England will still get out of tough group, says Hodgson June 15, 2014 ENGLAND manager Roy Hodgson is upbeat about his team’s chances of reaching the World Cup knockout stages, following their performance in Saturday’s defeat to Italy. A second-half header from former Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli earned Italy three points, after Daniel Sturridge had cancelled out Claudio Marchisio’s earlier strike. But England played much of the [...]
Sport Comment: Three Lions are a team to take pride in again June 15, 2014 FOR so long, England being a crushing disappointment had been synonymous with World Cups; part of the competition’s very fabric, like an African nation threatening not to turn up over a pay dispute, or the Dutch squad descending into civil war. In fact every major international tournament for the last decade had been a source [...]
Gerrard doubts Uruguay, even with Suarez fit June 15, 2014 HAVING been put to the sword by Costa Rica, England captain Steven Gerrard believes Uruguay are beatable, even if Liverpool clubmate Luis Suarez recovers from a knee injury in time to feature. The losers of Thursday’s clash are almost certain to face an early World Cup exit following the first round of results in Group [...]
Football Comment: Eagerness to be hero hurting Rooney’s game June 15, 2014 ENGLAND and Roy Hodgson deserve nothing but praise for their display against Italy on Saturday night. Despite losing, there was so much to cheer. It was pacy, some of the passing was excellent, players looked as comfortable in possession as they have for a long time. England recognised they were at a World Cup and [...]
World Cup in brief June 15, 2014 Ronaldo fit to play Germany ■ PORTUGAL captain Cristiano Ronaldo has declared himself fit to take on Germany today following a recent knee injury. Ronaldo limped out of training on Friday with an ice pack on his left knee, but said last night: “I’m ready, I’m feeling well, I don’t have anything to prove.” Sanctions [...]
World Cup: Messi makes World Cup mark as Argentina made to toil by Bosnia June 15, 2014 ARGENTINA 2 BOSNIA 1 ARGENTINA superstar Lionel Messi lit up the Maracana Stadium last night with a sensational second-half strike to help see off stubborn Bosnia. The two-time World Cup winners struggled to break down Bosnia after taking the lead through an early Sead Kolasinac own goal, until Messi stormed through the defence to fire [...]
Peerless Kaymer cruises to US Open victory June 15, 2014 GERMANY’S Martin Kaymer completed one of the great Major tournament performances last night to claim the US Open at Pinehurst by eight shots. The 29-year-old, who led by five shots overnight, carded a final round of 69 to finish nine under par and land his second career Major, following his breakthrough success at the 2010 [...]
World Cup: Benzema’s double and Palacios red help French sink Honduras June 15, 2014 FRANCE 3 HONDURAS 0 STRIKER Karim Benzema came within inches of a hat-trick on his World Cup debut as France brushed off roughhouse tactics from 10-man Honduras to secure a winning start in Group E. Benzema put Les Bleus ahead from the penalty spot just before half-time and prompted the second moments after the restart, [...]
World Cup: Hitzfeld delight at dream finish as Swiss triumph June 15, 2014 SWITZERLAND 2 ECUADOR 1 SWITZERLAND manager Ottmar Hitzfeld last night revelled in the “dream finish” that saw substitute Haris Seferovic get his team off to a winning start in Group E. The Swiss had not conceded a single goal from a set-piece during their World Cup qualifying campaign, but fell behind on 22 minutes when [...]
Ballance swings momentum in England favour June 15, 2014 BATSMAN Gary Ballance expects England to push on and take a series lead against Sri Lanka today after his maiden Test century ushered the hosts towards a likely victory at Lord’s. Ballance’s patient unbeaten 104 took England to 267-8 at the close of day four, a lead of 389, and kept them on course to [...]