3-5-2 FOOTBALL

Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted he was left with a feeling of 'unimaginable sadness' following Portugal's elimination from the World Cup. Portugal suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Spain in Cape Town on Tuesday evening, with Ronaldo again struggling to reproduce his magnificent club form at international level. The Real Madrid star confessed after the match that he was finding it hard to come to terms with the disappointment. Ronaldo refused to answer questions straight after the final whistle but remarked to television reporters: " How can I explain it (the defeat)? Ask the question of Carlos Queiroz ." He later denied criticising his manager, while he also hit back at suggestions that he had not assumed his responsibilities as the national captain.   3-5-2 FOOTBALL      BOLA BOYZ     RONALDO   

Argentina striker Carlos Tevez has stated that he is not even contemplating the thought of losing to Germany in Saturday's World Cup quarter-final. The Manchester City hit-man played a key role in his side's 3-1 win over Mexico, despite scoring the first from what looked to be an offside position, he then scored arguably the goal of the tournament so far with a sizzling strike to put his team three goals to the good. Diego Maradona's side can reach the semi-finals of the competition should they defeat the Germans, with it being their first run to that stage since Maradona captained the team to the final in 1990 - where they were beaten by Germany. Tevez was also part of the team that lost on penalties to the then-hosts in 2006 at the quarter-final stage, and admitted that he could not bear to think of his side not coming out on top this time around. The 26-year-old was also happy to be given the label as a crowd favourite, with his bullish approach to attacking making hi...

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger feels England were "killed by their own impatience" as they crashed out of the World Cup to Germany in Bloemfontein. Fabio Capello's future as boss of the national team is under the spotlight following England's woeful showing in South Africa, which ended with a 4-1 footballing lesson from a young German side on Sunday. However, Wenger believes it could have been different had the England players used their experience and not allowed themselves to be caught on the break as they pressed for an equaliser, which they had been denied when the officials failed to spot that Frank Lampard's lob had crossed the line. Wenger also believes England's failure to cope with the weight of expectation was a big part of the problem.   BOLA BOYZ    ARSENAL      NOBLESTAR CLICK HERE for more WORLD CUP 2010 updates!  

Brazil head coach Dunga is sweating on the fitness of a trio of players ahead of Friday's World Cup quarter-final clash with Holland. Galatasaray midfielder Elano, who missed Monday's 3-0 victory over Chile with an ankle problem, was unable to complete training on Tuesday as the South Americans began their preparations in earnest for the game at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth. The 29-year-old suffered the injury during the 3-1 group stage win over Ivory Coast after being on the wrong end of a robust challenge from Cheik Tiote and was substituted shortly after scoring his side's final goal. Elano's fitness concerns represent a real worry for Dunga, who also has Juventus' Felipe Melo struggling with a similar problem, while Roma's Julio Baptista is battling to shake off a knock he picked up during the 0-0 first-round draw with Portugal. To add insult to injury, fellow midfielder Ramires is suspended for the quarter-final after receiving his se...

David Villa's 63rd-minute strike gave Spain a 1-0 win over Portugal and sent the European champions into the World Cup quarter-finals. Portugal were the only team left in the competition yet to concede a goal and were frustrating Spain in the much-anticipated second-round showdown between the Iberian neighbours. But two substitutions just before the hour mark proved decisive, with Portugal losing their way after Hugo Almeida was hauled off for Danny while Spain burst into life after Fernando Llorente replaced a below-par Fernando Torres. Within a minute, Llorente's point-blank header was saved by Portugal goalkeeper Eduardo while Villa fired wide. Villa then broke the deadlock as he stabbed the ball past Eduardo at the second attempt for his fourth goal of the World Cup. Llorente twice went close late on while Danny had a dangerous-looking shot blocked by Pique but moments later Portugal's hopes were over when referee Hector Baldassi gave Costa his marching orders for ap...

Paraguay beat Japan on penalties to create history by reaching the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time. After a cagey affair in Pretoria, Yuichi Komano missed the third Japan spot-kick to ensure the South Americans progressed 5-3 on penalties to face either Spain or Portugal, who play later on Tuesday. As throughout the tournament, Japan coach Takeshi Okada named an unchanged line up for the clash, while the South Americans made five changes from the side which drew 0-0 with New Zealand last time. In extra-time, Kawashima was quick off his line to make an excellent save to deny substitute Valdes after he had turned in the box, while Villar palmed out a powerful Honda free-kick for a corner which Japan could not capitalise on. Japan had a late chance to win it when Shinji Okazaki back-heeled to fellow substitute Keiji Tamada but he could find no-one in the box with his cross from the left byline as the game went into penalties. Komano was the unlucky player as he hit the cro...

Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz has promised to go on the offensive when his side take on Spain for a place in the last eight of the World Cup.  Queiroz vowed an attractive game when Portugal took on Brazil in the group stages but the game turned out to be a disappointing 0-0 draw. His team have kept 22 clean sheets in their last 26 matches but Queiroz says he will take some more risks in the knockout stages. Portugal's draw with Brazil was littered with yellow cards, and seven of Queiroz's players are facing a ban if they are booked against Spain. Portugal have injury worries over striker Danny and Duda, but Deco is expected to return. Meanwhile, Portugal's Simao has talked up his side's chances of upsetting the European champions, claiming they're "not scared at all" of Spain.   WORLD CUP      NOBLESTAR     RONALDO    CLICK HERE for more WORLD CUP 2010 updates!

Brazil's relentless march to the latter stages of this World Cup continued with an effortless victory over Chile. A team combining a potent mix of physique, power and mouthwatering ability were hugely assured in a one-side dismissal of their fellow South Americans to line up a quarter-final with Netherlands on Friday. The boys in the famous yellow and blue were in control from virtually the first whistle and goals by Juan, Luis Fabiano and Robinho confirmed their status as tournament favourites. After Juan had opened the scoring, punishing Chile for their failure to deal with Brazil's aerial threat at a corner from Maicon, Kaka was heavily involved in the second goal. Robinho began the move with a burst down the left and an early ball into Kaka in the middle. One brilliant first-time pass split the Chile central defenders asunder and left Luis Fabiano able to skip past keeper Claudio Bravo and finish. Robinho was the man to strike just before the hour mark, curling it effort...

Arjen Robben made an immediate impact on his first start for the Netherlands as he scored early on to sink Slovakia. Wesley Sneijder made the game safe in the final ten minutes as the Dutch progressed to the quarter-finals, before Robert Vittek netted a penalty with the last kick of the game. Netherlands are yet to draw any Total Football comparisons, but having maintained their 100% record, they will be keen to pick up the German habit of making the final, even if there is more to come from this side. Few fancied Slovakia to make it out of the group stage before Vladimir Weiss oversaw a stunning 3-2 win over reigning champions Italy, but Netherlands are a different prospect entirely to the ageing Azzurri. Slovakia should have equalised when Maarten Stekelenburg denied Robert Vittek and will rue the glaring miss from their star striker, but they did not deserve to progress against a talented Dutch side. Arjen Robben made the headlines when enjoying his first start of the tournament ...

Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer admitted he "fooled" referee Jorge Larrionda into making the most controversial decision of the World Cup. Neuer carried on playing even when Frank Lampard's 38th-minute lob bounced over the line and appeared to give England a clear goal at Free State Stadium. The 24-year-old grabbed the ball and swiftly kicked it upfield as England's disbelieving players rounded upon Larrionda and begged him to reconsider his decision. "I realized it was tight, but I was quite sure it was over the line. I think that perhaps the way I carried on so quickly fooled the referee and made him think it was not over." "After the game I was in doping control and saw it on the television. And yes, of course it was over and should have been a goal for England. It was lucky for us and unlucky for them." The German team was equally as stunned as England by its slice of good fortune. Head coach Joachim Loew was spotted nudging his assistant and...

Frank Lampard has demanded the introduction of goal-line technology after being denied a goal against Germany as England crashed out of the World Cup. England were trailing 2-1 when Lampard's 20-yard strike hit the underside of the bar and bounced down around a yard over the goal-line. However, the officials failed to spot the ball had crossed the line and allowed play to continue. Germany took full advantage of their lucky escape by going on to win 4-1 and Lampard is amazed his goal was not allowed to count. Lampard believes that if it had gone to 2-2, it would have been a different game. It baffles him that it wasn't given and it was a big deciding factor.   BOLA BOYZ    WORLD CUP     CHELSEA    Anywhere… Everywhere… We'll Deliver! - NOBLE STAR

Controversy reigned again at Soccer City as Carlos Tevez's opener for Argentina against Mexico was yards offside. However, after Gonzalo Higuain's second, no-one could argue with his rocket shot that put Argentina three up before Javier Hernandez hit back with his own stunner. On a day to forget for match officials, the Manchester City striker benefited from an offside decision blunder that was so blatant it ranked alongside the one that denied Frank Lampard in the England game four hours previously. The offside rule states there should be two players between the striker and the goal - there was not even one when Lionel Messi's ball found Tevez's head, and then the net to put Diego Maradona's side in front. After the replay flashed up on the big screen angry Mexico players surrounded the Italian referee Roberto Rosetti and linesman Stefano Ayroldi but the goal stood. Mexico went into meltdown and a defensive howler by Ricardo Osorio allowed Gonzalo Higuain to mak...

Manchester United and Tottenham have been linked with a move for Mexico super sub Pablo Barrera. Lazio are understood to have had an initial bid rejected for the 23-year-old Pumas player because of interest from England. The Italians want to sign Barrera on an initial one-year loan with the option of making the deal permanent for a bargain £3million However, the same scouts who recommended Javier Hernandez to Manchester United are also said to have been hugely impressed by Barrera's performances in the Clasura and Bicentenario competitions over the last year. He starred after coming on as sub against France in Mexico's second match of the World Cup and also injected pace to the forward line during the defeat by Uruguay on Tuesday. BOLA BOYZ    WORLD CUP      MAN UTD   CLICK HERE for more WORLD CUP 2010 updates!

England were hammered 4-1 by Germany in the second round of the World Cup, but the spotlight fell on the officials after they missed an obvious equaliser for Fabio Capello's men just before half-time. After Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski had put Germany 2-0 up early on, Matthew Upson got one back but then Frank Lampard's goal was ruled out after the ball bounced down off the bar, despite it landing a yard over the line. When Lampard's effort went in, only for assistant Mauricio Espinosa to miss it, grainy images of England's controversial third at Wembley in 1966 immediately sprang to mind. To his total disbelief, Capello's celebrations of what would have been an equaliser were cut short. Everyone in the ground, except the men who mattered, knew what had happened. Germany made the most of their good fortune to book a quarter-final place, with what turned out to be their biggest win over a rival they have not lost to in a major tournament since the 1966 final. ...

England captain Steven Gerrard has backed Wayne Rooney to bag his first goal of the World Cup in Sunday's knockout clash against Germany. The match in Bloemfontein will see the winner book a place in the quarter-finals of the tournament and Fabio Capello's team will look towards Rooney to fire them to glory after scraping through the group stages. Rooney was widely-expected to continue his rampant goalscoring form for Manchester United in the event, but he has so far been unable to find the net and has looked sluggish as England seek to end their trophyless run in international football. Gerrard, though, is confident the 24-year-old will finally find his form in time to inspire his team to victory against Germany.   MANCHESTER UNITED      LIVERPOOL      STEVEN GERRARD    Anywhere… Everywhere… We'll Deliver! - NOBLE STAR  

Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger took part in a full training session with his team-mates on Saturday ahead their World Cup clash with England. The schemer had emerged as a serious doubt for the round of 16 clash in Bloemfontein after picking up a thigh injury in the win over Ghana on Wednesday evening. But the 25-year-old could yet feature in the match after proving fit enough to practice at their training base near Pretoria. Germany had earlier confirmed that the injury would mean Schweinsteiger faced a race against time to be in contention for the Three Lions match. And now it seems the Bayern Munich man is making positive strides towards taking his place in manager Joachim Low's midfield. The news will boost the coach, who has concerns elsewhere over the availability of defender Jerome Boateng, while striker Cacau has been ruled out with a stomach muscle injury.   BOLA BOYZ    WORLD CUP     3-5-2 FOOTBALL   Anywhere… Everywhere… We'll Deliver! - NOBLE S...

Manchester United have ruled out a bid to sign Joe Cole on a free transfer. Cole is out of contract this summer and, after Chelsea confirmed he will not be offered a new deal, he has been linked with several top clubs in the Premier League. It had been reported that Arsenal had agreed a deal, but Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp this week said he believed the player would move to Old Trafford. However, various reports now suggest United have said they have no intention of offering Cole a deal. The BBC claims that "although Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been a long-time admirer of Cole, a senior club source at Old Trafford said he would not be making a summer move to sign him". BOLA BOYZ      MANCHESTER UNITED    CHELSEA   CLICK HERE for more WORLD CUP 2010 updates!  

The United States was eliminated from the World Cup by Ghana for the second straight time as Asamoah Gyan scored 3 minutes into overtime, leading the Black Stars to a 2-1 second-round victory Saturday night Kevin Prince Boateng put Ghana ahead when he stripped the ball from Ricardo Clark in the 5th minute and beat goalkeeper Tim Howard from 16 yards. Once again, the U.S. came back, and Landon Donovan tied the score with a penalty kick in the 62nd minute after Jonathan Mensah pulled down Clint Dempsey streaking in. But no matter how much the Americans pressured after Gyan scored, they couldn't tie it again. In the first-ever extra time World Cup game for the U.S., Gyan got the winning goal when he took a long ball from Andre Ayew over the defense and beat U.S. captain Carlos Bocanegra, his teammate on the French club Rennes. Gyan let the ball bounce, took a touch with his chest, and with Jay DeMerit vainly trying to catch up, scored over goalkeeper Tim Howard with a left-footed sh...

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is apparently considering a move for Brazilian international striker Luis Fabiano this summer as he looks to offer Wayne Rooney effective support in attack. The Sevilla forward has been linked with a move away from the La Liga side and may well be keen on a move to the Premier League club and it seems the only major obstacle in the way of such a move could be heavy debts the club are in. The 29 year old former Porto flop has been an incredible success at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, netting 87 goals over the past four seasons, but could well be ready for a new challenge and would surely be tempted by a move to Man United. Valued at around £22m the large financial crisis Ferguson's club finds itself in could affect any potential additions and it seems likely that the club will have to sell before they can buy. The likes of Dimitar Berbatov, Anderson and Michael Carrick have been linked with moves away from Old Trafford. BOLA BOYZ      NOBL...

Uruguay became the first team to reach the World Cup quarter-finals after a Luis Suarez brace sealed a 2-1 victory over South Korea in Port Elizabeth. Suarez capitalised on uncertainty in the South Korea defence to break the deadlock after just eight minutes and it looked for a long time as though Uruguay would only need one goal as their disciplined backline remained solid. Having taken an early lead, Uruguay began to control the game with some comfort, staying organised at the back despite South Korea continuous attempts for an equalizer at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. But Lee Chung-yong equalised with a header midway through the second half and it required an excellent late goal from Suarez to take Uruguay through. The game on the line, Luis Suarez sidestepped two defenders in the driving rain and struck a right-footed shot from the edge of the penalty area. BOLA BOYZ    WORLD CUP     3-5-2 FOOTBALL   Anywhere… Everywhere… We'll Deliver! - NOBLE STAR

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson remains convinced that a South American side will win the World Cup. Ferguson predicted a country from that region would take the trophy in South Africa, and he has not changed his opinion since the start of the tournament. Indeed, none of the five South American sides have lost so far and they could have a full contingent in the last 16. Ferguson, though, is not ruling out England's chances of glory but he says expectation levels have hurt the Three Lions.   BOLA BOYZ      MANCHESTER UNITED     NOBLESTAR   CLICK HERE for more WORLD CUP 2010 updates!

Spain have set up a mouth-watering clash with Portugal in the last 16 of the World Cup after wrestling top spot from Chile in a fiery contest in Pretoria. The much-fancied Spaniards ensured they were Group H's top-dogs at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium after securing a 2-1 success and in doing so, avoided fellow tournament favourites Brazil in the next round. First-half goals from David Villa and Andres Iniesta put Vicente del Bosque's men in control of the contest before Chile saw Marco Estrada dismissed for a second yellow card in the build-up to Spain's second after he clipped Fernando Torres' heels. Chile came out fighting in the second-half as substitute Rodrigo Millar grabbed a goal back but it was not enough for Marcelo Bielsa's side to snatch back top-spot and they now face South American rivals Brazil at Ellis Park on Monday for a place in the last eight. Spain, meanwhile, will tackle neighbours Portugal on Tuesday at Cape Town's Green Point Stadium. W...

The dream is over for Switzerland in the World Cup after they failed to build on their superb victory against European champions Spain in their opening game. Coach Ottmar Hitzfeld knew if his side achieved a two-goal win in this Group H match then they would progress to the second round, but they were toothless and had to settle for a point against Honduras, who are also going home after failing to find the target in the tournament. The Swiss shown they could soak up the pressure and sneak a goal against Spain, the pressure was on to show they could take the game to the opposition in this must-win game, but they were far too negative and lacked any sort of cutting edge. They improved slightly when Hakan Yakin was introduced to provide a decent ball into the box, but they lacked quality options to convert them. Honduras were always going to be playing for pride but, playing on the counter-attack, they looked the better team for much of the night. Edgar Alvarez and Ramon Nunez threaten...

Brazil and Portugal played out a disappointing goalless stalemate in Group G which ensured both sides progressed to the last 16 of the World Cup. Brazil, who had already qualified before kick-off, had the better of the early exchanges and Dani Alves blasted just wide of the right post from distance. On the half hour mark, Nilmar's close range effort from Luis Fabiano's cross was pushed on to the bar by keeper Eduardo, while Fabiano then went close with a header before half-time. In the second period, Raul Meireles almost broke the deadlock but Brazil keeper Julio Cesar saved his effort, while Eduardo denied Ramires at the death. The draw means Brazil finish the group as leaders, while Portugal got the point they needed to claim second ahead of the Ivory Coast, who defeated North Korea 3-0. BOLA BOYZ    WORLD CUP     3-5-2 FOOTBALL Anywhere… Everywhere… We'll Deliver! - NOBLE STAR  

Sven-Goran Eriksson's side struck twice inside 20 minutes as they tore into their limited opponents from the outset, but only frustration followed in their final Group G game. Yaya Toure, Romaric and Salomon Kalou were on target as Ivory Coast's World Cup campaign ended with a hollow victory over North Korea. The Africans had 14 shots, 10 on target, as they dominated the first half and sensed an unlikely chance to reach the last 16. The threatened goal duly arrived after 13 minutes as Toure took a neat touch from an Arthur Boka cross and coolly placed a shot into the bottom corner from 18 yards. Romaric then clipped the post from distance before a fierce Drogba shot rattled the underside of the bar and bounced off the line to allow Romaric to head in the second. Kalou entered the action but spurned a good chance when he scooped over at the end of a neat move. He made up for that when he volleyed in a Boka cross nine minutes from time but by then the players were going through...

Holland maintained their 100 per cent record at the World Cup as they ensured Cameroon left the tournament pointless after running out 2-1 winners in their final Group E game. Robin van Persie's crisp 36th minute strike gave the Green Point Stadium crowd something to get excited about in an otherwise drab opening period to what was a virtual dead-rubber. But a much-improved second half saw the Indomitable Lions rewarded for their endeavour as Samuel Eto'o scored his second goal of the tournament via the penalty spot after Rafael van der Vaart was penalised for handballing Geremi's free-kick. But Paul Le Guen's side were denied a point as Dutch substitute Arjen Robben quickly announced himself to the South Africa finals as his long-range blast cannoned off the post before allowing fellow replacement Klaas-Jan Huntelaar to tuck home the winner. The Dutch top Group E with nine points and will meet Slovakia in Durban on Monday for a place in the quarter-finals while Came...

Needing just a draw to progress, two wonderful free-kicks from Keisuke Honda and then Yasuhito Endo in the first-half helped Japan to a 3-1 win over Denmark, knocking the Danes out and setting up a clash with Paraguay in the second round. Denmark were completely one-dimensional, Morten Olsen's side were woeful in the first-half and though they threw caution to the wind in the second, the Danes were unable to unlock a compact and well-drilled Japanese unit. On this showing, they certainly deserve to be heading out of the tournament with their tails between their legs. Japan were impressive. Passed crisply, moved intelligently and finished clinically. Looked very comfortable in possession and a warning to their second round opponents Paraguay - underestimate this Japan team at your peril. A completely different side to the one that was in such dreadful form coming into the tournament, Japan are now hitting the high notes at the right time. CLICK HERE for more WORLD CUP 2010 u...

New Zealand's World Cup campaign ended with another draw as they held group winners Paraguay 0-0 but went out of the tournament. New Zealand finished Group F unbeaten, having drawn with defending champions Italy and a talented Paraguay team who qualified ahead of Argentina in South America. The All Whites didn't push forward until the final ten minutes and never really looked like forcing anything from the game. They didn't possess enough quality but must be praised for their fantastic run - an unbeaten World Cup campaign represents an incredible achievement for the minnows. New Zealand's game-plan, as it had been all along, was to keep things locked down at the back. Their five-man defence, marshalled by Blackburn's Ryan Nelsen, was supplemented by holding midfielders Ivan Vicelich and Simon Elliot sitting just a few yards in front. Paraguay were very disappointing following two impressive performances against Italy and Slovakia. Lacked a real cutting edge and f...