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Tuesday, June 15, 2010
World Cup 2010 Portugal 0 Ivory Coast 0
World Cup 2010: Ivory Coast 0-0 Portugal - Both Sides Fail To Shine In An Utterly Forgettable Encounter
One of the glamor ties of the group stage turns out to be a great disappointment.
By Gary Niblock
Jun 15, 2010 12:45:00 PM
Portugal and the Didier Drogba-less Cote d'Ivoire played out a dull as ditchwater scoreless draw in their World Cup Group G encounter.
If any further evidence was needed that despite a plethora of world class talent, the sight of two well drilled and organised sides led by pragmatic coaches does not provide for the kind of spectacle the South Africans had been expecting since being awarded the tournament. The distinct lack of action on the pitch was in sharp contrast to the intense anticipation that had surrounded the game off it.
A continent held its breath before receiving the unfortunate but admittedly inevitable news that Cote d'Ivoire's captain and talisman Didier Drogba would only be fit enough to sit on the bench. However despite the setback, the Ivorians began confidently and looked composed on the ball.
Much attention was fixed on the world's most expensive player Cristiano Ronaldo after a disappointing Euro 2008. He showed both sides to his character in the first half, getting Didier Zokora a yellow card with a dive then a magnificent right foot thunderbolt which cannoned against the post much to the relief of the helpless Boubacar Barry in goal. Ironically, Ronaldo was later booked when Demel did appear to fell the former Manchester United attacker.
Thereafter the match threatened to descend into a rather ill-tempered affair with a number of rash challenges on both sides. Clear cut chances were few and far between as both sides lacked fluency. Ronaldo aside, all Portugal could muster were a couple of through balls which managed to elude Danny and Lièdson respectively.
The West Africans had a half-chance when Twente's Cheik Tioté broke through midfield however he failed to test Eduardo in the Portuguese goal. There was another sign of enouragement when Gervinho fortuitously squeezed between Pedro Mendes and Ricardo Carvalho however Paolo Ferreira came across to avert the danger.
In the second period, Gervinho flashed a shot across goal from a tight angle which won a corner as the Ivory Coast tried to start the first half on the front foot. It was Gervinho again who dinked a cross into the centre looking for Dindane who couldn't reach the ball despite flinging himself in its direction.
With no breakthrough forthcoming, Sven Goran Eriksson decided to lift the spirits of the crowd and hopefully his side with the introduction of Didier Drogba midway through the second half. However his introduction failed to have the desired impact and the game petered out to a tame draw in one of the games to forget so far in this tournament. Drogba had a chance to give his side an undeserved win in stoppage time however he was only able to force the ball across goal where no teammate was waiting.
World Cup favourites Brazil are awaiting both these sides, they will need to show more urgency in the second period if they are to gain the upper hand in terms of qualification for the last sixteen.
From goal.com
By Gary Niblock
Jun 15, 2010 12:45:00 PM
Portugal and the Didier Drogba-less Cote d'Ivoire played out a dull as ditchwater scoreless draw in their World Cup Group G encounter.
If any further evidence was needed that despite a plethora of world class talent, the sight of two well drilled and organised sides led by pragmatic coaches does not provide for the kind of spectacle the South Africans had been expecting since being awarded the tournament. The distinct lack of action on the pitch was in sharp contrast to the intense anticipation that had surrounded the game off it.
A continent held its breath before receiving the unfortunate but admittedly inevitable news that Cote d'Ivoire's captain and talisman Didier Drogba would only be fit enough to sit on the bench. However despite the setback, the Ivorians began confidently and looked composed on the ball.
Much attention was fixed on the world's most expensive player Cristiano Ronaldo after a disappointing Euro 2008. He showed both sides to his character in the first half, getting Didier Zokora a yellow card with a dive then a magnificent right foot thunderbolt which cannoned against the post much to the relief of the helpless Boubacar Barry in goal. Ironically, Ronaldo was later booked when Demel did appear to fell the former Manchester United attacker.
Thereafter the match threatened to descend into a rather ill-tempered affair with a number of rash challenges on both sides. Clear cut chances were few and far between as both sides lacked fluency. Ronaldo aside, all Portugal could muster were a couple of through balls which managed to elude Danny and Lièdson respectively.
The West Africans had a half-chance when Twente's Cheik Tioté broke through midfield however he failed to test Eduardo in the Portuguese goal. There was another sign of enouragement when Gervinho fortuitously squeezed between Pedro Mendes and Ricardo Carvalho however Paolo Ferreira came across to avert the danger.
In the second period, Gervinho flashed a shot across goal from a tight angle which won a corner as the Ivory Coast tried to start the first half on the front foot. It was Gervinho again who dinked a cross into the centre looking for Dindane who couldn't reach the ball despite flinging himself in its direction.
With no breakthrough forthcoming, Sven Goran Eriksson decided to lift the spirits of the crowd and hopefully his side with the introduction of Didier Drogba midway through the second half. However his introduction failed to have the desired impact and the game petered out to a tame draw in one of the games to forget so far in this tournament. Drogba had a chance to give his side an undeserved win in stoppage time however he was only able to force the ball across goal where no teammate was waiting.
World Cup favourites Brazil are awaiting both these sides, they will need to show more urgency in the second period if they are to gain the upper hand in terms of qualification for the last sixteen.
From goal.com
New Zealand 1-1 Slovakia : Last-Gasp Equaliser Stuns Slovakia In Rustenburg
New Zealand snatch a point in dramatic circumstances in injury time.
By Gary Niblock
Jun 15, 2010 11:20:00 AM
New Zealand claimed their first ever World Cup finals point with a dramatic equaliser in stoppage time from defender Winston Reid with just seconds remaining on the clock. Slovakia had thought they had done just enough to win after Robert Vittek had given them the lead with an excellent back post header from a superb Vladimir Weiss cross from the right. In a match in which the Kiwis had more than held their own, they will feel they richly deserved their point as every member of the side played above themselves.
As with most games in this tournament, it was a pedestrian start on a bright but chilly day in Rustenburg in the far north of South Africa. The Kiwis refused to buckle under the intensity of the occasion and more than held their own in the first half. Indeed, the All Whites had the best of the first half, threatening the Slovakian goal early on when Chris Killen got on the end of a Simon Elliott free-kick. Unfortunately for the underdogs, his tame header was straight at Jan Mucha though to his credit, Martin Skrtel did just enough to impede the tall Middlesbrough striker.
Slovakia struggled to create many chances in the first half and were surprised by both the New Zealand's back three and their resolute determination. Their best moments came unsurprisingly from Vladimir Weiss who was the first to test Paston early on after some neat trickery down the right hand side. The Manchester City winger was instrumental in the Slovaks best opportunity when he played in Sestak who fired wide. Marek Hamsik also began to come into the game as the half progressed with the increasingly frustrated Slovakians looking to involve their star man in every move. The Napoli midfielder forced a smart save from Mark Paston just before the break.
There were some nervous moments for the Kiwis as Paston struggled from corners on occasions. Ricki Herbert's heart skipped a beat when the keeper lost his balance attempting to clear the ball upfield however he recovered well to deny Robert Vittek and limit the danger to the corner. Kiwi topscorer Shane Smeltz had been largely anonymous however he stung the palms of Everton-bound Jan Mucha eight minutes before the break with a smart left foot volley which was tipped into the side netting.
Towards the end of the first half, the Slovaks began to pile on the pressure and though the sides were level at the break, a goal was on the cards. The central Europeans shook off the cobwebs of their below par opening half when the took the lead less than five minutes after the break thanks to Ankaragucu striker Robert Vittek. The former Lille frontman received a huge confidence boost when he headed a superb Weiss cross in at the far post beyond Paston. New Zealand may feel a touch aggrieved as replays indicated that Sestak may have been marginally offside however the assistant referee gave the benefit of any doubt to the attacking side.
New Zealand however steadfastly refused to roll over and they dusted themselves down after the goal knocking the ball about with ease though also without any real penetration. They created few notable opportunities in the second half other than a volley from Fallon which sailed high over the crossbar and a golden chance which fell to topscorer Shane Smeltz who somehow contrived to direct his header well wide of the target.
However with seconds remaining, Smeltz atoned for his previous aberration with the cross for Winston Reid's last gasp equaliser. It was a fitting end to what had been an admirable performance from a defender who had only committed himself to play for the All Whites in March having previously represented Denmark. Earlier in the second half, the right-sided centreback denied Robert Vittek the chance to double the lead and surely put New Zealand to bed with a magnificent sliding challenge.
All in all, a great sporting moment for New Zealand which symbolised the beauty of a truly global World Cup.
By Gary Niblock
Jun 15, 2010 11:20:00 AM
New Zealand claimed their first ever World Cup finals point with a dramatic equaliser in stoppage time from defender Winston Reid with just seconds remaining on the clock. Slovakia had thought they had done just enough to win after Robert Vittek had given them the lead with an excellent back post header from a superb Vladimir Weiss cross from the right. In a match in which the Kiwis had more than held their own, they will feel they richly deserved their point as every member of the side played above themselves.
As with most games in this tournament, it was a pedestrian start on a bright but chilly day in Rustenburg in the far north of South Africa. The Kiwis refused to buckle under the intensity of the occasion and more than held their own in the first half. Indeed, the All Whites had the best of the first half, threatening the Slovakian goal early on when Chris Killen got on the end of a Simon Elliott free-kick. Unfortunately for the underdogs, his tame header was straight at Jan Mucha though to his credit, Martin Skrtel did just enough to impede the tall Middlesbrough striker.
Slovakia struggled to create many chances in the first half and were surprised by both the New Zealand's back three and their resolute determination. Their best moments came unsurprisingly from Vladimir Weiss who was the first to test Paston early on after some neat trickery down the right hand side. The Manchester City winger was instrumental in the Slovaks best opportunity when he played in Sestak who fired wide. Marek Hamsik also began to come into the game as the half progressed with the increasingly frustrated Slovakians looking to involve their star man in every move. The Napoli midfielder forced a smart save from Mark Paston just before the break.
There were some nervous moments for the Kiwis as Paston struggled from corners on occasions. Ricki Herbert's heart skipped a beat when the keeper lost his balance attempting to clear the ball upfield however he recovered well to deny Robert Vittek and limit the danger to the corner. Kiwi topscorer Shane Smeltz had been largely anonymous however he stung the palms of Everton-bound Jan Mucha eight minutes before the break with a smart left foot volley which was tipped into the side netting.
Towards the end of the first half, the Slovaks began to pile on the pressure and though the sides were level at the break, a goal was on the cards. The central Europeans shook off the cobwebs of their below par opening half when the took the lead less than five minutes after the break thanks to Ankaragucu striker Robert Vittek. The former Lille frontman received a huge confidence boost when he headed a superb Weiss cross in at the far post beyond Paston. New Zealand may feel a touch aggrieved as replays indicated that Sestak may have been marginally offside however the assistant referee gave the benefit of any doubt to the attacking side.
New Zealand however steadfastly refused to roll over and they dusted themselves down after the goal knocking the ball about with ease though also without any real penetration. They created few notable opportunities in the second half other than a volley from Fallon which sailed high over the crossbar and a golden chance which fell to topscorer Shane Smeltz who somehow contrived to direct his header well wide of the target.
However with seconds remaining, Smeltz atoned for his previous aberration with the cross for Winston Reid's last gasp equaliser. It was a fitting end to what had been an admirable performance from a defender who had only committed himself to play for the All Whites in March having previously represented Denmark. Earlier in the second half, the right-sided centreback denied Robert Vittek the chance to double the lead and surely put New Zealand to bed with a magnificent sliding challenge.
All in all, a great sporting moment for New Zealand which symbolised the beauty of a truly global World Cup.
Italy 1-1 Paraguay: Daniele De Rossi Saves World Champions From Shock Defeat
Goal.com - 17 hours ago
Daniele De Rossi saved world champions Italy from defeat to Paraguay in their Group F opener in Cape Town after Antolin Alcaraz's 38th minute header had put the South Americans ahead.
The Azzurri dominated possession in the first half, but there had barely been any chances for either side until Alcaraz rose highest from a free kick to send Paraguay into a shock lead.
Italy were a changed team after the introduction of substitute Mauro Camoranesi, and equalised on 63 minutes through Daniele De Rossi.
Italy were without the services of star midfielder Andrea Pirlo through injury, and the veteran was replaced by Riccardo Montolivo. Marcello Lippi went witha 4-2-3-1 with Vincenzo Iaquinta, Claudio Marchisio and Simone Pepe supporting Alberto Gilardino. Domenico Criscito got the nod at left back.
Argentinian-born striker Lucas Barrios was chosen ahead of Manchester City's Roque Santa Cruz to start for Paraguay. The Dortmund striker had smashed in three goals in his first three internationals and partnerred Nelson Valdez up front in the absence of Salvador Cabanas.
The conditions were poor due to torrential rain, and the pitch was extremely slippery.
Italy started well and controlled the first 20 minutes without ever really creating any danger. Paraguay began nervously, but slowly grew in confidence to open up.
At the midway point of the half there were the first chances for both sides. First, Montolivo pounced on an Enrique Vera error but shot straight at Justo Villar.
Then, down the other end, the ball broke to Aureliano Torres on the edge of the box but he scuffed wastefully wide.
Italy continued to dominate possession, but it was Paraguay who broke the deadlock against the run of play on 38 minutes. A free kick was whipped in from the right, and defender Antolin Alcaraz rose above Fabio Cannavaro and Daniele De Rossi to head home into the bottom corner.
Italy suffered a further blow at half time as goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon was forced off injured and replaced by Federico Marchetti.
Vera blazed over for Paraguay, while Pepe's attempt at a bicycle kick went all wrong as the slow tempo from the first half continued in the second.
Paraguay had an excellent opportunity to double their lead on 54 minutes as a poor defensive clearance put Vera in on the right and the midfielder fired just wide of Marchetti's near post.
Italy were struggling badly to create and Lippi introduced Mauro Camoranesi just shy of the hour in exchange for Claudio Marchisio.
Camoranesi seemed to inject a spark into the Azzurri, and on 63 minutes Lippi's men were level. Pepe's corner was completely missed by Villar, and De Rossi showed determination to turn the ball home from inside the six yard box.
Montolivo had a penalty appeal soon after, but the referee correctly waved the protests away.
Italy had a spring in their step, but Paraguay could have regained the lead on 66 minutes as substitute Jonathan Santana miscued wide from a good position. Santa Cruz then entered the fray to add to the South American hopes.
The Azzurri threw on Antonio Di Natale, while Benfica star Oscar Cardozo came on for Paraguay as both sides went for the win.
Pepe cut in from the left and unleashed an effort 25 yards out, but it was easy for Villar. Montolivo then had a better shot from further out, and Villar did well to turn the ball around the post.
Italy did all the attacking in the closing stages, but a draw in the end was probably about fair.
Daniele De Rossi saved world champions Italy from defeat to Paraguay in their Group F opener in Cape Town after Antolin Alcaraz's 38th minute header had put the South Americans ahead.
The Azzurri dominated possession in the first half, but there had barely been any chances for either side until Alcaraz rose highest from a free kick to send Paraguay into a shock lead.
Italy were a changed team after the introduction of substitute Mauro Camoranesi, and equalised on 63 minutes through Daniele De Rossi.
Italy were without the services of star midfielder Andrea Pirlo through injury, and the veteran was replaced by Riccardo Montolivo. Marcello Lippi went witha 4-2-3-1 with Vincenzo Iaquinta, Claudio Marchisio and Simone Pepe supporting Alberto Gilardino. Domenico Criscito got the nod at left back.
Argentinian-born striker Lucas Barrios was chosen ahead of Manchester City's Roque Santa Cruz to start for Paraguay. The Dortmund striker had smashed in three goals in his first three internationals and partnerred Nelson Valdez up front in the absence of Salvador Cabanas.
The conditions were poor due to torrential rain, and the pitch was extremely slippery.
Italy started well and controlled the first 20 minutes without ever really creating any danger. Paraguay began nervously, but slowly grew in confidence to open up.
At the midway point of the half there were the first chances for both sides. First, Montolivo pounced on an Enrique Vera error but shot straight at Justo Villar.
Then, down the other end, the ball broke to Aureliano Torres on the edge of the box but he scuffed wastefully wide.
Italy continued to dominate possession, but it was Paraguay who broke the deadlock against the run of play on 38 minutes. A free kick was whipped in from the right, and defender Antolin Alcaraz rose above Fabio Cannavaro and Daniele De Rossi to head home into the bottom corner.
Italy suffered a further blow at half time as goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon was forced off injured and replaced by Federico Marchetti.
Vera blazed over for Paraguay, while Pepe's attempt at a bicycle kick went all wrong as the slow tempo from the first half continued in the second.
Paraguay had an excellent opportunity to double their lead on 54 minutes as a poor defensive clearance put Vera in on the right and the midfielder fired just wide of Marchetti's near post.
Italy were struggling badly to create and Lippi introduced Mauro Camoranesi just shy of the hour in exchange for Claudio Marchisio.
Camoranesi seemed to inject a spark into the Azzurri, and on 63 minutes Lippi's men were level. Pepe's corner was completely missed by Villar, and De Rossi showed determination to turn the ball home from inside the six yard box.
Montolivo had a penalty appeal soon after, but the referee correctly waved the protests away.
Italy had a spring in their step, but Paraguay could have regained the lead on 66 minutes as substitute Jonathan Santana miscued wide from a good position. Santa Cruz then entered the fray to add to the South American hopes.
The Azzurri threw on Antonio Di Natale, while Benfica star Oscar Cardozo came on for Paraguay as both sides went for the win.
Pepe cut in from the left and unleashed an effort 25 yards out, but it was easy for Villar. Montolivo then had a better shot from further out, and Villar did well to turn the ball around the post.
Italy did all the attacking in the closing stages, but a draw in the end was probably about fair.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Netherlands beats Denmark 2-0 at World Cup
MATTIAS KAREN, AP - 24 minutes ago
JOHANNESBURG (AP) -- The Netherlands needed a couple of lucky bounces to break down Denmark's sturdy defense for a 2-0 win Monday despite struggling to live up to its billing as one of the most dangerous attacking teams at the World Cup.
The Dutch took the lead through a fluke own goal in the 46th when Denmark defender Simon Poulsen headed a ball off the back of teammate Daniel Agger and into the net, when trying to clear a cross from Robin van Persie.
Dirk Kuyt doubled the lead in the 85th when he tapped in a rebound off the post from close range.
Denmark had frustrated the Dutch until the own goal with a compact midfield, and the Netherlands never came close to the free-flowing, high-scoring type of play their fans have become accustomed to -- despite several other chances.
"We wanted to play beautiful football but we lost the ball," Netherlands coach Bert Van Marwijk said. "(But) from time to time you could see how good we can be."
They still had to rely on a bit of luck, as Van Persie beat an onrushing Thomas Sorensen to a long through ball down the left flank before squaring up to send a cross into the area. Poulsen had plenty of time and space to clear the ball, but his off-balance header bounced off Agger's back before trickling into the net.
"That was like a bucket of cold water over our heads," Denmark coach Morten Olsen said. "Simon Poulsen was one of our better players but he was unlucky. It's one of those things that happens in football."
After wasting a number of chances to double the lead, substitute Eljero Elia broke clear into the area and rolled his shot past Sorensen and against the post. But the ball bounced straight out toward Kuyt, who beat his marker to tap the rebound into an empty net.
"I don't think we played that well in the first half, but in the second we really deserved to win," Netherlands playmaker Wesley Sneijder said. "The Danes in the first half did an excellent job, because they studied us very thoroughly."
Both coaches sprung a surprise in their lineups with Van Marwijk putting Arjen Robben on the bench after previously ruling him out of the game because of a hamstring problem, while Olsen started Arsenal forward Nicklas Bendtner after saying he would almost certainly miss the game with a groin problem.
But with the 1-0 lead to protect, Van Marwijk never looked likely to risk Robben's fitness by putting him on, as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury.
"We won, 2-0, so there you go. You can hardly say that you missed him," Van Marwijk said. "Arjen is an exceptional player who on his own can make a difference. ... But we've got a couple of them. And I'm really pleased that we have them on board."
Bendtner was taken off in the 62nd. Olsen said the forward "wasn't supposed to play," but that a late injury to Jon Dahl Tomasson forced him to change his mind.
"We had to take some chances," Olsen said. "But we couldn't let Bendtner play more than one hour. We still have two important games."
Bendtner played as a lone striker up front as Denmark employed a five-man midfield to stop the Netherlands' trademark quick passing game.
Those tactics worked well in the first half, as the Dutch struggled to thread the ball through the midfield. Instead it was Denmark that created the best scoring chances on counter attacks. Dennis Rommedahl's cross from the right wing found Bendtner unmarked in the area in the 27th, but the Arsenal forward headed wide from six meters (yards).
Bendtner then sent Thomas Kahlenberg clear into the left side of the area in the 37th, but his shot was pushed out to a corner by Maarten Stekelenburg.
The Dutch continued to press forward after the own goal but struggled to create clear chances.
Van Persie had a chance to double the lead in the 52nd after being sent clear into the area by Kuyt but Sorensen rushed out and got a hand on the ball.
The Arsenal striker then set up Rafael van der Vaart with a cross into the area in the 59th, but his nifty volley produced a two-handed save from Sorensen.
Van Persie then met Sneijder's corner in the 74th, but his header bounced wide.
Lineups:
Netherlands: Maarten Stekelenburg; Gregory van der Wiel, John Heitinga, Joris Mathijsen, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Mark van Bommel, Dirk Kuyt, Nigel de Jong (Demy de Zeeuw, 88), Robin van Persie (Ibrahim Afellay, 77), Wesley Sneijder, Rafael van der Vaart (Eljero Elia, 67).
Denmark: Thomas Sorensen, Christian Poulsen, Simon Kjaer, Daniel Agger, Lars Jacobsen, Martin Jorgensen, Nicklas Bendtner (Mikkel Beckmann, 62), Thomas Kahlenberg (Christian Eriksen, 73), Simon Poulson, Dennis Rommedahl, Thomas Enevoldsen (Jesper Gronkjaer, 56).
From Yahoo Malaysia Sport/
JOHANNESBURG (AP) -- The Netherlands needed a couple of lucky bounces to break down Denmark's sturdy defense for a 2-0 win Monday despite struggling to live up to its billing as one of the most dangerous attacking teams at the World Cup.
The Dutch took the lead through a fluke own goal in the 46th when Denmark defender Simon Poulsen headed a ball off the back of teammate Daniel Agger and into the net, when trying to clear a cross from Robin van Persie.
Dirk Kuyt doubled the lead in the 85th when he tapped in a rebound off the post from close range.
Denmark had frustrated the Dutch until the own goal with a compact midfield, and the Netherlands never came close to the free-flowing, high-scoring type of play their fans have become accustomed to -- despite several other chances.
"We wanted to play beautiful football but we lost the ball," Netherlands coach Bert Van Marwijk said. "(But) from time to time you could see how good we can be."
They still had to rely on a bit of luck, as Van Persie beat an onrushing Thomas Sorensen to a long through ball down the left flank before squaring up to send a cross into the area. Poulsen had plenty of time and space to clear the ball, but his off-balance header bounced off Agger's back before trickling into the net.
"That was like a bucket of cold water over our heads," Denmark coach Morten Olsen said. "Simon Poulsen was one of our better players but he was unlucky. It's one of those things that happens in football."
After wasting a number of chances to double the lead, substitute Eljero Elia broke clear into the area and rolled his shot past Sorensen and against the post. But the ball bounced straight out toward Kuyt, who beat his marker to tap the rebound into an empty net.
"I don't think we played that well in the first half, but in the second we really deserved to win," Netherlands playmaker Wesley Sneijder said. "The Danes in the first half did an excellent job, because they studied us very thoroughly."
Both coaches sprung a surprise in their lineups with Van Marwijk putting Arjen Robben on the bench after previously ruling him out of the game because of a hamstring problem, while Olsen started Arsenal forward Nicklas Bendtner after saying he would almost certainly miss the game with a groin problem.
But with the 1-0 lead to protect, Van Marwijk never looked likely to risk Robben's fitness by putting him on, as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury.
"We won, 2-0, so there you go. You can hardly say that you missed him," Van Marwijk said. "Arjen is an exceptional player who on his own can make a difference. ... But we've got a couple of them. And I'm really pleased that we have them on board."
Bendtner was taken off in the 62nd. Olsen said the forward "wasn't supposed to play," but that a late injury to Jon Dahl Tomasson forced him to change his mind.
"We had to take some chances," Olsen said. "But we couldn't let Bendtner play more than one hour. We still have two important games."
Bendtner played as a lone striker up front as Denmark employed a five-man midfield to stop the Netherlands' trademark quick passing game.
Those tactics worked well in the first half, as the Dutch struggled to thread the ball through the midfield. Instead it was Denmark that created the best scoring chances on counter attacks. Dennis Rommedahl's cross from the right wing found Bendtner unmarked in the area in the 27th, but the Arsenal forward headed wide from six meters (yards).
Bendtner then sent Thomas Kahlenberg clear into the left side of the area in the 37th, but his shot was pushed out to a corner by Maarten Stekelenburg.
The Dutch continued to press forward after the own goal but struggled to create clear chances.
Van Persie had a chance to double the lead in the 52nd after being sent clear into the area by Kuyt but Sorensen rushed out and got a hand on the ball.
The Arsenal striker then set up Rafael van der Vaart with a cross into the area in the 59th, but his nifty volley produced a two-handed save from Sorensen.
Van Persie then met Sneijder's corner in the 74th, but his header bounced wide.
Lineups:
Netherlands: Maarten Stekelenburg; Gregory van der Wiel, John Heitinga, Joris Mathijsen, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Mark van Bommel, Dirk Kuyt, Nigel de Jong (Demy de Zeeuw, 88), Robin van Persie (Ibrahim Afellay, 77), Wesley Sneijder, Rafael van der Vaart (Eljero Elia, 67).
Denmark: Thomas Sorensen, Christian Poulsen, Simon Kjaer, Daniel Agger, Lars Jacobsen, Martin Jorgensen, Nicklas Bendtner (Mikkel Beckmann, 62), Thomas Kahlenberg (Christian Eriksen, 73), Simon Poulson, Dennis Rommedahl, Thomas Enevoldsen (Jesper Gronkjaer, 56).
From Yahoo Malaysia Sport/
Thursday, June 10, 2010
World-Messi not sole recipe for success, says Heinze
Reuters - 20 hours ago
By Rex Gowar
PRETORIA, June 9 (Reuters) - A brilliant World Cup for Lionel Messi would be good for Argentina's chances of victory although it is preferable to rely on the team and not one man however great, according to defender Gabriel Heinze.
"I personally think it's the team that makes you win these very difficult championships," Heinze said three days before Argentina's opening Group B match against Nigeria.
"Lionel is the best in the world, the player who today is in his best form, but Argentina do not depend on Lionel," the battle-hardened 32-year-old told a news conference.
"Argentina depend on each one of the players who go onto the pitch. We don't need to put any pressure on Lio or anyone," he said after a team practice.
"We all lose and we all win (together) and Lio is one more (among us), it's impressive what he does but he's a human being and people forget he can have good days and bad days.
"Let's hope he has them all good for the good of Argentina. I hope the team is the star of the World Cup," said Heinze, like Messi a member of the Argentina squad that reached the quarter-finals in Germany in 2006.
Argentina meet Nigeria at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday (1400 GMT) with Messi tipped to inspire the team to victory and seal his place as the greatest player of his generation.
Much will depend, however, on whether coach Diego Maradona, criticised during a poor qualifying campaign last year, has managed to mould a team during two weeks of tightly guarded preparations at their University of Pretoria bunker.
Heinze said the outcome of the tournament would tell what kind of coach Maradona, who had little experience to speak of when the took the job in late 2008, was.
"It's down to us players whether he's a good coach or not. Hopefully at the end of this championship Maradona will have been the best coach."
(Editing by Justin Palmer)
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Robinho, Kaka lead Brazil to 5-1 win over Tanzania
ALI SULTAN, AP - 15 hours ago
DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania (AP) -- Robinho scored two goals and Kaka added another as Brazil easily defeated Tanzania 5-1 Monday in its last warmup before the World Cup.
Robinho scored first with a shot from inside the area in the 10th minute and added to the lead with a header in the 33rd at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam. Substitute midfielder Ramires scored his first two international goals in the 52nd and in injury time, while Kaka chested in a cross in the 76th.
"There is still something missing. But we still have a week to go before the opener and we will work to get better," said Kaka, who came into the match nursing a thigh injury but played the entire match.
Tanzania's lone goal was scored by Jabir Aziz from a corner in the 87th.
Brazil hadn't allowed a goal in five matches, since a 2-1 loss to Bolivia last October in a World Cup qualifier in the high altitude of La Paz.
Brazil started the match with all regular starters with the exception of goalkeeper Julio Cesar, who is nursing a back injury and didn't even travel from the team's training camp in Johannesburg. Julio Cesar, who was replaced by Tottenham goalkeeper Gomes, hadn't missed a game in two years and had played 26 consecutive matches for Brazil.
Brazil is in Group G at the World Cup and starts its campaign against North Korea on June 15 before facing Ivory Coast on June 20 and Portugal five days later.
With Tanzania President Jakaya Kikwete watching on, Robinho gave Brazil a 1-0 lead with a low shot from inside the area after a through ball from Kaka. He found the net again with a header after a cross by left back Michel Bastos.
Ramires eluded one defender before dribbling into the area and scoring his first international goal. Kaka made it 4-0 from inside the six-yard box, receiving a cross from Maicon and turning the ball into the net with his chest.
Ramires' second goal was a header into the far corner in injury time against the 108th-ranked Tanzania.
Dunga made six substitutions and tested a new formation in the second half, with right back Daniel Alves replacing Elano in midfield in a more attacking setup.
"I summoned players with different characteristics, so I have a lot of options," Dunga said.
Lineups:
Tanzania: Jumanne Mwalami, Shadrack Issajika, Stephano Mwasika, Nadir Haroub, Kevin Yondar, Erasto Nyoni, Mrisho Ngasa, Abdulrahman Mohammed, Mussa Hassan Mgossi, Nizar Khalfan, Kiggy Makasi.
Brazil: Gomes, Maicon, Juan, Lucio (Luisao, 46), Michel Bastos (Gilberto, 46), Gilberto Silva (Josue, 46), Felipe Melo (Ramires, 46), Elano (Daniel Alves, 60), Kaka, Robinho and Luis Fabiano (Nilmar, 78).
DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania (AP) -- Robinho scored two goals and Kaka added another as Brazil easily defeated Tanzania 5-1 Monday in its last warmup before the World Cup.
Robinho scored first with a shot from inside the area in the 10th minute and added to the lead with a header in the 33rd at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam. Substitute midfielder Ramires scored his first two international goals in the 52nd and in injury time, while Kaka chested in a cross in the 76th.
"There is still something missing. But we still have a week to go before the opener and we will work to get better," said Kaka, who came into the match nursing a thigh injury but played the entire match.
Tanzania's lone goal was scored by Jabir Aziz from a corner in the 87th.
Brazil hadn't allowed a goal in five matches, since a 2-1 loss to Bolivia last October in a World Cup qualifier in the high altitude of La Paz.
Brazil started the match with all regular starters with the exception of goalkeeper Julio Cesar, who is nursing a back injury and didn't even travel from the team's training camp in Johannesburg. Julio Cesar, who was replaced by Tottenham goalkeeper Gomes, hadn't missed a game in two years and had played 26 consecutive matches for Brazil.
Brazil is in Group G at the World Cup and starts its campaign against North Korea on June 15 before facing Ivory Coast on June 20 and Portugal five days later.
With Tanzania President Jakaya Kikwete watching on, Robinho gave Brazil a 1-0 lead with a low shot from inside the area after a through ball from Kaka. He found the net again with a header after a cross by left back Michel Bastos.
Ramires eluded one defender before dribbling into the area and scoring his first international goal. Kaka made it 4-0 from inside the six-yard box, receiving a cross from Maicon and turning the ball into the net with his chest.
Ramires' second goal was a header into the far corner in injury time against the 108th-ranked Tanzania.
Dunga made six substitutions and tested a new formation in the second half, with right back Daniel Alves replacing Elano in midfield in a more attacking setup.
"I summoned players with different characteristics, so I have a lot of options," Dunga said.
Lineups:
Tanzania: Jumanne Mwalami, Shadrack Issajika, Stephano Mwasika, Nadir Haroub, Kevin Yondar, Erasto Nyoni, Mrisho Ngasa, Abdulrahman Mohammed, Mussa Hassan Mgossi, Nizar Khalfan, Kiggy Makasi.
Brazil: Gomes, Maicon, Juan, Lucio (Luisao, 46), Michel Bastos (Gilberto, 46), Gilberto Silva (Josue, 46), Felipe Melo (Ramires, 46), Elano (Daniel Alves, 60), Kaka, Robinho and Luis Fabiano (Nilmar, 78).
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
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