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Mexico deliver France killer blow
New Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez enhanced his burgeoning reputation with the opening goal as Mexico took a significant step towards qualification from Group A and hastened France's early exit at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
(Photo)Mexico celebrate after Javier Hernandez gives them the lead
MATCH SUMMARY
# Man of the Match: Carlos Salcido - A dashing performance at left back, full of pace and agility, one may have mistaken him for Patrice Evra at his best. Making penetrating runs up the pitch, Salcido was able to peg back the French attacks and was solid in defence when called upon as well.
# France verdict: Insipid and lacking ambition once again, the team look completely out of sorts and are not helped by some bizarre decisions from their coach. Playing Franck Ribery behind a lone striker, there was nothing in the final third to suggest that they were ever going to break the deadlock and Mexico were comfortable throughout. Keeping Sidney Govou in the side did not work and talisman Thierry Henry, again, warmed the bench.
# Mexico verdict: Fluid on the ball and lively up front, their positive attitude embarrassed a French side that many expected to come out on top of the group. El Tri have some tough defenders to win the ball back and attack with gusto when they have possession. Quick, exciting and full of running, they deserve a place in the second round based on their first two performances.
# Could do better: William Gallas - While his defensive partner Eric Abidal gave away a stonewall penalty in the second half, Gallas contributed to the first goal with a poor attempt at playing offside. However, his crowning moment in the match was when he decided to let Salcido shoot instead of closing him down in the box and he was lucky it was hit straight at Hugo Lloris.
# Stat attack: Since Zindine Zidane's retirement after the World Cup final in 2006, France are without a win in their five matches at international tournaments and they have not scored a World Cup goal outside Europe since Michel Platini's strike against Brazil in the 1986 quarter-finals.
Just nine minutes after coming off the bench the 22-year-old, who will officially move to Old Trafford from Chivas in a £7million deal next month, sprang the offside trap to race on to Rafael Marquez's pass, round goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and coolly slot home.
Veteran striker and cult hero Cuauhtemoc Blanco sealed victory with a 79th-minute penalty.
It was Mexico's first win over France at senior level and no less than they deserved after a performance full of vigour and attacking invention.
For the French, winners on home soil in 1998 and runners-up four years ago, the prospect of ignominious failure looms large - as it did at Euro 2008 when they failed to progress from their group.
Captain Patrice Evra may have shed a tear during the playing of La Marseillaise but there would have been many more Frenchman crying into their sauvignon blanc after another disappointing performance from Les Bleus.
The Manchester United defender had dismissed claims of disharmony within the camp at the pre-match press conference.
But everything about the team's demeanour spoke volumes: from the substitutes with what appeared to be tartan picnic rugs over their legs like a geriatrics' outing to coach Raymond Domenech's return to the dug-out a good minute before his players came out of the tunnel for the second half.
Most of the fluid, attacking football was played by Mexico, particularly before the interval.
Uruguay's win over South Africa last night to go top of the group had increased the pressure on both sides but they responded with some refreshingly open, if not decisive, play.
Early on Franck Ribery's 35-yard free-kick bounced in front of Oscar Perez but, unlike Algeria's Faouzi Chaouchi who blundered on this semi-artificial pitch on Sunday, the Mexico goalkeeper collected easily.
But whereas France were restricted to set-pieces, Mexico looked dangerous from open play. Marquez's ball over the top saw three team-mates set off in pursuit; Arsenal's Carlos Vela reached it first but could not keep his 12-yard volley down.
Former West Ham striker Guillermo Franco was no closer when he all-too-easily turned William Gallas on the edge of the penalty area.
Mexico left-back Carlos Salcido twice went close, drilling wide of Lloris' left-hand post and then shooting straight at the goalkeeper.
Even the loss of Vela, being watched by Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, to injury just after the half-hour did not interrupt the North Americans' fluency as substitute Pablo Barrera was straight into the action when Lloris punched Salcido's cross against him and was fortunate to see the ball bounce wide.
Giovani dos Santos flashed a shot wide before Jeremy Toulalan was booked in added time, ruling him out of France's final group match against South Africa.
The second half began with Andre Pierre Gignac coming on for Nicolas Anelka and Chelsea team-mate Florent Malouda, restored to the starting line-up at the expense of Yoann Gourcuff, having a shot tipped over by Perez.
But the introduction of Hernandez for Efrain Juarez soon after had an almost immediate impact. His pace took him clear of the defence and his talent did the rest.
When Abidal brought down Barrera, Blanco side-footed home from the spot to spark wild Mexican celebrations.
A draw against Uruguay on Tuesday will put both sides through and send France home, irrespective of their result against the hosts.
Date:Fri, 18/06/2010 -
Higuain hits hat-trick, Argentine romped to win
Gonzalo Higuain scored the first hat-trick at the World Cup since 2002 as Argentina all but assured themselves a place in the last 16 with an impressive victory over South Korea at Soccer City.
(Photo)Gonzalo Higuain celebrates his goal
MATCH SUMMARY
# Man of the Match: Gonzalo Higuain - The Real Madrid forward missed a succession of chances in Argentina's opening game against Nigeria and his place looked to be in some doubt. However, Higuain responded with a deadly performance when scoring three predatory goals against South Korea, even if he was indebted to some expert service from his team-mates. After scoring 27 goals in Spain last season, he now leads the race for the Golden Boot.
# Argentina verdict: This was the Albiceleste at their sumptuous best in attack, with Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez and Higuain a constant threat to a cowering South Korean backline. Defensive concerns remain, particularly given an aberration from Martin Demichelis that allowed Lee Chung-Yong to score, but the lasting image will be a glorious fourth goal that was the best of the tournament so far. Forget those reservations about Diego Maradona as a coach - he appears to be getting the best out of this talented side.
# South Korea verdict: A fine opening win over Greece looks a long time ago now after a performance that lacked belief. They were overawed by the Argentina attack and restricted to efforts from long range. South Korea remain tidy in possession, but they lacked the nous to exploit any weakness in the Argentina defence, Lee's goal aside. Will need to get this game out of their thoughts before their final game against Nigeria.
# Could do better: Gabriel Heinze - As Argentina lit up the competition with a fine performance, it was left to Heinze to practice the dark arks as he repeatedly indulged in simulation and even had the audacity to moan at the referee when shown a yellow card for a blatant handball.
# Stat attack: Higuain's hat-trick was the first in the World Cup since Pauleta scored three for Portugal in 2002 against Poland. It was Argentina's first since Gabriel Batistuta against Jamaica in 1998.
Diego Maradona's men were on top from the time they took the lead through a Park Chu-young own goal in the 17th minute. Higuain doubled the advantage after 33 minutes, but a lapse in concentration from Martin Demichelis on the stroke of half-time allowed Lee Chung-yong to give his side hope.
After briefly threatening a comeback early in the second half, the Koreans faded thanks to a double from Real Madrid striker Higuain that handed his side maximum points from their opening two fixtures in Group B.
The first real chance of the match fell to Higuain on the right after good build-up play involving Carlos Tevez and Lionel Messi, but the shot was lashed over. It did not take much longer, though, for the first goal to arrive, a nicely flighted free-kick from Barcelona forward Messi on the left caught out Park Chu-young as he deflected the ball into his own net.
Almost immediately after the restart, another direct run from Messi saw the ball fall into the path of Maxi Rodriguez, who pulled his 20-yard strike wide.
Ki Sung-yong tried to hit back for the Koreans, sending a dipping long-range strike narrowly over the crossbar.
Walter Samuel, who hardly broke sweat in the opening quarter, was then forced off with what looked like a hamstring problem - the Inter Milan defender replaced by Nicolas Burdisso.
Tevez almost doubled the advantage shortly before the half-hour mark when his fizzing 20-yard free-kick continued to rise and ended up in the north stand at Soccer City. But that lead was extended when a short free-kick on the left came to Rodriguez, whose ball into the box was flicked on by Burdisso to Higuain, who put his free header beyond the helpless Jung Sung-ryong.
The Korean goalkeeper prevented his side from falling further behind in the 40th minute - first coming off his line to punch away a cross-shot from the right by Higuain. He then made a flying save to tip over Angel di Maria's shot from the edge of the box, but was beaten minutes before the break when Messi's enterprising skill ended with a curling shot beyond the right-hand post.
As the seconds wound down, Demichelis took his eye off a header from Park Chu-young, allowing Bolton midfielder Lee to nip in and score. Argentina again looked threatening at the start of the second half, with Tevez and Di Maria combining to set up Higuain for a free header six yards out that was excellently tipped away by Jung.
Tevez then cut in from the left, before unleashing a low dipping shot that was well dealt with by the Korean keeper.
Yeom Ki-hun should have drawn his side level after 55 minutes when he was put clean through on the right following a quick break, but found the side netting after opting to use his left foot instead of the right.
The big chances dried up for the South Americans thereafter - Messi and Higuain firing straight at Jung - and Maradona threw in Sergio Aguero for Tevez.
The moved proved an instant hit with the Atletico Madrid forward playing in Messi on the left - his initial shot was blocked by Jung and the rebound shot hit the base of the left upright and fell to Higuain for a simple tap-in.
That was in the 76th minute and four minutes later the Real Madrid star completed his hat-trick after nodding in Aguero's cross at the back post.
Messi, desperate to open his account in South Africa, and Aguero missed late chances to add to Korea's woes as the Albiceleste completed a commanding win.
Date:Fri, 18/06/2010 -
Portugal to appeal Ronaldo booking
Portugal have asked FIFA to overturn Cristiano Ronaldo's yellow card against Ivory Coast.
The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) said in a statement that Ronaldo was "pushed and insulted'' after being fouled by Guy Demel, and there was a "disparity'' in the treatment of the Real Madrid player and the man who brought him down.
Both Ronaldo and Demel were booked in the 21st minute of Tuesday's World Cup Group G game, which finished goalless.Stand to take home RM10,000 with Celcom Broadband!
The FPF said: "The Portuguese player was tripped and pushed near the Ivory Coast penalty box. As soon as he got up, he was surrounded by his opponents and then pushed and insulted.
"Despite provocations, Cristiano Ronaldo accepted, without complaint, the fact that the referee did not signal disciplinary offence against these players, which is required under the Laws of the Game.''
The FPF statement added: "Given the facts presented there is a disparity in the showing of the cards, since the African player who committed a foul received a yellow card and the Portuguese player who just tried to walk away from the situation was also punished.''
FIFA confirmed it had received the request, but was unclear as to when a decision would be made. Spokesman Nicolas Maingot said: "We have received this request from the Portuguese delegation. The disciplinary committee will look at it, but for the moment we don't have a date."
Date:Fri, 18/06/2010Tags -
Buffon to miss New Zealand game
Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has been ruled out of the Azzurri's match against New Zealand due to a herniated disc in his back - but they are refusing to rule him out of the tournament.
The world's most expensive goalkeeper was substituted at half-time in Italy's World Cup opener against Paraguay due to the problem, with Federico Marchetti taking his place. Marchetti now looks set to feature against the All Whites in Nelspruit on Sunday.
"The hernia is small, but even a small hernia can cause great pain,'' Italy's medical chief Professor Enrico Castellacci said. "It's not easy to make a prognosis but it's a small margin and Buffon strongly wants to recuperate.''
Professor Castellacci added: "There is a desire on Buffon's behalf to recuperate, a chance that we have no right to take away.''
Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini admits Buffon's injury could be a telling blow."Gigi has charisma,'' he said. "He gives strength to others. His saves' worth are like goals from strikers. I know what it means for him to play at the World Cup. We miss Gianluigi as a man and we hope he will recover as soon as possible."
Andrea Pirlo is the Azzurri's other major injury concern, having come into the tournament with a calf problem.
Castellacci had positive news on the AC Milan playmaker, revealing: "He has now been subjected to (an MRI scan), he is training and is running and things are going according to the schedule set out at the beginning.
"The objective was for him to return in the third game or the last 16 and he should be ready for (one of) those.''
Date:Fri, 18/06/2010Tags -
Torosidis goal kept Greece alive
A blunder by Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama handed Greece their first victory at the fifth attempt in two World Cup finals.
MATCH SUMMARY
# Man of the Match: Dimitrios Salpingidis - His goal may have been indebted to a large slice of luck, but Salpingidis deserved the credit it will bring him thanks to a purposeful display. A constant menace down the right flank, he was the most lively player in Otto Rehhagel's ranks..
# Greece verdict: With Argentina to come in their final game, Greece may yet end up disappointed but they will certainly settle for their first ever World Cup win. While they looked as uninspired and unadventurous as usual in the first half hour, Rehhagel showed admirable initiative when quickly bringing on Georgios Samaras after a red card shown to Sani Kaita. Both goals were fortunate, but Greece worked hard for the win.
# Nigeria verdict: Complete and utter frustration. Leading 1-0, they surrendered control of the game when Kaita received an idiotic red card after 33 minutes. Greece immediately scented blood and adopted an attacking stance, leaving Nigeria firmly on the back foot. That said, Chinedu Ogbuke wasted a glorious chance to make it 2-1 to Nigeria in the second half, but Lars Lagerback's side could not recover from the dismissal. A missed opportunity.
# Could do better: Sani Kaita - Who else could it be? Your team is leading 1-0 in a World Cup finals match, a result which will take them joint second in the group with one game to play, so what do you do? Apparently Kaita saw fit to give Vasilis Torosidis a kick on the touchline, with the ball out of play, for no reason whatsoever. Madness.
# Stat attack: Greece finally scored their first ever World Cup goal in their fifth finals match. Their only previous appearance in a World Cup was in 1994 when they lost all three group games, including matches against Nigeria and Argentina.
It also maintains their slim hopes of an appearance in the next stage although their final Group B game is against Argentina.
Enyeama, whose side were down to ten men following Sani Kaita's red card, failed to deal with a soft shot from Alexandros Tziolis in the 72nd minute. The rebound fell to Vasileios Torosidis, who toe-poked the ball home to give Greece victory.
Nigeria now face an early exit. Yet the game had started so well for them. They took the lead after 16 minutes following a defensive howler by their opponents.
Greece failed to cut out an inswinging free-kick from Kalu Uche and goalkeeper Alexandros Tzorvas was left rooted to the spot as the ball nestled in the net behind him.
While Uche celebrated, Tzorvas was left shaking his head in disbelief. It was an early setback for Greece following their opening-day defeat by South Korea.
They responded 13 minutes later when skipper Georgios Karagounis tried to chip Enyeama from distance but the goalkeeper was able to make a comfortable save.
Then Karagounis floated in a corner only for Liverpool defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos to send his header high over the bar.
The match took a dramatic twist in the 34th minute when Nigeria were reduced to ten men. Kaita was handed a straight red card by referee Oscar Ruiz following a tussle with Torosidis. Kaita showed his studs to the defender and was immediately banished to the dressing room.
Greece coach Otto Rehhagel reacted by bringing on striker Georgios Samaras instead of defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos two minutes later.
And they almost drew level in the 39th minute only for Enyeama to superbly block a shot from Salpingidis. Greece stepped up the pace and Samaras then saw his effort cleared off the line by Lukman Haruna.
Nigeria were finally breached a minute before the break when Salpingidis scored the equaliser, his effort deflecting off a defender after Konstantinos Katsouranis had played the ball into his path. It was a historic moment for Greece - their first goal in the finals.
Nigeria made a confident start to the second half and Uche saw his clever cross palmed on to the roof of the net by Enyeama in the 48th minute.
Greece hit back and Kyrgiakos sent a header at the back post into the arms of Enyeama seven minutes later following a corner from Karagounis. They kept pushing forward and Thefonais Gekas saw his close-range effort parried by the goalkeeper in the 59th minute.
Nigeria launched a swift counter attack and Aiyegbeni Yakubu's shot was blocked by Tzorvas. The ball broke to substitute Chinedu Obasi but he somehow managed to find the wrong side of the post when it seemed easier to score.
Nigeria were again grateful to Enyeama in the 68th minute when he clawed away a powerful header from Samaras.
Then came the mistake by the goalkeeper although he did well to beat away Tziolis's effort in stoppage time to prevent Greece extending their lead.
Date:Fri, 18/06/2010Tags -
Capello slams 'worst ever' ball
England coach Fabio Capello has added his voice to those unhappy with the Jabulani ball being used at the World Cup, describing it as "terrible".
"[It] is the worst ball that I have seen in my life," he said. "For the players it is terrible. It's terrible for the keepers because it is impossible to deal with the trajectory. It's good when you play short passes but when you try to switch the ball with long passes it is really difficult to understand the trajectory.
"But the really big problem is that sometimes this ball is just impossible to control. Impossible. And when you shoot at the goal, you can see it's difficult. When you play on the floor, it's good. When you play the ball longer, it's more difficult."
When asked, Wayne Rooney said the players were "starting to get used to it eventually". He continued: "I can imagine it's been a nightmare for goalkeepers but for forward players when you get your shot off it's an advantage I feel. So I think we're getting more used to it with every day that goes by so hopefully that will help the forwards and midfielders to score more goals throughout the tournament."
Rooney added that Germany had a clear advantage as five clubs in the Bundesliga used the ball last season. "I am sure the Germans will be a lot more used to it. They used it all of last year."
Adidas, the manufacturers of the Jabulani, countered by blaming the teams for not taking up the company's offer to practice with the new balls ahead of the tournament. England, however, claim their attempts to get access to the ball were blocked until 15 days before the World Cup started.
Date:Fri, 18/06/2010Tags -
FIFA file criminal charges
FIFA has said criminal charges have been filed against a beer company which conducted an 'ambush marketing' campaign during Monday's match between Netherlands and Denmark.
They were charged with an offence under the Contravention of Merchandise Marks Act, which covers ambush marketing, when a company benefits from an event without paying for advertising.
South African police arrested the women at their hotel in the Johannesburg district of Roodepoort hours after FIFA had told reporters no action would be taken against them. "We view ambush marketing in a very serious light and we urge people not to embark on these ambush campaigns," police said in a statement. The women appeared at Johannesburg Magistrates Court and were released on bail of $1,300 each, with their next court appearance set for Monday.
With regards to the company, FIFA head of media Nicolas Maingot said: "FIFA has filed charges against the organisers of the ambush marketing stunt pulled during the Netherlands v Denmark match at Soccer City two days ago."
FIFA media spokesperson Delia Fischer added: "This Dutch company has a long history of trying ambush marketing tactics at sports events. The latest target had been the Dutch national team itself, and the Dutch FA had already objected to the strategy employed by this brewery for ambush activities around the national team matches using the exact same promotional objects."
Meanwhile, ITV sacked pundit Robbie Earle after tickets given to him which were intended for his friends and family found their way into the hands of the women. "I have absolutely no connection with any marketing ambush agency and have not profited in any way from these tickets," Earle said.
Date:Thu, 17/06/2010Tags -
Rehhagel still believes
Greece coach Otto Rehhagel believes his team can still make the knock-out stages of the World Cup, and has urged his team to give everything against Nigeria on Thursday.
Rehhagel's team lost 2-0 to South Korea in their first match, meaning Greece are still to win a World Cup match, and have never even scored at the finals.
"We still have an opportunity and can recover after losing the first game," Rehhagel said. "First of all we have to keep our mistakes to a minimum. We have to play to our full potential and give everything."
"Of course we want to score goals. But I do not think we are that defensive. Perhaps if we had (Lionel) Messi, Kaka and (Cristiano) Ronaldo our style would be different."
Temperatures are expected to be cold in Bloemfontein, and the 71-year-old coach claims that will help his team at the Free State Stadium
"I think it is better for the players to play in the cold, rather than hot conditions," he added. "But we cannot use the weather as an excuse."
Striker Georgios Samaras believes their defeat to South Korea came as a result of the team making too many errors, and some uncharacteristically poor defending.
"We made too many stupid mistakes," Samaras said. "We did not defend at all well, which is usually our main strength. If a player makes a mistake, the man closest to him needs to immediately react and work twice as hard to solve the problem."
The Celtic striker stated Greece must play to their strengths, and improve their defending for the game.
"Nigeria is a tough test for us," he said. "It will be a chance for us to get back to what we do best, which is frustrating the opponent. If we lose, our World Cup is over. It is the same for Nigeria. We just need to play better football."
Nigeria coach Lars Lagerback said he has been impressed with how his squad have responded to the their defeat to Argentina.
"I am feeling positive," Lagerback said. "This a big challenge and probably a match we must win if we are not to go home. We have had a good week."
"I have been impressed with the players' attitude and the way they have trained. We need to start winning of course and that would make me very happy. To do that, our priority is to be a little bit sharper.''
The Swedish coach is only on a short-term contract as the Super Eagle's boss, but we not be drawn on questions about his own future.
"I do not what will happen later as we have not talked about that,'' Lagerback said.
Date:Thu, 17/06/2010Tags -
Buffon reportedly out of World Cup
Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon could be ruled out of the rest of the World Cup with a back injury, according to reports.
Italian football federation vice-president Demetrio Albertini said: "We are confident that our goalkeeper will make a speedy recovery."
However, it appears doctors are struggling to diagnose the problem and Italy's chief medic Enrico Castellacci said the problem is "serious", adding: "At the moment, it's impossible to estimate when he might return."
Reports had suggested Buffon may be out for ten days, but it now appears his tournament may be over. Italy may give Buffon a cortisone injection, but he will require surgery on the disc that is pressing on the nerve.
On Wednesday, Buffon said: "I am very worried about my World Cup."
Palermo goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu is in line to replace Buffon if Italy decide not to risk the Juventus 'keeper. Gazzetta dello Sport suggests the problem may be chronic and that Juve are concerned that their prize asset's value may have plummeted.
Date:Thu, 17/06/2010Tags -
Diego lashes out at Pele and Platini
Argentina coach Diego Maradona has used a press conference on the eve of Argentina's World Cup tie with South Korea to attack Pele and Michel Platini, his contemporaries in the pantheon of football greats.
Maradona has never been one to avoid conflict and his candid assessment of the two men will raise eyebrows once more, particularly given the outburst comes just 24 hours before a game that could secure Argentina's place in the knockout stages of the World Cup.
Pele, who has a long-standing rivalry with his only contender for the title of the greatest footballer of all time, claimed Maradona only took the Argentina job for the money. The 1986 World Cup winner responded by claiming Pele should "go back to the museum".
Maradona then turned his attentions to UEFA president and former France star Michel Platini who had reportedly questioned his coaching credentials.
"Platini? I'm not surprised, I've always had a very distant relationship with him," Maradona said. "It's always just hello and goodbye, nothing more than that. We all know how the French are, and Platini is French, and he believes he is better than rest."
Argentina won their opening game 1-0 against Nigeria to undermine suggestions that the country would struggle with the enigmatic Maradona at the helm. While the coach is enjoying the experience of coaching at the World Cup, he could not resist a dig at the Jabulani ball, and a final word for Pele and Platini.
"I'm having a wonderful time, to me a World Cup is something that's quite amazing," Maradona said. "I'm not worried by the fact there aren't many goals, I'm sure there will be goals, I'm sure the players will see to that.
"Of course in the first matches you are more careful, perhaps more careful than you should be. And, of course, there's the ball.
"I don't want to go into the ball again because everyone is talking about it, but it is important and it does play a part and I would ask Pele and Platini to go out there and play with the ball and take a closer look at it to see if it's a good one or bad one, and to stop talking rubbish about me."
Date:Thu, 17/06/2010Tags