2014 World Cup Draw in Full

Hot off the press! This is the World Cup Draw that was just announced. The draw has just finished in Brazil with some interesting groups. There are a couple of easier ones and a couple that will be difficult to advance from.

Check them out to see which ones you think will be the most exciting. England is drawn against Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica. This looks like a three-way battle between Italy, Uruguay and the English to grab the top two spots.

The event will kick off in mid-June as long as the stadiums are completed on time.The ticket sales have been pretty brisk so far so it should be well attended. Which group would you call the Group of Death and which do you think is the easiest of the groups?

It could be a great spectacle if all teams play up to their potential and we could see a few upsets along the way.

Source

7 Reasons Why Cristian Ronaldo Should Win 2013 FIFA BALLON D'OR

So I got this interesting article from Cr7 fan site. I know I'm going to get a couple of messages after this post (from people who would consider me biased), I'm really not bothered. I post whatever I deem newsworthy on my blog and this is part of it. So if you have a similar topic to share i.e. Reasons why Messi/Ribery should win. Ps: It might interest you to know that I'm neither a Madrid or CR7 fan. I root for Barcelona, a MessiVoltron for that matter.hehehe. Note: the points were NOT written by me. I only shortened them.
3 players are in contention for the 2013 Ballon d'Or award. (Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Franck Ribery). These are 7 reasons why CR7 fans think he should win this year's award.
By the way, CR7 might not travel to Zurich next year because of the way Blatter mocked him last October.

7 reasons on why Cristiano Ronaldo should win
(1) Most goals scored in the 2013 calendar year
Club and Country records; Cristiano Ronaldo scored 67 goals, Messi 45, Ribery 21 goals.
(2) Helped Portugal qualify for World Cup on his own
If it hadn't Portugal wouldn't have made it to the World Cup. In 2013, CR7 scored 10 goals out of 9 appearances.
(3) - Top goalscorer of the UEFA Champions League
The Real Madrid forward finished the last Champions League campaign (2012-13) with 12 goals scored. Franck Ribery scored 1 goal despite Bayern Munich winning the CL trophy. Messi came 3rd.

(4) Odds favourite

This means the real chances each player has of winning the FIFA Ballon d'Or. On the day voting closed, Ronaldo odds to win the FIFA Ballon d'Or were stacked at 1.25, while Messi and Ribery both had a payout factor of 6.00. As at Dec 5, Ronaldo's odds were set around 1.60 as of today.
(5) The delay of FIFA's voting deadline
FFIFA extending Ballon d'Or voting for two more weeks means Ronaldo's performance during Portugal Vs Sweden could still weigh in the decision process. The deadline extension has undoubtedly benefitted Ronaldo, Ribery didn't really influence France's win against Ukraine and Messi didn't even play during this period due to an injury.
(6) - The most 2nd place titles ever for the Ballon d'Or award
No other player in football history has been voted the 2nd best player in the World (on a calendar year) for so many times as Ronaldo. CR7 has finished in 2nd place for 4 times already. If he finishes 2nd again after all he has done in 2013, then it seems safe to say that he will never win this award again.

(7) The "Blatter effect"
After FIFA president Joseph Blatter's disrespectful remark during the Oxford Union Society event on October 25, many people who had always been neutral towards Ronaldo's claims about being treated unfairly by FIFA over the past years, suddenly decided to back up and side with Ronaldo. These people
can actually include some who have already cast their votes for the upcoming 2013 FIFA Ballon d'Or.
Credit: Ronaldo7.net

OZIL'S GIFT TO MOURINHO AFTER ARSENAL'S DEFEAT

Missing the old boss? Arsenal's midfielder, Mesut Ozil put his club's loss to Chelsea last night behind him and gave Jose Mourinho a gift. After the match, the German who joined the game during the second half, went to Mourinho gave him a warm hug, took off his jersey and handed it over to him. :) It would be recalled that the ex-Madrid player worked with the Portuguese coach at the Bernabeu before his move to Emirates this summer.

FIFA U-17: Mexico 1 - 6 Nigeria

 

 Three-time champions Nigeria left little to doubt when they opened their FIFA U-17 World Cup campaign against twice champions and holders Mexico in Al Ain, winning out by an emphatic 6-1 scoreline. The result piles more unhappiness on the Mexican nation, whose senior team is experiencing a crisis in senior FIFA World Cup qualifying, while Nigeria sit comfy and cozy at the top of Group F.

Nigeria looked nervous early, but the Mexicans were unable to take advantage of their opponents’ trepidation. Striker Ulises Jaimes had a chance to score with his head after only three minutes, but the ball was deflected wide of danger by the scrambling Nigerian defence.

With a half-hour gone, and after a few more Mexican half-chances, the Africans had settled into their rhythm. That was bad news for Mexico. With 33 minutes gone, the speedy Golden Eaglets were through on a counter-attack. Success Isaac, who seven times in the African qualifiers, raced in and rounded the goalkeeper, pulling the ball back across goal. Kelechi Iheanacho followed the play and produced a clever finish, hitting the ball high into the net to get over a pair of Mexican defenders.

Seven minutes later, the No10 – hands-down the best player on the pitch – scored again. The pattern was the same, Isaac crossing from the left after a fast-break and Iheanacho keeping his cool again, cutting inside and showing great patience to drift past two defender and slam into the side netting.

The Nigerians celebrated wildly in front of their large banks of fans, but their enthusiasm got the better of them as they conceded a goal a minute later. Still in dreamland, the African defenders failed to clear their lines and the ball fell kindly for Jaimes in the area, with the Morelia youngster rounding his man to score low in the corner.

The Mexican euphoria couldn’t last, however, and Iheanacho had his hat-trick seconds into the second-half. With the ball flicked on from a long throw-in, the livewire slammed it home, low and hard, at the near post to make it 3-0 for the rampaging Nigerians. It was 4-0 three minutes later, when Chidiebere Nwakali fired the ball in from 25 yards out, signaling a certain rout as the Negerian fans chanted for more, more, more.

Isaac provided it on the hour-mark when he raced on to a through-ball, bamboozled two tired and devastated Mexican defenders and fired inside the near post from 12 yards out. With 30 minutes to go, the irrepressible Iheanacho bagged his fourth goal. He cut in from the right side and fired a vicious strike from a long way out that Gudino got his finger-tips to, but had no chance of keeping out of the top corner to make the final score a frightening 6-1.

Up next for the impressive Nigerians is a date with Scandinavian debutants Sweden in three days’ time, when Mexico try to get things back on track against Iraq.

Brazil 2014: Ethiopians beg Arsenal young-star, Gedion Zelalem on twitter, to help beat Super Eagles at Sunday

A World Cup berth appears unlikely after their home defeat to Nigeria but a growing legion of Ethiopian fans are taking to Twitter to lure overseas-based players eligible to represent the Walyas.

Nigeria came from behind to snatch a last gasp 2-1 win over Ethiopia in the first leg of their playoff in Addis Ababa after two goals from Emmanuel Emenike helped them take a big step towards next year’s finals in Brazil.


But Ethiopian fans have now found something to cheer about as their largely-domestic based Walyas – named after an endemic antelope – could be boosted by a small contingent of players plying their trade in Europe.

After Arsenal’s 16-year old prodigy Gedion Zelalem – who is also eligible to play for Germany and the United States – tweeted “Still proud” following Sunday’s loss, Foreign Minister Tedros Adhanom took on the task of luring the young Gunner.

“Hi Gedion. Good to hear from you. We hope you will play for Ethiopia soon,” he tweeted back.

Tedros also contacted Norway-based striker Askar Amin, who plays for top flight side Brann, via the micro-blogging platform.

“I just spoke to Amin on the phone and he’s very positive about playing for our country. Thanks so much Amin!,” the official tweeted.

Ethiopian fans have now launched what they dub a “Twitter diplomacy” campaign to snap up Arsenal midfielder Zelalem, under “#ZelalemForEthiopia”.

“Join #ZelalemForEthiopia and share your thoughts if you want to see Gedion Zelalem to join the Walyas,” tweeted @Fahologist, a Kinshasa-based Ethiopian.

Walyas’ coach Sewnet Bishaw said he would not contact Zelalem personally.

“Unless he sends his application to the (Ethiopian Football) Federation, or calls one of the football officials or me, how can I bring him? I don’t even know his address,” he told Reuters.

“If he decides to play for Ethiopia and asks us, then things will be easy.”

Zelalem, currently sidelined through injury, impressed during Arsenal’s pre-season tour of Asia before he was named among the substitutes for the Premier League match against Fulham in August.

Arsenal fans have labelled him the “new Fabregas” after the Spaniard Cesc Fabregas who transferred from the Premier League club to Barcelona.

Rabiu Ibrahim Collapsed On The Pitch, Rushed To Hospital

Rabiu Ibrahim was rushed to hospital after collapsing on the pitch on Saturday.

Join us on Facebook and Twitter for more interaction over this.

The Kilmarnock FC midfielder collapsed after a collision with Ross County's Ivan Sproule in the 35th minute, and was subsequently stretchered off the pitch and rushed to a nearby hospital.

Kilmarnock went on to record their first win of the season as Scottish international striker Kris Boyd and Jackson Irvine scored in either half to seal the win for the hosts.

After enduring torrid spells at Sporting Lisbon, PSV Eindhoven and Celtic, Ibrahim's career has taken an upward trajectory since joining the modest club, as has featured in all the clubs ten League games played so far this season.

Kilmarnock are placed second from bottom in the 12-team Scottish Premiership.

(Kick off)

Arsenal and Chelsea win as Manchester United draw with Southampton at Saturday,

Arsenal opened up a two-point gap at the top of the Premier League after thrashing Norwich City at home as Manchester United stuttered again in their wobbling title defence.


Sunderland boss Gus Poyet endured an afternoon to forget in his first match in charge, while Steven Gerrard scored a landmark goal as Liverpool drew at Newcastle United.

Chelsea striker Samuel Eto'o finally got off the mark in a home win over Cardiff City, Everton edged past Hull City and Stoke City were held at home by West Bromwich Albion.

Arsenal claimed the outright lead in the Premier League as Mesut Ozil scored a second-half brace in a 4-1 win over Norwich at the Emirates Stadium.

Quick passing and clever improvisation brought Arsenal's opener on 18 minutes as Olivier Giroud and Jack Wilshere combined for the England midfielder to side-foot past John Ruddy.

Another excellent move led to Arsenal's second goal on 58 minutes when the leaders broke from outside their own penalty area before Giroud crossed for Ozil to head beyond Ruddy.

Norwich pulled a goal back with 20 minutes to go when Arsenal could only clear a cross to the edge of the box where Jonny Howson collected the ball and drilled a low shot past Wojciech Szczesny.

But any hope of an equaliser was snuffed out seven minutes from time when substitute Aaron Ramsey bamboozled two Norwich defenders before guiding his shot past Ruddy.

Ramsey was involved in Arsenal's fourth goal two minutes from the end when he laid Tomas Rosicky's cross back to Ozil to finish first time.

Manchester United's frustrating start to the season continued after Southampton scored a late equaliser to earn a deserved 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.

United went ahead on 26 minutes when Adnan Januzaj's superb pass sent Wayne Rooney through on goal. Rooney's shot was saved by Artur Boruc, but the ball bounced out to Robin van Persie and he skipped past the stranded Saints keeper before rolling his shot beyond a sliding defender.

Rooney struck the crossbar with a thumping volley moments later and Van Persie headed against the bar in the second half before Southampton snatched a deserved equaliser a minute from time.

A corner was curled in from the left which United failed to deal with and Dejan Lovren got some sort of touch before the ball trickled past David de Gea.

Cameroon striker Eto'o scored his first Chelsea goal and Eden Hazard notched a brace in a 4-1 home victory over promoted Cardiff.

Cardiff stunned Stamford Bridge after 10 minutes when David Luiz left Ramires' back-pass and Jordon Mutch nipped in to dink the ball over the exposed Petr Cech.

Chelsea equalised in controversial circumstances on 33 minutes when Eto'o kicked the ball away from David Marshall as the Cardiff keeper bounced it.

Hazard fed possession back to Eto'o and, after the former Barcelona forward had dithered six yards out, the ball broke to his Belgian team-mate to score.

Eto'o then finally broke his duck for Chelsea on 66 minutes as he controlled Hazard's pass before firing a low shot past Marshall.

Jose Mourinho's side put the game beyond Cardiff with two goals in four minutes as Oscar hammered a 25-yard effort beyond Marshall before the visiting keeper failed to keep out Hazard's low shot.

Liverpool captain Gerrard scored his 100th Premier League goal as his side twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with 10-man Newcastle United at St James' Park.

Newcastle took the lead midway through the first half when Yohan Cabaye's dipping shot from 35 yards bounced beyond Simon Mignolet's dive.

But Liverpool equalised three minutes before half-time when Gerrard scored from the penalty spot after Newcastle defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa was sent off for pulling back Luis Suarez.

Alan Pardew's side regained the lead on 56 minutes when substitute Paul Dummett took advantage of poor defending to side-foot home Cabaye's free-kick at the far post for his first Newcastle goal.

Liverpool hit back for a second time on 72 minutes when Daniel Sturridge headed home Luis Suarez's cross before the Uruguayan clipped the crossbar with a volley three minutes later.

Steven Pienaar made an instant impact as a substitute to hand Everton a 2-1 victory over Hull City at Goodison Park.

Everton enjoyed a flying start by taking the lead on eight minutes when Kevin Mirallas' low shot from outside the area crept inside the post.

Hull responded with the equaliser on the half-hour mark when Sone Aluko pulled the ball back from the right-hand side for Yannick Sagbo to slam home his first goal for the club.

The home side regained the lead on 57 minutes when Pienaar steered the ball home with his first touch from Mirallas' cross into the box.

Poyet suffered a miserable start to his Sunderland tenure as the recalled Phil Bardsley's own goal set Swansea on the way to a 4-0 win at the Liberty Stadium.

A flurry of three goals in seven minutes started on 57 minutes when Jonathan de Guzman's corner from the right was diverted past Sunderland keeper Keiren Westwood by defender Bardsley, who was making his first appearance of the season.

Within a minute, Swansea had taken a 2-0 lead as De Guzman received the ball 25 yards from goal and curled a brilliant shot beyond the reach of Westwood.

And on 64 minutes, Swansea had a third goal to celebrate when Wilfried Bony scored from the penalty spot after Leon Britton had been fouled by Craig Gardner.

Swansea made Poyet's afternoon even worse 10 minutes from time when Chico Flores' header from another De Guzman corner bounced past Westwood off Sunderland striker Steven Fletcher.

Stephane Sessegnon missed golden opportunities in each half as West Brom drew 0-0 with Stoke at the Britannia Stadium.

(Sky Sports)