Fifa wc 2014 news,updates and scores

[Basil]

3 stadiums worry FIFA after final inspections



Sao Paulo: FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke expressed his concern about preparations at three of the 12 World Cup stadiums during his final inspection of host cities.

During a two-week trip that ended Thursday, Valcke sent warnings to organizers in Natal, Porto Alegre and Sao Paulo, which will host the World Cup`s opening match in two weeks.

He said it was a "race against the clock" in Natal and there was a lot "yet to be done" in Porto Alegre.

In Sao Paulo, FIFA requested a second test event at the delayed Itaquerao Stadium that will host the Brazil-Croatia match on June 12. It is unlikely, however, that the venue will be tested at full capacity.

Local authorities are not expected to allow the sale of tickets at the test event for some of the temporary seating that was recently added to the venue, meaning the first time the 68,000-seat venue will be at capacity will likely be during the World Cup match.

Valcke said he was pleased with the work underway in the other nine host cities, including Curitiba, which earlier this year was nearly excluded from the tournament because of chronic delays.

Valcke`s final stop on yesterday was in the northeastern city of Salvador, where he said there was "no time to waste" but praised the commitment of local organizers to make sure everything will be ready in time.

The game in Salvador on June 13 will be a much-anticipated rematch of the 2010 final, when Spain beat the Netherlands for the title in South Africa.

"All must be perfect that day," Valcke said on Twitter.

"Pleased with Salvador`s commitment to work with our on-site team to finalize remaining works for fans, media & teams."

Also, there was progress on plans for fan fests at Salvador and Recife. Salvador officials announced they reached a deal guaranteeing the organization of its fanfest, the FIFA-required event that allows fans to watch matches on large screens for free in public areas.

Organizers at Recife had been looking for private partners to promote a fanfest without having to spend public money, and Valcke said a solution had been found.

Valcke said he was pleased with the work at Recife`s Arena Pernambuco, saying it was "on track for hosting" matches.

"Installations are taking shape really well here," he said.

The Arena Pernambuco was one the six stadiums built for last year`s Confederations Cup, the World Cup warm-up tournament. FIFA wanted the other six venues completed by the end of 2013, but none met the deadline.

One of the stadiums that weren`t ready in time was the Arena das Dunas in Natal, which Valcke visited on Wednesday.

"Still lots to be done for #WorldCup fans & media," he said. "We need full commitment from all parties in Natal to ensure all will be in place & tested."

Last week, he posted: "we cannot waste a single minute" in Porto Alegre "otherwise the quality for fans & broadcasters will be jeopardized during the #WorldCup."

In Sao Paulo, Valcke warned that it was "vital" another test event was scheduled to help ensure problems can be avoided during the high-profile opening match.


3 stadiums worry FIFA after final inspections|Zee News

 

[Sarkar]

2014 FIFA World Cup commentary to get sweeter in Bengali!

MUMBAI: As the countdown for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil begins, Indian fans, especially the ‘bong’ football enthusiasts are in for a special language treat.

While Sony Six is the official broadcast partner for the World Cup, Multi Screen Media (MSM) has also decided to telecast the matches on its Bengali channel Aath. That apart, Aath viewers will be in for a Bengali live commentary treat for the matches telecast on the channel. “This is for the first time that we will be having a Bengali live commentary for a sporting event of this scale,” confirmed MSM India CEO NP Singh to indiantelevision.com.

Singh also informed that a studio will be set up for the same. “56 of the 64 matches will be aired on Aath and have Bengali commentary,” he added.

This eastern most state of India is known to have a mass fan base which is crazy and enthusiastic about football.

According to BPN Lintas Media group Kolkata executive vice president Mahesh Motwani, “This move will definitely help increase viewership numbers for the channel as Bengal is the Mecca of football in India. The kind of domain knowledge about football that exists here is large and not found elsewhere. I feel that having commentary in the local language during the FIFA World Cup will help increase eyeballs to a large extent.”

Of the other major plans around the big game, Sony Six aims at tapping into the prime time slot featuring the live games from the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The channel will exclusively broadcast nearly 38 per cent of the total live games in the prime time slot of 9.30pm across the Indian subcontinent (24 games in the 9.30pm time slot out of the total 64 matches). The telecast which will begin at 8pm with one of a kind studio show, (leading up to the match kick off at 9.30pm) will have popular anchors and guests providing interesting and unique insights about the players and the tournament. The 9:30pm slot will showcase some of the most exciting match-ups of the group stages including Germany vs Portugal. Viewers can also catch some of their favourite teams including Spain, England, Uruguay, Netherlands and few of the most exciting knock out stage games in the same slot.

In a nation where prime time slot is dominated by soap operas, will creating a prime time band for football help increase viewership? Said Singh, “Well, India is a nation where prime time is a slot for entertainment, and that is what we are providing. But, this is entertainment of a different kind. Also the reason for creating a studio show before the match is to get the viewers in the 8:30pm time band on the channel, who then stick to it for the match.”

The network is setting up a studio for the Bengali live commentary. “The work is in full force. We will announce more details soon,” he added.

Sony Six had recently launched an Indian promo video featuring Bollywood actor John Abraham where he is seen watching the football matches on a large screen with many other football fans and viewers.

2014 FIFA World Cup commentary to get sweeter in Bengali! | Indian Television Dot Com

 

[Basil]

Injured Diego Costa makes Spain squad to RIO 2014



Experienced strikers Fernando Torres and David Villa were both included in Spain coach Vicente del Bosque`s final 23-man World Cup squad on Saturday as he sought to cover Diego Costa`s injured hamstring.

Brazil-born Atletico Madrid striker Costa has battled an ongoing hamstring problem that limited him to just nine minutes in the Champions League final defeat to city rivals Real, a week after he was forced off 15 minutes into his side`s La Liga title decider with Barcelona.

And he did not feature in the reigning World Cup champions` 2-0 win over Bolivia in Seville on Friday.

Del Bosque also left strikers Jesus Navas, Alvaro Negredo and Fernando Llorente, midfielder Ander Iturraspe, and defenders Alberto Moreno and Dani Carvajal out of his squad, the six having been named in his initial 30-man list.

Manchester City winger Navas has been sidelined with an ankle injury since mid-April and failed to find the favour Del Bosque granted Costa.

Spain face Chile, the Netherlands and Australia in World Cup Group B. Their first match pits them on June 13 against the Netherlands -- their opponents in their 2010 World Cup final triumph.
Squad

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Jose Manuel Reina (Napoli/ITA), David De Gea (Manchester United/ENG)

Defenders: Sergio Ramos (Barcelona), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Javi Martinez (Bayern Munich/GER), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea/ENG), Raul Albiol (Napoli/ITA), Juanfran Torres (Atletico Madrid)

Midfielders: Xavi Hernandez (Barcelona), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), David Silva (Manchester City/ENG), Koke Resurreccion (Atletico Madrid), Santiago Cazorla (Arsenal/ENG), Juan Mata (Manchester United/ENG)

Forwards: Pedro Rodriguez (Barcelona), Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid), David Villa (Atletico Madrid), Fernando Torres (Chelsea/ENG)


Injured Diego Costa makes Spain squad to RIO 2014|Zee News

 

[Karan rocks]

David Villa,Fernando Torres,Diego Costa all 3 are selected,good decision Mr.Vicente Del Bosque.hyahyahya

 

[Basil]

FIFA World Cup: Injured Luis Suarez Named in Uruguay Squad​

Montevideo: Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, recuperating from knee surgery, figured in Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez's 23-player World Cup squad announced on Saturday.

Suarez required an operation nine days ago to repair damage to the meniscus in his left knee, but is optimistic of recovering in time for the finals in Brazil.

The 27-year-old -- who is set to clash with several of his Liverpool team-mates including Steven Gerrard as Uruguay has been drawn with England, Italy and Costa Rica -- had the surgery after suffering an injury in training.

"Things with Luis will depend on how things go with his knee," Tabarez said this week.

"Our main concern is the player's health," he said, adding that he hoped the forward's "fitness will permit him to participate."

Missing from the list were midfielders Sebastian Eguren and Alejandro Silva, this pair culled from Tabarez's provisional squad of 25.

Eguren, who plays for Brazilian side Palmeiras, was part of double world champions Uruguay's side that made it the semi-finals at the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.

Uruguay take on Costa Rica in their Group D opener on June 15, before facing England in Sao Paulo four days later with Italy scheduled for June 24.

Uruguay squad

Goalkeepers: Fernando Muslera (Galatasaray/TUR), Martín Silva (Vasco Da Gama/BRA), Rodrigo Munoz (Libertad/PAR)

Defenders: Diego Lugano (West Bromwich Albion/ENG), Diego Godín (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Jose María Gimenez (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Martín Caceres (Juventus/ITA), Maximiliano Pereira (Benfica/POR), Jorge Fucile (Porto/POR), Sebastian Coates (Nacional/URU).

Midfielders: Egidio Arévalo Ríos (Morelia/MEX), Walter Gargano (Parma/ITA), Diego Perez (Bologna/ITA), Alvaro Gonzalez (Lazio/ITA), Alvaro Pereira (San Pablo/BRA), Cristian Rodríguez (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Gaston Ramírez (Southampton/ENG), Nicolas Lodeiro (Botafogo/BRA)

Forwards: Luis Suárez (Liverpool/ENG), Edinson Cavani (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Diego Forlan (Cerezo Osaka/JPN), Cristian Stuani (Espanyol/ESP, Abel Hernandez (Palermo/ITA).

FIFA World Cup: Injured Luis Suarez Named in Uruguay Squad | Football - News | NDTVSports.com​

 

[Basil]

FIFA World Cup: Iran Announce Final Squad​

Tehran: Iran's football coach Carlos Queiroz here on Sunday announced the final squad for the World Cup 2014 in Brazil.

The Portuguese coach selected 23 players, comprising three goalkeepers, eight defenders, six midfielders and six strikers.

Iran have been drawn in Group F along with Nigeria, Argentina and Bosnia and Herzegovina and will play Nigeria in Curitiba in their opening match June 16.

Iran will face Argentina and Bosnia and Herzegovina June 21 and June 25, respectively.

The final squad:

Goalkeepers: Daniel Davari, Alireza Haghighi, Rahman Ahmadi

Defenders: Hossein Mahini, Steven Beitashour, Pejman Montazeri, Jalal Hosseini, Amir-Hossein Sadeghi, Ahmad Alenemeh, Hashem Beikzadeh, Mehrdad Pouladi

Midfielders: Javad Nekounam, Andranik Teymourian, Reza Haghighi, Ghasem Hadadifar, Bakhtiar Rahmani, Ehsan Hajsafi

Strikers: Ashkan Dejagah, Masoud Shojaei, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Reza Ghoochannejhad, Karim Ansarifard, Khosro Heydari.

FIFA World Cup: Iran Announce Final Squad | Football - News | NDTVSports.com​

 

[Basil]

FIFA World Cup: Final Test for Unfinished Sao Paulo Venu​

Sau Paulo: The Sao Paulo stadium hosting the opening match of the World Cup staged a second test game Sunday but well below capacity, with one section temporarily closed and another at half capacity on firefighters' orders.

The new Corinthians Arena remains an unfinished addition to the skyline in Brazil's stylishly affluent business hub, with the two incomplete seating sections unable to accommodate fans as owners Corinthians met Botafogo for the test game before a crowd of 37,119 paying guests.

They witnessed a 1-1 draw, Jadson on target for the hosts and Edilson for the visitors from Rio.

FIFA had expected that, with just 11 days to go before Brazil open their Cup extravaganza against Croatia, the stadium would be able to hold a full capacity test for 65,000 fans.

Instead, two temporary seating areas are unfinished, the scaffolding betraying the fact that the venue is still a building site.

FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke had tweeted after visiting the stadium on May 21 that "it is vital for us that all facilities will be tested under full match conditions including the temporary seats & associated facilities."

That proved impossible Sunday.

Compared to an initial test match on May 18, metal detectors were in place at the entrance and a metallic gray material covered the temporary seating structure on the stadium's southern side.

- 'Much work remains' -

"The stadium is very beautiful -- but much remains to be done for the World Cup," said Anderson Almeida, 27, as he found his seat in a temporary seating section open for the first time.

"I've brought my Saint Jude shirt in case the stairs fail," joked his father Jeorge, 70, in allusion to the many delays the stadium has experienced and accidents claiming the lives of three workers.

One of the three construction workers fell from an unfinished seating area on March 21.

The stadium -- known as Itaquerao after the part of the city in which it stands -- held a first test game on May 18 between Corinthians and Figueirense. The hosts lost.

The 36,000 fans at that game faced broken elevators, exterior lighting problems, patchy cell-phone connectivity and a drenching storm that forced some to move to higher seats because part of the glass-paneled roof was still unfinished.

Coverage was better if imperfect Sunday and the flow of fans via the metro was also much more fluid, with extensive signage.

"We were at the inauguration and some improvements can be seen from outside," Fabio Ribeiro, 38, told AFP.

In the media working area, however, most working areas had yet to be fitted out with plugs.

Brazil officially handed the arena over to FIFA on May 21, long past the original December 31 deadline.

Corinthians say the venue will end up costing between 920 million and 950 million reais ($417 million and $431 million) -- or 14 to 18 percent over its original budget.

The stadium will not merely host the opening game -- it will be the theater for the pomp of an opening ceremony to be transmitted by some 600 broadcasters to a worldwide audience of around a billion people.

The 25-minute spectacle will feature 600 artists and incorporate the World Cup anthem "We Are One" sung by rapper Pitbull, Jennifer Lopez and Claudia Leitte.

Valcke left operational experts to "test all aspects and then make the final adjustments to ensure all will be perfect for the opening ceremony and the opening match on 12 June."


- 'Hell' -

Valcke has already candidly admitted, however, that FIFA has been through "hell," cajoling and marshaling organizers to jump through the various logistical hoops involved in staging the event.

Beyond Sao Paulo, the city of Curitiba almost lost the right to remain a venue over its own delays, Porto Alegre has been racing to finish the area outside the venue itself and a worker died at Cuiaba on May 8.

Just this week, Valcke had a nasty surprise at Natal, whose stadium was inaugurated in January but where thousands of seats still have to be installed.

As the hosts strain to be ready, Brazil also faces the likelihood of renewed social protests over the $11 billion cost of the Cup.

Demonstrators are angry the government didn't instead pour cash into sagging public infrastructure and sub-standard state health and education systems.

Brazil could have pushed its Cup bill even higher by involving more cities. FIFA president Sepp Blatter has said that Brazil initially wanted to host matches in not 12 but 17 stadiums.

FIFA World Cup: Final Test for Unfinished Sao Paulo Venue | Football - News | NDTVSports.com​

 

[Karan rocks]

Diego Costa 'buzzing' and ready to return for Spain​

The Brazil-born international is delighted to have made Vicente Del Bosque's squad for the World Cup and is confident he will be fit in time for the big kick off

The Brazil-born international is delighted to have made Vicente Del Bosque's squad for the World Cup and is confident he will be fit in time for the big kick off

Diego Costa says he can't wait to represent Spain at the World Cup in Brazil.

The Atletico Madrid forward was a major injury concern for coach Vicente Del Bosque after picking up a hamstring injury that saw him limp out of the Champions League final.

But the Brazil-born international is confident his injury problems are behind him and that he will be ready to play a big part in Spain's quest to retain the World Cup.

"I'm very happy," he told AS. "I am buzzing to with Spain to play in the World Cup in Brazil. I'm delighted."

"I was working these days with the physios and rehabilitation coaches and I feel great. Starting tomorrow, I will start and work with the team under the command of Vicente del Bosque.

"I hope to have a few minutes in the game next week against El Salvador in Washington.

"We will fight for the World Cup."

Last month the Brazil-born striker's Atleti side were just seconds away from a first ever Champions League crown before Sergio Ramos's last-minute header forced the tie into extra time.

Real Madrid went on to beat their city rivals 4-1 and Diego Costa says Carlo Ancelotti's men were lucky to win La Decima.

"Real Madrid were lucky," he laughed.

Diego Costa 'buzzing' and ready to return for Spain - Goal.com​

 

[Basil]

FIFA World Cup: German Coach Joachim Loew unveils 23-Member Squad​

Berlin: Coach Joachim Loew cut three players while naming Germany's official 23-man World Cup squad here Monday.

Loew has cut three players as the national team coaches had to submit their final squad to FIFA. The German reduced his provisional 26-man squad to 23 by cutting Dortmund's left back Marcel Schmelzer, Sampdoria's defender Shkodran Mustafi and Hoffenheim striker Kevin Volland, reports Xinhua.

"I am really amazed how all players presented themselves in South Tyrol. Each player has done an excellent job. The players implemented what I had hoped for. They made our decision incredibly difficult. Shkodran, Marcel and Kevin are very disappointed. I understand that as they had reasonable hopes to start in Brazil," Loew said.

Loew will rely on tried and tested personnel such as captain Philipp Lahm, Manuel Neuer, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Sami Khedira who will make the trip to Brazil despite injuries.

"I am absolutely convinced of all the players. We have a harmonious blend of young talented players and players with a lot of experience. Our squad is balanced as each position is covered with two players. We fly confidently to Brazil where we have high aims."

The 'Nationalmannschaft' encounter Armenia June 6 for their last friendly before they depart from Frankfurt June 7. They will be staying in the recently built resort called 'Campo Bahia' in Santo Andre.

The Germans encounter Portugal for their first group match June 16.

The squad:

Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Roman Weidenfeller (Borussia Dortmund), Ron-Robert Zieler (Hannover)

Defenders: Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Erik Durm (Borussia Dortmund), Kevin Grobkreutz (Borussia Dortmund), Benedikt Hoewedes (FC Schalke 04), Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Per Mertesacker (Arsenal London)

Midfielders: Julian Draxler (Schalke), Matthias Ginter (Freiburg), Mario Gotze (Bayern Munich), Christoph Kramer (Monchengladbach), Sami Khedira (Real Madrid), Toni Kroos (Bayern Munich), Thomas Mueller (Bayern Munich), Mesut Oezil (Arsenal London), Lukas Podolski (Arsenal London), Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund), Andre Schuerrle (Chelsea), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich)

Strikers: Miroslav Klose (Lazio).

FIFA World Cup: German Coach Joachim Loew unveils 23-Member Squad | Football - News | NDTVSports.com​

 

[Basil]

FIFA World Cup: Russia Coach Fabio Capello Names Final Squad​

Moscow: Russia coach Fabio Capello on Monday named his final 23-man squad to play in the World Cup finals led by experienced defender Sergei Ignashevich, midfielder Roman Shirokov and forward Alexander Kerzhakov.

The 31-year-old Kerzhakov is the only player in the squad who has previous World Cup experience having been in the squad that competed in 2002, the last time Russia reached the final stages.

Capello trimmed his original squad of 30 down to 25 in mid-May and the two players to miss out on being in the final selection were Denis Cheryshev from Spanish hi-flyers Sevilla and Pavel Mogilevets of Rubin Kazan.

The former England manager, who recently extended his contract with the Russian Football Union until the end of the 2018 World Cup, retained talented youngsters like like Andrei Semenov and Maxim Kanunnikov.

He named his final squad two days after a 1-1 draw with Norway in a friendly match. Last month Russia defeated Slovakia 1-0 in their first World Cup warm-up match.

All of Capello's squad are from Russian Premier League sides including six from Dynamo Moscow, who finished fourth in the league this season.

Five players represent champions CSKA, who retained their title this season, and four are from runners-up Zenit St Petersburg.

Russia will open their World Cup campaign against South Korea on June 18.

Capello's side have been drawn in World Cup Group H, which also has Belgium and Algeria as they make their first appearance at the finals in 12 years.

The last time Russia played in the World Cup finals in 2002 they went up against Belgium, Japan and Tunisia, but failed to advance into the knock-out stages.

The best performance by a Russian team in the World Cup dates back to 1966 in England when the then Soviet Union came fourth.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Igor Akinfeev (CSKA Moscow), Yury Lodygin (Zenit St Petersburg), Sergei Ryzhikov (Rubin Kazan)

Defenders: Vasily Berezutsky, Sergei Ignashevich, Georgy Shchennikov (all CSKA Moscow), Vladimir Granat, Alexei Kozlov (both Dynamo Moscow), Andrei Yeshchenko (Anzhi Makhachkala), Dmitry Kombarov (Spartak Moscow), Andrei Semenov (Terek Grozny)

Midfielders: Igor Denisov, Yury Zhirkov (both Dynamo Moscow), Alan Dzagoev (CSKA Moscow), Roman Shirokov (FC Krasnodar), Denis Glushakov (Spartak Moscow), Viktor Faizulin, Oleg Shatov (both Zenit St Petersburg)

Forwards: Alexander Kerzhakov (Zenit St Petersburg), Alexei Ionov, Alexander Kokorin (both Dynamo Moscow), Maxim Kanunnikov (Amkar Perm), Alexander Samedov (Lokomotiv Moscow)

FIFA World Cup: Russia Coach Fabio Capello Names Final Squad | Football - News | NDTVSports.com​