Monday, May 12, 2014
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Group B Spain national football team soccer team road to Brazil World Cup / Have a Fun Flag Wig !
How they qualified
Spain will head to Brazil as defending champions. Remaining loyal to the style and players that have allowed them to dominate the global and European scenes over the last five years, La Roja won the only qualification pool (aside from the South American group) to contain two world champions. In what was the smallest section in Europe with only five teams, the Spanish led the way from France thanks to a record of six wins and two draws, conceded to the French and Finland. In topping the group they let in a mere three goals, fewer than any other side in the European preliminaries. At the other end of the pitch, however, Spain enjoyed one of their less prolific campaigns, scoring only 14 times.
FIFA World Cup finals history
Prior to lifting the coveted Trophy in South Africa, so frequent were their exits at the last eight of the finals that Spain were said to be suffering from a ‘quarter-final jinx’. Brazil 2014 will be La Selección's tenth consecutive world finals appearance, and 14th in all, with their best performance before last year’s success coming at Brazil 1950. Having topped their first-round section, Spain went straight into the decisive four-team final group stage – where they finished fourth behind Uruguay, Brazil and Sweden.
The key players
Though there is no doubt that Spain’s embarrassment of midfield riches, featuring the likes of Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Xabi Alonso, has been integral to their major trophy triumphs, La Selección are strong across the board.
The men in red have a phalanx of very reliable keepers to call on, headed by Iker Casillas, while Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique have consolidated their positions as the leaders of a defence in which left-back Jordi Alba has gone from strength to strength. Ramos and Alba are also a threat in the opposing box, and in recent times have made goalscoring contributions that have been almost as decisive as those of the front men.
With both David Villa and Fernando Torres struggling to find their touch, Pedro has distinguished himself as an attacking spearhead, ably supported by Cesc Fabregas, while Alvaro Negredo has begun to stake a compelling claim of his own for the striking role.
Coach: Vicente del Bosque
Best performances in a FIFA competition: FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010 (Winners), FIFA U-20 World Cup Nigeria 1999 (Winners), Men’s Olympic Football Tournament Barcelona 1992 (Winners)
Former stars: Luis Suarez, Emilio Butragueno, Fernando Hierr
from FIFA / Have a Fun Flag Wig !
Friday, May 9, 2014
Shearer: Take Lambert to Brazil / Have a Fun Flag Wig!
Rickie Lambert should be on the FIFA World Cup™ plane to Brazil to give England an edge from the penalty spot and also provide a Plan B in support of Wayne Rooney, according to former captain Alan Shearer.
Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson is set to name his squad for the finals on Monday following the end to the English Premier League season. Although Rooney will miss the chance to come up against Southampton forward Lambert at St. Mary's on Sunday because of a minor groin problem, the Manchester United striker is expected to once again lead England's attack on the big stage this summer.
Just who will offer support remains to be seen - with the likes of United team-mate Danny Welbeck and Liverpool forward Daniel Sturridge also in the frame, while West Ham frontman Andy Carroll could offer another choice as would Jermain Defoe, now playing in Major Soccer League with Toronto.
However, Shearer - who spearheaded a formidable front partnership with Teddy Sheringham in the run to the semi-finals of UEFA Euro 1996 and also played at the 1998 World Cup - believes Lambert would provide a cool head were the dreaded penalty shoot-out to stand in the way of England's progress once more this summer.
"One of the reasons I would take Rickie Lambert is for that eventuality - how important have penalties been for England at major tournaments in the last 25 years?" Shearer said, who will be in Brazil as part of the BBC's World Cup coverage.
"Lambert's record from penalties for Southampton is amazing, but I would take him to Brazil on merit for his overall contribution. To have him on your team, knowing that if it goes to a shoot-out he is a virtual banker, is a great feeling for a coach.
"In open play, if we are struggling to score, he is a great option to have - he came on and scored with his first touch in international football against Scotland at Wembley, and that is a decent knack to have. My four picks as forwards would be Rooney, Sturridge, Welbeck and Lambert.
"You don't need to play for one of the top four to get a game for England now - look at all the Southampton players who are in contention."
Shearer believes deploying someone like Saints playmaker Adam Lallana behind Sturridge would offer Rooney the chance to shine in his prefered deeper central role and finally make a mark on the World Cup.
"It is a gap in the story of his career which he would like to fill, but he probably hasn't yet gone to a World Cup in the best of fitness and you can't argue with his record at international level overall," Shearer said, who scored 30 goals in 63 England caps.
"Wayne has got 38 goals for England, he is only 11 short of Bobby Charlton's record, and I think he will go on to break it. But he needs to go out and have a big tournament with England, and if he does that, he will be the key to us having a successful World Cup. When Rooney plays well, England play well.
"I am a fan of Rooney, I think he ticks all the boxes as a player, but for him to be put in the same bracket as Messi or Ronaldo, he needs to have a great tournament in Brazil - although having said that, Messi has yet to set the place on fire at a World Cup as well."
Shearer believes a sense of realism might actually allow England to play with a freedom when for once the expectations of a nation will not weigh heavy on the "Golden Generation".
"I am sick of us coming away from a World Cup, after so many of our players have had great seasons for their clubs, wondering why England have not done themselves justice," he said. "This time, I don't think many people expect us to do well, and that might work in our favour. I just wish an England side could come home from a big tournament and say, truthfully, they gave every last drop.
"It would be great to see (Raheem) Sterling or Lallana have a great World Cup, something where we could see we are on the right track, people at home will accept that."
by FIFA / Have a Fun Flag Wig!
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Aboubakar: Cameroon can spring a surprise / Have a Fun Flag Wig !
“When I started out with the national team, Samuel Eto’o came up to me and said: ‘You know, little guy, never judge strikers by goals alone’. I often think about what he said then, and it’s pushed me to work hard and excel myself.”
The words are those of Cameroon front man Vincent Aboubakar, in conversation withFIFA.com. The forward was only 18 when he received that nugget of advice, and would shortly afterwards find his name on the 23-man list announced by then Indomitable Lions coach Paul Le Guen for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.
The Yaounde-born Aboubakar went on to make two promising appearances as a substitute in a tournament that ended all too early for the African side, who were beaten in all three of their group matches.
Much has changed for the striker in the four years since then. No sooner was South Africa 2010 over than he left for France to join Valenciennes, where he stayed for three years before switching to Lorient. The move to Brittany has paid off, with Aboubakar helping himself to 16 goals so far this season, a tally bettered only by Zlatan Ibrahimovic in France and more than the Cameroonian managed overall in the three years he spent at his previous club.
“Lorient play an expressive and very attacking style of football, with a 4-4-2 formation,” he explained. “I’m very lucky to be playing my football here, though I’ve also worked hard to make things happen.”
Though grateful for the role that Valenciennes played in his emergence in Ligue 1, Aboubakar was low on confidence when he finished his stint there. Released at the end of his contract, he was given another chance to shine in France by Lorient boss Christian Gourcuff.
“I have a lot of respect for him,” he said of his current coach. “He gave me some great advice when I arrived. He really picked me up and boosted my confidence at what was a difficult time for me. I owe him an awful lot, and the team too.”
Brazil-bound?The Lorient goal-getter has hit form at just the right time, with the Cameroon squad for Brazil 2014 to be announced shortly. Aboubakar hopes to be named in it, but is well aware that the Indomitable Lions face anything but an easy task in the world finals, not with the host nation, Croatia and Mexico providing the opposition in Group A.
“The World Cup is a very tough competition and we need to put the disappointment of 2010 behind us,” he said. “I know we’re in an extremely difficult group once again but I think that Cameroon can pull off a little bit of a surprise. As long as we fight for the jersey, I’m sure God will help us.”
Should he be given the opportunity to tread the big stage for a second time at the age of only 22, Aboubakar will look to draw on the experience of his mentor Eto’o, as he explained:
“I’ve played along Samuel Eto’o many times and he’s a great striker, a leader who lifts the team and sets an example for the younger players to follow. He’s a role model for me, as is Roger Milla, a larger-than-life character whom I’ve been lucky enough to meet and for whom I have the greatest respect. They are examples for Cameroon and Africa as a whole, both as footballers and people.”
That admiration for two of the greats of Cameroonian football past and present has not stopped the Lorient man from setting his own sights and wanting to build a lofty reputation of his own.
“It’s not easy but you expect that. It’s a mental challenge as much as anything,” he said, assessing what he needs to do to make his name. “When you’re a striker, you have to try and come to terms with the mental side of things, raise your game and show what you are capable of.”
Who knows, if he maintains his current trajectory, it could well be Aboubakar who succeeds the great Eto’o as Cameroon’s dispenser of goalscoring wisdom.
by FIFA / Have a Fun Flag Wig !
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Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Neymar excited as World Cup debut looms / Have a Fun Flag Wig!
Barcelona and Brazil superstar Neymar said he was looking forward to the realization of a childhood dream on Wednesday after being confirmed in his country's FIFA World Cup™ squad.
The 22-year-old, who helped propel A Seleção to last year's FIFA Confederations Cup, will be playing in his first World Cup and said he could already taste the excitement.
"This is the realization of a dream I have had since I was a child," Neymar said on social media after Luis Felipe Scolari named him in his 23-man squad.
"I don't doubt this is one of the happiest days of my life. I've always been chasing my dreams and this was always one of my main ones - not just to represent my family but ALL BRAZIL.
"I thank God for this opportunity, this gift," said the youngster, who joined Barcelona from Pele's old side Santos last year but who has had a mixed time of it to date at the Nou Camp. I am emotional, anxious, nervous, just waiting for the day to arrive," he said.
Centre forward Fred, who dovetailed to great effect with Neymar a year ago to win the Confederations Cup dress rehearsal, said he also couldn't wait to get stuck into Brazil's rivals, starting with Croatia on 12 June.
"It's up to me and my team-mates to wear our hearts on our sleeves and give (fans) the happiness which has been on hold for 64 years," said Fred, referring to Brazil's lost trophy match of 1950 in Rio when they lost to Uruguay.
"I feel sure we can recreate the atmosphere and bond with the fans which we created during the Confederations Cup," added the Fluminense favourite.
"That sixth title will come," promised the 30-year-old, who scored one goal at the 2006 World Cup in Germany but missed the cut for the 2010 tournament in South Africa.
Chelsea defender David Luiz said: "To live this moment is something you can't put into words. I want to thank God, my family and friends. I will do all I can to honour my countrymen."
Club-mates Ramires and Willian were also overjoyed at being selected for the adventure. "I don't have words to describe this moment," said Ramires. "I am just overjoyed and proud to be in the Brazil squad. I'll do my best - let's go and get that title!"
Willian said: "Today, I've received the best news of my life. I get the opportunity to play a World Cup, a dream I've had since I was a kid."
by FIFA / Have a Fun Flag Wig !
www.FlagWigs.com
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