Talk is cheap: What they said ahead of England v Uruguay

Jamie Clark

17/06/14

Uruguay v England - World Cup

England and Uruguay both suffered defeat in their Group D openers at the Brazil finals, so once again Coral help punters to narrow their focus on another must-win match for Roy Hodgson’s side.

The Three Lions are 6/5 favourites to beat La Celeste, with a draw priced at 23/10 and Oscar Tabarez’s team 5/2 for victory.

In a light-hearted take on this crunch clash, we take a look at several sound-bites from from both camps.
England striker Daniel Sturridge:

“I’m prepared to do anything to win this next game. It’s do or die. It’s a World Cup.”
Anything, Daniel?

“I’m not saying I’m going to dive or do anything that’s not within the laws of the game, but I will do anything – like my teammates – to win this game.”

So, not quite anything. Sturridge’s part is scoring goals, and he is 6/4 to build on doing that just that in his last outing and net anytime against Uruguay.

Uruguay captain Diego Lugano:
“It’s life or death on Thursday. We’re up against two of the best in the world now [England and Italy]. It’s an enormous challenge.”

Wait, didn’t Sturridge say the same thing, Diego?

“The English players are fast and strong. That demands a lot of the defenders. We were annoyed, furious, disappointed [after losing to Costa Rica], but you have to be mature and understand this is football, mistakes cost you hard.

“Now we’re united again. Our faith is intact. We mustn’t lose our heads, [or] lose our way.”
La Celeste will be without experienced right back Maxi Pereria because of suspension, after his sending off against Costa Rica. In his absence, ageing paceless wonder Lugano and the rest of the Uruguayan defence are 3/1 to keep a clean sheet.

England forward Danny Welbeck on teammate Wayne Rooney:
“You say he is playing out of position but he has played there [on the left wing] plenty of time for Manchester United as well.

“He has not just played there in the Premier League but the Champions League semi-final and final, so he is accustomed to that position and can play it well.

“Wayne was on the left in the first game and in the second or third game he could be in a different position. All the forward players have the flexibility to move in and round, interchanging positions.”

Rooney assisted Sturridge’s strike in the Italy match, and is 15/8 to break his World Cup duck at long last against Uruguay.

Uruguay and Liverpool striker Luis Suarez:
“I know all the players in the England squad because they are teammates or rivals. They have defensive deficiencies and we can take advantage of them.

“I haven’t missed a day of recovery time and I’m 100% fit… I never thought I was going to lose out on playing in the World Cup because of injury.”

Italian reports claim Buffon out of England World Cup opener

Jamie Clark

14/06/14

Italy skipper and record appearance maker Gianluigi Buffon is set to miss their Group D opener against England, according to reports from Italian press outlets on social media.

These sensational claims have seen Coral cut the odds on a Three Lions victory from 21/10 to 15/8, now making Roy Hodgson’s side narrow favourites. In a match betting market that is now expected to fluctuate wildly before kick-off, a draw is also the same price, with the Azzurri 19/10 to win.

Cesare Prandelli’s backup stopper Salvatore Sirigu has just eight caps compared to the 140 amassed by 2006 World Cup winner Buffon. Although the former has won back-to-back Ligue 1 titles with PSG, he has struggled with handling crosses in high-profile Champions League matches.

If Buffon is out of the England match, then his Juventus teammate Andrea Pirlo, who caused Hodgson’s side so many problems during their last tournament meeting at Euro 2012, will captain Italy. He is the 5/1 favourite with Coral to be named FIFA’s official Man of the Match in Manaus.

Prandelli gave an update on Buffon’s condition, but downplayed the severity of any injury. “He twisted his ankle very lightly, very, very lightly and is receiving treatment at the moment,” the national coach said.

In other team news, AC Milan full back Mattia De Sciglio is definitely out for the Azzurri, so club teammate Ignazio Abate and Giorgio Chiellini should operate down the flanks of their defence.

This match is expected to come too early for Three Lions star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who is regaining fitness following a medial ligament injury. Danny Welbeck (5/2 to net anytime) is also a doubt, with Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling (3/1 for a goal) a popular choice with England fans to replace him, even if the Manchester United forward is fit for selection.

Only three members of Prandelli’s Italy squad have experience of playing in the Premier League. Argentine-born defender Gabriel Paletta was briefly on the books at Anfield, as was midfielder Alberto Aquilani (11/4 to score), who reportedly suffered from homesickness during his time in England.

Coral offer enticing Rooney scores and England to win bet

Sam Barnard

14/06/14

The wait is finally over for England, as they face their first World Cup opponents Italy. To celebrate, Coral are offering a match special enhanced price of 11/2 for star striker Wayne Rooney to score anytime and the Three Lions win the game in Manaus. You can place a bet of up to £10.

To put this price into perspective, in the normal market England are 21/10 shots to get a victory in this Group D game, while Rooney is 6/4 to net anytime.

Hodgson and his his men go into this battle having won the most recent outing with the Azzurri, a 2-1 result in 2012. They are priced at 12/1 to record that scoreline once more here.

Rooney is very much the star for the Three Lions, and has delivered so often on the international stage. He is already fifth on the all-time England scorer list at the age of just 28, and now one goal behind Michael Owen on 39 from 92 caps, and 10 off Sir Bobby Charlton’s record of 49.

The current Manchester United forward has yet to net at a World Cup in two attempts and nine appearances, but he comes to Brazil raring to go and to prove a point.

He top scored for England in qualifying, with seven, and is an incredible 5/2 chance to be leading Three Lions marksman at the finals, and 50/1 to follow in Gary Lineker’s footsteps to win the Golden Ball.
Hodgson, meanwhile, has confirmed that his side will not be holding back, so expect Rooney to be in on the goals. “When we get the ball we are going to go for it, we are going to attack,” the former Liverpool boss said. “But we are also going to make it clear to them that they can’t go gung-ho at any time.”

Rooney is certainly in high spirits, and recently stated: “It’s probably the best squad I’ve been involved in, so it’s great to be a part of. Italy should be thinking about how to control our team. They have good players but so do we. They should worry about us.

In answer to his critics, including more recently from former teammate Paul Scholes, he added: “I don’t care what anyone says. I’m ready for this World Cup and there is competition for places and I am ready for that
“Success and winning trophies is what motivates me, it always has, at club level and for England. I feel great. I feel 100 per cent fit and ready for the tournament. I’ll be giving everything to help the team.”

Anak Bintang Bola Sepak Brazil, Pele Dihukum Penjara 33 Tahun.

Jail: The son of Pele (Edinho, left) has been sentenced to 33 years behind bars for laundering drug money

 Brasília: Anak bekas bintang bola sepak Brazil, Pele, dijatuhi hukuman penjara 33 tahun atas kesalahan penggubahan wang haram yang diperoleh hasil daripada kegiatan mengedar dadah.

Media Brazil melaporkan Edinho, yang pernah menjadi penjaga gol untuk bekas kelab bapanya, Santos, pernah dipenjara pada 2005 dan 2006 atas kesalahan mengedar dadah.


Bagaimanapun, dia hanya mengaku menagih, bukan pengedar.

Bintang bola sepak Brazil, Pele

Edinho didapati bersalah Jumaat lalu oleh hakim di Praia Grande.

Empat yang lain yang dituduh bersama-samanya turut dikenakan hukuman sama.

Edinho yang nama sebenarnya Edson Cholbi do Nascimento dijangka merayu terhadap keputusan itu. Dia akan terus ditahan sementara mahkamah tinggi menimbang rayuannya. - Agensi

GEMPAR !!! Ular Terbesar di Dunia Bukan Anaconda, Tetapi Titanoboa

Seekor predator, ular terbesar di dunia sepanjang 14,6 meter dan berbobot 1,13 ton yang melata melalui hutan-hutan hujan 60 juta tahun yang lalu ini dihidupkan kembali oleh Museum Smithsonian. 

 

Pada masa dinosaurus, ular predator Titanoboa merupakan ular terbesar di dunia. Bahkan ukurannya yang besar jauh di atas ular anaconda yang selama ini dianggap orang sebagai ular terbesar di dunia. 

 

Para ilmuwan dari Museum Smithsonian merekonstruksi ular raksasa ini untuk mengetahui bagaimanakah kehidupan di bumi setelah dinosaurus lenyap ditelan zaman. Sebuah acara TV pun dibuat untuk memberi tahu pemirsa kenapa ular Titanoboa bisa tumbuh sedemikian besarnya.

 

“Penemuan begitu fantastis sehingga ular ini tampak seperti hasil fantasi. Sesosok makhluk yang muncul di era yang dibayangkan Steven Spielberg di masa lalu,” ungkap David Royale, kepala program Saluran Smithsonian. 

Saluran Smithsonian membuat film yang mengisahkan penemuan ular raksasa yang hidup 60 juta silam ini. Selain itu, mereka juga merangkai temuan-temuan rangkanya untuk membuat rekonstruksi ular ini. 

 

Sebuah patung yang berukuran sama seperti Titanoboa yang sebenarnya dipamerkan di Grand Central di New York untuk memromosikan film tersebut. Tulang belakang Titanoboa ditemukan di daerah tropis hutan hujan di Kolombia yang telah ada sejak zaman Palaeosen. 

 

Kemudian fosil ular raksasa lainnya ditemukan di kawasan tambang di Cerrejon, Kolombia. Sebelumnya, tak pernah ditemukan fosil hewan bertulan belakang yang hidup 65-55 juta tahun silam di Amerika Selatan. 

 

Dr. Jonathan Bloch yang berprofesi sebagai paleontologis sekaligus kurator Florida Museum of Natural History mengatakan fosil tengkorak Titanoboa hampir mustahil untuk ditemukan karena amat rapuh sehingga sangat mungkin telah musnah ditelan waktu. 

 

Ia juga mengatakan bahwa setelah dinosaurus punah, Titanoboa yang panjangnya melebihi ukuran bus kota ini menjadi penguasa daratan sebagai predator terbesar di muka bumi.

Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup

The FIFA World Cup 2014 will be held in Brazil, originating Samba dance, a world class Brazilian dance and musical genre, for the 20th FIFA World Cup, an international men’s football(Soccer), American’s fans acquainted with – tournament. It is scheduled to participate in Brazil from 12 June to 13 July 2014.  It will be the second time that Brazil has hosted the competition, which hosted for the first time in 1950. FIFA elected Brasil as host nation in 2007 for organizing 20th world cup.

For the 20th 2014 FIFA World Cup Football, Soccer, 207 teams competed in qualification match, a series of tournaments, from 15 June 2011 to 20 November 2013 throughout the world. FIFA, International Federation of Association Football, selected 32 teams, with one place reserved for the host nation, Brazil.

A total of 64 matches are to be played in twelve cities across Brazil in either new or redeveloped stadiums, including group stage, round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and match for third place and eventually nerve-racking and thrilling final for Soccer World Cup 2014. For the first time at a World Cup Finals, goal-line technology, method used to determine whether the ball has completely crossed the goal line with the assistance of electronic devices and even as assisting the referee in awarding a goal or not, will be used for the tournament.

All world champion teams, Brazil (5 times), Italy (4 times), Germany (3 times), Uruguay (2 times), Argentina (2 times), England (1 times), France (1 times) and Spain (1 times), defending champion in 2010, have qualified 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil among the 32 teams since starting the first FIFA World Cup in 1930.

Teams and Regions:
The group round will see the thirty-two teams divided into eight groups of four teams. Each team will play one match against each of the other teams in the same group where 6 matches will be held in a distinct group. Among the 32 teams for Brasil FIFA World Cup 2014, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has 4 teams including Australia, Iran, Japan and South Korea; Confederation of African Football (CAF) has teams including Algeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Nigeria; The Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) has 4 teams including Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico and United States;  The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) has 6 teams including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Uruguay, and The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has 13 teams including Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, England, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, Spain and Switzerland

FIFA World Cup 2014 Venues:
FIFA selected 12 venues for the 2014 World Cup tournament in Brazil. The venues are Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte, capacity 64000, famous for the peculiar road of Rua do Amendoim, where cars placed in neutral gear go up the sloping street rather than down. It is a tourist curiosity, attributed to the powerful magnetic field in the surrounding area; Estadio Nacional, Brasilia, 71,412, famous for The Brazilian capital, Brasilia is the city that claims to have been built in 2,000 days and boasts such historic landmarks as the Cathedral, the National Congress and the Legion of Goodwill Temple.

The city is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site; Arena Pantanal, Cuiaba, 43,000, famous for it is one of Brazil’s hottest cities with temperatures regularly exceeding 40C in the hottest months; Arena da Baixada, Curitiba, 41,000, famous for Curitiba is translated from Portuguese as ‘many pine trees’ and has the distinction of being one of the shortest lived capital cities – three days in 1969 courtesy of the reign of the military junta. With its botanic gardens and stylistic architecture, it is regarded one of the prettiest and desirable cities in Brazil to live; Estadio Castelao, Fortaleza, 63,903, famous for Renowned as one of Brazil’s most vibrant cities, Monday nights in Fortaleza have become immortalised by the ‘El Pirata’ nightclub which was branded “the craziest place on Earth” by the New York Times; Arena Amazonia,

Manaus, 44,000, famous for being situated in the heart of the Amazon rain forest. It is the gateway to the Amazon basin and a popular tourist destination as a result; Estadio das Dunas, Natal, 43,000, famous for a really big tree. The Maior cajueiro do mundo is the biggest cashew tree in the world. Entered into the Guinness Book of Records In 1994 as the tree which covers the largest area, 8,400 square metres, making it larger than most football pitches; Estadio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre, 52,000, famous for the state of Rio Grande do Sul is the homeplace for current Brazil manager Luiz Felipe Scolari and his predecessor Mano Menezes, and also famous for the Gre-Nal, a bitter derby between local enemies Gremio and Internacional;

Arena Pernambuco, Recife, 46,000, famous for its 8km long Boa Viagem Beach; Estadio do Maracana, Rio de Janeiro, 78,838, famous for a population of 6.3 million, Rio conjures images of idyllic beaches, carnivals and a samba beat. The Corcovado and Sugarloaf mountains are among the most visited landmarks on the planet and it will be the destination most fans dream of making their base; Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador, 53,700, famous for  Salvador is known as the capital of happiness in Brazil and hosts the Central do Carnaval, one of the country’s most famous annual celebrations.

The Fonte Nova appears quite incongrous in the city due to its space-age design and Arena de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, 65,000, famous for a staggering 20 million people reside in the metropolis of São Paulo, but the startling contrast between rich and poor make the city one of the diverse in the world. It is considered Brazil’s most culturally vibrant city, its restaurants and bistros making it the cuisine capital.

FIFA World Cup, started even since the second, is encapsulated by its own specific identity – logo – a unique image that is projected around the world. The official logo of the competition is entitled “Inspiration”, and was created by Brazilian agency Africa.

On 24 January 2014, FIFA and Sony Music announced that the official song for the tournament will be “We Are One (Ole Ola)” by Pitbull, Jennifer Lopez and Claudia Leitte. FIFA has been ensured an official song for every World Cup since 1962.

Fuleco, the three-banded armadillo, a fauna, is chosen as the mascot of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Fuleco is a fusion of the words “futebol” (soccer) and ecology, relationship between organism and its surroundings. According to FIFA, the chosen name reflects the passion of Brazilians for football (soccer) and their commitment to the environment.

FIFA and Adidas, a FIFA Partner and FIFA World Cup Official Match Ball supplier since 1970, created Adidas Brazuca Ball for Brasil World Cup 2014. This is first time that FIFA World Cup ball is selected by fans votes.


FIFA World Cup 2014 Tickets:
FIFA forecasts a total of 3,334,524 tickets for the tournament. Approximately 1.1 million are to be sold to the general public (400,000 to Brazilian residents only, 700,000 overseas and Brazilians). The sale of tickets to the general public has been divided into three phases and handled via FIFA’s website and nominated locations in each of the host cities. There are four types of tickets available for the international public, viz. CAT 1, CAT 2, CAT 3 and Disabled Access Tickets and there are also 6 types of tickets for the domestic public, viz. CAT 1, CAT 2, CAT 3, CAT 4, CAT 4 (Discounted), only available to Brazilians aged over 60, students, and those receiving Bolsa Família welfare and Disabled Access Tickets.

2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil is the official video game for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, published by EA Sports  in April 2014. 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil, EA sports, is the biggest sporting event in the world, which can now be brought to your home. Fans and followers will be able to get the full experience of the international event under their control.

Brazil 2014

1 day to go 

Only one team will be making their FIFA World Cup™ bow at Brazil 2014.

Bosnia and Herzegovina are those solitary debutants, and this is the second edition in succession in which all teams but one have prior World Cup experience.

Slovakia were South Africa 2010's sole first-timers while, by contrast, Germany 2006 produced no fewer than eight, including Brazil 2014 hopefuls Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire.