Tag Archives: confederations

Defoe double rescues England in Amsterdam

Substitute Jermain Defoe scored two second half goals as England came from two down to draw 2-2 against the Netherlands in a friendly international on Wednesday. Sorry first half defending left Fabio Capello’s men facing defeat in the Amsterdam arena, but by the finish they were pushing for victory after an impressive comeback. The Dutch were the first team from Europe to qualify for the World Cup finals and showed their quality in the early exchanges as the visitors struggled to settle

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Jordaan plays down World Cup strike fears

Danny Jordaan, the chief executive of the 2010 World Cup organizing committee in South Africa, said in a statement on Wednesday that construction remains on schedule for the tournament despite large-scale strikes delaying building work at stadium sites. About 70,000 workers have downed tools in a pay dispute after negotiations broke down earlier this week, with less than 12 months to go before the finals kick-off. The workers are reportedly seeking a 13 percent pay rise on their $300 average monthly wage, and there are growing worries that a prolonged strike could jeopardize key projects such as the centerpiece 94,000-seater Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg

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Late Alves free-kick gives Brazil victory

A stunning free-kick from Barcelona full-back Daniel Alves with just two minutes remaining proved enough to give Brazil a narrow 1-0 victory over host nation South Africa in Thursday’s second Confederations Cup semifinal in Johannesburg. With the match heading for extra-time, substitute Alves smashed home a vicious strike from the edge of the area, after a foul on Ramirez by Aaron Mokeona, as Dunga’s side secured a clash with the United States — whom they have already beaten in the group stages — in Sunday’s Ellis Park final.

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Bocanegra praises United States work-rate

United States captain Carlos Bocanegra has praised his side’s work-rate and commitment, as he spoke to CNN from the team bus travelling to Johannesburg to take part in this weekend’s Confederations Cup final. Talking to CNN’s Sports Anchor Pedro Pinto following the sensational 2-0 victory over European champions Spain on Wednesday evening, Bocanegra said: “We knew it wasn’t going to be easy but the guys stuck together and it was really special for us. “We might not be as technically gifted as other countries but it’s something we pride ourselves on — our work rate

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Kaka grabs stoppage time win for Brazil

Kaka converted a penalty in time added on to give holders Brazil a dramatic 4-3 win over Egypt who filed an official complaint after their Confederations Cup opener at Bloemfontain on Monday. Substitute Ahmed al-Muhamadi was red-carded after handling on the goalline in a desperate attempt to deny Brazil — and Real Madrid’s recent $92million signing Kaka rifled home from the spot for his second goal of the game

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What is the Confederations Cup?

What are reigning world champions Italy, European champions Spain, and football giants Brazil doing taking on teams like New Zealand and Iraq this month? It sounds like a complete mismatch, but the eight-team FIFA Confederations Cup which starts in South Africa on Sunday, will see these teams pitted against one another in what is a dress-rehearsal of sorts for next year’s World Cup

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Torres hat-trick as Spain thrash New Zealand

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres scored a hat-trick within 11 first-half minutes as Spain thashed New Zealand 5-0 in their opening Confederations Cup Group A match in Johannesburg on Sunday. The victory, Spain’s 13th in succession, means the European champions have now extended their unbeaten run to 33 matches, just two short of Brazil’s world record of 35 matches without defeat between 1993 and 1996. Spain took a sixth minute lead when Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas slotted the ball to Torres, who curled his shot home from the edge of the box

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