News |Football Updates in brief ✪ World Cup 2014: Mexico thrash New Zealand in playoff Mexico thumped New Zealand 5-1 in the first leg of their qualifying playoff on Wednesday to take a massive step towards a place in next years World Cup finals. ✪ Bafana: Bafana face Swaziland before Spain test Bafana Bafana are seeking a friendly victory over Swaziland with a squad dominated by Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs players. The match in Swaziland on Friday night represents what national team coach Gordon Igesund will hope is the first steps towards preparing for the 2014 African Nations Championship that the country will host in January. Kickoff is at 8:30pm. ✪ World Cup 2014: Uruguay hand Jordan painful lesson Uruguay punished Jordan with clinical finishing to crush them 5-0 in the playoff first leg and all but end the West Asian teams hopes of a first World Cup finals appearance. ✪ Spain: Rights group protests Spain v Guinea match A Spanish human rights group called on Spains football federation to cancel plans to play a friendly match against oil-rich Equatorial Guinea, accusing the African nation of torture and arbitrary detentions. The Spanish Association for Human Rights (APDHE) expressed its outright rejection of the match to be played on Saturday in the Equatorial Guinea capital of Malabo, in a letter to Spains football federation president, Angel Maria Villa Llona. We ask you to immediately suspend this football match, the APDHE said. ✪ World Cup 2014: Its not about me and Ronaldo - Ibra Sweden captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic has dismissed talk of his nations World Cup playoff with Portugal in Lisbon on Friday being just a contest between him and Cristiano Ronaldo. I see two different players, two players who do things fantastically well and represent their countries in the best possible way, Ibrahimovic told reporters on Wednesday. One shouldnt focus on just two players - its Sweden against Portugal and I think the collectives are the most important. Ibrahimovic said that at 32 he was playing better than ever, adding: Im developing all the time. For that, you have to train hard, be mentally strong and have the experience I have after playing with such fantastic teams and players. I hope it can continue. He also dismissed suggestions that Ronaldo tended to go down easily in the penalty area and was asked why he didnt tend to do the same. I dont know anything about any diving. I dont know how I can answer. Why I dont dive? I try to play my game, create difficult situations for opponenets and better ones for my teammates. I dont think about diving. I dont think he (Ronaldo) does either. The return leg is on November 19 at Stockholms Friends Arena where the striker has scored a handful of spectacular goals for Sweden. Ibrahimovic later said he was not worried about who wins Fifas World Player of the Year award, the Ballon dOr. It feels good (to be nominated), but the most important thing is what I believe and think about myself, he said. © Reuters ✪ Intl: Dark horses Belgium, Colombia clash Belgium and Colombia are not usually considered heavyweights in world football yet their meeting on Thursday is arguably the most attractive of the friendlies being played this week. Both teams qualified for the World Cup in style, sit proudly in the top five of the FIFA world rankings and will be among the eight seeds when the draw takes place in Brazil next month. ✪ Germany: Record financial results for Bayern Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness, facing trial for tax evasion next year, broke down in tears as the club posted their best financial results in 113 years. In a festive annual general assembly, Hoeness, who received several standing ovations, could not hold back his tears as club bosses heaped praise on him following a treble-winning season. Turnover stood at €393 million, up from 332 million in 2011-12. ✪ Super Eagles: Usiyan reminds Eagles of 1977 horror show George Akpayen Former Nigeria forward, Thompson Usiyan, has warned the Super Eagles that they will need to play smart against Ethiopia to avoid the tragic recurrence of the 1977 game in Lagos. In November 1977, the Nigerian mens squad missed the chance of reaching the 1978 Fifa World Cup when they lost 0-1 to Tunisia in Lagos after they held the North Africans to a goalless draw in the reverse game in September preceding the World Cup year. Usiyan, who left for the United States of America (USA) three months before that uneventful game in Lagos that ended Nigerias World Cup dream, advised the Super Eagles to be aggressive. The former Los Angeles Lazers man also wants Stephen Keshis men to treat Saturdays game as a fresh start rather than dwell on their 2-1 first leg win. © Sapa MzansiFL™ © 2013 Keeping you inspired and informed.
Posted on: Thu, 14 Nov 2013 02:31:42 +0000
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