Breaking Story - Iraq
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Hodgson takes England loss hard despite youthful promise
2014 World CupEngland manager Roy Hodgson found it hard to take losing to Italy in their opening World Cup game on Saturday after what he called the best performance of his two years in charge of the team. Italy won the Group D clash 2-1... -
A surreal, heated debate between Brazilian taxi driver and Croatian passenger over #WorldCup2014 opener on Android http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BqJAT37IAAAl8uL.jpg
by Mary Milliken via twitter 6/15/2014 3:24:45 AM -
"Drogba inspires Ivory Coast as Japan lose their way" - reuters.com/article/idUSKB… #Brazil2014 #WorldCupby Ossian Shine via twitter 6/15/2014 5:10:05 AM -
"Drogba again the talisman, says Ivory Coast coach" - reuters.com/article/idUSKB… #Brazil2014 #WorldCupby Ossian Shine via twitter 6/15/2014 5:10:52 AM
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by Ossian Shine via twitter 6/15/2014 5:11:35 AM
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As if after their coordinated goal celebration dance you needed another reason to like Colombia, here's on: their opening goal called by the local announcers. It's special. And Deadspin has all the other goals from yesterday, called by the local announcers from the country who scored. -
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The centre of Brasilia throbs with activity before the Switzerland v Ecuador match. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BqLRmi5IUAA4Fg8.jpg
by Brian Homewood via twitter 6/15/2014 2:00:53 PM -
Drogba could be set for super-sub role
2014 World CupDidier Drogba proved a talismanic influence in helping the Ivory Coast to win their opening World Cup encounter but the ageing striker could be confined to a role as an impact player, coming off the bench at the tournament supposed to... -
Going to be a long day. #FIFA Gestopo confiscated my umbrella, coffee, cookie and gum. I must be some bad ass dude. #WorldCup2014by SNkeats via twitter 6/15/2014 2:30:27 PM -
Greece coach Santos issues wakeup call for players
2014 World CupGreece kept up its negative tradition of conceding an early goal in their World Cup opening match when they lost 3-0 to Colombia with coach Fernando Santos urging his players to wake up and smell the proverbial Brazilian coffee.... -
Crunch time beckons for England as stalwarts falter
2014 World CupEngland's stalwarts couldn't match the pace of guile of the team's young lions in Saturday’s 2-1 Group D defeat by Italy, raising questions about whether players such as captain Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney should still be automatic... -
Bosnia will go for goals against Argentina: coach
2014 World CupWorld Cup debutants Bosnia will remain true to their attacking instincts when they meet former world champions Argentina on Sunday, coach Safet Susic said on Saturday. Despite facing one of the world's most formidable strike... -
Wily Italy outfox England, Costa Rica stun Uruguay
2014 World CupItalian experience overcame England's youthful exuberance in an intriguing clash of styles at the World Cup on Saturday and in Group D's other game unfancied Costa Rica beat twice champions Uruguay in the tournament's biggest upset so... -
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FIFA's ban on bringing even fruit or water into stadiums is perverse.by Brian Homewood via twitter 6/15/2014 2:50:22 PM
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Brazilian taxi driver taps into Google translate and passes me phone: "Rooney has never scored in the Cup"by Simon Evans via twitter retweeted by ossianshine 6/15/2014 3:00:05 PM -
#FIFAfelon RT @SNkeats : Will probably do FIFA hard time for smuggling these into press centre. #WorldCup2014 http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BqLcs-gIAAELJ_u.jpg
by Ossian Shine via twitter 6/15/2014 3:00:29 PM -
Another day, another FIFA corruption story. This time, The Sunday Express of Trinidad has the goods. The focus is Jack Warner, former FIFA VP from Trinidad. Warner took millions in "gifts" from various soccer federations, in violation of the organization's rules, according to the report.Sunday Express investigations have found Warner accepted gifts valued in the millions of dollars from bidding nations, including the English football association, The FA; the Russians, Qatar’s Mohammed bin Hammam and Australia. Gifts, according to his annual filings, that were not disclosed to the Integrity Commission or the Board of Inland Revenue, as required by law.
In the run-up to FIFA’s controversial bid to select host nations for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, England sought to secure Warner’s support by footing the bill for the Warner-arranged CFU dinner at the Joao Havelange Centre of Excellence, Macoya, and provide financial and technical support for other Warner-identified development projects in Trinidad.
Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge and former English star footballer David Beckham also flew to Trinidad in the frantic bid to woo the very influential Jack Warner, who was not shy about asking for favours, as documents seen by this newspaper show.
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Atmosphere in Brasilia for Switzerland v Ecuador - amazing. Who needs the blue man group when you've got these guys? http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BqLbyCAIUAA_j1_.jpg
by Kay Murray via twitter 6/15/2014 3:50:33 PM -
First game of the day: Switzerland vs Ecuador!
Starting lineups --
SUI: Benagl, Lichtst, Djourou, Von Ber, Rodríg, Behrami, Inler, Shaqiri, Xhaka, Stocker, DrmićECU: Dominguez, Paredes, Guagua, Erazo, Ayoví, A Valencia, Arboleda, Noboa, Montero, E Valencia, Caicedo -
The national anthems are underway. If what you really care about it impressing your couch- and/or bar-mates with your detailed knowledge of the Swiss team, here are two things to say.
1) The key to this Swiss team is actually immigration. Their best players come from the Balkans.2) Everyone talks about Shaqiri as the danger man (which is sort of true if you run in circles where everyone talks about a seldom used Bayern Munich sub), but the key to the Swiss team's solidity is Gorkhan Inler. He plays for Napoli (do not, whatever you do, say "Naples"), and is not just a defensive midfielder in the destroyer mode. He's more of a deep lying playmaker. Maybe a young Pirlo with better mobility? Maybe! -
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Messi takes center stage as Argentina begins World Cup bid
2014 World CupLionel Messi takes center stage on Sunday when Argentina face tournament debutants Bosnia in their World Cup opener in Rio De Janeiro and France begin their campaign without injured winger Franck Ribery. -
All these empty seats...by Maxi Rodriguez via twitter 6/15/2014 4:06:43 PM -
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The Ecuadorians are man-marking Shaqiri. Or as ITV says "they'll all over him like a rash". In terms of unappetizing and unilluminating sports' metaphors, that's up there. Do you escape a metaphorical rash? If so, how do you do so while not also evading your own epidermis? Maybe you get a teammate to apply a salve to it? Regardless, Shaqiri cuts inside from the right, exchanges passes with Inler and gets a shot away. It's saved. His boil remains untreated, I guess.
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GOAL! Ecuador 1 - 0 Switzerland. E. Valencia scores from what is probably the set piece ball of the tournament so far from Ayovi. Outswinging ball from the deep left by the corner flag with tons of pace.
And now moments later Montero counterattacks and runs 60 yards at the Swiss. -
Statinho for you: Ecuador scored the highest percentage of headed goals in qualifying.by eaamalyon via twitter 6/15/2014 4:25:38 PM -
Before and after the #EnglandvsItaly game: http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BqLzhYrIIAAYbqa.jpg
by Jeremy Vine via twitter retweeted by ossianshine 6/15/2014 4:30:01 PM -
The Swiss win a corner. Shaqiri takes it. It's deep to the far post, and somehow Behrami, diving away from goal, heads it back and down. Dominguez gets hands to it, then bobbles it, but is right on top of it before anyone in a red jersey can pounce. Moments later there's a half-hearted appeal for a penalty for handball by the Swiss. Not given.
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These goalkeepers both look like they're going to do something silly. Why is Dominguez always moving backwards on crosses?by Michael Cox via twitter 6/15/2014 4:38:01 PM -
The Swiss get their SEVENTH corner of the first half. It's not a good one and flies over everyone and out for a throw in.
The Swiss are getting lots of possession in the Ecuadorian's half, but seem to be waiting for a goalkeeping error to break open the match. And again Shaqiri overhits a set piece delivery out for a goalkick. Eeek. That was pretty awful. -
Did the Swiss players actually practise free kicks and corners? It doesn't look like it. Woefulby David Ljunggren via twitter 6/15/2014 4:42:42 PM -
Swiss cows make fondue outside #WorldCup2014 national stadium before Switzerland-Ecuador game http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BqLiBvwCUAEQC4q.jpg
by maxim duncan via twitter 6/15/2014 4:44:29 PM -
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Inside look at the beautiful Estadio Nacional in Brasilia. Here is my panoramic shot. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BqL6HLqIUAAO9AE.jpg
by Kay Murray via twitter 6/15/2014 5:00:18 PM -
