Appiah delighted with Ghana´s precision
Head coach James Kwesi Appiah says tactical superiority led Ghana to a 4-0 win over Sudan in Sunday's World Cup qualifier.
Appiah's team moved to the top of CAF's World Cup qualifying Group D after destroying Sudan in Kumasi with Asamoah Gyan, Wakaso Mubarak, Abdul Majeed Waris and Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu scoring for Ghana.
Ghana have six points from their opening three games in the second round of African qualifying for Brazil 2014, leading Zambia and Sudan by two points and Appiah was thrilled to see his side get the job done.
"I have always insisted that the point gap between us and Zambia did no
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Category: News
Views: 840
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Date: 25.03.2013 - 14:34
Schwarzer: Defeating Oman is a must
Mark Schwarzer has described Australia's World Cup qualifier against Oman on Tuesday as their 'toughest game to date'.
Australia are second in the group, but only just - they're ahead of Oman and Iraq on goal difference and a point in front of Jordan.
With regular skipper Lucas Neill suspended, Fulham's Schwarzer will wear the captain's armband for the crucial clash at ANZ Stadium.
"It is great to be playing back home in Australia and I'm confident we'll hit the ground running," Schwarzer said on Monday.
Category: News
Views: 766
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Date: 25.03.2013 - 14:30
Ballack calls for ´true´ German strikers
Michael Ballack wants Germany to revert to 'real strikers' in future after toying with a false number nine in recent matches.
Mario Gotze and Marco Reus have both been used by head coach Joachim Low in the past few months in a central position similar to that which Lionel Messi has made his own at Barcelona.
However, the former Germany captain is disappointed with the classic centre-forward spot being dropped and believes the team would benefit more with a more traditional striker.
Ballack told ZDF: "I'm still a fan of real strikers. The likes of Mario Gomez and Miroslav Klose are needed. <
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Views: 785
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Date: 25.03.2013 - 14:26
Negredo: Spain must beat France
Alvaro Negredo says it is vital that Spain defeat France in Tuesday's World Cup qualifier in Paris, labelling the fixture a 'final'.
Spain trail the Group I leaders by two points and Vicente Del Bosque's side go into the game aware of the permutations involved.
Defeat could consign the European champions to needing to win a play-off before securing their place in the tournament in Brazil, while victory would put them in pole position to qualify as group-winners.
And Negredo is under no illusions as to the importance of the game.
Category: News
Views: 838
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Date: 25.03.2013 - 14:22
Del Bosque wants three points in Paris
Spain head coach Vicente del Bosque wants his side to beat France in their own backyard on Tuesday night.
Spain conceded in the last 15 minutes of their World Cup qualifier against Finland on Friday, which ensured the game finished 1-1 and allowed les Bleus to forge a two-point lead at the top of Group I.
Del Bosque will want to avoid a third successive draw in qualification for the World Cup 2014 finals and a victory at the Stade de France would allow them to leapfrog Didier Deschamps' men.
The former Real Madrid boss told reporters on Sunday: "We will go to France to win. We have to play fou
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Category: News
Views: 741
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Date: 25.03.2013 - 14:18
O´Neill wants Russia game in May
Michael O'Neill has called for Northern Ireland's postponed World Cup qualifying match against Russia to be rescheduled for May.
The match was originally meant to be played last Friday but was twice cancelled due to heavy snowfall.
And, with FIFA set to decide on a new date for the fixture, head coach O'Neill has dismissed the idea of playing during the off-season break.
He told reporters: "When we (Northern Ireland) come to talk about the new date, I will have to take into account that a game in June is well after the players' club season is over.
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Category: News
Views: 736
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Date: 25.03.2013 - 14:11
Wins for Ponte Preta, Corinthians
Ponte Preta and Corinthians both earned narrow away wins in the Campeonato Paulista on Sunday, to move second and sixth respectively.
After starting the day level with Santos in second spot, Ponte Preta made the most of the former's 0-0 draw with Palmeiras by winning 1-0 at Paulista's Estadio Dr Jayme Pinheiro de Ulhoa Cintra.
William scored the decisive goal for Guto Ferreira's men, assisted by right winger Chiquinho.
Ponte Preta sit two points back from first-placed Sao Paulo, although they have played one game more than the league leaders.
Category: News
Views: 783
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Date: 25.03.2013 - 14:08
Chicago Fire 1:4 Chivas USA
The Chicago Fire's dismal start to the MLS season continued on Sunday as they suffered a 4-1 loss at home to Chivas USA.
Chivas struck early at Toyota Park, with Mexican midfielder Edgar Mejia scoring in the seventh minute.
They maintained that buffer beyond the hour mark, before there was some joy for the home side as Ghanaian striker Patrick Nyarko equalised on 64 minutes.
Unfortunately for the Fire, they suffered a late collapse - conceding three times in 15 minutes to slump to defeat.
Category: News
Views: 720
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Date: 25.03.2013 - 14:06
Coleman wary of risking Bale
Wales manager Chris Coleman has promised that Gareth Bale will not be risked against Croatia if the Tottenham midfielder is not fully fit.
The 23-year-old lasted just 45 minutes against Scotland on Friday, having to be replaced at half-time after aggravating an ankle injury.
A win for Wales on Tuesday would put Coleman's side four points behind Croatia, who currently occupy second spot in Group A.
"We only had Gareth for 45 minutes - and albeit a jaded Gareth Bale," Coleman told reporters.
"He's been ill and had a knock on his ankl
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Views: 734
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Date: 25.03.2013 - 01:30
Benzema lacking confidence, says Ribery
France star Franck Ribery believes Karim Benzema's confidence is low as France prepare to face Spain on Tuesday.
The form of the Real Madrid striker has come under intense scrutiny in his homeland, with his goal drought in internationals stretching back to a friendly against Estonia last June, when he scored twice.
Speaking to Telefoot on Sunday, Ribery said his international team-mate was experiencing some doubts over his contribution but is still putting effort in for the team.
"He doubts a little right now but he also works a lot for the team," the 29-year-old said.
Category: News
Views: 889
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Date: 25.03.2013 - 00:04
Sturridge grateful for Liverpool chance
Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has expressed his gratitude to manager Brendan Rodgers for offering him a stage on which he can flourish.
The former Manchester City and Chelsea forward moved to Merseyside in January and believes he now has the chance to develop to his full potential.
Sturridge told the Liverpool website: "I'm very grateful - very grateful to the manager for giving me an opportunity.
"I was at Man City before Chelsea and everything was fine there, in fairness. I didn't have any problems, everything worked out, but I chose to leave because I didn't feel it was the best p
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Category: News
Views: 915
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Date: 25.03.2013 - 00:04
Hamstrung Alba ruled out for Spain
Barcelona defender Jordi Alba has been ruled out for up to 10 days after straining his hamstring, the Catalan club have confirmed.
The full-back suffered the injury in Spain's 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw with Finland on Friday.
Barca released a statement on Sunday to confirm that the former Valencia man will need just over a week to recover from the injury, ruling him out of Spain's crucial World Cup qualifier with France.
"Jordi Alba will be off for between seven and 10 days," a Barcelona statement read.
Category: News
Views: 889
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Date: 25.03.2013 - 00:03