Sports

Brazil, Germany and Argentina are promulgated as champions because they have accounted for 11 of the 20 tournaments since 1930. But the Belgians should not be discounted from ultimate glory on 15 July. They have a team packed with stars from the leading leagues. Skipper Eden Hazard is the inspiration at Chelsea. Kevin de Bruyne was key to Manchester City’s march to the 2018 English Premier League title and striker Romelu Lukaku was the muscle behind Manchester United’s race to keep last season’s English championship interesting. Vincent Kompany was Manchester City’s defensive bedrock when he was available to play for Pep Guariola’s side. Doubts around his participation in the World Cup rose when he limped off the pitch during the warm-up friendly against Portugal on 3 June. But Belgium coach Roberto Martinez said on the eve of the Panama match that Kompany would remain with the squad even if he was not fit enough to feature in the opening match at the … [Read more...] about Star studded Belgium expected to cruise past Panama

Serbia's Aleksandar Kolarov had a good day in Samara: he scored a magnificent World Cup goal and was presented with a Lada by the governor. The Roma defender struck a thunderous second-half free-kick that clinched Serbia a 1-0 victory over Costa Rica on Sunday. "Kolarov scored a wonderful goal and we gave him a prize — a certificate for a Lada 4x4," acting governor Dmitry Azarov said. "He was very happy and the entire team celebrated the news." Azarov hopes Kolarov will show off his new car not only in his home country, but also in Rome, where he plays for Roma. LADA 4x4 Anniversary#LADA #LADA4x4 #4x4 pic.twitter.com/cccTjET4tm — LADA (@allnewlada) February 27, 2018 There was no comment from any of the Serbian players about what they thought of the gift. President Vladimir Putin owns a Lada Niva, whose qualities he has publicly praised, since 2009. Niva was launched in the 1970s as a Soviet-made jeep and is known for its distinctive boxy design. The no-frills brand has … [Read more...] about Russian governor gifts Serbia’s Kolarov Soviet SUV for World Cup goal

Achtung Baby U2, Brute? Yes, the daily review has gone so retro as to be Bono fide Shakespearean. The Caesar of the teams has been vanquished. Is there nothing sacred? Germany lost to Mexico 1-0. Oh, what a falling off was there! Hirving Lozano got the winner in the first half. The Germany team have two more games to salvage the situation before they can – in this column at least – become known as Die Mannschafted. The defeat continues a recent trend of incompetence from defending champions in opening games. In 2010, Italy drew their first group stage match against Paraguay. Spain lost 5-1 to the Netherlands in 2014 in Brazil and Germany have added their name to the triumvirate. There are no easy games France struggled against Australia before winning 2-1. Iran mugged Morocco and now the Germans slip up. That was in Group F. In Group E, Brazil started brilliantly against Switzerland in the Rostov Arena. Philippe Coutinho scored a wonderful goal for the tournament … [Read more...] about 5 shots from World Cup 2018 Day 4

Switzerland came up with a spirited performance in holding five-time champions Brazil to a 1-1 draw in their World Cup opener on Sunday. Brazil came out guns ablazing and went ahead in the 20th minute on a tantalizing long strike by Philippe Coutinho. But Switzerland stood up to the Selecao with the equalizer in the 50th minute on a Steven Zuber header. And then the Nati held off the powerful Brazilian attack to grab the point. The draw gives both teams one point in Group E - behind Serbia who have three points after a 1-0 win over Costa Rica. The only time Switzerland and Brazil previously met in the World Cup came in 1950, when Swiss Jacky Fatton scored in the 88th minute for a 2-2 draw. Captain Marcelo was the only starter in Brazil's line-up that also featured in the first eleven in his country's embarrassing 7-1 loss to Germany in the 2014 World Cup semi-finals. Neymar, who missed the 2014 moment-to-be forgotten with a broken bone in his back, was able to play even though coach … [Read more...] about Five-time champion Brazil held 1-1 by Switzerland in World Cup

South Korea has found a novel way to try to get one over their World Cup opponents - they have been wearing the wrong squad numbers in training. South Koreans face Sweden in their World Cup Group F opener on Monday and hope they have perplexed the Scandinavians. "We do it because European teams are watching us. This is one of the reasons. We want to confuse the Swedes," South Korea coach Shin Tae Yong told a news conference on Sunday. South Korea forward Son Heung Min has worn four different numbers in training, according to a journalist who addressed the coach. The tactic comes amid suggestions that a Swedish scout had used a house near South Korea's training base in Austria this month to watch sessions using a telescope and video camera. When asked about the incident Sweden coach Janne Andersson made light of the accusation. "Our scout heard about a practice session and he did not understand that it was closed and he was asked to leave and he watched from more of a distance," … [Read more...] about South Korean players wear wrong squad numbers in training to confuse Sweden