Football Around The Globe

Tuesday 1 July 2014

World Cup Soccer Facts

01:38 world cup 2014 No comments

FIFA World Cup is the most popular soccer tournament that is followed by billions of people around the world on their Television so I wanted to take some time and make this web page dedicated to World Cup Soccer Facts only.

There are many facts about soccer World Cup and I will try to list the more relevant soccer World Cup facts.

Soccer World Cup Facts

1. The first FIFA World Cup was held in Uruguay back in 1930 and 13 countries participated in the very first World Cup tournament.

2. Brazilian Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima holds the record for most World Cup goals scored. He scored 15 goals making him top World Cup goalscorer and earning him a spot in World Cup soccer facts. And now Klose from Germany just joint the club.

3. The oldest player to lead a Country to the World Cup title was the Italian goalkeeper and captain Dino Zoff, who at the age of 40 captained Italy to their 1982 FIFA World Cup title.

4. Soccer World Cup facts continue with the oldest player to participate in the World Cup tournament and also score a goal. Roger Milla from Cameroon was 42 years old when he played in 1994 FIFA World Cup.

5. World Cup facts continue with German National Franz Beckenbauer who is the only player in the history of World Cup that won the title as a player and coach for Germany. He led Germany to their title in 1974 as a player and than again won the title in 1990 as the Germany coach.

6. First player to miss a penalty kick in World Cup competition was Valdemar de Brito of Brazil back in 1930.

7. After winning their 2nd World Cup title in 1938, Italy went on a 44 year drought before winning their third title in 1982.

8. World Cup soccer facts continue with Hungary holding the record for scoring most goals when they beat El Salvador 10:1 in 1982.

9. Germany and Brazil hold the top spot for most appearances in the World Cup final. Both countries made it to the finals on 7 different occasions.

10. Germany has also made the semi finals the most times. Germany has advanced to the final four teams in 11 different World Cups.

11. Scotland made the World Cup qualifications 8 different times and is the only country that was actually eliminated from the tournament during the first round on 8 different occasions.

This makes Scotland the most heartbreaking of all nations, making the world cup 8 times and being eliminated in the first round 8 times :(

12. Brazilian striker Ronaldo was named MVP at the 1998 World Cup final against France even though French came out of this game winners and 1998 World Cup champions.

13. First goalkeeper to win the Most Valuable Player award was the German goalkeeper Oliver Kahn during the 2002 Fifa World Cup.

14. Frenchman Just Fontaine holds the record for most World Cup goals scored when he netted 13 goals in 1958 World Cup.

15. Italy's Vittorio Pozzo is the only head coach to lead the nation to two consecutive World Cup titles as the head coach in 1934 and 1938.

16. Germany has played 99 World Cup matches as of 2012, making them a Nation to have played the most World Cup matches.

17. Brazil has scored 210 goals in all World Cups making them a record holder for most goals scored in World Cup tournament.

18. Record number for most World Cup appearances is held by German soccer player Lothar Matthaus with 25 appearances.

19. Fastest goal in World Cup history was scored by Turkey's Hakan Sukur, 11 seconds into the game against South Korea during the 2002 World Cup.

20. One funny World Cup soccer fact is that India withdrew from the competition in 1950 when they warent allowed to play barefoot in the tournament.

21. I found this World Cup soccer fact surprising. Mexico holds the record for most defeats in World Cup history, loosing 22 matches.

22. Very first hat trick was scored by an American Bert Patenaude during the 1930 World Cup.

23. Another funny World Cup soccer fact is that FIFA prohibited players from swapping shirts after the game in 1986 because they didn't want players to "bare their chests" on the field lol.

24. Sir Viv Richards is the only person to have played both World Cup Football and World Cup Cricket.

25. World Cup is played every 4 years and that is a World Cup Fact :)

26. World Cup soccer facts continue with highest attendance at the World Cup game during the 1950 World Cup final between Brazil and Uruguay. It is reported that 199,854 people attended this final match played at the famous Marakana stadium in Rio de Janerio.

27. Record for most World Cup titles won goes to Brazil who had won the tournament 5 different times.

28. Interesting World Cup fact is that out of 19 World Cups so far, 6 tournaments were won by the host Country.

29. Brazil is the only Country to have appeared in every World Cup tournament since 1930 until 2010.

30. No host Country had ever been eliminated during the first round, until South Africa in 2010.

31. World Cup soccer facts continue by mentioning that World Cup is the most widely viewed sporting event in the world, with over one billion people watching this competition every four years.

32. First ever World Cup was won by Uruguay in 1930.

33. The World Cup was not played in 1942 and 1946 because of World War.

34. Very interesting soccer World Cup fact is that Jules Rimet Trophy for the Champion is made out of solid 18 karat gold and weights more than 6 kilograms / 13 pounds.

35. Netherlands, Czechoslovakia and Hungary are the most successful teams to have never won the tournament. They all made two finals but never won the World Cup.

36. Pele is the most successful World Cup player, winning the title 3 different times with Brazil.

37. Argentina knocked England out of the 1986 World Cup, courtesy of the goal scored by Diego Maradonna… off of his hand. This goal is known as the Hand of God.

38. Two World Cup finals have been decided on penalties. Brazil beat Italy in 1994, and Italy beat France in 2006.

39. Zinedine Zidane, one of the greatest soccer players ever, is remembered for his last ever act on a soccer field during 2006 World Cup when he head butted Marco Materazzi in the chest which led to a red card as well as a farewell to professional soccer.

40. The fastest red card in the World Cup history was Uruguay’s Jose Baptista who lasted a full 56 seconds in 1986 against Scotland before being sent off.

source: soccermaniak.com/

Supersubs break records, hearts with late goals galore

20:46 world cup 2014 No comments

SANTO ANDRE Brazil (Reuters) - Substitutes have been lighting up the scoreboards at the World Cup with dazzling performances that have sparked their teams back to life and secured wins or draws that have made their coaches look like geniuses.

When Germany fell 2-1 behind to Ghana late in the second half of their Group G match, Miroslav Klose came off the bench to equalise with his first touch less than two minutes later.

Klose's goal not only saved his team from humiliating defeat but it was also the striker's 15th World Cup goal, putting him level with Brazil’s Ronaldo atop the all-time scorers list.
An unusual accomplishment for a bench warmer? Not at this World Cup.

There are several theories as to why there have been so many goals scored by substitutes at the finals in Brazil.

The record-breaking 24th goal was scored on Tuesday and 18 percent of the total 133 goals scored after the last group stage match on Thursday were by substitues.
The previous World Cup record for goals scored by players off the bench was 23 in 2006 - or 16 percent of 147 goals.

By comparison, in 2010 in South Africa 15 of the 145 goals (10 percent) were scored by substitutes.
Some coaches have talked openly about the need to have 14 top players – not just the starting XI – primed and ready for action in this tournament in part due to the tropical heat.

BEST PLAYERS
Germany have used some of their best players off the bench in Klose, Lukas Podolski and Bastian Schweinsteiger.

"With temperatures over 30 degrees and the high humidity, substitutes have special importance here and we need to use all three to bring new energy and impulses for the team - and not just replace someone," said Germany coach Joachim Loew.

"It's simply impossible to go all out for 90 minutes in these conditions, and using all three substitutes is a good way to really hurt your opponent," said Loew. "I'm glad I've got so many good players. It can be a big advantage here."

Brazil's heat and humidity has taken a toll in particular on the defence and the heavy legs open up space for late chances.

On top of that, using all three substitutes strategically is becoming a part of smart modern soccer.
"I tend to focus just as much on those that aren't playing," said Belgium coach Marc Wilmots, whose team came from a goal down to beat Algeria 2-1 – with both goals scored in the final half hour by substitutes Marouane Fellaini and Dries Mertens.

"We have a very good backroom with very good substitutes."
Wilmots pulled another rabbit out of the hat when he sent Divock Origi into a scoreless match against Russia and the teenager's goal sent Belgium through to the second round.
"The substitutions paid off," Wilmots said. "I took risks to win the match and it worked. Once again we snatched a win.”

DUTCH SUPERSUBS
Both goals in Russia's 1-1 draw with South Korea were scored by substitutes. After Russia goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev inexplicably fumbled a shot from Lee Keun-ho, Russia's Aleksandr Kerzhakov saved the day with a late equaliser.

Netherlands got both their late goals in the 2-0 victory over Chile from substitutes - Leroy Fer and Memphis Depay, who now has two goals off the bench after scoring the winner in the 3-2 victory over Australia.
Humble Depay has an ideal attitude for coach Louis van Gaal.
“With incredible players like (Arjen) Robben and (Robin) van Persie, it is logical that I sit on the bench,” he said.

Van Gaal first tried to downplay his role in sending in the right player at the right time: “That's luck,” he said.
But he added it was also his strategy.

“We analysed that Chile gives away more space in the last 15 minutes so if you field a creative football player you have a chance to cash in,” he said.

Substitutes gave the United States heart flutters and then heartbreak. John Brooks scored in the 86th minute to give the Americans a 2-1 win over Ghana but Portugal substitute Silvestre Varela scored a late equaliser in a 2-2 draw.

However, sometimes substitutions backfire.
Greece won a dramatic match against Ivory Coast by 2-1 when Giorgos Samaras scored a penalty in stoppage time after he was tripped by Ivory Coast substitute Giovanni Sio – a defeat that sent the Ivorians home and Greece into the second round.

source: yahoo sport

Fifa hands Suarez four-month global ban

The Liverpool striker will not be available until October 26 and will miss the remainder of the World Cup, as well as Uruguay's 2015 Copa America campaign

Fifa has issued Luis Suarez with a nine-match international ban and a four-month global suspension for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini.

The Uruguay striker will miss his side's World Cup second round fixture against Colombia on Saturday June 28, as well as any further matches should they progress in the tournament, and is now a huge doubt to play any part in the 2015 Copa America.

The global suspension will also have huge implications for Suarez's club career, should he remain with Liverpool or leave Anfield, as he will not be available for any fixtures until October 26.

Should he remain with Brendan Rodgers' side, he will miss nine Premier League matches, including the visit to the Etihad Stadium to take on champions Manchester City as well as the first Merseyside derby of the campaign.

He would also be unavailable for selection for the opening three rounds of the Champions League group stages, and cannot enter a football stadium during his ban.

Claudio Sulser, the chairman of the Fifa Disciplinary Committee, explained the decision and cited the fact that the incident had taken place at the World Cup as a contributing factor behind the severity of the punishment.

"Such behaviour cannot be tolerated on any football pitch, and in particular not at a Fifa World Cup when the eyes of millions of people are on the stars on the field," he said in a statement.

"The Disciplinary Committee took into account all the factors of the case and the degree of Mr Suárez’s guilt in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Code. The decision comes into force as soon it is communicated."

Both the Uruguayan FA and Suarez can appeal the ban, though Liverpool cannot, with any appeal not affecting the suspension as it stands.

Nine matches also represents the longest suspension for an incident at a World Cup, surpassing the eight matches Italy's Mauro Tassotti missed following an altercation with Spain's Luis Enrique in 1994.

This incident follows two previous biting controversies for the 27-year-old following a seven-match ban for biting Otman Bakkal while playing for Ajax in 2010 and a ten-match suspension for a similar altercation involving Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic in 2013.

source: goal.com

The final straw: Disgraceful Suarez must face record ban

17:23 world cup 2014 No comments

The incident had only happened a few minutes earlier when the first jokes emerged. Now he had enjoyed three meals. He liked an Italian for dinner. And so on. There is humour to be found in everything.

More than anything, though, Luis Suarez retains the capacity to shock. Even when he has bitten two other players, it is astonishing that a repeat offender should assault – and it was an assault – an opponent in the World Cup.

Suarez being Suarez, he got away with it at first. He wasn’t sent off for biting Otman Bakkal or Branislav Ivanovic either. And he wasn’t dismissed for taking a mouthful of Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini (by the by, there is something sad when a referee does not believe a player showing teeth marks in his shoulder – how else did he think Chiellini sustained them?).

But in a world of umpteen camera angles, he cannot escape justice for long. He has already incurred seven- and 10-match suspensions for biting. His latest ban should be longer, because it is evident he has not been rehabilitated. He does not seem to have felt any remorse.

At the very least, his World Cup will be over. It would be justice for Suarez, too, if Uruguay were in the next round, minus their best player. Actions ought to have repercussions and, all too often, his have been disgraceful.

A Suarez storm occurs on an annual basis. In the 2010-11 season, he bit Bakkal. In 2011-12, he racially abused Patrice Evra. In 2012-13, he tasted Ivanovic. When he was voted PFA Player of the Year and Footballer of the Year for the 2013-14 season, it prompted suggestions that he had achieved redemption.

They were nonsensical. Suarez is a very fine footballer who had an outstanding year, but football excellence cannot compensate for everything else. We were told, too, that he was a changed man. As his 2013-14 campaign surely concludes in a further scandal, it is with proof that he is not.

Suarez certainly hasn’t been helped by the apologists who blame anyone else for his every misdemeanour. Excuses have been made for his misconduct. They cannot be anymore, even by those whose love of his talent and desire for his prolific goalscoring to continue have caused them to mislay their moral compass.

If Fifa are to have any credibility, they have to issue a severe suspension. It could carry on far into next year of international football. It might even entail a ban from all football, impacting upon his club career. His latest misdemeanour did not occur in Liverpool’s colours, but they have indulged him too often. So, judging from manager Oscar Tabarez’s post-match comments, have Uruguay,

Suarez's actions are made all the worse as, on each occasion, there is scant evidence of any provocation and because his cannibalistic response cannot be compared to a head-butt, a punch or a reckless tackle. It is far worse.

He needs to come to terms with what he has done. There was a slight acknowledgement at the end, as he looked almost mournful despite Uruguay’s qualification for the last 16. He was pictured holding his teeth in the final few minutes, a sign of the pain he had caused himself.

In other circumstances, it would have been vaguely comical. Here it was the sign of the most shameful moment of this World Cup.

source: goal.com

MUST SEE! Comercial Nike: Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Ibrahimovic, Rooney & HULK

19:21 Video, world cup 2014 No comments

Cameroon 1-4 Brazil: Neymar double sets up Chile clash

18:46 world cup 2014 No comments

The Barcelona star scored his third and fourth goals of the tournament as the host nation condemned the Africans to their seventh straight World Cup defeat

Two goals from Neymar helped Brazil to a 4-1 win over Cameroon and set up a last-16 clash with Chile.
The forward exposed a vulnerable defence with glee in Brasilia on Monday, his first-half double sandwiching Joel Matip's unlikely leveller.

Brazil ultimately progressed with a degree of comfort, as the much-maligned Fred and substitute Fernandinho added further goals after the interval to secure a last-16 tie against fellow South Americans Chile.

Mexico were victorious against Croatia in Group A's other closing fixture, but failed to make up a goal-difference deficit as the hosts retained top spot.

While a routine triumph in which Brazil's star man took his tournament tally to four goals will provide comfort, Luiz Felipe Scolari is unlikely to partake in too much backslapping.

Indeed, after coming through a group featuring no other major footballing powerhouse, Scolari is likely to demand more of his side as they prepare to face a Chile outfit that have impressed in the tournament to date.

The game immediately took on a frenetic nature as Paulinho and Vincent Aboubakar had goal-bound efforts blocked at either end.

It was Cameroon's susceptible backline that was first to be breached when Neymar, inexplicably unmarked, cleverly turned home Luiz Gustavo's low cross from the left.

source: goal.com