2014 WORLD CUP - FRANCE - KEY PLAYER - ‪KARIM BENZEMA - PROFILE

He has been named French Player of the Year twice for his performances in 2011 and 2012. Benzema is a former French youth international and has represented his nation from under-17 level onwards. 

Benzema has earned over 65 caps and represented France at three major international tournaments; the 2008 and 2012 editions of the UEFA European Football Championship and the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

30 Jun 2014
2014 WORLD CUP - DAY 17 - LAST SIXTEEN - NETHERLANDS VS MEXICO 2:1

LAST SIXTEEN
29th June 2014

Netherlands vs Mexico 2:1

Lucky dutchmen!

29 Jun 2014
2014 WORLD CUP - DAY 17 - LAST SIXTEEN - COSTA RICA VS GREECE 5:4 - win on penalties

LAST SIXTEEN
29th June 2014

Costa Rica vs Greece 5:4

Costa Rica through on penalties.

29 Jun 2014
2014 WORLD CUP - MEXICO - KEY PLAYER - ‪Giovani dos Santos‬ - PROFILE

Giovani dos Santos‬ was born in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Giovani joined FC Barcelona's academy of La Masia at the age of eleven and played for Barcelona's Juvenil A category where he helped his team to make a comeback in the league and win the regional title. 

This title allowed them to participate in the Youth Copa del Rey, where they faced other regional champions, among them their historic arch-rivals, Real Madrid. 

29 Jun 2014
2014 WORLD CUP - NETHERLANDS - KEY PLAYER - ARJEN ROBBEN‬ - PROFILE

Arjen Robben 

Though often classified as a forward, he usually plays behind the forwards as a winger. Robben is known for his dribbling skills, speed, crossing ability and his accurate left foot long-range shots from the right wing.

29 Jun 2014
2014 WORLD CUP - DAY 16 - LAST SIXTEEN - BRAZIL VS CHILE 3:2 - advanced on penalties

LAST SIXTEEN
28th June 2014

Brazil vs Chile 3:2 

Hosts Brazil knock Chile out of the 2014 Fifa World Cup in the second round with a 3:2 win on penalties.

28 Jun 2014
2014 WORLD CUP - DAY 16 - LAST SIXTEEN - COLOMBIA VS URUGUAY - 2:0

LAST SIXTEEN
28th June 2014

Colombia vs Uruguay 2:0

James Rodriguez makes the difference! 

28 Jun 2014
2014 WORLD CUP - COLOMBIA - KEY PLAYER - James Rodríguez - PROFILE

James Rodríguez expressing his honor to be praised by his hero, 'El Pibe' Valderrama.

"Rodríguez is mentally sharp, possessing quick reactions when closed down which allows him to keep control of the ball and making him more likely to be fouled. While left footed, he's able to control the ball just as well with his right foot." 

(El Pibe' Valderrama)

28 Jun 2014
2014 WORLD CUP - LAST-SIXTEEN - Matches and Teams out

Teams who have reached the round of the last sixteen

27 Jun 2014
2014 WORLD CUP - DAY 15 - GROUP G & GROUP H - PREVIEW

GROUP G
USA vs Germany -:-
Portugal vs Ghana -:-

GROUP H
Korea vs Belgium -:-
Algeria vs Russia -:-

26 Jun 2014

2015 AFRICA CUP - MOVING 2015 EVENT 'ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE'

AFRICA CUP 2015 AFRICA CUP 2015 QUALIFIERS

It will be almost impossible to stage the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations on time, says the man who organised the 2008 tournament in Ghana.

Morocco was due to stage the 2015 Cup but was removed as host after expressing fears over the Ebola virus.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) insists the tournament will go ahead on time, starting on 17 January.

But Dr Kofi Amoah told the BBC: "It could be a sham. I don't think there is enough time for anyone to do it."

CAF said earlier this week that several countries had applied to stage the relocated event, and that a decision would be made in a matter of days .


WHO WILL STEP IN AS HOST?

GABON
Gabon, who co-hosted in 2012 with Equatorial Guinea, has been mentioned, but they only have two stadiums available.

TUNISIA
Tunisia hosted in 2004 and has the venues, but recent political turmoil and violence at football matches might count them out.

ALGERIA
Algeria is one of seven nations who have said they want to host the 2017 tournament and are the only ones who might be in a position to host earlier.

NIGERIA
Nigeria hosted the Under-17 World Cup in 2009 and a new facility in Akwa-Ibom state. But presidential elections are set for a week after the tournament.

...

But Amoah believes that any country that steps in faces a "gargantuan" task to stage the tournament with just 65 days notice.

"It could become a disgrace to African football," Amoah told BBC World Service. "60 to 70 days will not be adequate for most countries.

"There is a lot of stuff to do.

Accreditation systems, security, which is very important.

Without that it'll be a mess."

Amoah says he supports Morocco's decision to ask for a postponement of the tournament.

"I don't think Morocco should be penalised. 

They've done this to protect the whole of Africa," he said.

"All the things that come into human necessity come into play and it would be best to postpone it."

UNDERSTANDING THE EBOLA VIRUS AND HOW YOU CAN AVOID IT 

How the Ebola outbreak has affected African football

 

14 Nov 2014
(BBC Sport UK and Nick Cavell, BBC Sport)

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