FIFA WORLD CUP 2014 BRAZIL FINALS: IT'S SUPER MARIO'S GAME FOR GERMANY

Germany's Mario Goetze celebrates after scoring a goal against Argentina

Philipp Lahm lifts the FIFA World Cup trophy in front of head coach Joachim Loew celebrating Germany's win 

Goal keeper Manuel Neuer lifts the trophy 

 

Bastian Schweinsteiger comforts every star player of a team they defeated 

Germany National Soccer Team Homecoming 

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - It's really a Super Mario's Game in Brazil. Germany's got its fourth World Cup trophy Sunday courtesy of a late goal in 113th minute of Mario Goetze through a pass from Andre Schurrle and make its way in past goal keeper Sergio Romero witnessed by a multitude of roaring Argentinians and some Germans supporting their players in the crowded Estadio Maracaña in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Argentina's pride and one of the most popular player in soccer Lionel Messi could not work out his swift moves only making missed opportunities while trying to overcome the highly organized German booters playing on their tactics. The team were congratulated by German chancellor Angela Merkel and Brazil President Dilma Rousseff in which the latter hand over the next staging of FIFA World Cup in 2018 in Russia to Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin. Germany also made history by being the first non-Latin American country to win in Latin American soil or the New World. All the previous FIFA World Cup stagings in Latin America or New World were all won by a Latin American country.

Most of Germany's FIFA World Cup wins happened in a year ending in 4 (1954, 1974, 2014) with the exception of 1990 in Italy. All the previous wins of Germany happened in Europe. CONGRATULATIONS GERMANY! Deutschland.


Photo Sources: 

Associated Press 
Getty Images 
Reuters

FIFA WORLD CUP 2014 UPDATE: A DAY OF INFAMY FOR BRAZIL! SORRY LOSS TO GERMANY

Brazil's coach Luiz Felipe Scolari hides his face in shame after his team's humiliating defeat to Germany

one of Brazil's star player David Luiz cries playing a heart breaking loss to Germany 

THE VENGEANCE! In what can be called as the day of infamy and terror for Brazil, heart broken Brazilian fans watch in terror as their country losses to Germany in Estadio Mineirao in the southeastern city of Belo Horizonte in Brazil. Germany finally defeats Brazil in a HUMILIATING 7-1 in what many called a rematch of the FIFA World Cup 2002 Finals in Japan. What a terrible punishment! I can't imagine the heart broken Brazilians faces as they watch in horror their country's defeat in their home turf. In 30 minutes alone 15 minutes short of a halftime, Germany already exploded 5 goals thanks to Thomas Mueller, Miroslav Klose, Toni Kroos and Sami Khedira that caused a massive walkout of Brazilian Fans in Estadio Mineirao in Belo Horizonte and another two goals were made by German booter Andre Schuerrle in the second half of the game to secure their finals appearance. The lone goal by Brazil was in the last minute of the game courtesy of Oscar. Brazil had hope to redeem themselves to win the World Cup trophy as host from their humiliating lost to Uruguay in the finals of FIFA World Cup 1950 when Brazil first hosted the competition. Germany is just waiting for the winner in the match of Argentina vs. Netherlands while Brazil will just settle for a 3rd or 4th place. 



Photo Sources: 

Mario Tama, Getty Images 
Eddie Keogh, Reuters 
Ruben Sprich, Reuters 
Chris Brunskill Ltd, Getty Images 
Bruno Magalhaes, AP

FIFA WORLD CUP 2014 BRAZIL UPDATE: TOP 4 Semifinalist Teams Revealed

With Argentina's lone goal courtesy of forward Gonzalo Higuain at 8 minutes of the match against Belgium and Netherland's barely won over Costa Rica in a penalty shout out, the top 4 teams playing for next week's semifinals are ready to make history or repeat the triumph they once had. Brazil will face Germany on Tuesday a match that will remind us of the 2002 World Cup Finals in Japan while the 2010 World Cup runner up Netherlands will see a tough game against two time World Cup champion Argentina the following day Wednesday. Brazil will play next week without their star player Neymar who suffered a sustained injury on his vertebrate and their team captain Thiago Silva who was issued a yellow card penalty. The Top Four (4) semifinalist teams were Argentina, Brazil, Germany and Netherlands. We hope that in the future Philippines can finally play in FIFA World Cup and even host it.

FIFA WORLD CUP 2014 SPOTLIGHT: Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo, Philippines BRAZIL OF THE PHILIPPINES

Barotac Nuevo is dubbed as the Football Capital of the Philippines because it is where the homegrown talents of unlimited potentials came from and since Iloilo is a soccer football province. National players who made a name and made countless of goals locally and internationally came from Barotac Nuevo as well as some of the finest coaches hired by other countries came from this small town in northeastern Iloilo, a west central province in the Philippines. Barotac Nuevo is touted as the Brazil of the Philippines followed by Santa Barbara town and La Paz district in Iloilo City.

FIFA WORLD CUP 2014 UPDATE: Top 8 Quarter Finalists Team Revealed

 

FIFA WORLD CUP 2014 Teams On The Knockout Stage and Pairings For The Finals

 Brazil National Football Team 

 

Germany National Football Team 

 

Netherlands National Football Team 

With last night's remaining match in the knockout stage July 1, the Top 8 quarter finalists were revealed. Argentina and Belgium, which won its respective matches against Switzerland and United States, completed the teams which advance for the quarterfinals. Argentina won by only a lone goal made by Argentinian midfielder Angel di Maria at the last extra minutes of the games sending home the Swiss team while Belgium dispatches its strong players to hit 2 goals in the extra minutes of the game after the full 90 minutes in the 93rd and 105th minutes courtesy of Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku respectively to earn the final ticket to the quarterfinals and ending the popular campaign of the United States in the World Cup but thanks to the lone goal courtesy of American midfielder Julian Green in the 107th minutes of the games as a consolation to the United States team. Argentina will face Belgium in the quarterfinals match on July 5. The quarterfinals will start on Friday, July 4 with former World Cup champions France and Germany will battle it out for a semifinal slot in the first match while the host country Brazil will take on the dedicated Colombia in the second match. The other two teams which will fight for the semifinals are Costa  Rica and Netherlands which will face each other on the second match on July 5. Good luck to all the teams!

FIFA World Cup 2014 Brazil Update: Group Matches

Belgium vs. Russia match

Incredible performance from the United States yesterday June 22 in a match against Portugal giving a fierce battle that ends up in a 2-2 draw but the latter is in the bottom of group G in which they should win against Ghana on Thursday, June 26 because otherwise than that and if Germany will win in its match against United States on the same day they will be eliminated early from World Cup. On the other hand, Belgium beats Russia 1-0 to lead group H with 2 wins without any losses and Algeria defeat South Korea 4-2. Belgium will face South Korea on Thursday while Algeria faces Russia on the same date. Tough performances will follow as the Top 16 teams will be revealed. 

Iloilo City, Philippines

FIFA WORLD CUP 2014 UPDATE: Adios España! La Furia Roja Spain Booted Out Of FIFA World Cup 2014

Sergio Busquets of Spain reacts after a missed chance during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group B match between Spain and Chile at Maracana on June 18, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

ADIOS España! FIFA WORLD CUP 2010 CHAMPION Spain booted out of FIFA World Cup 2014 Wednesday, June 18 by Chile 2-0. Chile advances to the next stage next week in Group B group stage elimination to arrange showdown against Netherlands which in turn defeat its own opponent Australia awhile ago 3-2. The Oranjes and Chile jointly lead Group B. Meanwhile Croatia easily defeat Cameroon 4-0 to eliminate the latter in Group A elimination round and say their goodbye to World Cup 2014. Croatia will face Mexico next week. 

La Furia Roja  coach Vicente del Bosque can't do anything against the intensity of the game as they bow down to Chile. Casillas, Iñiesta, Ramos and Castro can only weep as they watch the Chileans romp their way to victory. ‪#‎fifa2014‬ ‪#‎worldcup2014‬ ‪#‎worldcup‬ ‪#‎fifa‬ ‪#‎fifaworldcup2014‬ ‪#‎fifaworldcup2014brazil‬ ‪#‎worldcup2014brazil‬

FIFA World Cup 2014 Heats Up in Brazil

The world's biggest sporting event just next to Summer Olympic games and the world's most popular sport has drummed up in different cities of Brazil starting June 12 with the first match between the host country Brazil against Croatia with the former winning the game. Mexico, Netherlands, Chile, Colombia, Ivory Coast, Costa Rica, Italy, Switzerland, France, Argentina, Germany and United States have so far win their first game against their equally strong opponents in their respective groups. Twelve stadiums (seven new and five renovated) in different cities across Brazil will be the playing venue of thirty-two (32) participating countries. The finals will be on July 13 in Rio de Janeiro. Spain is the current FIFA World Cup Champion 2010 in South Africa.


Photo Sources:

community.futureshop.ca
www.bushwickdaily.com
www.sjearthquakes.com
www.zimbio.com

Yay Philippines Qualify for 2012 AFC Challenge Cup

Yangon, Myanmar - Philippines win over Bangladesh 3-0 qualifies them for the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup in which the winner will be automatically qualify for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup. The first goal came from Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo native Ian Araneta and the last two goals came from the Filipino- Spanish Angel Aldeguer Guirado to cap the winning performance and seal the fate of the country for Asian soccer football tournament. The Philippines is the leading team in Group A of the AFC Challenge Cup qualifying rounds after accumulating a total of 5 points playing against Myanmar, Palestine and Bangladesh in which the latter is the newest casualty of the fierce, brave and fast Azkal team. Palestine is the second team to qualify for the AFC Challenge Cup after accumulating 4 points. This is the first time in Philippine football history that the country has qualified to play for the Asian Football Confederation football tournament, one of Asia's most premiere soccer tournament after the Asian Cup. 
     Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo is known as the Football Capital of the Philippines since football is life of the people in that simple small town in northern Iloilo, Philippines which they already sent players to the national team and some of them are already playing for other countries football clubs. It is also home to the National Football Training Center.

Philippine Azkals Football Team Advances To The Next Stage; Mongolia Wins The Game

Ulan Bator, Mongolia - Philippine Azkals Team played against Mongolia last Tuesday, March 15, 2011. Azkal's made the first score of the game in the first few minutes of play thanks to James Younghusband. In the end, Mongolia won the game 2-0 but with the aggregate score 2-3, Philippines advanced to the next stage of the AFC Challenge Cup qualifying match which will resume next week playing against the teams of Myanmar, Palestine and Bangladesh.

Here is the Official FIFA Rankings of 202 Countries As Of March 11, 2011

FIFA World Rankings Updated March 09, 2011

Emelio Caligdong, Philippines' Newest Football Superstar

               The Philippine Azkals team wins over Mongolia Blue Wolves tonight 2-1 in a jampacked Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines in the AFC Challenge Cup soccer football pre-qualifying match. Thanks to the heroes of the Azkal team, Emelio Caligdong's excellent goal kick in the first half of the game and another goal coming from Phil Younghusband last minute quick and uncontrollable kick. But it was the now famous "Mongolian barbecue" superior goal of Caligdong at vantage point right in between the legs of the astonished Mongolian goalkeeper that rocks the stadium at Panaad and created an uproar and thundering noise which makes a raucous crowd.Caligdong scored the first goal for the Azkals in the 42nd minute. The midfielder called by his peers as “Chieffy" eluded his defender then delivered the first point between the legs of the Mongolian goalie to the delight of the packed hometown crowd.
            What a sensational and high calibre of powerful kick coming from someone who has a passion for football as a young child and coming from the football capital of the Philippines and also the native province of the legendary Paulino Alcantara - Iloilo. He is our superhero and the newest sensation and the newest football superstar of the country! I love the Azkals and I love Caligdong! hahahahahaha......Good luck to your game matches that will propel the Philippines to higher world rankings and hopefully and possibly makes the impossible possible - be a team participating at the World Cup!

Filipino Achievers 2010

           There are lots of stories from the past year in which we can reflect, inspire and learn from and move into the future. Some of the stories are compelling and some are disappointing, some are annoying but some made us very proud.

         Filipinos every year make some noise and stories that really make the year noisy and boisterously happy. Their stories of struggle, unwavering determination and indomitable spirit brightened the days of the country and make the Philippines beautiful where it is smeared with controversy, tragedy, strife and crimes. They will always be the epitome of triumph and inspiration and will always be imprinted in our minds that once these achievers made us who we really are. These are just a few of the Filipino achievers in the past year.

J.R. Celski

The Speeding Olympian in Vancouver

In the world of winter sports where the white and a few Asian skaters reign supreme, a Filipino-American in the name of J.R. Celski break the barriers of frigid zone and went on to win the bronze medal in the men’s 1500 m short track speed skating during the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada in February, 2010. He later joined his US men speedskating team in the men’s 1500m relay short track speed skating to win the bronze medal.

Dennis Sabangan

FIFA World Cup 2010 In The Eyes Of A Lensman

Watching the world’s most popular sport being watched by millions in live audience and billions of others in their television is one thing. Capturing images, stealing snapshots and candid scenes for news and documentary of the history making event is another. Being held in the African continent for the first time in history of the World Cup, the world hooked up on the emerging South Africa on its transformation and handling the event showcasing their potentials and vast talents and also the best of Africa has to offer. Documenting as part of history and news that matter by way of pictures is a privilege given only to a select few lucky ones and one of them is Dennis Sabangan. He is given the chance to cover the now world’s biggest sporting spectacle defeating the Summer Olympic Games, due to his previous works, accomplishments and credentials. FIFA World Cup in July 12 is highlighted on the finals when La Furia Roja (The Red Fury) Spain won the World for the first time since it first participated in the very first World Cup in 1930 beating the three time World Cup runner up The Netherlands. The sport is covered by a photographer from a country who doesn’t enjoy soccer but basketball and boxing yet Dennis Sabangan deliver the goods.

Tim Lincecum

The Pitcher Who Strikes Gold

In U.S. baseball, only the Japanese professional players made it big in the World Series making names and hauling a lot of wealth. A Filipino named Tim Lincecum broke the monotony and pitched for the San Francisco Giants to be the mighty winner of the World Series. The honor he brought became the first ever win by San Francisco in the history of the game and he is also the first second-year player to win the 2008 and 2009 National League Cy Young Awards. His clever, unorthodox and unconventional method of pitching and success in baseball earned him the title “The Freak” and “The Franchise”.

Maria Venus Bayonito Raj

The Rice Paddy Beauty Queen

Skinny, corpse like and witch like lass living in the middle of the rice fields as the tease and taunts she heard from her school mates, who will ever notice a lady this ugly. His mother is the exception who keeps inspiring, encouraging and lifting her low spirit and telling her to prove them wrong and that molds the mind set of the young Venus Raj. Her mother’s soft and gentle words became her motivation to persevere for her dream to become a beauty queen someday watching as the most beautiful woman crowned as Miss Universe and wondering how she can join it. Walking through the rice paddies became her training ground and perfected her catwalk skills and joining several beauty pageants in school and in their community harness her craftsmanship in the art of beauty pageants. She joins Miss Philippines Earth and ended up a runner up and two years later joined the Binibining Pilipinas national pageant in which she was crowned as the winner and automatically gave her the honor of representing the country in the upcoming Miss Universe 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada on August 23. Her courage, perseverance and unwavering faith cannot deter her to fulfill her dreams of competing at Miss Universe beauty pageant as the scandal surrounding her birthplace took place days later, a desperate move by some envious of her title so that someone could take her place because she is just poor as some elitist wanted  a lady coming from a prominent rich family to represent the country in Miss Universe. She ended up 4th runner up to Miss Mexico Jimena Navarette in a splendid ceremony held at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada on August 23, 2010. Ever since making history that will put her as a classic exemplary woman, she has become a youtube sensation, drawing crowds swarming like bees and having lots of videos pertaining to or related about her. Graduating with honors in college despite of poverty, struggling through life with her family despite her longing for her father, her unwavering faith, confidence and courage braving against all odds just to fulfill her lifelong dream of competing at Miss Universe is truly endearing, awe inspiring, more compelling and truly an epitome of a woman’s substance and earned her a legion of fans around the world before, during and after Miss Universe.

Nicole Scherzinger

The Popular Dance Group Sensation Swaying In The Reality Show Competition

Who doesn’t know the popular lead singer of the sexy girl group Pussycat Dolls? Her exotic gorgeous looks along with her equally stunning members compliments their sexy chilling voice prove to be effective capturing the hearts of teens and younger adults all over the world with their catchy tunes and soft boneless body move who slithers like a snake. Capping her lifetime career as a dancer, she was invited to compete for the Fox Channel’s Dancing With The Stars, a reality dance show competition of celebrities, partnering with the professional dancer Derek Hough. She proves her superior skill, perfected her craft and easily made her into the finals topped by her favoritism over her opponents making her that season grand winner. Her expertise, precision, impeccable dance routines and flair in dancing is too inevitable not to be noticed.

Bernstein Promises To Be A "Hands-On" FA Chairman

(AFP) David Bernstein said he expected to play a role in deciding the future of under-pressure England manager Fabio Capello after being nominated as the new chairman of the Football Association (FA).

The board of English football's governing body announced Bernstein, an ex-chairman of Manchester City and the current chairman of Wembley Stadium, the 90,000-seater venue in northwest London where England play their home matches, as their unanimously approved candidate on Wednesday

Bernstein, 67, will take over as chairman if his appointment is endorsed by an FA council meeting on January 25.

The FA stuck with Capello, whose contract is due to expire after Euro 2012, despite England's poor display at this year's World Cup in South Africa where the Italian's side crashed out in the second round.

Many previous FA chairmen have been figureheads but Bernstein, asked if he would be involved with Fabio Capello and the England players, told Sky Sports: "Certainly with Fabio Capello.

"I agreed with the people who interviewed me that the chairman of the FA needs to be involved with major decisions concerning the England set-up."

As for whether he would decide Capello's future, Bernstein added: "I didn't say that, that's a board matter generally but I will be involved in deciding his future for sure."

Former Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein had been the favourite for the FA chairmanship as officials sought a high-profile leader following England's failed bid to host the 2018 World Cup.

But nominations committee chairman Phil Gartside said Bernstein was "the outstanding candidate for the role".

Bernstein is set to succeed acting FA chairman Roger Burden, who withdrew as a candidate for the permanent position following England's failed World Cup bid because he said he "could not trust FIFA", football's global governing body.

Sebastian Coe, who led London's successful bid to stage the 2012 Olympic Games, insisted it was vital Bernstein improved the FA's relations with FIFA.

"I think it's very important when the (English) game takes stock, it identifies those people that they can get into senior and key positions in FIFA and in the international game," Coe, an advisor to the England 2018 team, said.

"The advantage we (London) had when we were bidding for the Games is that actually a number of us were insiders," the double Olympic champion added.

Bernstein was coy about England's relations with FIFA, saying: "I'd rather duck that at this stage. I assure you I won't duck it in the longer term."

His mix of business and football experienced made Bernstein, an accountant who is on the boards of several British companies, an attractive candidate for the post of FA chairman.

Bernstein was City chairman for five years during which time the now Premier League club moved from Maine Road to Eastlands and has been Wembley chairman since 2008.

David Triesman, a former British government minister, resigned as FA chairman in May after a newspaper reported he had told a former aide Spain could drop its attempt to host the 2018 World Cup if rival bidder Russia helped bribe referees at this year's edition.

A subsequent FIFA probe "found no indication there is any basis to the allegations".

Spain won this year's World Cup, with Russia winning the right to stage the 2018 tournament.

Anelka, Henry To Forfeit World Cup Bonuses

(AFP)Nicolas Anelka and Thierry Henry are set to agree to forfeit the bonuses they were due to be paid for France's disastrous World Cup campaign, sports minister Chantal Jouanno said Wednesday.

The two strikers had been the only two members of the squad not to have done so in the face of public outrage over what happened in South Africa in the summer.

"It's been sorted out and they are set to agree," Jouanno said as she came out of a cabinet meeting.

FFF president Fernand Duchaussoy announced last month that the 23-man France squad had agreed to forfeit their bonuses linked to the use of their image rights at the tournament in South Africa.

"A lot of them have signed, it's moving forward," Duchaussoy had said.

Chelsea striker Anelka is currently serving out an 18-match ban after being sent home in disgrace from the World Cup after a foul-mouthed tirade at then coach Raymond Domenech leading to his teammates' infamous training strike.

"We haven't discussed it particularly. If there's the slightest hope it's more on Henry's side. Anelka, it would amaze me if he gives in," the source added.

Henry, France's all-time leading scorer, played a substitute's role at the World Cup and is now playing in the United States with the New York Red Bulls.

Domenech was sacked after overseeing France's first-round exit but Duchaussoy said the terms of his dismissal did not include an agreement to renounce his bonus, and they "could not prevent him" receiving it.

"He hasn't received them (bonus), but we can't use them," added the FFF boss.

Iran Coach Eyes 2011 Asian Cup Triumph

(AFP) Iran coach Afshin Ghotbi said on Wednesday that he hopes to pilot his side to glory in the 2011 Asian Cup finals and what would be a first title in 35 years.

The draw in the Asian Cup 2011 to be played in Qatar from January 7 to 29 groups Iran, the Asian powerhouse from the late 1960s through the 1970s, with current Asian Cup champions Iraq, North Korea and the United Arab Emirates.

"We are there for victory, we are trekking on this path and we will act professionally. Our aim is the championship but I am not promising anything," Ghotbi told a Tehran press conference, his last as coach of Team Melli.

"Now all Iranians have to keep the tempo in backing the team... it is their children playing for glory... to achieve the title after more than three decades," he said.

Ghotbi, who will part with Team Melli after the Qatar finals, said that he has planned a 10-day training camp in the host nation, with whom Iran will play a pre-tournament friendly on December 28. A second has been pencilled in against Angola on January 2.

"I have assembled a team based on the players' being football-smart, team-minded, and having an instinctive ambition for the title," Ghotbi said, when asked why some recent caps had failed to make the squad.

However, both Javad Nekounam and Masoud Shojai of Spanish La Liga club Osasuna have made the shortlist.

Iran's opening game in Qatar will be against holders Iraq on January 11.

Ghotbi said: "I cannot say that Iraq is the hardest game we face, but our people have to recall that even Spain lost its first match in the 2010 World Cup, so people have to keep on backing the team throughout the tournament.

"It is very important for us to make it to the knock-out round after playing the first two matches... The days are long gone when you knew who was going to win the championship before the finals had started."

Iran has a current FIFA ranking of 66, which puts it behind Japan, South Korea and Australia. The country won the Asian Cup in 1968, 1972 and 1976, and hosted the continent's biggest football event in 1968 and 1976.

Philippines Most Stunning Victory in Soccer Football Happened in AFF Suzuki Cup 2010 in Vietnam

        The Philippines stunning upset over ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup Defending Champion Vietnam last Tuesday, December 8, 2010 is the most shocking upset in the history of southeast Asia's football. In what could have been the most exciting match of the tournament, the Philippines' winning over Vietnam 2-0 is the most celebrated and winningest victory of the country in an international football tournament. In a country where boxing is the most watched by Filipinos and basketball is the most played anywhere and football the world's most popular sport is ironically a shadow sport in the country where there is a lack of support and funding, the Philippines winning gain the attention of no less than the President Benigno Aquino III himself that he gave his presidential approval to their performance and gaining the attention of Filipinos. Philippines' draw against Myanmar in the final game of Group B will see Philippines for the final four competing against each other for the first time in the AFF Suzuki Cup. Seven of the players are native of Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo and the rest are either foreign born Filipinos or native of other cities and provinces. The team will be leaving tonight, December 14 and will seek action on the semifinals round of the home and away game against Indonesia in Jakarta on December 16, 2010