Capello gives England a beer and a cheer June 23, 2010 SLOVENIA(0) VS ENGLAND(1) FABIO CAPELLO saw his England side rediscover their missing spirit – after allowing his players to drink beer the night before they booked a last 16 tie with arch-rivals Germany. Capello’s strict disciplinary code has been questioned over the last fortnight after rumours of unrest, and let his squad enjoy a pre-match [...]
We’ve nothing to fear from Germans June 23, 2010 I TOOK a long, hard look at the Germans in their final group game against Ghana last night and, to be honest, I really don’t think England have anything to fear. I thought Bastian Schweinsteiger and Lucas Podolski looked off the pace, while the defence, for me, were vulnerable to pace and weren’t as organised [...]
Belief was always there, insists Defoe June 23, 2010 MATCH-WINNER Jermain Defoe hailed the spirit of his England team-mates after firing the Three Lions into the last 16. The Tottenham striker was given the nod for his first World Cup start ahead of Emile Heskey and Peter Crouch and repaid his manager’s faith with a predatory 22nd-minute finish to fire England through to the [...]
City workers succumb to football fever June 23, 2010 WITH the Budget out of the way in good time, the City’s thoughts yesterday turned to the beautiful game, and England’s crucial third group clash against Slovenia. As the crucial hour approached, bars and pubs filled to bursting point and the employees of more generous firms gathered in communal areas to watch Capello’s squad clinch [...]
England set to get Maradona grudge match June 23, 2010 TWENTY-FOUR years ago he dumped England out of the World Cup as a player; now he could be set to inflict the same heartbreak as a manager. For if Fabio Capello’s team can navigate their way past old rivals Germany and into the quarter-finals, they look likely to meet the familiar form of Diego Maradona. [...]
Donovan’s last-gasp strike earns Americans top spot June 23, 2010 USA (1) vs ALGERIA(0) LANDON DONOVAN struck a dramatic injury-time winner to fire the USA into the last 16 of the World Cup as Group C winners. Watched by former president Bill Clinton, the Americans were on the verge of exiting the competition when the LA Galaxy man rifled the ball home after Algerian keeper [...]
Ozil stunner sets up date with England June 23, 2010 GERMANY (1) VS GHANA(0) MESUT OZIL’S stunning second half strike sent Germany to the top of Group D and earned a last 16 clash with England. Playmaker Ozil, one of the stars of the tournament so far, settled an entertaining game at Soccer City with a sublime dipping volley from outside the box. But Australia’s [...]
Federer made to sweat by unsung Croat June 23, 2010 WORLD No1 Roger Federer admitted his relief after surviving another scare against an unfancied opponent before booking his place in the third round. Federer was made to battle by Croatian qualifier Ilija Bozoljac and needed two tie-breaks before prevailing 6-3, 6-7 (4-7), 6-4, 7-6 (7-5). It continued the top seed’s unexpectedly tricky start to the [...]
I’ll give Murray a scare, says Nieminen June 23, 2010 JARKKO NIEMINEN plans to spoil Andy Murray’s date with royalty and prove a Wimbledon party pooper. The Finn takes on the British No1 in front of the Queen this afternoon when they walk out on Centre Court for their second round match-up at the All England Club. Nieminen is no stranger to keeping the partisan [...]
Johnson riled by bitter finish June 23, 2010 N. ZEALAND MAORI(35) VS ENGLAND(28) ENGLAND manager Martin Johnson admitted his frustration after his side twice squandered a healthy lead to end the tour Down Under on a low note. Johnson’s men stormed into a 13-0 advantage after Steffon Armitage crossed early on, only to be pegged back by two New Zealand Maori tries. Then [...]