
Ronaldo eventually got on the scoresheet when Liedson robbed a tiring defender. Goalkeeper Ri Myong-guk challenged Ronaldo but the ball spun into the air and landed on the forward's head before he calmly volleyed it into an empty net.
Tiago, another one of Queiroz's inspired changes to his starting team, headed his second a minute from time.
"My goal was funny but I'm very happy," said Ronaldo, whose last one for Portugal came in February last year.
"To score seven in a World Cup game is not easy, we played fantastic."
(Editing by Ken Ferris)

Brazil 3-1 Cote D'Ivoire: Luis Fabiano Double Helps To Seal Controversial Encounter

Goal.com - 6 hours ago
Brazil's Luis Fabiano got back amongst the goals as he recorded a brace to set his side up for a 3-1 win over Cote D'Ivoire in Group G of the World Cup. Kaka was sent off late on as a controversial affair reached its tempestuous climax.
Fabiano hit goals either side of half-time, though the second had a hint of handball about it, before Elano wrapped up the win. Didier Drogba’s header proved only a consolation for the Elephants.
As expected, Drogba was recalled to the starting line-up by Ivory Coast coach Sven-Goran Eriksson after having come on as a substitute against Portugal. Brazil were again able to field their one to 11, Dunga deciding not to tinker with the line-up which overcame North Korea.
Brazil could well have had the lead within the first minute as an Ivory Coast attack was broken down and Robinho broke straight through the middle before firing a 30-yard strike just over the bar.
Cote d’Ivoire’s first half-chance came when Salomon Kalou attempted to thread a pass through the Selecao’s backline for Drogba, but he just put too much weight on his effort and Julio Cesar beat the Elephants’ striker to the ball.
The Chelsea frontman looked set to cause Brazil trouble when he stood over a 13th-minute free-kick, but he blasted his 25-yard effort well over the bar. But it wasn’t long before he’d earned his side another set piece after tangling with Lucio. Emmanuel Eboue swung a well-placed dead ball and Julio Cesar had to be on his toes to punch clear ahead of two green shirts.
At this stage it was the Africans who were on top, with Brazil looking to rein back a rare spell of possession. Full-back Maicon decided to take the bull by the horns by going on a rampaging run down the right which earned Brazil a corner.
When the ball came in Gilberto Silva had his shot from the edge of the area blocked and the rebound fell to Robinho, but again he couldn’t keep his shot down as his left foot effort failed to test Boubacar Barry.
But this only proved to be the catalyst to a period of pressure from Brazil which would lead to the opening goal on 26 minutes.

Robinho picked up the ball in midfield and fed Luis Fabiano, whose first-time flick freed Kaka. The Real Madrid man did well to keep hold of possession under pressure before returning the pass to Luis Fabiano, who strode forward and fired emphatically into the roof of the net at Barry’s near post.
The breakthrough was just what Brazil needed to take control of the game, and for several minutes afterwards Ivory Coast did well to so much as get out of their own half as the Selecao began to dominate possession and territory for the first time. It became a lesson in keep-ball for a few minutes as the Samba stars stroked the ball around with ease.
On the rare occasions that the Elephants did progress, they appeared to be constantly being foiled by Felipe Melo in midfield. This prompted a couple of longer range efforts, the best of which saw Julio Cesar smother the ball well from a Kalou strike.
Eboue was the next to try his luck from range, his 20-yard shot taking a flick off Juan before going wide of the near post, but the referee and his assistants failed to spot the deflection and gave a goal kick.
Brazil came out for the second half with an extra spring in their step and within just five minutes Luis Fabiano added a controversial second goal.

With two defenders to beat, Luis Fabiano appeared to take the ball down with the top of his arm, before flicking it up with his right foot, then once more connecting with the top of his arm. With no whistle forthcoming, the striker was able to drill home the bouncing ball with his left foot, though Barry may feel he could have gotten more on the ball as he could only get his fingers to the strike.
It was a real sucker punch for Cote d’Ivoire, but they weren’t about to give up, and just two minutes later Drogba worked himself into space, from where he was able to get a header in on goal. But his effort ran along the face of goal with Julio Cesar scrambling across.
Kalou then tried to put in substitute Gervinho – a replacement for the ineffective Aruna Dindane – but his pass was just too long as Cote d’Ivoire began to play with a hint more urgency, but just after the hour mark Brazil put the game to bed.
Kaka did superbly to get to the bye-line on the left, drawing Kolo Toure in doing so, before cutting back into the centre, where Elano timed his run to perfection and slotted home coolly with his left foot.
It was practically Elano’s last touch of the game, as he picked up an injury soon after had to be stretchered off the pitch. He was replaced by Dani Alves, whilst Sven-Goran Eriksson used the break in play to introduce Kader Keita for Kalou.
Maicon very nearly added a fourth when he nutmegged Yaya Toure before slashing a low shot just wide at the near post. It was an example of the kind of casual football which the Selecao were now demonstrating in most areas of the pitch.
Cote d’Ivoire were reduced to the odd break at this point, but it was from one such moment that they reduced the deficit.
Gervinho went on a magnificent run from his own half, but had his shot blocked. But he continued to chase down the loose ball and wait for support. When the ball was finally crossed back into the area, Didier Drogba arrived unmarked to head past the motionless Julio Cesar.
It was a real fillip for the ‘home’ crowd, most of whom had come to cheer on their African brothers.
But just as the game looked set to come alive once more, a highly tempestuous end came about instead. After an original confrontation between Keita and Kaka, Check Tiote was then booked for a bad challenge on Luis Fabiano.
Then came the real flashpoint with just three minutes remaining as Keita ran into Kaka in back play before throwing himself to the floor. As recriminations were sent back and forth between the two sets of players, there was a great amount of pushing and shoving before the referee regained control. When order was restored he eventually showed Kaka a second yellow card and the subsequent red, but Brazil managed to hold out and record their second successive win.

From Yahoo Malaysia Sports

US rallies to draw 2-2 with Slovenia

KARL RITTER, AP - 24 minutes ago
JOHANNESBURG (AP) -- The United States rallied from two goals down at halftime to salvage a 2-2 draw with Slovenia on Friday in Group C.
Michael Bradley and Landon Donovan scored in the second half as the United States denied the Slovenes a win that would have made them the first team to advance to the knockout round.
A third American goal was disallowed for an apparent foul.
"This team still understands how to fight for 90 minutes," said United States coach Bob Bradley, Michael's father. "This is something we've seen time and time again."
Valter Birsa scored in the 13th minute and Zlatan Ljubijankic doubled the lead for Slovenia in the 42nd.
The result at a cold and blustery Ellis Park left Group C wide open, with the last round of group stage matches to decide which teams move on.
"We lost our concentration in the second half and the Americans benefited from that," Slovenia coach Matjaz Kek said. "We were ahead of the United States but we didn't overcome this pressure."
The United States has two points in Group C after a 1-1 draw with England in the first match. The Slovenes, who beat Algeria in their opening match, have four points.
Bradley scored the equalizer in the 82nd minute from Jozy Altidore's header. Altidore nudged it forward and Bradley, running at full speed, caught up to it just in front of the goal and tapped it up and over Slovenia goalkeeper Samir Handanovic's head for the equalizer.
United States substitute Maurice Edu volleyed Donovan's free kick into the net in the 86th but the goal was disallowed as the referee called an apparent foul that perplexed the Americans.
"I still don't know why the goal was disallowed," Bob Bradley said. "Nobody knows at this moment."
Donovan gave the Americans hope at the start of the second half. Picking up a long pass from Steve Cherundolo, he broke in from the right flank and blasted a right-footer into the top of the net from a tight angle. It was Donovan's 43rd goal for the United States.
"I'm a little gutted to be honest," Donovan said. "I don't know how they stole that last goal from us. ... I'm not sure what the call was. He (the referee) wouldn't tell us what the call was."
Going all the way back to 1930, the Americans have never won a World Cup match in which they trailed. Still, Donovan was proud of his team for canceling a two-goal deficit.
"My guess is there's not many teams in the tournament that could have done what we did," Donovan said. "And that is what the American spirit is about."
Birsa scored from 25 meters (yards), stunning United States goalkeeper Tim Howard, who stood frozen on the goal line and watched the shot drift into his upper left corner.
The Slovenian winger was left unchallenged by a passive American defense and had ample time to adjust his aim before curling the shot perfectly with his left foot.
"I just lost sight of it," Howard said. "The pace and curl with which he hit it, it just froze me."
Ljubijankic doubled the score on a counterattack, set up by attacking partner Milivoje Novakovic. Howard rushed out to stop him but Ljubijankic kept his cool and slotted the ball inside the far post.
Slovenia captain Robert Koren said the referee was close enough to have a good view of the situation when Edu's goal was disallowed.
"Always when it's a set piece, there's a lot of pushing around," Koren said. "He felt that some of the USA players pushed our players. ... I think he whistled already before the player scored the goal."
With a population of just over 2 million, Slovenia is the smallest country represented at the World Cup and the United States is the biggest. The Slovenes face England in the last group stage match while the Americans take on Algeria in Pretoria.
"I want to point out that we have gained a point today and we are in a good position," said Kek, whose country lost all three group stage matches eight years ago in its only previous World Cup appearance.
Lineups:
Slovenia: Samir Handanovic, Miso Brecko, Marko Suler, Bostjan Cesar, Robert Koren, Zlatan Ljubijankic (Nejc Pecnik, 74; Andrej Komac, 90), Valter Birsa (Zlatko Dedic, 87), Milivoje Novakovic, Bojan Jokic, Andraz Kirm, Aleksander Radosavljevic.
United States: Tim Howard, Steve Chzerundolo, Jay DeMerit, Oguchi Onyewu (Herculez Gomez 80), Carlos Bocanegra, Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley, Jose Torres (Benny Feilhaber, 46), Jozy Altidore, Robbie Findley (Maurice Edu, 46).

From Yahoo Malaysia Sports

Serbia back in contention at World Cup

DENNIS PASSA, AP - 32 minutes ago
PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa (AP) -- Serbia's first win since 1962 over old foe Germany at the World Cup just might provide the inspiration for the Balkan team to reach the second round.
After a 1-0 loss to Ghana in its opening match, Serbia was criticized for indifferent play with pundits near and far writing off the side as unlikely to advance.
But Serbia's 1-0 win over Germany on Friday has thrown open Group D and left all four teams still in the running for the final 16.
The Serbs play Australia on June 23 in Nelspruit in their final group match.
"This victory means we decide our own fate," Serbia coach Radomir Antic said. "We were energetic. This is a quality that we as Serbs have not shown so far. If we want to achieve more, we have to be even more confident."
At Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Milan Jovanovic scored one minute after Germany striker Miroslav Klose was sent off. Jovanovic side-footed a shot past goalkeeper Manuel Neuer in the 38th minute to leave both teams with three points in the group.
Serbia was part of former Yugoslavia when it beat Germany in the 1962 quarterfinals, its only previous victory at the World Cup over the three-time winners in six attempts.
This seventh meeting between the countries ties the World Cup record held by Sweden and Brazil.
Antic spoke of the "psychological impact" of the win.
"This victory will help us to regain the style of playing that is our style," he said. "I think that this team represents its people because it is energetic, ready to fight and even to a certain extent, its arrogance."
Antic wasn't being arrogant about his chances against Australia, a team routed 4-0 by Germany in its opening match and reportedly hit by player dissension over outgoing coach Pim Verbeek's personnel choices in the opener.
"We will have four days to consider how to approach the next match," Antic said. "Frankly, I have not thought about it."
On Friday, Antic, as expected, picked Neven Subotic to replace the suspended central defender Aleksandar Lukovic and made two other changes. Milos Ninkovic surprisingly came in for striker Marko Pantelic, and Zdravko Kuzmanovic started for Nenad Milijas.
By playing Ninkovic, Antic strengthened his midfield, leaving Nikola Zigic as the only striker.
"We wanted to make the midfielders stronger," Antic said. "We made the second row more strong and we used it."
Antic always knew his team could come back from its loss to Ghana.
"I admitted that we can have a bad day," Antic said. "In football, there are always mistakes that can happen. For sure this shows that we believe more in ourselves."

From Yahoo Malaysia Sports

Argentina beats South Korea 4-1 at World Cup

                                                          Higuain scored hattrick
                                                          (photo by AFP/Getty Images)

IAN PHILLIPS, AP - 16 minutes ago
JOHANNESBURG (AP) -- Gonzalo Higuain scored a hat trick in Argentina's 4-1 win over South Korea at the World Cup on Thursday, a result that put the South Americans on the brink of qualifying for the next round from Group B.
Higuain scored his first goal in the 33rd minute with a far post header after Nicolas Burdisso flicked on a cross from Maxi Rodriguez. He added two second-half goals -- in the 76th and 80th minutes -- to put the result beyond doubt.
"I have to congratulate the players ... everything they did worked out well," Argentina coach Diego Maradona said. "I am very happy."
Argentina had gone ahead 1-0 in the 17th when Park Chu-young deflected a free kick from Lionel Messi into his own net, and looked to be comfortable after Higuain's header. But South Korea pulled one back in first-half injury time when Lee Chung-yong pounced on a defensive mistake by defender Martin Demichelis.
Argentina now leads Group B with six points from two games, while South Korea, which beat Greece 2-0 in its opening match, has three.
With Messi playing in a slightly deeper role, Argentina lacked a cutting edge in the opening stages, its main threat coming down the left wing where Carlos Tevez was drifting into space and linking well with Gabriel Heinze and Angel Di Maria.
Higuain, who missed a string of chances against Nigeria, shot high over the bar in the eighth minute and Messi only showed occasional flashes of brilliance as he was man-marked and often found himself closed down by two or three opponents.
However, the South Korean tactics of targeting Messi, so influential in Argentina's opening match, freed up Tevez, and the combative Manchester City striker was his team's main inspiration in the first half.
South Korea came close to scoring in the 26th when Ki Sung-yong sent in a swerving shot from outside the box that just cleared the crossbar.
Two minutes later, Messi backheeled a free kick to Tevez, who sent a powerful shot just over the bar.
The match was played in a cold wind, and the South Koreans emerged with more confidence in the second half after they had pulled a goal back.
In the 58th, Yeom Ki-hun almost equalized following a flowing counterattack but put his shot just wide of the left-hand post.
Maradona brought on striker Sergio Aguero in the closing stages, and with 14 minutes left Messi -- increasingly breaking free of his markers -- skipped past two challenges and shot against the post, but Higuain was on hand to tap in the third goal.
Four minutes later, Messi played in Aguero, who crossed for Higuain to head in the fourth.
Higuain, now the tournament's leading scorer, said he was delighted to lead his team to victory. "I'm very happy to score the goals, but we have to think of the team as a whole."
Lineups:
Argentina: Sergio Romero, Martin Demichelis, Gabriel Heinze, Angel Di Maria, Gonzalo Higuain (Mario Bolatti, 82), Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez (Sergio Aguero, 75), Walter Samuel (Nicolas Burdisso, 23), Javier Mascherano, Jonas Gutierrez, Maxi Rodriguez.
South Korea: Jung Sung-ryong, Oh Beom-seok, Cho Yong-hyung, Park Ji-sung, Kim Jung-woo, Park Chu-young, Lee Young-pyo, Lee Jung-soo, Ki Sung-yong (Kim Nam-il, 46), Lee Chung-yong (Lee Dong-gook, 82), Yeom Ki-hun.


From Yahoo Malaysia Sports

World Cup Latest Argentina 4 South Korea 1

   

                                                                             

         

                                                                                                                                                                           

South Africa falls to Uruguay 3-0 as fans quiet

RONALD BLUM, AP - 3 hours ago

PRETORIA, South Africa (AP) -- South African fans blew their vuvuzelas long and loud, hoping to bring their team luck in the World Cup.
Uruguay's Diego Forlan had other ideas and brought the party to a crashing halt, scoring two goals in a 3-0 victory Wednesday night that pushed the hosts closer to exiting the first World Cup staged in Africa. That would be a first for a host country in the tournament.
"It will be a disaster for us, the home country, to go out in the first round," star midfielder Steven Pienaar said.
While Forlan greatly improved Uruguay's chances of making the second round, Bafana Bafana almost certainly must beat France in its next game to stay alive.
If South Africa doesn't advance, "obviously all the expectations of the nation will be frustrated," coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said. "This game was vital for us to at least get a draw."
As disappointing as it would be if South Africa does go out, Pienaar said the nation would not lose interest.
"It won't change the World Cup," he said. "People are having fun."
Forlan scored on a deflected 25-yard shot in the 24th minute, then converted a penalty kick in the 80th minute for a commanding lead. Alvaro Pereira added a goal in stoppage time.
"Obviously, as a forward I like to score goals, but the important thing is to win," Forlan said. "The team is good. We also played well against France. We're very solid."
Making matters worse for South Africa, goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune was ejected by Swiss referee Massimo Busacca in the 76th minute for clipping the leg of Luis Suarez as the forward jumped over him in front of an open net. Khune lowered his head to the ground and angrily pounded the field with both fists.
Parreira called Busacca "the worst referee in this competition so far."
"I hope I don't see his face in any game anymore," he said.
Backup Moneeb Josephs took over in goal as Pienaar exited.
Forlan put the penalty kick over the goalkeeper's outstretched right hand for his second goal, matching his pair for Atletico Madrid against Fulham in last month's Europa League final.
The constant bee-like noise from the vuvuzelas immediately ebbed, and streams of fans started exiting, leaving thousands of empty blue seats by the time Pereira knocked in Suarez's cross.
Uruguay, which opened with a 0-0 draw against France, has four points going into its group-play finale against Mexico on Tuesday. South Africa wasted a second-half lead in a 1-1 tie against Mexico in last week's World Cup opener, and has one point. It plays France on Tuesday in Bloemfontein.
The situation will become a little clearer Thursday when Mexico meets Les Bleus.
"We are convinced that we can win the World Cup," Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez said. "We don't have a lot of room to maneuver. We have to play very well each time. Winning this victory over the home team, the national squad, with all the fans behind them, this was not easy."
South Africa midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi also will be suspended for the France match after getting a yellow card for the second straight game. He received it for fouling Suarez in the 42nd minute.
Fans were on the streets of Pretoria for hours before the match. It was a national holiday, Youth Day, commemorating the 34th anniversary of the Soweto uprising, when students protested an apartheid-era government order to make Afrikaans the main language in secondary schools.
Loftus Versfeld, a rugby stadium on the grounds that's been used for sports in Pretoria since 1906, was filled with shivering fans of Bafana Bafana. On an unseasonably cold night, with a 40-degree temperature, they wore their yellow jerseys over winter jackets and many covered their heads with caps in the colors of the multiracial flag South Africa adopted in 1994.
Uruguay went ahead when Forlan's shot that hit South Africa captain Aaron Mokeona on his shoulder and looped over Khune.
The closest South Africa came to scoring was in the 66th minute, when Katlego Mphela's close-range header off a cross at the near post was off-target, and Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera got the shutout on his 24th birthday.
Asked how he felt about the outcome, South Africa defender Bongani Khamalo replied: "Really bad. You see the final result, it looks horrible.
As long as there's a chance, we have to believe. There's one more game. Obviously, the result tomorrow will tell a lot."

From Yahoo Malaysia Sports

World Cup Latest Gelson Fernandes of Switzerland scores

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 16: Gelson Fernandes of Switzerland scores the first goal during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group H match between Spain and Switzerland at Durban Stadium on June 16, 2010 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)

Switzerland stuns Spain 1-0 in World Cup

MIKE CORDER, AP - 16 minutes ago
DURBAN, South Africa (AP) -- Switzerland pulled off a shocking upset at the World Cup on Wednesday, beating European champion Spain 1-0 on Gelson Fernandes' second-half goal.
Fernandes clipped the ball into the net in the 52nd minute, ending Spain's run of 12 straight wins and handing the Spanish team its second loss in 50 games. Spain's only other loss during the stretch was to the United States, at the Confederations Cup in South Africa last year.
Spain dominated possession throughout the match, but could find no way through Switzerland's determined defense.
It was Switzerland's first win over Spain.

From Yahoo Malaysia Sports

Brazil looking to improve after lackluster win

TALES AZZONI, AP - 39 minutes ago

JOHANNESBURG (AP) -- Relieved to start the World Cup with a victory, Brazil now turns its focus to improving for the more difficult Group G matches against Ivory Coast and Portugal.

Brazil beat North Korea 2-1 on Tuesday but struggled during most of the match and escaped with a victory after second-half goals by Maicon and Elano.
The North Koreans are the lowest-ranked team of the tournament and Brazil will need more against Ivory Coast and Portugal, which drew their group game 0-0.
Brazil is in first place in the group and a win against the Ivory Coast on Sunday at Soccer City will virtually secure the five-time champions in the second round.
"We will have to play better in the second match, we know it's going to be a lot harder," Brazil striker Robinho said. "We know that Ivory Coast has a very good team."
Brazil blamed its struggles against North Korea on anxiety inherent to the opening match and because of the overtly defensive setup of the Asians.
Robinho was one of the few Brazilian attackers who threatened North Korea's defense with his skills and quick moves. Kaka, coming off a season plagued by injures, seemed unfit and was not a factor, while forward Luis Fabiano struggled and got only one shot on goal.
"The first match is always difficult," Kaka said. "But the victory gives us confidence for the next matches and that's important."
The players who started against North Korea worked on physical conditioning at the team's hotel on Wednesday, while the reserves underwent a light training session in the afternoon.
Argentina coach Diego Maradona was among those unimpressed by Brazil's first outing, but expected sharp improvement.
"Brazil played a relaxed game yesterday, too relaxed," Maradona said. "Korea never challenged them. For (goalkeeper) Julio Cesar, it would have been the same to shower or not after the game. Brazil is Brazil ... and Dunga has done a good job."

From Yahoo Malaysia Sports.