Showing posts with label Group C. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Group C. Show all posts
Match 38 - Greece vs Ivory Coast
Greece vs Ivory Coast
Group D
Match 38 on June 24 at 5:00 PM Brasilia Time
Venue: Estadio Castelao, Fortaleza
Greece 
2 - 1 
Ivory Coast
(Samaris 42', Samaras 92' (p)) (Wilfried 74')
Man of the Match: Georgios Samaras
Man of the Match: Georgios Samaras
Match Updates
Lineups
Greece: Karnezis, Maniatis, Manolas, Samaras, Kone, Karagounis, Salpingidis, Torosidis, Lazaros, Sokratis, Cholevas
Ivory Coast: Barry, Boka, K Toure, Kalou, Tiote, Gervinho, Drogba, Aurier, Y Toure, Serey, Bamba
Greece: Karnezis, Maniatis, Manolas, Samaras, Kone, Karagounis, Salpingidis, Torosidis, Lazaros, Sokratis, Cholevas
Ivory Coast: Barry, Boka, K Toure, Kalou, Tiote, Gervinho, Drogba, Aurier, Y Toure, Serey, Bamba
Greece
World Cup Record
12 Matches - W02, D04, L06
12 Matches - W02, D04, L06
Manager
Fernando Santos, Portugal
Fernando Santos, Portugal
Ivory Coast
World Cup Record
08 Matches - W03, D01, L04
08 Matches - W03, D01, L04
Manager
Sabri Lamouchi, France
Sabri Lamouchi, France
Match Facts
Referee: Carlos Vera, Ecuador
Head to Head: Greece 0-0-0 Ivory Coast
2014
,
Brazil
,
Estadio Castelao
,
FIFA
,
Fixtures
,
Fortaleza
,
Greece
,
Group C
,
Group Stage
,
Ivory Coast
,
Match
,
World Cup
Match 37 - Japan vs Colombia
Japan vs Colombia
Group D
Match 37 on June 24 at 4:00 PM Amazon Time
Venue: Arena Pantanal, Cuiaba
Japan 
1 - 4 
Colombia
(Okazaki 45') (Cuadrado 17' (p), Martinez 55' 82', Rodriguez 90')
Man of the Match: Jackson Martinez
Man of the Match: Jackson Martinez
Match Updates
Lineups
Japan: Kawashima, Uchida, Honda, Nagatomo, Okazaki, Kagawa, Okubo, Aoyama, Konno, Hasebe, Yoshida
Colombia: Ospina, Arias, Armero, Cuadrado, Guarin, Mejia, Balanta, Ramos, Quintero, Martinez, Valdes
Japan: Kawashima, Uchida, Honda, Nagatomo, Okazaki, Kagawa, Okubo, Aoyama, Konno, Hasebe, Yoshida
Colombia: Ospina, Arias, Armero, Cuadrado, Guarin, Mejia, Balanta, Ramos, Quintero, Martinez, Valdes
Japan
World Cup Record
16 Matches - W04, D04, L08
16 Matches - W04, D04, L08
Manager
Alberto Zaccheroni, Italy
Alberto Zaccheroni, Italy
Colombia
World Cup Record
31 Matches - W11, D06, L14
31 Matches - W11, D06, L14
Manager
Jose Pekerman, Argentina
Jose Pekerman, Argentina
Match Facts
Referee: Pedro Proenca, Portugal
Head to Head: Japan 0-1-1 Colombia
Match 22 - Japan vs Greece
Japan vs Greece
Group C
Match 22 on June 19 at 7:00 PM Brasilia Time
Venue: Arena das Dunas, Natal
Japan 0 - 0 Greece
Match Updates
Fulltime - It's a goalless draw at Natal. Colombia advances as a result
01:28: Yellow Card - Torosidis hands the ball and is booked
01:20: Substitution - Salpingidis comes in for Kone
01:17: Okubo aims bottom left corner, Karzenis saves it
01:07: Uchida crosses across the goal but Okubo could just shoot it wide
01:00: Great save by Kawashima. Karagounis sets up Gekas header, defied by the goalkeeper
00:57: Substitution - Kagawa comes in for Osako for Japan
00:55: Yellow Card - Samaras makes a foul on Okubo and is cautioned
00:46: Samaras beats the keeper with an excellent shot, but beats the goal too
00:46: Substitution - Endo comes in for Japan replacing injured Hasebe at halftime
Halftime - Greece, who are man down have an uphill battle to deal with the excellent Japanese
00:45: Karagounis immediately makes an impact, crosses to find Torosidis who heads it wide
00:41: Fetfatzidis is sacrificed to strengthen the defense after that dismissal. Karagounis is in
00:40: Kawashima dives and deflects the ball out from an excellent Torosidis shot. That was close
00:38: Red Card - Katsounaris is booked again for taking down Hasebe and is given marching orders
00:35: Substitution - Mitroglou is injured and is substituted by Gekas
00:29: Keisuke Honds aims for top right corner from a freekick, Karzenis saves and holds it on second attempt
00:27: Yellow Card - Katsounaris tackles Osako and goes into the books
00:21: Its Osako this time, shoots it powerfully, just missed the post
00:19: Uchida sets up Okubo, shoots on goal, smart work by Karzenis
00:16: Yamaguchi sets up Okubo, but the shot is dealt by Katsounaris
00:12: Yellow Card - Japan's Hasebe gets booked for a bad foul on Maniatis
00:11: Kone is free and runs towards Japan box, takes a long shot, Kawashima fumbles but gathers the ball
00:04: Mitroglou this time in the box, shoots on goal, Konno blocks it
00:02: Yamaguchi immediately on target, stopped by Manolas
01:28: Yellow Card - Torosidis hands the ball and is booked
01:20: Substitution - Salpingidis comes in for Kone
01:17: Okubo aims bottom left corner, Karzenis saves it
01:07: Uchida crosses across the goal but Okubo could just shoot it wide
01:00: Great save by Kawashima. Karagounis sets up Gekas header, defied by the goalkeeper
00:57: Substitution - Kagawa comes in for Osako for Japan
00:55: Yellow Card - Samaras makes a foul on Okubo and is cautioned
00:46: Samaras beats the keeper with an excellent shot, but beats the goal too
00:46: Substitution - Endo comes in for Japan replacing injured Hasebe at halftime
Halftime - Greece, who are man down have an uphill battle to deal with the excellent Japanese
00:45: Karagounis immediately makes an impact, crosses to find Torosidis who heads it wide
00:41: Fetfatzidis is sacrificed to strengthen the defense after that dismissal. Karagounis is in
00:40: Kawashima dives and deflects the ball out from an excellent Torosidis shot. That was close
00:38: Red Card - Katsounaris is booked again for taking down Hasebe and is given marching orders
00:35: Substitution - Mitroglou is injured and is substituted by Gekas
00:29: Keisuke Honds aims for top right corner from a freekick, Karzenis saves and holds it on second attempt
00:27: Yellow Card - Katsounaris tackles Osako and goes into the books
00:21: Its Osako this time, shoots it powerfully, just missed the post
00:19: Uchida sets up Okubo, shoots on goal, smart work by Karzenis
00:16: Yamaguchi sets up Okubo, but the shot is dealt by Katsounaris
00:12: Yellow Card - Japan's Hasebe gets booked for a bad foul on Maniatis
00:11: Kone is free and runs towards Japan box, takes a long shot, Kawashima fumbles but gathers the ball
00:04: Mitroglou this time in the box, shoots on goal, Konno blocks it
00:02: Yamaguchi immediately on target, stopped by Manolas
Its Kickoff time at natal
Lineups
Japan: Kawashima, Uchida, Honda, Nagatomo, Okazaki, Okubo, Konno, Yamaguchi, Hasebe, Osako, Yoshida
Greece: Karnezis, Maniatis, Manolas, Samaras, Kone, Mitroglou, Torosidis, Fetfazidis, Sokratis, Cholevas, KatsouranisJapan: Kawashima, Uchida, Honda, Nagatomo, Okazaki, Okubo, Konno, Yamaguchi, Hasebe, Osako, Yoshida
Japan
World Cup Record
15 Matches - W04, D03, L08
15 Matches - W04, D03, L08
Manager
Alberto Zaccheroni, Italy
Alberto Zaccheroni, Italy
Greece
World Cup Record
11 Matches - W02, D03, L06
Manager
Fernando Santos, Portugal
Match Facts
Referee: Joel Aguilar, El Salvador
Head to Head: Japan 1-0-0 Greece
Match 21 - Colombia vs Ivory Coast
Colombia vs Ivory Coast
Group C
Match 21 on June 19 at 1:00 PM Brasilia Time
Colombia 2 - 1 Ivory Coast
(Rodriguez 64', Quintero 69') (Gervinho 73')
Man of the Match: James Rodriguez
Man of the Match: James Rodriguez
Match Updates
It's fulltime, Colombia makes it to the Knockouts, the fans are delighted. An entertaining match
01:30: Yellow Card - Tiote commits a foul and goes into the books
01:29: Barry is out of position, Quintero strikes it from the halfline and is on target, the goalkeeper backpeddles and collects it. What a goal it would have been
01:25: Ospina blocks Kalou's shot, not enough power on the shot
01:19: Substitution - Aguilar is replaced, Mejia is in
01:16: Drogba shoots on target, Sanchez puts in a block
Three goals in nine minutes, what a period of play. Great individual effort from Gervinho
01:13: Goal - Gervinho brilliantly puts it in, It's raining goals at Brasilia
01:13: Substitution - Die leaves the pitch, Bolly comes in for the Africans
01:12: Substitution - Armero is replaced by Arias for Colombia
01:09: Goal - Gutierrez passes it to unmarked Quintero, he puts it in
01:08: Aurier almost bends it in, Ospina had to make a save
01:07: Substitution - Kalou replaces Gradel for Ivory Coast
01:04: Goal - Cuadrado's cross, Rodriguez heads it in, Colombia finally takes the lead
01:00: Substitution - Veteran striker Drogba is on the field, replaces Wilfried
00:55: Yellow Card - Zokora lunges on Cuadrado, he's booked for the foul. He'll miss the next game
00:53: Substitution - Ibarbo is taken out, Quintero comes in
00:48: Yaya Toure's freekick on target, goalkeeper blocks the shot
Halftime - The game is still goalless at Brasilia. Stay tuned for the second half
00:43: Gradel is in the clear, tries a shot, Yepes is up to it
00:31: Aurier dribbles past Yepes and shoots it, Ospina gets the first chance to make a save
00:28: Cuadrado cross finds Rodriguez to Gutierrez, he goes just wide of the goal, what a chance
00:17: Sahchez has a go from distance at the goal, Barry parries it comfortably
00:10: Aurier heads it on target but Zapata saves it
These teams have never met before at any stage of football. It's Kickoff at Mane Garrincha Stadium
01:13: Goal - Gervinho brilliantly puts it in, It's raining goals at Brasilia
01:13: Substitution - Die leaves the pitch, Bolly comes in for the Africans
01:12: Substitution - Armero is replaced by Arias for Colombia
01:09: Goal - Gutierrez passes it to unmarked Quintero, he puts it in
01:08: Aurier almost bends it in, Ospina had to make a save
01:07: Substitution - Kalou replaces Gradel for Ivory Coast
01:04: Goal - Cuadrado's cross, Rodriguez heads it in, Colombia finally takes the lead
01:00: Substitution - Veteran striker Drogba is on the field, replaces Wilfried
00:55: Yellow Card - Zokora lunges on Cuadrado, he's booked for the foul. He'll miss the next game
00:53: Substitution - Ibarbo is taken out, Quintero comes in
00:48: Yaya Toure's freekick on target, goalkeeper blocks the shot
Halftime - The game is still goalless at Brasilia. Stay tuned for the second half
00:43: Gradel is in the clear, tries a shot, Yepes is up to it
00:31: Aurier dribbles past Yepes and shoots it, Ospina gets the first chance to make a save
00:28: Cuadrado cross finds Rodriguez to Gutierrez, he goes just wide of the goal, what a chance
00:17: Sahchez has a go from distance at the goal, Barry parries it comfortably
00:10: Aurier heads it on target but Zapata saves it
These teams have never met before at any stage of football. It's Kickoff at Mane Garrincha Stadium
Lineups
Colombia: Ospina, Zapata, Yepes, Sanchez, Armero, Aguilar, Gutierrez, Rodriguez, Cuadrado, Ibarbo, Zuniga
Subs: Vargas, Arias, Carbonero, Guarin, Mejia, Balanta, Ramos, Quintero, Martinez, Valdes, Mondragon
Ivory Coast: Barry, Boka, Zokora, Tiote, Gervinho, Bony, Gradel, Aurier, Y Toure, Serey, Bamba
Subs: Gbohouo, Viera, Kolo Toure, Bolly, Akpa Akpro, Kalou, Drogba, Konan, Diomande, Djakpa, Sio, Sayouba
Colombia: Ospina, Zapata, Yepes, Sanchez, Armero, Aguilar, Gutierrez, Rodriguez, Cuadrado, Ibarbo, Zuniga
Subs: Vargas, Arias, Carbonero, Guarin, Mejia, Balanta, Ramos, Quintero, Martinez, Valdes, Mondragon
Ivory Coast: Barry, Boka, Zokora, Tiote, Gervinho, Bony, Gradel, Aurier, Y Toure, Serey, Bamba
Subs: Gbohouo, Viera, Kolo Toure, Bolly, Akpa Akpro, Kalou, Drogba, Konan, Diomande, Djakpa, Sio, Sayouba
Colombia
World Cup Record
30 Matches - W10, D06, L14
Manager
Jose Pekerman, Argentina
Ivory Coast
World Cup Record
07 Matches - W03, D01, L03
07 Matches - W03, D01, L03
Manager
Sabri Lamouchi, France
Sabri Lamouchi, France
Match Facts
Referee: Howard Webb, England
Head to Head: Colombia 0-0-0 Ivory Coast
2014
,
Brasilia
,
Brazil
,
Colombia
,
Estadio Nacional Mane Garrincha
,
FIFA
,
Fixtures
,
Group C
,
Group Stage
,
Ivory Coast
,
Match
,
World Cup
Match 6 - Ivory Coast vs Japan
Ivory Coast vs Japan
Match 6 on June 14 at 10:00 PM Brasilia Time
Venue: Arena Pernambuco, Recife
Ivory Coast 2-1 Japan
(Wilfied 64', Gervinho 66') (Honda 16')
Man of the Match: Yaya Toure
Man of the Match: Yaya Toure
Match Updates
Fulltime, good comeback by the Africans
01:26: Substitution - Last change for Japan, Kagawa leaves the pitch, Kakitani come in
01:18: Substitution - Goalscorer Wilfried is replaced by Ya Konan
01:15: Substitution - Change at Ivory Coast left back position, Boka leaves for Djakpa. Injury?
01:07: Substitution - Japan makes a change, Osako is replaced by Okubo
01:06: Goal - Two in two, Gervinho heads it in, it's Aurier's cross again, What a turnaround
01:04: Goal - Aurier's cross is met by Wilfried's forehead, it's a goal. Ivory Coast are level
01:04: Yellow Card - Japan's Morishige is booked
01:02: Substitution - Drogba comes on to the pitch, Die out
00:58: Yellow Card - Zokora gets a caution for foul play
00:54: Yellow Card - Bamba is punished for a foul on Okazaki
00:54: Substitution - Captain Hesebe is replaced by Endo
Halftime and Japan are surprisingly ahead, can they maintain the lead for the rest of the game
00:23: Yellow Card - Serey Die is taken out by Yoshida who goes into books
00:16: Goal - Keisuke Honda scores an amazing goal, Top Corner
01:26: Substitution - Last change for Japan, Kagawa leaves the pitch, Kakitani come in
01:18: Substitution - Goalscorer Wilfried is replaced by Ya Konan
01:15: Substitution - Change at Ivory Coast left back position, Boka leaves for Djakpa. Injury?
01:07: Substitution - Japan makes a change, Osako is replaced by Okubo
01:06: Goal - Two in two, Gervinho heads it in, it's Aurier's cross again, What a turnaround
01:04: Goal - Aurier's cross is met by Wilfried's forehead, it's a goal. Ivory Coast are level
01:04: Yellow Card - Japan's Morishige is booked
01:02: Substitution - Drogba comes on to the pitch, Die out
00:58: Yellow Card - Zokora gets a caution for foul play
00:54: Yellow Card - Bamba is punished for a foul on Okazaki
00:54: Substitution - Captain Hesebe is replaced by Endo
Halftime and Japan are surprisingly ahead, can they maintain the lead for the rest of the game
00:23: Yellow Card - Serey Die is taken out by Yoshida who goes into books
00:16: Goal - Keisuke Honda scores an amazing goal, Top Corner
Lineups
Ivory Coast: Barry, Aurier, Boka, Tiote, Bamba, Zokora, Y Toure, Die, Bony, Gervinho, Kalou
Subs: Diarrassouba, K Toure, Bolly, Akpa-Akpro, Drogba, Ya Konan, Diomande, Gradel, Gbohouo, Djakpa, Sio, Mande
Japan: Kawashima, Uchida, Nagatomo, Hasebe, Morishige, Yoshida, Okazaki, Yamaguchi, Osako, Honda, Kagawa
Subs: Sakai, Endo, Kiyotake, Kakitani, Nishikawa, Okubo, Aoyama, Konno, Inoha, Saito, Sakai, Gonda
Ivory Coast
World Cup Record
06 Matches - W02, D01, L03
Manager
Sabri Lamouchi, France
Japan
World Cup Record
14 Matches - W04, D03, L07
Manager
Alberto Zaccheroni, Italy
Match Facts
Referee: Enrique Osses, Chile
Head to Head: Ivory Coast 1-0-2 Japan
2014
,
Arena Pernambuco
,
Brazil
,
FIFA
,
Fixtures
,
Group C
,
Group Stage
,
Ivory Coast
,
Japan
,
Match
,
Recife
,
World Cup
Colombia World Cup Squad
The speculation regarding Monaco and Colombia star striker Radamel Falcao's participation in the World Cup ended when he was left out of the national squad for the World Cup. He was considered to be a touch and go scenario but Falcao lost the race against time to be fit for the tourney
Coach Jose Pekerman dropped the striker along with Edwin Valencia, who also failed to recover from a persistent muscle injury. Defender Luis Ameranto and forward Luis Fernando Muriel are the others who lost their place while Aquivaldo Mosquera, Elkin Soto, Macnelly Torres already lost their place along with Valencia in an earlier purge
Colombia now needs to depend much on James Rodriguez, Jackson Martinez and Teofilo Gutierrez to take on the mantle
Squad
Goalkeepers:
David Ospina (Nice), Faryd Mondragon (Deportivo Cali), Camilo Vargas (Independiente Santa Fe)
David Ospina (Nice), Faryd Mondragon (Deportivo Cali), Camilo Vargas (Independiente Santa Fe)
Defenders:
Mario Yepes (AC Milan), Cristian Zapata (AC Milan), Pablo Armero (West Ham, on loan from Napoli), Camilo Zuniga (Napoli), Santiago Arias (PSV Eindhoven), Eder Alvarez Balanta (River Plate), Carlos Valdes (San Lorenzo)
Mario Yepes (AC Milan), Cristian Zapata (AC Milan), Pablo Armero (West Ham, on loan from Napoli), Camilo Zuniga (Napoli), Santiago Arias (PSV Eindhoven), Eder Alvarez Balanta (River Plate), Carlos Valdes (San Lorenzo)
Midfielders:
Fredy Guarin (Inter Milan), Juan Cuadrado (Fiorentina), Victor Ibarbo (Cagliari), James Rodriguez (Monaco), Abel Aguilar (Toulouse), Juan Fernando Quintero (Porto), Carlos Sanchez (Elche), Aldo Leao Ramirez (Morelia), Alexander Mejia (Atletico Nacional)
Fredy Guarin (Inter Milan), Juan Cuadrado (Fiorentina), Victor Ibarbo (Cagliari), James Rodriguez (Monaco), Abel Aguilar (Toulouse), Juan Fernando Quintero (Porto), Carlos Sanchez (Elche), Aldo Leao Ramirez (Morelia), Alexander Mejia (Atletico Nacional)
Forwards:
Jackson Martinez (Porto), Carlos Bacca (Sevilla), Adrian Ramos (Hertha Berlin), Teofilo Gutierrez (River Plate)
Jackson Martinez (Porto), Carlos Bacca (Sevilla), Adrian Ramos (Hertha Berlin), Teofilo Gutierrez (River Plate)
Injury Update - Radamel Falcao Dropped
Radamel Falcao will not be going to Brazil as part of the Colombia Squad as he failed to recover from the Anterior Cruciate Ligament tear he suffered in January. The Monaco star striker was crucial to the nation's World Cup fortunes but the extent of his injury and the recovery process left him no time to get back to match fitness
Ivory Coast World Cup Squad
The golden generation of Ivory Coast would have probably a final chance to make an impact at the world stage in the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Coach Sabri Lamouchi opted for the experienced squad for the tourney while including Didier Drogba, Toure brothers Yaya and Kolo, Boubacor Barry, Didier Zokora, Arthur Boka all above 30 and have in excess of 75 caps each. The regulars Kalou, Gervinho were also included while premium league stars Cheick Tiote and Wilfried Bony all made the cut
The major surprise exclusion is the injury ridden striker Lacina Traore, while Ali Badra, Benjamin Angoua, Brice Dja Djedje, Seydou Doumbia were the others left out of the squad
Squad
Goalkeepers:
Boubacar Barry (Lokeren), Sylvain Gbohouo (Sewe Sport), Sayouba Sande (Stabaek)
Defenders:
Kolo Toure (Liverpool), Sol Bamba (Trabzonspor), Didier Zokora (Trabzonspor), Serge Aurier (Toulouse), Arthur Boka (Stuttgart), Ousmane Viera Diarrassouba (Caykur Rizespor), Constant Djakpa (Frankfurt), Jean-Daniel Akpa-Akpro (Toulouse)
Midfielders:
Yaya Toure (Manchester City), Cheik Tiote (Newcastle), Serey Die (Basel), Max Gradel (Saint Etienne), Diomande Ismael (Saint Etienne), Didier Ya Konan (Hannover), Mathis Bolly (Dusseldorf)
Forwards:
Gervinho (Roma), Didier Drogba (Galatasaray), Salomon Kalou (Lille), Wilfried Bony (Swansea), Giovanni Sio (Basel)
Colombia Provisional Squad Trimmed
Although he's patient to wait for Falcao to recover from his ligament tear till the last minute before he announced his final roster, Jose Pekerman decided otherwise with regards to the other members of the squad. The Colombia head coach decided to purge unwanted players from his provisional squad including the injury dogged midfielder Edwin Valencia
The other players to miss the cut are defender Aquivaldo Mosquera. midfielders Elkin Soto and Macnelly Torres
Colombia provisional squad is effectively trimmed to 26 members after the exclusions
Updated Provisional Squad
Goalkeepers:
David Ospina (Nice), Faryd Mondragon (Deportivo Cali), Camilo Vargas (Independiente Santa Fe)
David Ospina (Nice), Faryd Mondragon (Deportivo Cali), Camilo Vargas (Independiente Santa Fe)
Defenders:
Mario Yepes (AC Milan), Cristian Zapata (AC Milan), Pablo Armero (West Ham, on loan from Napoli), Camilo Zuniga (Napoli), Santiago Arias (PSV Eindhoven), Luis Amaranto Perea (Cruz Azul), Eder Alvarez Balanta (River Plate), Carlos Valdes (San Lorenzo)
Mario Yepes (AC Milan), Cristian Zapata (AC Milan), Pablo Armero (West Ham, on loan from Napoli), Camilo Zuniga (Napoli), Santiago Arias (PSV Eindhoven), Luis Amaranto Perea (Cruz Azul), Eder Alvarez Balanta (River Plate), Carlos Valdes (San Lorenzo)
Midfielders:
Fredy Guarin (Inter Milan), Juan Cuadrado (Fiorentina), Victor Ibarbo (Cagliari), James Rodriguez (Monaco), Abel Aguilar (Toulouse), Juan Fernando Quintero (Porto), Carlos Sanchez (Elche), Aldo Leao Ramirez (Morelia), Alexander Mejia (Atletico Nacional)
Fredy Guarin (Inter Milan), Juan Cuadrado (Fiorentina), Victor Ibarbo (Cagliari), James Rodriguez (Monaco), Abel Aguilar (Toulouse), Juan Fernando Quintero (Porto), Carlos Sanchez (Elche), Aldo Leao Ramirez (Morelia), Alexander Mejia (Atletico Nacional)
Forwards:
Radamel Falcao (Monaco), Luis Fernando Muriel (Udinese), Jackson Martinez (Porto), Carlos Bacca (Sevilla), Adrian Ramos (Hertha Berlin), Teofilo Gutierrez (River Plate)
Radamel Falcao (Monaco), Luis Fernando Muriel (Udinese), Jackson Martinez (Porto), Carlos Bacca (Sevilla), Adrian Ramos (Hertha Berlin), Teofilo Gutierrez (River Plate)
Injury Update - Valencia Out of World Cup
Colombia added to the ever growing World Cup injury list as midfielder Edwin Valencia failed to recover from his injury. Valencia has been struggling with his muscle injury throughout the season and Jose Pekerman announced on Wednesday that the Fluminense midfielder will not recover on time for the World Cup
Colombia is already facing a big injury problem in terms of star striker Falcao's recovery from Anterior Cruciate Ligament damage but Pekerman vowed to give him as much time as possible to get back in shape. Colombia's fortunes at the tourney hang on Falcao's ability to get back into the squad
Greece World Cup Squad Announced
There were seven strikers selected in the provisional squad for Greece, three of them would not be going to Brazil, Konstas Mitroglou was not among them to his delight. Despite lacking game time after his record move to Fulham, the striker managed to get a ticket to Brazil
Dimitris Papadopoulis, Nikos Karelis and Stefano Athanasiadis were the ones to miss out along with goalkeeper Alexandros Dzorvas, Midfielder Kostas Fortounis and defenders Nikolaos Karabelas and Avram Papadopoulis. The latter had been struggling with injuries throughout the last season
Coach Fernando Santos, who's set to step down after the event, has opted for an experienced squad for the World Cup
Squad
Goalkeepers:
Orestis Karnezis (Granada), Panagiotis Glykos (PAOK), Stefanos Kapino (Panathinaikos)
Defenders:
Kostas Manolas (Olympiacos), Giannis Maniatis (Olympiacos), Jose Holebas (Olympiacos), Sokratis Papastathopoulos (Borussia Dortmund), Giorgios Tzavellas (PAOK), Loukas Vyntra (Levante), Vasilis Torosidis (Roma), Vangelis Moras (Verona)
Midfielders:
Alexandros Tziolis (Kayserispor), Andreas Samaris (Olympiacos), Kostas Katsouranis (PAOK), Giorgos Karagounis (Fulham), Panagiotis Tachtsidis (Torino), Ioannis Fetfatzidis (Genoa), Lazaros Christodoulopoulos (Bologna) Panagiotis Kone (Bologna)
Forwards:
Dimitris Salpingidis (PAOK), Giorgios Samaras (Celtic), Kostas Mitroglou (Fulham), Theofanis Gekas (Konyaspor)
Greece Provisional Squad
Injury prone Konstantinos Mitroglou, who has just more than two hours of game time under his belt this year, has been shortlisted for the Greek Squad announced by Fernando Santos. The 29-man provisional list also includes 37 year old Giorgos Karagounis, who has 132 caps, Georgios Samaras
Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Vasilis Torosidis, Kostas Fortounis, Theofanis Gekas, Orestis Karnezis, Panagiotis Tachtsidis, Ioannis Fetfatzidis are some of the players included
FIFA has a deadline until June 2 by which all teams need to lodge their 23-member World Cup squads
Squad
Goalkeepers: Alexandros Tzorvas (Apollon Smyrnis), Michalis Sifakis (Atromitos), Orestis Karnezis (Granada), Panaglotis Glykos (PAOK), Stefanos Kapino (Panathinaikos)
Defenders: Avraam Papadopoulos, Dimitris Siovas, Kostas Manolas, Giannis Maniatis, Jose Holebas (all Olympiakos), Sokratis Papastathopoulos (Borussia Dortmund), Giorgios Tzavellas (PAOK), Loukas Vyntra (Levante), Vasilis Torosidis (Roma)
Midfielders: Alexandros Tziolis (Kayserispor), Andreas Samaris (Olympiakos), Kostas Katsouranis (PAOK), Giorgos Karagounis (Fulham), Panagiotis Tachtsidis (Torino), Sotiris Ninis (PAOK), Ioannis Fetfatzidis (Genoa), Kostas Fortounis (Kaiserslautern), Lazaros Christodoulopoulos (Bologna) Panagiotis Kone (Bologna)
Forwards: Dimitris Papadopoulos (Atromitos), Dimitris Salpingidis (PAOK), Giorgios Samaras (Celtic), Konstantinos Mitroglou (Fulham), Theofanis Gekas (Konyaspor)
Colombia Provisional Squad
Radamel Falcao made a miraculous comeback after sustaining a serious knee injury in January. He's the crucial member of Jose Pekerman's squad despite not playing for the whole period. Falcao would be hoping to achieve 100% fitness before their first group game against Greece
Pekerman announced a 30-man provisional squad of Colombia which includes striker Gutierrez, defender Yepes, midfielders Guarin, Rodriguez and Sanchez
FIFA has a deadline until June 2 by which all teams need to lodge their 23-member World Cup squads
Squad
Goalkeepers: David Ospina (Nice), Faryd Mondragon (Deportivo Cali), Camilo Vargas (Independiente Santa Fe)
Defenders: Mario Yepes (AC Milan), Cristian Zapata (AC Milan), Pablo Armero (West Ham, on loan from Napoli), Camilo Zuniga (Napoli), Aquivaldo Mosquera (Club America), Santiago Arias (PSV Eindhoven), Luis Amaranto Perea (Cruz Azul), Eder Alvarez Balanta (River Plate), Carlos Valdes (San Lorenzo)
Midfielders: Fredy Guarin (Inter Milan), Juan Cuadrado (Fiorentina), Victor Ibarbo (Cagliari), James Rodriguez (Monaco), Abel Aguilar (Toulouse), Juan Fernando Quintero (Porto), Carlos Sanchez (Elche), Macnelly Torres (Al Shabab), Aldo Leao Ramirez (Morelia), Edwin Valencia (Fluminense), Alexander Mejia (Atletico Nacional), Elkin Soto (Mainz)
Forwards: Radamel Falcao (Monaco), Luis Fernando Muriel (Udinese), Jackson Martinez (Porto), Carlos Bacca (Sevilla), Adrian Ramos (Hertha Berlin), Teofilo Gutierrez (River Plate)
Ivory Coast Provisional Squad
Experience is in abundance in Ivory Coast's provisional 28-man squad for the World Cup. Coach Sabri Lamouchi included Drogba, Toure brothers, Traore, Tiote, Bony are all included
Drogba is likely to play his 100th game if selected in their opening encounter against Japan. Emmanuel Eboue and Gosso Gosso are the surprise exclusions from the squad
FIFA has a deadline until June 2 by which all teams need to lodge their 23-member World Cup squads
Squad
Goalkeepers:
Boubacar Barry (Lokeren), Sylvain Gbohouo (Sewe Sport), Ali Sangare Badra (Asec Mimosas), Sayouba Sande (Stabaek)
Defenders:
Kolo Toure (Liverpool), Sol Bamba (Trabzonspor), Didier Zokora (Trabzonspor), Serge Aurier (Toulouse), Arthur Boka (Stuttgart), Benjamin Angoua (Valenciennes), Ousmane Viera Diarrassouba (Caykur Rizespor), Constant Djakpa (Frankfurt), Brice Dja Djedje (Marseille), Jean-Daniel Akpa-Akpro (Toulouse)
Midfielders:
Yaya Toure (Manchester City), Cheik Tiote (Newcastle), Serey Die (Basel), Max Gradel (Saint Etienne), Diomande Ismael (Saint Etienne), Didier Ya Konan (Hannover), Mathis Bolly (Dusseldorf)
Forwards:
Gervinho (Roma), Didier Drogba (Galatasaray), Salomon Kalou (Lille), Wilfried Bony (Swansea), Seydou Doumbia (CSKA Moscow), Lacina Traore (Everton), Giovanni Sio (Basel)
Japan World Cup Squad Announced
Veteran Striker Yoshito Okubo is a surprise selection in the 23-man Japan World Cup Squad announced by coach Alberto Zaccheroni. Despite having played for the national team only once since "Zac" took over in 2010, Okubo's domestic form helped him make a comeback
Key players Honda, Kagawa, Okazaki, among others are all in the team, with a total of twelve players based in Europe. Struggling J-League forward Kakitani made the cut as well
Squad
Goalkeepers:
Eiji Kawashima (Standard Liege), Shusaku Nishikawa (Urawa Reds), Shuichi Gonda (FC Tokyo)
Defenders:
Masahiko Inoha (Jubilo Iwata), Yasuyuki Konno (Gamba Osaka), Yuto Nagatomo (Inter Milan), Masato Morishige (FC Tokyo), Atsuto Uchida (Schalke), Maya Yoshida (Southampton), Hiroki Sakai (Hannover), Gotoku Sakai (Stuttgart), Hiroshi Kiyotake (Nuremberg), Keisuke Honda (AC Milan)
Midfielders:
Yasuhito Endo (Gamba Osaka), Makoto Hasebe (Nuremberg), Toshihiro Aoyama (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Hotaru Yamaguchi (Cerezo Osaka)
Forwards:
Yoshito Okubo (Kawasaki Frontale), Shinji Okazaki (Mainz), Shinji Kagawa (Manchester United), Yoichiro Kakitani (Cerezo Osaka), Manabu Saito (Yokohama F Marinos), Yuya Osako (1860 Munich)
Groups
Eight World Champions, a Finalist, Six Semi-finalists, Four Quarter-finalists, Six more teams who tasted Knockouts, Six more hungry to taste one and a Debutante forms the thirty-two teams competing in eight groups for the 2014 FIFA World Cup
Eight World Champions, a Finalist, Six Semi-finalists, Four Quarter-finalists, Six more teams who tasted Knockouts, Six more hungry to taste one and a Debutante forms the thirty-two teams competing in eight groups for the 2014 FIFA World Cup
With three former cup winners, Group D is considered to be the "Group of Death" while Groups C and G are also coveted to be tough. Groups B, D and G feature sure-to-be-hit exciting European bigwig match-ups with fan-favorite teams and star players pitted against each other
Group A
Likely to Qualify: Brazil and Mexico
Players to Watchout for: Neymar(Bra), Modric(Cro), Hernandez(Mex), Eto'o(Cam)
Blockbuster Match: Brazil vs Mexico on June 17th at Fortaleza
Key Match: Croatia vs Mexico on June 23rd at Recife
Potential for Upset: Croatia
Group B
Likely to Qualify: Spain and Netherlands
Players to Watchout for: Iniesta(Esp), Robben(Ned), Alexis Sanchez(Chi), Cahill (Aus)
Blockbuster Match: Spain vs Netherlands on June 13th at Salvador
Key Matches: Spain vs Chile on June 16th at Rio De Janeiro, Netherlands vs Chile on June 23 Sao Paulo
Potential for Upset: Chile
Group C
Likely to Qualify: Colombia, Greece
Players to Watchout for: Falcao(Col), Karagounis(Gre), Drogba(Civ), Honda(Jpn)
Blockbuster Match: Colombia vs Greece on June 14th at Belo Horizante
Key Matches: Colombia vs Ivory Coast on June 19th at Brasilia, Greece vs Ivory Coast on June 19th at Fortaleza
Potential for Upset: Ivory Coast
Group D
Likely to Qualify: Uruguay, Italy
Players to Watchout for: Saurez(Uru), Ruiz(Crc), Rooney(Eng), Balotelli(Ita)
Blockbuster Match: England vs Italy on June 15th at Manaus
Key Matches: Uruguay vs England on June 19th at Sao Paulo, Italy vs Uruguay on June 24th at Natal
Potential for Upset: England
Group E
Likely to Qualify: France, Switzerland
Players to Watchout for: Shaqiri(Sui), Valencia(Ecu), Ribery(Fra), Palacios(Hon)
Blockbuster Match: Switzerland vs France on June 20th at Salvador
Key Matches: Switzerland vs Ecuador on June 15th at Brasilia, Ecuador vs France on June 25th at Rio De Janeiro
Potential for Upset: Ecuador
Group F
Likely to Qualify: Argentina, Bosnia
Players to Watchout for: Messi(Arg), Dzeko(BIH), Nekounam(Irn), Obi Mikel(Nga)
Blockbuster Match: Nigeria vs Argentina on June 25th at Porto Alegre
Key Matches: Argentina vs Bosnia on June 15th at Rio De Janeiro, Nigeria vs Bosnia on June 21th at Cuiaba
Potential for Upset: Nigeria
Group G
Likely to Qualify: Germany, Portugal
Players to Watchout for: Ozil(Ger), Ronaldo(Por), Boateng(Gha), Donovan(USA)
Blockbuster Match: Germany vs Portugal on June 16th at Salvador
Key Match: Ghana vs USA on June 16th at Natal
Potential for Upset: Ghana
Group H
Likely to Qualify: Belgium, Portugal
Players to Watchout for: Hazard(Bel), Taider(Alg), Akinfeev(Rus), Lee Chung-Yong(Kor)
Blockbuster Match: Belgium vs Russia on June 22th at Rio De Janeiro
Key Matches: Russia vs Korea on June 17th at Cuiaba, Korea vs Belgium on June 26th at Sao Paulo
Potential for Upset: Korea
Main Draw
- Out of the 203 nations which played for a place in the World Cup finals, 31 teams from six Confederations joined Brazil, the tourney hosts, for the Main Draw held on the the 6th of December 2013, at the Costa do Sauipe Resort, Bahia, Brazil
- The teams were drawn into 8 groups of 4 teams with hosts Brazil placed in Group A and the reigning World Champs Spain drawn into Group B which also features 2010 runners-up Netherlands.
- The top two teams in each group would qualify for the Round of 16, the first Knockout Stage on the way to July 13th Finale
- *FIFA rankings updated as on 5th June, 2014
Subscribe to:
Posts
(
Atom
)
