Friday, 4 July 2014

World Cup 2014 quarterfinal LIVE: Brazil vs Colombia - Firstpost

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Not and out-and-out tactical change for Brazil in terms of formation, but it seems they've gone for the more solid option at right-back to supplement bringing in Paulinho for Luiz Gustavo who misses due to a suspension. Dani Alves has gone missing in some games for Brazil and leaves gaps at the back in the area where James Rodriguez likes to attack. We may see Maicon play a more cautious full-back's role to stop Rodriguez while Fernandinho will sit deep and Paulinho will be allowed to go forward. Expect more of the same from Colombia though.


Brazil XI: Cesar, Maicon, Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Marcelo, Fernandinho, Paulinho, Oscar, Neymar, Hulk, Fred.


Colombia XI: Ospina, Zuniga, Zapata, Yepes, Armero, Gutierrez, Sanchez, Cuadrado, Guarin, Rodriguez, Ibarbo.



FT: Germany make it to the World Cup semis for the fourth consecutive time



Neuer saves off Benzema with 10 seconds remaining! 90+4 minutes


France hoof it forward with 30 seconds remaining and Benzema plays a swift one-two with Giroud before unleashing a pile-driver which Neuer keeps out with a strong palm. It was so calmly done -- just another one of those signs of pure German efficiency.


Schurrle... incredible SAVE from Lloris!! 83 minutes


Wow what a save that is! Ozil is put through on the left and he is in acres of space. He pulled it back for Mueller who completely misses it from eight yards out, but it falls to Schurrle who whacks it. It's goal-bound but Lloris sticks out a foot while going down to keep it out.



Hummels blocks Benzema effort as France go gung-ho, 77 minutes


Loic Remy is on for defensive midfielder Cabaye as Deschamps changes his team to a 4-4-2 now. It almost works as Remy crosses from the right for Benzema who takes a few touches and pulls the trigger only to see Hummels slide in and block it. Seconds later the ball falls to Matuidi on the left and he shoots from a tight angle rather than pull it back.



Schurrle on and Germany almost score another, 69 minutes


Schurrle comes on for a very tired Klose -- who hasn't really made a difference tonight. Germany immediately benefit from Schurrle's mobility as he pulls a marker towards him and lets a pass run through for Mueller. He's waiting for the return ball but Mueller's hit it too hard and it races across the face of goal and Lloris. There was a slight deflection that made it look precariously close to going in.


Varaaaane... saved! 60 minutes


More pressure from France results in a couple corners but nothing comes off them. However, a Valbuena cross follows from open play and Varane, who was up for one of the set-pieces heads it perfectly towards the top corner where Neuer's gloved hands are waiting to collect.



French make attacking start to second half, 53 minutes


Evra was onside and all alone from a freekick but the referee would probably have flagged him if he got a touch to the ball. Blaise Matuidi has been given the freedom to go forward it seems -- an exchange with Benzema almost puts him through.




Benzema gets the last shot off before half-time


Benzema first heads an Evra cross straight into Hummels' body and a couple minutes later creates a few yards for himself cutting in from the left before shooting right at Neuer. Perfect positioning from the keeper, doesn't even have to move.



What a save! Manuel Neuer! 34 minutes


Lovely long ball from the center of defence finds Griezmann on the right wing. The youngster smacks in the cross and Valbuena latches onto it before thumping a shot which Neuer literally scoops out from nipping inside the line. He's at full stretch and saves it, but the attempt to lift it out of danger was exceptions. Benzema got on to the rebound but was crowded out.


Penalty appeal, not give. 25 minutes


Intricate play as Lahm, Muller and Klose combine — the 15-goal man stretches to control the ball which just gets ahead of him before taking a tumble and appealing for a penalty. Replays show Debuchy had a handful of Klose's shirt but there was no way the referee could have seen that and the ball was not in a scoring area anyway — which must have played on his mind while making the decision.




GOAAAAAAAAAALLLL!! Germany 1-0, 13 minutes


Against the run of play of the last 6-7 minutes, Germany have taken the lead as Toni Kroos curls in a freekick towards Matts Hummels from the left and the German defender holds off Varane's challenge to deflect a smart header into the net. Unstoppable.


France is all in - 11 minutes


France have started imposing themselves now, especially the front three. Sakho's long ball finds Griezmann onside and Benzema is waiting in the middle for the ball which is just behind him and cleared. What a chance.


5 minutes gone, Germany on top


So Klose starts and Lahm is back in defence... Germany learning from their mistakes. Khedira is looking very ominous, roving forward as Schweinsteiger stays back. France have also learned from their mistake -- playing Griezmann ahead of Giroud and Benzema as CF.




Germany LINE-UP: Neuer, Howedes, Hummels, Khedira, Schweinsteiger, Ozil, Klose, Muller, Lahm (c), Kroos, Boateng.


France LINE-UP: Lloris; Debuchy, Varane, Sakho, Evra; Cabaye, Matuidi; Valbuena, Pogba, Griezmann; Benzema.


5.10 pm: France players practicing the art of scoring from behind


Well, it seems like the France players have been bored with the daily training routines. On the eve of the big match - against Germany - France players were seen practicing scoring from behind in the training session. Seen in the video are Yohan Cabaye, Paul Pogba and Olivier Giroud practicing the art. It's a difficult skill but the trio made it look really simple! Watch out Germany!



4.30 pm: James Rodriguez - The goals, skills and dance moves


Colombia's James Rodriguez has been a revelation in this edition of the World Cup and here's a collection of all his goals, skills and the dance moves of the tournament so far. Sit back and just watch in awe as this youngster performs some brilliant magic on the field.



4.00 pm: Neymar's worst penalty miss against Colombia


The Brazil fans wouldn't want to see this but the Colombia fans would be pretty happy if this does happen again in the all-important match tonight. Here's one of the worst penalty misses one can witness.


The last time Brazil met Colombia, Neymar took a terrible penalty as he hit the ball way into the crowd in the stands. It was so poor that even the Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina ran up to Neymar to sympathize.



3.45 pm: African champions Nigeria risk FIFA ban


African champions Nigeria risk an international ban due to government interference after a court sacked the football federation's executive committee.


Nigerian sports minister Tammy Danagogo on Thursday appointed Lawrence Katiken as sole adminstrator of the NFF.


File picture of Brazil's Neymar. Reuters

File picture of Brazil's Neymar. Reuters



The move comes in the wake of Nigeria's World Cup campain which came to an end on Monday with defeat to France in the last 16.


Danagogo acted after a high court in Plateau State granted an injunction stopping elected NFF president Aminu Maigari, his executive committee and the NFF congress from office.


This represents direct interference by government in football, which has in the past incurred worldwide bans handed down by FIFA.


AFP


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