Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Lesotho Soccer: Inspired Paraguay reaches quarterfinals

Lesotho Soccer World Cup News:

Image from latimes.com
World Cup: Inspired Paraguay reaches quarterfinals
source: Kevin Baxter | latimes.com

With an effort dedicated to teammate Salvador Cabanas, who was shot in the head in January, Paraguay defeats Japan on penalty kicks to get past the second round for the first time.

Reporting from Pretoria, South Africa — Physically, Salvador Cabanas was half a world away when Edgar Barreto prepared to take the penalty shot that would help decide Paraguay's World Cup future.

Spiritually, however, Barreto said he felt like his former teammate was standing right behind him. "His spirit is with the team," Barreto said. "He's always close to us."

Cabanas should have been on the field Tuesday as Paraguay, which defeated Japan, 5-3, on penalty kicks after a 0-0 draw, moved into the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in its history. Instead he was in South America, recuperating from a near-fatal shooting that left him with a bullet in his head.

 Gone, perhaps, but certainly not forgotten.

"Before we go out to train or whatever, we think of him. We know that he's over there but we know he's supporting us," Paraguay striker Edgar Benitez said.

Which is why Cabanas' ex-teammates are doing what they can to support him. Knowing they were guaranteed only three games in South Africa, the Paraguayans dedicated their first-round matches to Cabanas.

They went on to win their group, eliminating the defending tournament champions from Italy along the way. "We called him in his room," midfielder Cristian Riveros said. "We sent him a big hug."

Then came Tuesday, when Paraguay battled Japan through 120 scoreless minutes, setting up a penalty-kick shootout to determine which team would move on. Japan was the strongest team in the tournament on free kicks. Paraguay, with three goals, was the lowest-scoring group winner in the World Cup.

Yet it was Japan that flinched when Yuichi Komano's shot in the third round struck the crossbar. When Nelson Valdez and Oscar Cardozo followed by burying their attempts, Paraguay's improbable run continued.

"We've dedicated this to him," said Barreto, who set the tone for the shootout by beating Japanese keeper Eiji Kawashima with the first shot.

It's unlikely any of this happens without Cabanas, whose six goals in World Cup qualifying led the team and made Paraguay the second South American team to clinch a berth in the tournament.

Then came the morning of Jan. 25 when Cabanas, in Mexico City to play for his club team, walked into restroom on his way out of a trendy nightclub in an upscale neighborhood. Continue reading here...

Related Article(s) Maseru.Lesotho Soccer World Cup:
Paraguay eliminates Japan.

Villa's top of the world; Ronaldo out of World Cup

Lesotho Soccer World Cup News:

Villa's top of the world; Ronaldo out of World Cup
By RAF CASERT (AP)

CAPE TOWN, South Africa — Move over Cristiano Ronaldo, and make room for David Villa as Iberia's biggest football star.

While 2008 world player of the year Ronaldo was again subdued as Portugal was eliminated from the World Cup, Villa scored his fourth goal of the competition for a 1-0 win that took Spain into the quarterfinals. Villa moved to the top of the tournament scoring charts with Gonzalo Higuain and Robert Vittek.

"David Villa is on fire, which is really good news for us," Spain defender Gerard Pique said.

Villa showed the sort of scoring touch against Portugal that Ronaldo has been lacking for his national team.

First shooting with his left foot to force goalkeeper Eduardo to make a save, he followed up by knocking in the rebound with his right foot for a 63rd-minute winner.

Ronaldo was billed as one of the top stars coming into the tournament in South Africa, but left much as England's Wayne Rooney did: with bitter disappointment. He did not speak to reporters after the match, but vented his frustration on his agent's website.

"I feel devastated, completely brokenhearted, frustrated and unimaginably sad," Ronaldo said. "I know I'm the captain, I have always faced up to my responsibilities, and I always will."

Villa has no such regrets. Everything is on the upswing for him.

Even before coming to South Africa, Villa already had made his big club move from Valencia to Barcelona. It allowed him to fully concentrate on what he does best: score goals.

And with seven World Cup goals overall, the 28-year old is Spain's best ever at the tournament.

There is only one key to Villa's success.

"To keep scoring," Villa said. "It was one of my best goals because it got us through to the next round. Keep scoring so we can keep going."

The score left Villa with 42 goals in 62 games, just two short of the 44 in 102 racked up by Raul Gonzalez, Spain's icon in the game.

On top of scoring, Villa was a constant threat on the left wing, continuing to threaten Portugal with surging runs and powerful shots.

Half an hour after the game at Green Point Stadium, hundreds of Spanish fans were still singing Villa's praises.

How different the fortunes of Ronaldo have been. Not that he lacked support among the 62,955 fans at the stadium.

One banner read "Marry me Ronaldo." Three girls each had a portion of a banner: "Ro" "Nal" and "Do." Others were Portuguese jerseys with Ronaldo's photo printed on the front.

It also displayed Ronaldo's predicament. When Villa has an off day, there is Andres Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez or Fernando Torres to take charge.

Tuesday's loss showed that during the biggest games, Portugal still relies too heavily on Ronaldo. And the Real Madrid forward sometimes has trouble dealing with it.

Right before the opening whistle, Ronaldo pleaded to the heavens with outstretched arms, seemingly begging to make his mark on a huge game. It didn't work.

Villa turns it on when it matters — three goals at the 2006 World Cup, top scorer with four goals at Euro 2008, and four already here.

Ronaldo scored one penalty kick in 2006, one goal at Euro 2008 and one goal in South Africa.

When he came to Real Madrid from Manchester United as the world's most expensive player at $114 million, just showing up for the fan presentation filled Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

He was supposed to end a title drought for Real Madrid and get it into the Champions League final that his club hosted. He failed on those counts despite scoring 26 goals in 29 matches in his debut season.

And in the high-stakes rivalry with Barcelona, he will be facing a surging Villa next season. Perhaps Villa also will have a piece of the biggest soccer trophy of them all.

source: Google.com | AP

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Japanese praise Blue Samurai for World Cup quest

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stewied
TOKYO: Disappointed Japanese fans heaped praise on their national football team early on Thursday despite the loss to Paraguay in the first penalty shoot-out of World Cup 2010.

Supporters in Tokyo screamed in despair when Japan's Yuichi Komano hit the crossbar with his penalty kick after extra time failed to produce a result.

Asia's final hope of reaching the World Cup quarter-finals was dashed as Paraguay's Oscar Cardozo scored the decisive spot-kick in Pretoria.

Some female fans wept as others crouched in both disappointment and fatigue at a Tokyo cafe run by former star striker Hidetoshi Nakata.

"I cannot take this," Akira Hayashi said at the cafe, where groans of dismay echoed as television footage showed the Paraguay team celebrate.

"But they really did their best," said the 22-year-old. "They really showed the Japanese spirit."

Taiki Nakazawa, 21, said: "They fought to the very last minute. Just an inch short in the penalty kick. Paraguay was only slightly stronger than us."

"Of course, it would have been better if they had won," Yamato Suekuni, 19, said. "But they really were impressive."

The streets of Shibuya, the buzzing centre of Japanese youth culture in Tokyo, were flooded by dejected fans, despite the late hour after a game that kicked off at 11pm local time. Continue reading here...

Related Article(s) Lesotho Soccer World Cup:
Paraguay eliminates Japan.

The worst three technical fouls you will ever see called: How could Joey Crawford referee one 2010 NBA Finals Game?


Technical Fouls

1st T - Kendrick Perkins was called for essentially a nudge against Gortat when he interferes with him helping out his own player. And if the NBA is going to have a seven technical fouls and you miss a game rule then that type of junk simply should not be called. 

2nd T - Kendrick Perkins does not commit a personal foul. At least you cannot call that if you're not willing to call the first foul on Dwight Howard. He walks away and Eddie Rush ejects him from the game.

3rd T - Rajon Rondo is calmly pleading his case to another official. Joey Crawford comes in and goes ballistic on him. HE WOULD NEVER TREAT KOBE BRYANT THAT WAY. Rondo says something while walking away, something like 'Call the foul (not profanity) and Joey Crawford gives him a technical. And this is not a preseason basketball game. This is Game 5 of the 2010 Conference Finals.

These guys clearly treated the Celtics with contempt. But that matters not. David Stern had no problem using Joey Crawford in the biggest NBA Finals games (1,5,7) and inserting Eddie F Rush into Game 4 of the Finals. And you can see here for yourself the follow up performance (below). Don't ask me what the F stands for. You don't want to know. Oh wait, you already do know.


And do you wonder what Crawford was doing when he was not screwing over the Celtics? He was busy being the Lakers sixth man just like he was in the Finals.


DESPICABLE! A real league would not even have permitted them to officiate in the biggest games of the year. But in the NBA, not only is that not punished. It is rewarded. I am quite close to renouncing my NBA fanship. As it is, I will not be giving those punks a dime in ticket sales any time soon.

Joey Crawford had no business officiating any of those NBA Finals games let alone the three biggest games. There is just absolutely no excuse for that. It is unfair and I'm calling it now. When the time comes that Doc Rivers and Danny Ainge write their memoirs, they will say nothing less than that.


2010 NBA Finals Game 4 Interficiating (Officiatiating) - Article 4 of 7

It bares repeating at every corner. David Stern's boy, the lead interficial, Joey Crawford was the Lakers sixth man for Game 1,5, and 7. He was the interficial for all of the pivotal games and naturally the Lakers won two of those three games in the series.

But the 2010 NBA Finals goes beyond Joey Crawford. Stern handpicked his interficials for every game. The terrible officiating that you see in Game 4, went on all series long! It was f'd up. And I am not going to say for a lack of a better term. I'm calling it the perfect term. It was straight-up an f'd up series and I have used all types of formal (street) terms to describe the officiating because there is just absolutely no need to put any sort of window dressing on it. It was despicable officiating if you want the polite way of saying it.

So here it is, article 4 of 7. The officiating was terrible against the Boston Celtics in every single game. Game 4 was the norm and not the exception.

Lesotho Soccer: Paraguay eliminates Japan in a penalty shoot-out.

Maseru.Lesotho Soccer World Cup Latest Matches Result.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alex-s
 Spain 1:0 Portugal
Spain booked a quarter-final date with Paraguay by beating Portugal 1-0 in Cape Town, a 63rd-minute David Villa goal proving the difference between the two sides.Highlights

Paraguay 0(5):0(3) Japan
Paraguay reached the FIFA World Cup™ quarter-finals for the first time as they edged Japan 5-3 in a penalty shoot-out after a drab goalless draw in Pretoria.Highlights

Related Article(s) Maseru.Lesotho Soccer World Cup:
Brazil marched to the Quarter-finals.

The host was The Most

Forget Mike Tirico, Scott Van Pelt, Bob Lee, Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Guny or any other mothership announcer and/or commentator that is too timid to call sports the right way. Johnny always told it how it was and with a passion. If you don't have the passion you need to get out of the biz.



Lesotho Soccer: Germany have what it takes to beat Argentina - Sami Khedira.

According to Stefan Coerts of GOAL.COM:

Germany are considered to be one of the favourites to win the 2010 World Cup  following their impressive 4-1 win against rivals England in the round of 16 match last weekend and midfielder Sami Khedira is confident that Die Mannschaft have what it takes to beat Argentina  in the quarter-finals.

"We are full of confidence at the moment. Even against Argentina, we believe in our own strengths. We are convinced that we're capable of beating those opponents, too," Khedira was quoted as saying on the official Stuttgart website.

The holding midfielder also took the time to praise team-mate and fellow midfield maestro Bastian Schweinsteiger.

"Bastian is a true leader who does a lot of talking, has a very positive influence on the players around him and is willing to take on the responsibility in critical situations. He always wants to have the ball, even during difficult phases. We complement each other very well on the pitch."

Germany lock horns with Argentina on Saturday for a spot in the semi-finals. The Germans have a 47 per cent chance of beating the South Americans, according to Castrol Football's 2010 FIFA World Cup Match Predictor.


Related Article(s) Maseru.Lesotho Soccer World.Cup:
Germany Eliminates England.
Watch World Cup Live.

Mario Coloring Pages Collection 2010




Playing games is one activity that is very expensive. Gamers lot of wasting time, money and energy to their desires on this one. Try asking them to play Ragnarok Online, or DotA all star or whatever it is ...

Most of them even to abandon their work, school, relationships, and often their personal hygiene. Money not spent too little investment. There is to provide High Definition TV, the latest consoles, and many more. Feasible if all the money that was spent on these? There are reasons that encourage Gamers to do these things. These are those reasons ...

# 11: Childhood Dream
Every person has chosen a career while still a child. But over time many of the dream that started to happen. Many children who want to become a professional athlete, a super hero, secret agents, and renowned musicians. In the real world these expectations will not be achieved by people who incidentally mediocre. This is the reason that makes gaming very pleasing. If you want to be Joe Montana, Spider-Man, double agent, or a member of Black Sabbath there are games for you.
Example: Madden, Marvel Ultimate Alliance, X-Men Legends, Splinter Cell, Guitar Hero

# 10: No Need Tickets To go there
If you want to travel to the Mississippi River but did not have money, try looking into the store games that can take you there. Its the same thing if you want to travel during the Nazi era in 1940 at war. Many of us who do not have a chance to go to the moon, but never explored parts of the world that we know exist.
Example: Call of Duty, Bioshock, World of Warcraft, Oblivion, Star Wars

# 9: Your Rival Is Losers
What is the equation of the Red Sox / Yankees, Ali / Frazier, Coke / Pepsi, ACMilan / Intermilan? They are a huge feud. One of the most amusing thing in life is to bow your opponent, make them a loser.
Example: Sports Games, Winning Eleven, Mortal Kombat, Halo, Gears of War, and anything with a multi-player.

# 8: Game Time Can not Be Separated
No matter how many games have been played, you will have a unique feeling that will not be lost. This differs from one person to another person. Try again you open your old games collection and search and play Super Mario Brothers. Mario Kart is an example of another game that will never run out of time consumed.
Example: Super Mario Brothers, Pac Man, Mario Kart, Halo

# 7: "Eureka" Moment
We've all experienced it. You're playing an RPG game and you have a stalemate. Everything has been checked many times and you do not find a solution to the problem. You think that there is a "glitch" in the game. You call your friends and all of a sudden you say "Oh yes, that one has not seen".

The satisfaction you get by crossing such barriers can not be found in the real world. Moment of "Eureka" is what makes gamers to play games they already passed. A feeling satisfied because they feel they have been through something that was considered unreasonable to pass. C
example: The Legend of Zelda, the God of War, and many other RPG games.

# 6: It's Fun To Be Evil
Very few people want to be evil. In practical terms, every human being has a social system in their brains that limit excessive actions. The criminals who are holding in custody know from consequences of their actions. Nothing justifies those who violate the law. In the world of video games, become a criminal, does not mean you are bad people. And it felt very amusing.
Example: Grand Theft Auto, Knights of the Old Republic, Bioshock, Destroy All Humans

# 5: Make Your Truth
You do not possess the money, you're not good at sports. But you certainly want a woman glanced at you and say Canti you attractive. Or at least you want to have feelings of being on the top.

You have it, by becoming a top 20 on Halo 3 Leaderboard. People generally will not care, but for those of you, you are a superstar in the gaming community.
Example: any game that gives the experience of playing in multi-player and accumulated statistics.

# 4: Saving the World
City / State / planet where you live are in great danger. A leader who is preparing a grand plan to win it will soon lose. A superhero is needed here, this hero will lead a mission for a counterattack.

Themes like this are very much video game. But how many times you feels, this looks like a new feeling and amusing. Potential of oppression and extermination summoned the heroes to do something big.
Example: Gears of War, Final Fantasy, Halo, Metal Gear Solid, Oblivion, Mario Bros.., The Legend of Zelda

# 3: Only the Chosen Who Can Survive
The madness of the Gears of War, Legendary in Halo, God Mode in God of War, and Expert in Guitar Hero. They have been instilled in every individual to become better than the average gamer. These games are made very difficult, so when you can pass you will have a tremendous feeling.

Every person in the past each made their own limitations. Try to finish the game Resident Evil by simply carrying a knife. Or past Splinter Cell game without killing one person-one.

# 2: staying up all night
Usually this happens to students who have exams the next day and had to learn the material in one night. Wait until he became a gamer. From there it will shift term. Playing gaming can be very drunk so you can completely lost in the game. You can play your game and aware of time without showing at 5 am today, you have to go to school at 7.

# 1: The Fun Never Stops
Time off school is a very amusing for gamers. Many games can be played during the holidays. Every villain you defeat will take you to the next adventure, and so on. Game maker never run out of your mind to suck into their world.
Example: Assassin's Creed, Mass Effect, Call of Duty 4, Super Mario Galaxy, Metal Gear Solid 4, Grand Theft Auto IV










Thumbnail Gallery For Mario Coloring Pages:





Mario Coloring Pages Collection 2010




Playing games is one activity that is very expensive. Gamers lot of wasting time, money and energy to their desires on this one. Try asking them to play Ragnarok Online, or DotA all star or whatever it is ...

Most of them even to abandon their work, school, relationships, and often their personal hygiene. Money not spent too little investment. There is to provide High Definition TV, the latest consoles, and many more. Feasible if all the money that was spent on these? There are reasons that encourage Gamers to do these things. These are those reasons ...

# 11: Childhood Dream
Every person has chosen a career while still a child. But over time many of the dream that started to happen. Many children who want to become a professional athlete, a super hero, secret agents, and renowned musicians. In the real world these expectations will not be achieved by people who incidentally mediocre. This is the reason that makes gaming very pleasing. If you want to be Joe Montana, Spider-Man, double agent, or a member of Black Sabbath there are games for you.
Example: Madden, Marvel Ultimate Alliance, X-Men Legends, Splinter Cell, Guitar Hero

# 10: No Need Tickets To go there
If you want to travel to the Mississippi River but did not have money, try looking into the store games that can take you there. Its the same thing if you want to travel during the Nazi era in 1940 at war. Many of us who do not have a chance to go to the moon, but never explored parts of the world that we know exist.
Example: Call of Duty, Bioshock, World of Warcraft, Oblivion, Star Wars

# 9: Your Rival Is Losers
What is the equation of the Red Sox / Yankees, Ali / Frazier, Coke / Pepsi, ACMilan / Intermilan? They are a huge feud. One of the most amusing thing in life is to bow your opponent, make them a loser.
Example: Sports Games, Winning Eleven, Mortal Kombat, Halo, Gears of War, and anything with a multi-player.

# 8: Game Time Can not Be Separated
No matter how many games have been played, you will have a unique feeling that will not be lost. This differs from one person to another person. Try again you open your old games collection and search and play Super Mario Brothers. Mario Kart is an example of another game that will never run out of time consumed.
Example: Super Mario Brothers, Pac Man, Mario Kart, Halo

# 7: "Eureka" Moment
We've all experienced it. You're playing an RPG game and you have a stalemate. Everything has been checked many times and you do not find a solution to the problem. You think that there is a "glitch" in the game. You call your friends and all of a sudden you say "Oh yes, that one has not seen".

The satisfaction you get by crossing such barriers can not be found in the real world. Moment of "Eureka" is what makes gamers to play games they already passed. A feeling satisfied because they feel they have been through something that was considered unreasonable to pass. C
example: The Legend of Zelda, the God of War, and many other RPG games.

# 6: It's Fun To Be Evil
Very few people want to be evil. In practical terms, every human being has a social system in their brains that limit excessive actions. The criminals who are holding in custody know from consequences of their actions. Nothing justifies those who violate the law. In the world of video games, become a criminal, does not mean you are bad people. And it felt very amusing.
Example: Grand Theft Auto, Knights of the Old Republic, Bioshock, Destroy All Humans

# 5: Make Your Truth
You do not possess the money, you're not good at sports. But you certainly want a woman glanced at you and say Canti you attractive. Or at least you want to have feelings of being on the top.

You have it, by becoming a top 20 on Halo 3 Leaderboard. People generally will not care, but for those of you, you are a superstar in the gaming community.
Example: any game that gives the experience of playing in multi-player and accumulated statistics.

# 4: Saving the World
City / State / planet where you live are in great danger. A leader who is preparing a grand plan to win it will soon lose. A superhero is needed here, this hero will lead a mission for a counterattack.

Themes like this are very much video game. But how many times you feels, this looks like a new feeling and amusing. Potential of oppression and extermination summoned the heroes to do something big.
Example: Gears of War, Final Fantasy, Halo, Metal Gear Solid, Oblivion, Mario Bros.., The Legend of Zelda

# 3: Only the Chosen Who Can Survive
The madness of the Gears of War, Legendary in Halo, God Mode in God of War, and Expert in Guitar Hero. They have been instilled in every individual to become better than the average gamer. These games are made very difficult, so when you can pass you will have a tremendous feeling.

Every person in the past each made their own limitations. Try to finish the game Resident Evil by simply carrying a knife. Or past Splinter Cell game without killing one person-one.

# 2: staying up all night
Usually this happens to students who have exams the next day and had to learn the material in one night. Wait until he became a gamer. From there it will shift term. Playing gaming can be very drunk so you can completely lost in the game. You can play your game and aware of time without showing at 5 am today, you have to go to school at 7.

# 1: The Fun Never Stops
Time off school is a very amusing for gamers. Many games can be played during the holidays. Every villain you defeat will take you to the next adventure, and so on. Game maker never run out of your mind to suck into their world.
Example: Assassin's Creed, Mass Effect, Call of Duty 4, Super Mario Galaxy, Metal Gear Solid 4, Grand Theft Auto IV










Thumbnail Gallery For Mario Coloring Pages:





Monday, June 28, 2010

Lesotho Soccer World Cup: Brazil marched to the Quarter finals.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/antoniothomas
Brazil 3:0 Chile   
Brazil knocked Chile out of the FIFA World Cup™ for the third time as Juan, Luis Fabiano and Robinho scored to set up a quarter-final showdown with the Netherlands.Highlights

Netherlands 2:1 Slovakia
Arjen Robben led the way for the Netherlands as they beat Slovakia 2-1 in Durban on Monday to book a quarter-final date with either Brazil or Chile.Highlights

Related Article(s) Maseru.Lesotho.Soccer World+Cup:
Germany eliminates England.
Watch World Cup 2010 TV

Lesotho Soccer World Cup: Fabio heckled by fans outside stadium

According to mirrorfootball: Fabio Capello was heckled by furious England fans after his side crashed out in their heaviest-ever World Cup defeat.

They turned on the hapless Italian after we were humiliated 4-1 by old foes Germany.

Three Lions followers pointed the finger of blame at our Italian manager after England’s worst performance in a World Cup match.

Capello had to take refuge inside a media tent after supporters vented their anger at him outside the stadium.

One fan could be heard shouting: “I’ve spent £5,000, £5,000 to watch that!”

Another fan shouted “What a load of rubbish” as FA media chief Adrian Bevington ushered Capello away.

Yet Capello - paid £6million a year by the FA - defiantly refused to resign and blamed a referee’s blunder for the shocking defeat.

But fans who dejectedly made their way from the Bloemfontein’s Free State Stadium - and millions more back home - questioned Capello’s future.

Plumber James Grainger, 29, of Wallsall, said the players and Capello had let the country down.

“I earn £30,000 a year and this has cost me £5,000. What a waste of time and money.

“I have been saving for a year to come here. It has cost me a fortune to watch that.

“It is just not good enough. I was hoping to stay for the final but I am going home because I am not earning while I am here.

“It is all right for the players - five grand is just about what they spend on a pair of jeans.

“The can go home to their mansions and trophy wives and girlfriends and forget about it.”

More than 25million England fans watching on TV saw their hopes shattered yesterday (SUN) as a woeful performance from the team enabled Germany to cruise to victory.

But 64-year-old Capello sparked further anger among fans and pundits just minutes after the match when he insisted England “played well”.

Furious BBC pundit Alan Hansen ridiculed the claim - slamming Capello’s efforts as “shambolic”.

He said: “They were abysmal.

“If you look at the back four, the midfield, the attackers, the system and the manager.

“Every aspect was rock bottom. The basics, the fundamentals weren’t there.”

Hansen also told millions of devastated TV viewers he expected Capello to quit as manager.

Capello recently signed an amendment to his contract with the FA which commits him to the top job in English football until after the European Championships in 2012.

Capello, who has faced criticism during the World Cup campaign for being stubborn and refusing to listen to suggestions from players, is paid more than any other manager at the World Cup.

Hansen added: “I think he will go. Ultimately they were that bad not just in this game but through the tournament.

“He’s under tremendous pressure.”

England’s woes were made worse when they were robbed of a clear goal by a blundering linesman.

At 2-1 down after a disastrous start, Chelsea star Lampard struck a superb 30-yard shot against the underside of the Germans’ cross bar.

TV replays showed it was a yard over the line - and yet the goal was not given.

Capello claimed Frank Lampard’s wrongly disallowed goal would definitely have changed the game – despite the fact England conceded four goals overall.

He said: “It was one of the most important things in the game.

“The goal was very important. We could have played a different style.”

But he insisted: “We played well. Germany is a big team. They played a good game.

“We made some mistakes when they played the counter-attack. The referee made bigger mistakes.

“Little things decide the result always.”

But Capello later said he would not be resigning as England manager following the crushing defeat.

Asked if he was going to quit, he said: “No, absolutely not.” Continue reading here...

Related Article(s) Maseru.Lesotho.Soccer:
Germany eliminates England.

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Lesotho Soccer World Cup: Germany eliminates England while Argentina oust Mexico.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/3336
Lesotho Soccer World Cup Round 16 Results:

Argentina 3:1 Mexico
Carlos Tevez bagged a brace as Diego Maradona's Argentina beat Mexico 3-1 at Soccer City to line up a mouth-watering quarter-final duel with Germany.Highlights

Germany    4:1 England
Germany's youthful side delivered a striking statement of intent by overwhelming old rivals England 4-1 through goals from Miroslav Klose, Lukas Podolski and Thomas Muller (2). Highlights

Related Article(s) Maseru.Lesotho.Soccer:
Ghana and Uruguay Reach Quarters.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Lesotho Soccer World Cup: Ghana and Uruguay reach the quarter-finals.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/manbeastextraordinaire
United States 1:2 Ghana
Asamoah Gyan scored three minutes into extra time to secure a historic place in the FIFA World Cup™ quarter-finals for Ghana after a dramatic 2-1 victory over USA in Rustenburg.Highlights

Uruguay    2:1 South Korea
Luis Suarez struck twice as Uruguay beat Korea Republic 2-1 in Port Elizabeth to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 1970.Highlights

source: http://www.fifa.com

Lesotho Soccer World Cup: Germany vs England preview.

World Cup 2010 - Stats and history point to Germans

Bookmakers are expecting over £30 million will be gambled on the outcome of England's match with Germany.

The previous biggest amount staked on a single game was just over £20 million pounds on the England v Portugal quarter-final in Gelsenkirchen in the 2006 World Cup.

It is expected over £1 billion pounds will be gambled for the first time on any one tournament, compared with about £750 million pounds in Germany.

And it is hard to split the teams with both sides odds against to win the match in 90 minutes with the draw at 2/1.

And there is good reason to think the match will finish in a stalemate after normal time:

- Their last World Cup meeting came 20 years ago with a 1-1 draw in the semi-final in Turin after 90 minutes.

- They drew 0-0 in the second group stage in 1982.

- In 1970, it was 2-2 in the quarter-final in Leon after normal time.

Read more at: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/26062010/58/world-cup-2010-stats-history-point-germans.html


Related Article(s) Maseru.Lesotho.Soccer:
Lesotho Soccer: Ronaldo - We fear nobody.

Image source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aenneken

Friday, June 25, 2010

F. Joe Crawford



The 2010 NBA Finals were a joke. The officiating sucked in every game. Especially noteworthy was the NBA's use of Joe Crawford, a referee that has helped the league's 'popular' teams in the past. The NBA inserted him into the biggest games, Game 1, Game 5, and Game 7. He was able to give the Lakers the spark that Andrew Bynum could not give!

But Crawford has been screwing over teams for years. Just watch him inexplicably run into the players and call against Chauncey Billups in the closing seconds of a close 2005 Eastern Conference Finals game between the Miami Heat and the Detroit Pistons. The Heat would have to wait a year before they made it to the NBA Finals. Until 2010, the 2006 Finals was considered the worst officiated Finals in NBA history.

Forget Joey Crawford! What did you think the F stood for? You may be right.

Reaction to Landon Donovan's clutch goal against Algeria



The referee of the USA vs Slovenia game robbed the USA soccer team of the important game winning goal against Slovenia in Group C play. A penalty in the box showed only USA players getting "mugged" as Andy Roddick would detail it. The bad call essentially turned their third (and last) game of Group C play into a must win situation. Although the USA would advance to the second round with a tie if England tied Slovenia, that faint hope was extinguished when the Three Lions took control of their game, dominating in patented 1-0 soccer style.

The referee in the Algeria vs USA game called a bad offsides that robbed the USA of what would have been the game winning goal again! The game remained scoreless and when the clock hit ninety minutes, four minutes of extra time was announced. The USA was desperate for the game winning goal. They had scored before but as Stifler says, "you don't score until you score."

Then it happened. Donovan scored. GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOALLLL!!!!!!!!! GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOALLLL!!!!!!!!! U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!

Lesotho Soccer: Ronaldo - We Fear Nobody

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gordonflood/
Ronaldo: Seven-up Portugal can beat Brazil - and anyone else
By David McDonnell

Cristiano Ronaldo insists Portugal have no fear of Brazil ahead of today's World Cup showdown between the two arch rivals.

Ronaldo believes Portugal's 7-0 demolition of North Korea has given Carlos Queiroz's side the belief that they can overcome the tournament favourites and finish top of Group G.

Spain lie in wait for Portugal or Brazil in the last 16, although with the Euro 2008 champions not in action until tonight, neither side will know whether finishing first or second in the group will enable them to avoid them.

But former Manchester United star Ronaldo said Portugal are determined to send out a message to the rest of the field in South Africa, by subjecting Brazil to their first defeat of the tournament.

"We fear nobody," said Ronaldo. "After the performance we gave against North Korea, we believe we can overcome Brazil. And it's not often that we have been in a position to say that. Before we played North Korea, everybody asked about a lack of goals.

"People said that I couldn't score because I had been made captain, and people said the team would struggle to score. But they're not asking those same questions now. We're not playing Brazil just to lose.

"We're playing them to win and to show people what we are capable of achieving at this World Cup. Playing Brazil will be a complicated game against the best team in the world. But this Portugal team believes in itself and we feel we can play well against them."

Portugal's task in beating Brazil is put in context when examining their record against the five-times world champions, which contains just four wins in 18 encounters, including a 6-2 thrashing the last time the two sides met, in Brasilia in November 2008.

There is a fierce rivalry between the two nations, with the fact there are three Brazil-born players - Deco, Pepe and Liedson - in the Portugal squad giving the potentially epic encounter another intriguing edge.

Read more at:http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/World-Cup-Brazil-v-Portugal-preview-Cristiano-Ronaldo-says-seven-up-stars-can-beat-Brazil-and-anyone-else-article492689.html

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