Monday, April 28, 2014

Daily News: Reuters Sports News Headlines - Italy a threat despite ageing players, mavericks

Monday, Apr 28, 2014 07:06 PM PDT
Today's Reuters Sports News Headlines - Yahoo! News:

Italy a threat despite ageing players, mavericks 
Monday, Apr 28, 2014 07:06 PM PDT
Italy's national soccer players line-up for a team photo before their World Cup Group B qualifying match against Denmark in CopenhagenItaly's two most influential players have a combined age of over 70, their most prolific striker is battling injury, and other key players are prone to wild swings in temperament. Meanwhile, an unproductive youth system is struggling to replenish the talent pool and, despite his best efforts to promote younger players, coach Cesare Prandelli, 56, could end up fielding a starting XI with an average age of around 30. Yet for all of Italian soccer's problems, the four-times world champions remain a World Cup threat, and there is a sneaking suspicion that Prandelli, one of the game's most likeable and eloquent coaches, will somehow come up with the right formula when it matters. In nearly four years since then, he has restored Italy's credibility and largely succeeded in removing the histrionics and negativity from their game.
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Soccer-Mourinho aiming to knock Atletico off their "cloud" 
Monday, Apr 28, 2014 07:00 PM PDT
By Martyn Herman LONDON, April 29 (Reuters) - The tepid 0-0 draw in the Vicente Calderon resembled a phoney war but Chelsea and Atletico Madrid will surely up the ante at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday when a place in the Champions League final is on the line. That semi-final first leg stalemate left Chelsea marginal favourites to progress although with no away goal in their pocket, Jose Mourinho's side will be vulnerable against an Atletico side capable of much more than they produced at home. Atletico, closing in on a first Spanish league title since 1996, ran out of ideas against a resolute Chelsea rearguard in which John Terry and Gary Cahill spent most of the evening heading away hopeful crosses into the area. Whoever plays, Atletico coach Diego Simeone needs a different game plan if his club are to reach the final for the first time since 1974.
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Soccer-World-Enigmatic Nigeria could be record-breakers or flops 
Monday, Apr 28, 2014 06:11 PM PDT
By Mark Gleeson CAPE TOWN, April 29 (Reuters) - Nigeria have the ability to become the first African country to get past the World Cup group phase on three separate occasions but are increasingly an unpredictable force. Africa's most populous nation advanced to the second round in their maiden World Cup finals appearance in 1994 and again four years later in France and will be fancied to finish among the top two in Group F where they meet former world champions Argentina, debutants Bosnia and Iran. But the burden of expectation has often tripped up the Super Eagles, who represent a country with passionate, demanding and fickle fans who easily turn on their team when results are not achieved. As in the United States in 1994, Nigeria arrive at the World Cup as African champions but their current side has none of the charisma and strong personalities of two decades ago when the team was captained by Stephen Keshi, who is now the coach, and featured established players like Austin Okocha, Sunday Oliseh and Rashidi Yekini.
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Soccer-World-Argentina's international results since August 1 2012 
Monday, Apr 28, 2014 06:09 PM PDT
BUENOS AIRES, April 29 (Reuters) - Since August 1, 2012, Argentina have played 21 matches, won 12, drawn 7 and lost 2, with a goal tally of 41-18: 2012 Aug 15 F Germany Frankfurt W 3-1 Khedira(og), Messi, Di Maria Sep 7 WCQ Paraguay Cordoba W 3-1 Di Maria, Higuain, Messi Sep 11 WCQ Peru Lima D 1-1 Higuain Sep 19 F Brazil Goiania L 1-2 Martinez Oct 12 WCQ Uruguay Mendoza W 3-0 Messi 2, Aguero Oct 16 WCQ Chile Santiago W 2-1 Messi, Higuain Nov 14 F Saudi Arabia Riyadh D 0-0 Nov 21 F Brazil Buenos Aires W 2-1 Scocco 2(1p) 2013 Feb 6 F Sweden Stockholm W 3-2 Lustig(og), Aguero, Higuain Mar 22 WCQ ...
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Soccer-World-Argentina's 'Fab Four' key to team's success 
Monday, Apr 28, 2014 06:09 PM PDT
By Rex Gowar BUENOS AIRES, April 29 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi has won every major global title bar the World Cup and Argentina are hoping he will be able to tick that last remaining box with a side considered among the favourites for the title in their biggest rival's backyard. If the "Fantastic Quartet" of Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero and Angel Di Maria are on song, Argentina can emerge victorious in Brazil to claim a third World Cup victory. Despite boasting a wealth of riches in attack, however, Argentina are playing down their chances of overall victory and setting their sights primarily on ending a quarter-final jinx. In fact, we know we're not the best, but we are a (world) power," coach Alejandro Sabella told reporters recently.
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Soccer-World-Numbers do not favour Honduras at third World Cup 
Monday, Apr 28, 2014 06:08 PM PDT
Honduras's World Cup record is little to shout about before their third appearance at the finals. Los Catrachos have never progressed beyond the first round, have never won a game and they did not score a goal in their last appearance. Group E rivals France will not fear the Central Americans but Ecuador and Switzerland have reasons to believe that Honduras could defy the odds and reach the last 16 for the first time. Switzerland exited the 2010 World Cup after a 0-0 draw against Honduras in their final group match while Ecuador know Luis Fernando Suarez well.
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Soccer-World-Flying wingers could help Ecuador take flight 
Monday, Apr 28, 2014 06:06 PM PDT
A quick look at Ecuador's World Cup qualifying campaign would lead to the conclusion that their biggest strength was playing home matches at high altitude in Quito. Generally regarded as the weakest of South America's six representatives, Ecuador won seven games and drew one at the Atahualpa, their mountain fortress at 2,800 metres above sea level, while on the road they managed only three draws and five defeats. Coach Reinaldo Rueda, however, is having none of it, saying there is much more to his team than just a piece of geographical fortune. "Ecuador qualified because we have good players working well, not because of altitude," he said.
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Soccer-World-Switzerland's international results since August 1 2012 
Monday, Apr 28, 2014 06:05 PM PDT
BERNE, April 29 (Reuters) - Since August 1, 2012,Switzerland have played 16 matches, won 10, drawn 5 and lost 1,with a goal tally of 28-13: 2012Aug 15 F Croatia Split W 4-2 Xhaka, Barnetta, Gavranovic 2Sep 7 WCQ Slovenia Ljubljana W 2-0 Xhaka, InlerSep 11 WCQ Albania Lucerne W 2-0 Shaqiri, InlerOct 12 WCQ Norway Berne D 1-1 GavranovicOct 16 WCQ Iceland Reykjavik W 2-0 Barnetta, GavranovicNov 14 F Tunisia Sousse W 2-1 Derdiyok, Shaqiri 2013Feb 6 F Greece Piraeus D 0-0Mar 23 WCQ Cyprus Nicosia D 0-0Jun 8 WCQ Cyprus Geneva W 1-0 SeferovicAug 14 F Brazil Basel W 1-0 Alves ogSep 6 WCQ Iceland Berne ...
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Soccer-World-Penpix of likely Switzerland squad for World Cup finals 
Monday, Apr 28, 2014 06:05 PM PDT
Switzerland's squad for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil is likely to comprise the following 23 players: Goalkeepers: Diego Benaglio (VfL Wolfsburg) Age 30; The regular goalkeeper since just before Euro 2008, Benaglio has spent most of his career in the Bundesliga, firstly at VfB Stuttgart and, since 2008, at VfL Wolfsburg where he has won one league title.
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Soccer-World-Shaqiri teaches party-pooping Swiss to enjoy themselves 
Monday, Apr 28, 2014 06:05 PM PDT
By Brian Homewood BERNE, April 29 (Reuters) - If Switzerland are going to shed their reputation as World Cup party-poopers, then their impish winger Xherdan Shaqiri is the man to do it. Fun is not a word usually associated with Switzerland's national team, who have scored five goals and conceded one in their last seven games at the World Cup, yet it is something the 22-year-old Kosovo-born player thrives on. Cheeky and instinctive, the Bayern Munich player looks like he might have learned the game playing on the streets of South America and, at 1.69 metres, has the same squat figure as some of Argentina's more impetuous players. Enormously difficult to dispossess, Shaqiri's habit of running at the opposition, turning and firing in a quick shot or cross with his left foot creates a sense of danger every time he has possession.
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Soccer-World-Hitzfeld bows out with Switzerland after 45-year career 
Monday, Apr 28, 2014 06:05 PM PDT
By Brian Homewood BERNE, April 29 (Reuters) - Ottmar Hitzfeld, one of Europe's most successful coaches at club level, will bow out in Brazil after a 45-year career which has brought him seven Bundesliga titles, two Champions League winners' medals and one extraordinary defeat. Hitzfeld will be leading Switzerland to the World Cup for the second time, having also been in charge of a bitter-sweet campaign in South Africa four years ago. The 65-year-old German led Borussia Dortmund to two Bundesliga titles, Bayern Munich to five and also won the Champions League once with each.
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Soccer-World-Feisty young side shatter stereotypes of Switzerland 
Monday, Apr 28, 2014 06:05 PM PDT
By Brian Homewood BERNE, April 29 (Reuters) - A young side drawn mainly from immigrant backgrounds, Switzerland's World Cup team is about as far removed from the stereotyped image of the Alpine nation as it is possible to get. Stephan Lichtsteiner and hard-tackling captain Gokhan Inler never shy away from a battle while the impish skills of Xherdan Shaqiri could make him one of the finals' most exciting players. The make-up of the team has changed beyond recognition over the past few years as the national federation, which runs one of Europe's most impressive youth development programmes, has tapped into the potential offered by Switzerland's immigrant communities. Many are from families who fled to Switzerland from Kosovo during the 1990s while midfielder Gelson Fernandes was born in the Cape Verde Islands and Johan Djourou in Ivory Coast.
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Soccer-World-England head to Brazil relying on youngsters and luck 
Monday, Apr 28, 2014 06:03 PM PDT
By Mike Collett LONDON, April 29 (Reuters) - One of the most telling moments of England's build-up to the World Cup came off the pitch, away from the players, crowds and live TV cameras on the night of a laboured 1-0 win over Denmark in their final Wembley warm-up. Denmark coach Morten Olsen, completing his post-match news conference turned back to the mass of reporters as he left the auditorium and shouted: "Good luck in the World Cup - you need it!" As well as producing howls of spontaneous laughter, it crystallised in nine words what most people think about England's return to the land of their greatest soccer humiliation - it is doomed to failure. At the draw for the finals in December, when England were grouped with four-times champions Italy, twice winners Uruguay and stubborn Central American middleweights Costa Rica, Dyke was caught on camera grimacing and making a throat-slitting gesture. He later backtracked, brushing it off as a joke, but there are, nonetheless, real fears about 1966 world champions England failing to make it out of the group stage, which has only happened twice before in 1950 and 1958.
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Soccer-World-Costa Rica's international results since August 1 2012 
Monday, Apr 28, 2014 06:02 PM PDT
April 29 (Reuters) - Since August 1, 2012, Costa Rica haveplayed 31 matches, won 16, drawn 5 and lost 10, with a goaltally of 39-21 2012Aug 16 F Peru San Jose L 0-1Sep 8 WCQ Mexico San Jose L 0-2Sep 12 WCQ Mexico Mexico City L 0-1Oct 13 WCQ El Salvador San Salvador W 1-0 CuberoOct 17 WCQ Guyana San Jose W 7-0 Brenes 2, Gamboa, Bolanos, Saborio 2, BorgesNov 15 F Bolivia Santa Cruz D 1-1 Campbell 2013Jan 19 CC Belize San Jose W 1-0 ArrietaJan 21 CC Nicaragua San Jose W 2-0 Borges, LagosJan 23 CC Guatemala San Jose D 1-1 ArrietaJan 26 CC El Salvador San Jose W 1-0 WallaceJan 28 CC Honduras San ...
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Soccer-World-Costa Rica hopes hang on young gun, injured defender 
Monday, Apr 28, 2014 06:02 PM PDT
Costa Rica's chances of surviving one of the World Cup's toughest groups depend on the recovery of an injured defender and the performance of a young striker making his mark in Europe. The Ticos, playing in their fourth World Cup and their first since Germany 2006, face former world champions England, Uruguay and Italy in Brazil with few pundits giving them much chance of advancing. After qualifying for the tournament in October, Jorge Luis Pinto's men were shut out in three friendlies before finally finding the net in a 2-1 victory over Paraguay in March. While the Ticos were missing key players in those matches, the results underlined how little depth they have in the squad and how much they will rely on the goalscoring prowess of 21-year-old striker Joel Campbell.
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