Thursday, January 31, 2013

Misfiring Germans frustrate Low

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Misfiring Germans frustrate Low

Germany coach Joachim Low has admitted that his team are misfiring and struggling to finish their chances despite winning both their opening 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ qualifiers.

Loew's team opened their Brazil 2014 campaign with a 3-0 win over minnows Faroe Islands in Hanover a week ago followed by Tuesday's 2-1 win over Austria in Vienna. However, they failed to finish a string of chances in both and Loew admits his team are not playing with the same fluidity and confidence they exuded in winning all ten of their UEFA EURO 2012 qualifiers.

"We are lacking some ease and calm in our game, not everything is working well," he told German daily Bild. "We need to stabilise our game. Sometimes it's good when the deficits are obvious, then we know which areas we have specifically to focus on. We need to do some work on the basics again and that is the phase we are currently in."

Germany face the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on 12 October, without captain Philipp Lahm who is suspended, then Sweden in Berlin four days. After six years in charge of the national team, Low has come in for criticism since his team were knocked out of EURO 2012 in June after losing 2-1 to Italy in the semi-finals.

"I do not think it is unreasonable that we are now being looked at more critically," he said. "So be it, we all have to deal with that, including the trainer, the expectations on us are now extremely high, but we will not be swayed - we need to keep moving forwards," said Low. "Since 2008, we have won 20 out of our 22 high quality games, it can't be that we are as bad as is now being suggested in some quarters."

After Low's Germany shone at the 2010 FIFA World Cup with some eye-catching attacking football to finish third, beating both England and Argentina en route to the last four, the coach says his team has now plateaued. "We took giant strides in the first six years, but the steps we are taking now near the top can't be as great. We are now at the level were you can't afford to make mistakes," he said.


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Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Bosnia cruise past Latvia

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Bosnia cruise past Latvia

Zvjezdan Misimovic struck twice as Bosnia-Herzegovina came from behind to maintain their 100 per cent start to their FIFA World Cup™ qualifying campaign.

The Dinamo Moscow midfielder proved the central figure in a spirited fightback as Latvia initially threatened to pull off a shock in Zenica. It was they who took a fourth-minute lead when Kaspars Gorkss stabbed Oskars Klava's corner home from six yards, but the visitors' joy was short-lived.

Misimovic levelled from the penalty spot within seven minutes after Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko has been fouled by Ritus Krjauklis. 

Dzeko passed up a glorious opportunity to put his side ahead for the first time two minutes before the break when Latvia goalkeeper Andris Vanins blocked his close-range effort.

However, they did take the lead seconds later when Roma's Miralem Pjanic converted the City striker's pass from 12 yards.

Misimovic claimed his second goal of the game nine minutes after the restart when he made the most of Pjanic's pass from similar range, and although Dzeko was denied by a post with 15 minutes remaining, he cemented the win in injury time when he finished right-footed from the left side of the penalty area to cap a good night's work.


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Sunday, January 27, 2013

Soldado spares Spanish blushes

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Soldado spares Spanish blushes

Reigning world and European champions Spain needed an 86th-minute strike from Roberto Soldado to beat Georgia 1-0 in their opening Group I qualifier for the 2014 FIFA World Cup™.

It looked set to be a frustrating start to La Roja's bid to make it to the finals in Brazil, as a wall of Georgian defenders repelled wave after wave of attack and the hosts even initially overcame the loss of goalkeeper Giorgi Loria to injury in the second half.

But then the visitors played a corner short to substitute Cesc Fabregas, whose low centre was swept home by Soldado. It was the perfect riposte from the Valencia striker, who was not included in Vicente del Bosque's squad for UEFA EURO 2012, to the surprise of many at the time.

The win maintains Spain's unbeaten run in competitive matches stretching back to their 1-0 loss to Switzerland in their opening game at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

However, this was so very nearly a huge anti-climax for a Spain side that cruised to the finals of the European Championship by winning every qualifier. The pattern of the game was like so many involving Spain in recent times, with Georgia sometimes having all 11 players back behind the ball as the visitors camped in the final third.

They had chances, with David Silva crashing a left-foot shot off the woodwork following Xavi Hernandez's lay-off just before the half-hour mark. Soon after, a Xavi effort from 25 yards was tipped over the bar by Loria, before the Barcelona playmaker found Soldado, who was denied by the Dinamo Tbilisi 'keeper.

With the scores still goalless, there was always a threat that Georgia could steal the lead with a moment of magic, and they nearly did just that early in the second half when defender Aleksandr Amisulashvili curled a shot off Iker Casillas' right-hand post.

But that was a rare moment of respite, and Georgia looked in trouble when, after a stoppage of several minutes for treatment, Loria had to be replaced.

His place was taken by Roin Kvaskhvadze, who was winning his first cap. It proved to be quite a baptism of fire for the 23-year-old, who held on for 13 minutes until Soldado finally struck to silence the home fans in a 56,000 sell-out crowd.


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Thursday, January 24, 2013

Ronaldo, Bebeto thank volunteers

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There is certainly no shortage of people wanting to join a side that features Bebeto and Ronaldo leading the line. In their roles as members of the Management Board of 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ Organising Committee (LOC), the former superstar strikers were among the first to offer their time and experience towards helping carry out the tournament in two years’ time. What's more, back in August this year, they asked the world to join them in pulling on a volunteer’s jersey, and the world listened.

“I want to give a really special thanks to the over 130,000 people from Brazil and abroad who applied for the Volunteer Programme,” said Ronaldo. “We’re always talking about how proud we’re going to be in 2014, but there are several achievements that we can already be proud of. This record is certainly one of the greatest of those, as it demonstrates people’s commitment and enthusiasm towards the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.”

In the video above, O Fenômeno and fellow Seleção legend Bebeto highlight some of the main characteristics of Brazil and its people, as well as toying with a phrase that has really caught on in Brazil: “Just imagine during the World Cup.”

“The [Brazilian] population are like supporters, who when they demand results are only doing their duty,” said Bebeto. “That needs to continue, but I also believe that now’s the time to get behind the team and to play together. If during an application period of just one month we received enough people to fill the Mineirao and Castelao stadiums, all of whom are willing to work for 20 days simply in order to contribute and take part, just imagine how many people will get involved during the World Cup.”

The thank-you video recorded by Ronaldo and Bebeto will be sent via email to all 130,919 registered applicants to the Volunteer Programme, which includes the FIFA Confederations Cup 2013, the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the respective draws. In 2013 the forecast is for 7,000 volunteers to be required, with 15,000 the figure come 2014. From November onwards, the LOC will get in touch with those applicants who registered for the FIFA Confederations Cup.


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Monday, January 21, 2013

Kaka gave the callback to the Brazil

Kaka handed Brazil recall

Forgotten midfielder star Kaka, who has not played international football since the 2010 ™ FIFA World Cup, was recalled to the team of Brazil Thursday.

The 30 years old player FIFA of the year has been included in a group of 23 players for sparring back-to-back next month against the Iraq and the Japan who played last in the District 2-1-final defeat against the Netherlands in the final of the cup of the world 2010 in South Africa.

"It is important to have players with experience," said coach Mano Menezes, who insisted that Kaka will be among the 'leaders' of a young Brazilian team that built to the 2014 Finals which it will host.

Real Madrid Kaka star is called into the national team for friendlies against Gabon and the Egypt in October 2011, but he was forced to withdraw due to injury.

Roma defender Leandro Castan received a first order while there are lot of young striker Neymar Santos in flair, Internacional Leandro Damião as midfielder Oscar of Chelsea and Lucas who plays for Sao Paulo's.

The Brazil for international friends team against Iraq in Malmö (Sweden) on 11 October and against the Japan in Wroclaw, Poland, October 16:

The Brazil team
Goalkeepers:
Diego Alves (Valencia/ESP), Jefferson (Botafogo), Victor (Atlético)

Defenders: Adriano (Barcelona/ESP), Alex Sandro (Porto/POR), Daniel Alves (Barcelona/ESP), Marcelo (Real Madrid/ESP), David Luiz (Chelsea/ENG), Dede (Vasco), Leandro Castan (Roma/ITA), Thiago Silva (PSG/FRA)

Midfielders: Fernando (Gremio), Giuliano (Dnipro/UKR), Kaka (Real Madrid/ESP), Lucas (Sao Paulo), Oscar (Chelsea/ENG), Paulinho (Corinthians), Ramires (Chelsea/ENG), Sandro (Tottenham/ENG), Thiago Neves (Fluminense)

Front: Hulk (Zenit/RUS), Neymar (Santos), Leandro Damião (Internacional)


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Saturday, January 19, 2013

Shaqiri, Inler supply Swiss victory

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Shaqiri, Inler supply Swiss victory

Switzerland continued their winning start to the FIFA World Cup™ qualifying campaign with a routine victory over Albania in Lucerne.

After an impressive 2-0 win in Slovenia in their opening Group E fixture on Friday, Ottmar Hitzfeld's side were again on song this evening as goals from Xherdan Shaqiri and Gokhan Inler took the Swiss to top spot. Defeat for Albania leaves them still on three points after they opened up with a 3-1 win over Cyprus prior to the weekend.

Albania served notice of their intention to take their game to their opponents in the 18th minute when Alban Meha forced Diego Benaglio into action with a shot from distance.

But the visitors were rocked back on their heels in the 22nd minute when Granit Xhaka centred the ball from the right and Shaqiri took possession before lashing the ball low into the net from the edge of the area.

The hosts almost made it two four minutes later when Johan Djourou's header from Shaqiri's free-kick was blocked by Samir Ujkani, but within seconds Albania threatened again as Ervin Bulku's powerful volley was punched clear by Benaglio.

The hosts looked the side most likely to add to the scoring, however, and midway through the second half Shaqiri's well-hit shot was kept at bay by Ujkani.

Switzerland added their second goal in the 69th minute after Valentin Stocker was brought down by Andi Lila in the area. Inler stepped up to take the penalty, stroking the ball confidently into the bottom-right corner to secure the points for the home side.


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Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Belgium, Croatia share spoils

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Belgium, Croatia share spoils

Guillame Gillet claimed the equaliser as Belgium were forced to settle for a draw in their FIFA World Cup™ qualifying Group A clash with Croatia in Brussels.

The star-studded hosts were grateful for Gillet's effort on the stroke of half-time after Ivan Perisic struck for the visitors after just six minutes. The result ensured both sides maintained their unbeaten starts but Belgium may be the more disappointed after failing to make the most of opportunities to kill off one of their chief rivals.

Croatia goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa was kept busy throughout, particularly by the influential Dries Mertens, whose delivery from wide was dangerous. Pletikosa was first in action after four minutes when he kept out an effort from Zenit St Petersburg's £32m man Axel Witsel.

Croatia went ahead soon after when Perisic struck with a low shot from inside the area. Belgium tried to respond with Mertens getting forward but Pletikosa pushed away one ball in and came out to claim another.

Christian Benteke shot over and Witsel also headed above the bar in the closing minutes of the first half. Their equaliser came in injury time as Gillet tried his luck from distance and beat Pletikosa.

The goalkeeper was then in action again early in the second half to keep out a Benteke shot and to punch away a Mertens corner.

Witsel also went close before Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was tested at the other end by a Darijo Srna free-kick. Belgium substitute Kevin Mirallas, the Everton striker, had a late chance for a winner but shot over.


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Monday, January 14, 2013

Called to the qualifiers for Agüero

Aguero called up for qualifiers

Sergio Aguero and Pablo Zabaleta were called by boss Argentina Alejandro Sabella to FIFA next month 2014 World Cup qualifiers-, but there was no room for Manchester City team-mate Carlos Tevez.

Aguero, who did not face to the Paraguay or the Peru, in the last round of games due to a knee injury, is expected to play the Uruguay at home on 12 October and the Chile four days later.

Tevez missing, with Palmeiras striker Hernan Barcos preferred by Sabella.

Fabricio Coloccini Newcastle Defender, midfielder Lucas Biglia Anderlecht and Inter Milan before Rodrigo Palacio drop out of the squad.

Next week, the former coach of Estudiantes will add to the list with a number of players who play a role in the Argentine Torneo Inicial.

First round of the Argentina
Goalkeepers:
Mariano Andujar (Catania/Italy), Sergio Romero (Sampdoria/Italy)

Defenders: Hugo Campagnaro (Napoli/Italy), Federico Fernandez (Napoli/Italy), Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City/England), Ezequiel Garay (Benfica, Portugal), Marcos Rojo (Sporting Lisbon/Portugal)

Midfielders: Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid/Spain), Fernando Gago (Valencia/Spain), Javier Mascherano (Barcelona/Spain), Enzo Perez Benfica (Portugal), Jose Sosa (Metalist Kharkov/Ukraine), Pablo Guiñazú (Internacional/Brazil)

Front: Lionel Messi (Barcelona/Spain), Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid/Spain), Sergio Agüero (Manchester City/England), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Paris St Germain/France), Hernan Barcos (Palmeiras/Brazil)


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Friday, January 11, 2013

Powerhouses make steady progress

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Powerhouses make steady progress

Spain, 1-0 winners in Georgia, and Germany, who won 2-1 in Austria, were both forced to work hard for their points during Tuesday’s 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ qualifiers, while England had to make do with a 1-1 draw at home to Ukraine. The Netherlands, meanwhile, continued their return to form with a resounding 4-1 victory in Hungary.

FIFA.com
provides a rundown of the second round of matches from the European Zone qualifying campaign, on a night when just five teams proved capable of collecting three points away from home.

The big match
England 1-1 Ukraine, Wembley Stadium, London
Goals: Frank Lampard 87 pen (England); Yevhen Konoplyanka 38 (Ukraine)
Struck by numerous injury-enforced absences, England dug deep to rescue a point via the penalty spot with just three minutes remaining of normal time. In a game where the makeshift English defence struggled to form a cohesive unit and was often guilty of clumsy clearances, Ukraine’s goal stemmed from a loose ball in the English half that was quickly transferred to Yevhen Konoplyanka, who found himself unmarked as he drove towards the box.

The midfielder had all the time in the world to cut inside and unleash a long-range curling shot that flew into the top corner of the net. The Three Lions pushed hard for an equaliser, simultaneously leaving themselves open to counter-attacks, but a well-positioned Tom Cleverley missed two excellent opportunities to draw his side level, hitting the post with his second effort. Roy Hodgson’s men never gave up, however, and Lampard’s late spot kick earned them a deserved share of the spoils.

The other games
Group A
Scotland 1-1 FYR Macedonia
Serbia 6-1 Wales
Belgium 1-1 Croatia
Serbia put six goals past a shaky Welsh defence to move to the top of Group A in the company of Belgium and Croatia, who could not be separated in Brussels. Ivan Perisic gave the Croatians the lead just six minutes into the match, silencing the expectant fans at Stade Roi Baudouin, whose frustration grew as the away defence – expertly marshalled by Josip Simunic – repelled the Belgian attacks. It required a fine volley from Guillaume Gillet just before the break to bring Les Diables Rouges back into the match.

In the section’s remaining fixture, Scotland did themselves no favours with a draw at home to Macedonia.

Group B
Italy 2-0 Malta
Bulgaria 1-0 Armenia
Italy’s fans would be forgiven for being a little concerned this evening, as their heroes were made to wait until stoppage time to finally double Mattia Destro’s early strike through an own goal by Andrew Cohen. Although Malta made things awkward for Gli Azzurri throughout the match, the Italians’ poor finishing and heavy rainfall also contributed to the lack of home goals.

Bulgaria, impressive in their opening game on Friday, made do with a tight 1-0 win over Armenia.

Group C
Sweden 2-0 Kazakhstan
Austria 1-2 Germany
Picking up a victory in Austria is traditionally a tricky task, and the Germans again experienced this phenomenon on Tuesday evening. It nevertheless appeared as if they had the points safely in the bag early in the second half, having scored twice through Marco Reus and Mesut Ozil.

It was at this point that Marcel Koller’s charges appeared to come to life, reducing the deficit five minutes later via a Zlatko Junuzovic shot. Two minutes from the final whistle, Marko Arnautovic shot wide in front of an open goal, thereby failing to deliver what would have been a merited Austrian leveller.

Sweden, meanwhile, started out their qualifying campaign with an unspectacular 2-0 success versus Kazakhstan, Rasmus Elm and Marcus Berg grabbing the goals.

Group D
Romania 4-0 Andorra
Hungary 1-4 Netherlands
Turkey 3-0 Estonia
The changes that Louis van Gaal has made to the Oranje are visibly starting to pay dividends, as demonstrated by the impressive team display in their 4-1 win in Hungary. Jeremain Lens scored a brace and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, who replaced Robin van Persie at half-time, was also on the scoresheet.

Romania chalked up their second triumph in five days, comfortably seeing off Andorra 4-0, albeit with two goals coming in injury time. Turkey confirmed that they will be a force to be reckoned with in this section, defeating Estonia 3-0.

Group E
Norway 2-1 Slovenia
Cyprus 1-0 Iceland
Switzerland 2-0 Albania
Xherdan Shaqiri and Gokhan Inler were the architects of Switzerland’s victory over Albania, who put in a solid performance despite the loss. Norway picked up three precious points at home to Slovenia, their winner coming courtesy of a John Arne Riise penalty in the fourth minute of injury time. The result sees the Slovenians prop up the group with two defeats from their opening two encounters.

Group F
Northern Ireland 1-1 Luxembourg
Israel 0-4 Russia
Portugal 3-0 Azerbaijan
Portugal made their fans wait against Azerbaijan, only netting the reassuring second and third goals of their 3-0 win in the final five minutes of a match in which Cristiano Ronaldo picked up a yellow card.

Conversely, Fabio Capello’s winning mentality is already beginning to have an effect on the Russians, who strolled to an easy victory in Israel, scoring two goals in each half and enjoying the lion’s share of possession. After their initial 2-0 success versus Northern Ireland, Russia now appear to have a serious chance of beating pool favourites Portugal to top spot. The two sides meet on 12 October.

In the group’s other match, Luxembourg secured a noteworthy draw in Belfast.

Group G
Bosnia-Herzegovina 4-1 Latvia
Slovakia 2-0 Liechtenstein
Greece 2-0 Lithuania
A ruthless Bosnia-Herzegovina side recorded a second high-scoring win in a row, with Latvia fulfilling the role of unfortunate victims this time around. Greece and Slovakia both registered solid successes over Lithuania and Liechtenstein respectively.

Group H
England 1-1 Ukraine
San Marino 0-6 Montenegro
Poland 2-0 Moldova
Montenegro pulled off the most prolific result of the night, with braces from Fatos Beciraj and Andrija Delibasic helping to overcome San Marino. The Montenegrins consequently move up to first place in the pool, above Poland – 2-0 winners against Moldova – on goal difference.

Group I
France 3-1 Belarus
Georgia 0-1 Spain
In an extremely one-sided encounter, world champions Spain got their campaign off to a laborious start in Georgia. The Spaniards were unable to find a way past the compact 4-5-1 implemented by opposing coach Temur Ketsbaia until the 86th minute, when a Cesc Fabregas cross found Roberto Soldado for a well-placed winner.

France, inspired by an impressive Franck Ribery, overcame a previous thorn in their side in the shape of Belarus, and have now positioned themselves as La Roja’s main rivals for top spot.

The player 
Former Romania U-21 captain Gabriel Torje, once considered one of the most promising players ever produced by his country, is now in the process of living up to previous expectations. The diminutive winger has been on sparkling form over the last few days, scoring first against Estonia on Friday and then again versus Andorra on Tuesday. Under contract at Udinese but currently on loan at Grenada, he has attracted the interest of various clubs around Europe.

The goal
Israel 0-3 Russia, Alexander Kerzhakov 64
Having already opened the scoring in the seventh minute, Alexander Kerzhakov was again on hand to notch the third goal of his team’s 4-0 win in the second half, knocking home a perfectly weighted cross from Victor Fayzulin. The 29-year-old Zenit St. Petersburg striker has been on fine form since the Capello's arrival at the helm.

The stat 
9 – The number of matches without defeat that England have recorded under Roy Hodgson since his appointment as manager in May. The former Liverpool supremo has overseen six victories and three draws (against France, Italy and Ukraine), during which his charges have scored 15 goals and conceded five.

Have your say
Could Bosnia-Herzegovina end up as the surprise package of this European qualifying campaign?


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Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Del Bosque: Georgia were not easy

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Del Bosque: Georgia were not easy

Spain manager Vicente Del Bosque believes his side's hard-fought 1-0 victory in Georgia is just another example of how the difference in quality between sides at international level is decreasing.

The world champions had to wait until the 86th minute to make the breakthrough when Roberto Soldado swept home Cesc Fabregas' cross and Del Bosque claimed that having studied Georgia, he wasn't surprised how difficult Temuri Ketsbaia's men were to beat.

He told the Spanish Football Federation's website: "I want to congratulate Georgia for their extraordinary performance. They put us in a lot of difficulty with their enthusiasm and their ability to defend all our attacks through both the centre and the wings.

"In this sense, it was not an easy match and they made it difficult for us, but we won three important points. We knew they would be organised, defend well and that they have options up front with strength that we had to be careful of. It wasn't through courtesy that I spoke about them being a strong rival beforehand.

"The differences in football are getting smaller every day. We have to play a qualification campaign and we can't think about anything other than just qualifying."

Del Bosque did manage to make a telling contribution with his substitutions, though, as he kept faith with Soldado while also introducing Fabregas and Pedro, who combined to set up the Valencia striker for the winner. "We had various options to try and break down their defence and it is true that Cesc and Pedro moved well between the lines, with intelligence, and in the end found the gap," he said.

Soldado, meanwhile, was delighted to have made the most of a rare start in the national team and to have scored the winner after missing one of Spain's only previous clear-cut chances just before half-time.

"The important thing is the victory, that is what we were looking for and thanks to God I was able to score the goal that has given us three points," Soldado said. "It is important to begin the qualification towards the World Cup in Brazil like this.

"It was difficult, especially to find spaces. The team was very quick in our circulation of the ball but they almost never moved, they were like a wall and never left their area. I had already missed one earlier and I hadn't forgotten about it so it was important to find another chance to score the goal that we were all looking for."


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Sunday, January 6, 2013

England to play Brazil and Ireland in 2013

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England to play Brazil and Ireland in 2013

England will play friendlies against Brazil and the Republic of Ireland in 2013 as a way of launching the Football Association's 150th anniversary, the national governing body announced on Wednesday.

Five-time FIFA World Cup™ winners Brazil will visit Wembley in February as part of a two-match arrangement that sees England heading to South America for a brief tour in June.

Prior to that trip, England will play the Republic of Ireland, also at Wembley, for the first time since their infamous fixture in 1995 was abandoned after a riot by England fans at Dublin's Lansdowne Road.

Brazil are always a big draw card and the 6 February clash is given added relevance by the fact the South Americans, beaten finalists in the recent men's Olympic Final in London, are staging the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Meanwhile officials will hope for a big crowd for what will be the Republic's first match at Wembley since 1991, with travelling fans only having to make a relatively short journey and a large expatriate community already in London.

News of these fixtures come after the FA announced their 150th anniversary would also feature a match in August between England and Scotland -- international football's oldest clash.

Club England managing director Adrian Bevington said: "We're delighted Brazil will kick-off the FA's 150th anniversary celebrations at Wembley.

"2013 is a landmark year for The FA and an exciting England fixture programme in addition to Wembley hosting the UEFA Champions League Final will form a key part of the celebrations.

"As the most successful footballing nation, with great players and supporters, it will be fantastic to launch this important year in English football's history against such outstanding opponents as Brazil.

"We also look forward to hosting Republic of Ireland and Scotland at Wembley next year. These matches are sure to evoke great passion among supporters."

Meanwhile Bevington added the matches in South America would form a part of England's plans for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, a tournament for which they have still to qualify.

"We have been planning the fixtures in Brazil for over a year, as a key part of our preparation for 2014, subject to qualification," he said.

"Our players do not have any experience of playing in South America and it will undoubtedly be beneficial for the team to travel and play in Brazil, a year ahead of the World Cup. We negotiated our qualifying schedule with a specific view to allowing this.

"While in Brazil, The FA and England squad will play an active role in developing and supporting a charity programme both in advance of and during the summer of 2013 and 2014."


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Thursday, January 3, 2013

Montenegro put six past San Marino

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Montenegro put six past San Marino

Montenegro hit San Marino for six in a predictably one-sided 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil qualifier tonight.

Two goals each from Fatos Beqiraj and substitute Andrija Delibasic and one each from Luka Djordjevic and another substitute, Elsad Zverotic, sealed a comprehensive win for the visitors.

The win continued Montenegro's unbeaten start to Group H, giving them four points from their opening two games.

Djordjevic opened the scoring in the 24th minute, finishing from close range after Aldo Simoncini had parried Stevan Jovetic's shot.

Beqiraj made it two two minutes later when a low shot from inside the area and added a third seven minutes after the break with another accurate effort.

Zverotic drilled home number four from 25 yards in the 69th minute and, as Montenegro continued to look for more goals, Delibasic converted the rebound after Simoncini had kept out a Dejan Damjanovic shot.

Delibasic scored again in the 82nd minute from Filip Kasalica's left-wing cross to complete an emphatic win.


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