Portugal beat Ghana 2-1 and finished level on four points with the United States in Group G, but it was the Americans who advanced to the last 16 courtesy of a better goal difference despite their 1-0 loss to group winners Germany in Recife.An own goal by John Boye and a late strike by Cristiano Ronaldo gave Portugal a 2-1 [...]
Tag "Portuguese"

A pillow and mat would have come in handy as it was snooze time at the Arena de Baixada during Monday night's listless draw between Nigeria and Iran.It was the first drawn match of the 2014 World Cup; it was also the first drab match.The Super Eagles were expected to cruise past Carlos Quieroz’s side, and win their first World [...]

The Super Eagles of Nigeria kickoff their World Cup 2014 campaign today with a match with Iran at the Arena da Baixada and are hoping to win their first World Cup match since France 1998.With group favourites Argentina beating Bosnia 2-1 yesterday, Nigeria, who are expected to compete with tournament newcomers Bosnia and today’s opponent, Iran for the second spot, [...]

It’s been a decade since Greece stunned the giants of Europe to claim the Euro 2004 crown with legendary Otto Rehhagel at the helm. The Greeks are still to ever come close, but in steps Kostantinos ‘Kostas’ Mitroglou.The former Olympiakos striker had enjoyed a wonderful 2013/14 season until his move to now-relegated Fulham in England. This season with Olympiakos, he [...]

Iran are back on the world stage after an eight-year absence, and they have their longest-serving active player and maverick captain, Javad Nekounam, to thank for that.Nekounam, who spent six years in Spain at Osasuna before returning to his home continent in 2012, has been the driving force of the nation. A gifted midfield orchestrator, the 33-year-old veteran instils confidence [...]

It is almost 50 years and five World Cup participations since Portugal had a player of this magnitude, the last being the late Eusebio, who almost took England to the cleaners in the 1966 World Cup, as Portugal reached the semi-finals.This time around, the Siberian nation have rested their hopes on the mercurial strength and brutal magic of the [...]

Former Super Eagles manager, Clemens Westerhof, has backed Jose Mourinho’s tactics, which have come under the spotlight in recent days.The Chelsea boss was roundly criticised for his ultra-defensive tactics after his team's 3-1 aggregate loss to Spanish club, Atletico Madrid in last week’s UEFA Champions League semifinal.Morten Olsen, Denmark’s head coach, was the most vociferous, declaring on Monday that Mourinho’s [...]